soooo, school me on the KJ!

mdoffroad · **Joined:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:01 pm **Posts:** 18

Ok, I've tried to kick the Jeep addiction and was Jeep free and clean, for almost 2 months in the Subaru Wagon 5 speed I bought.... except the kids seats don't fit with me IN the car... Im 6'5"... yeah, slight oversight.... the 5 speed, was calling my name! lol
anyway.. going back to Jeeps and just live with poopy fuel mileage...
Im considering another WJ or 4dr XJ (97-01) and possibly a KJ....
this platform is almost totally alien to me... what do I have to look forward to? how are the engines versus the tried and true 4 liter? what focus points should I look for on used ones around 100,000 miles? Like the WJ's are KNOWN for having to remove the dash to replace a common issue AC part, and the radiators SUCK to remove (whole front end removal) or the fan relays die, or the blend doors all die in the Limited or Overlands... whats common on the KJ's??
ANY help is appreciated... soon as the car sells, I have a WJ to borrow for a bit but, I wanna start looking and book marking..
my goal is something along the line of a 245/75/16 tires on factory rims, few lights, and make a reliable bug out vehicle that will still fit car seats and me still be able to drive it!

OH! any features that are "must haves"??

thanks!

Matt

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:28 pm

Like any vehicle depends on the upkeep of the former owners
Lots of folks have 150,000-200,000 miles and no problems
Seems 05 on up had window regulator issues
All have some issues with radiators but simple to swap out
rear boot on the front driveshaft is an issue but easy 60 buck fix and a few minutes
To run 245-75-16s you'll need at least a 2.5 lift , if you've been into any 4 WDs at all you know spacer lifts don't do the job so OME/ Ironman both have good cheaper lifts at 675-750 for springs and shocks .
Others will fill you in on other things to think about or look at
I bought mine new in 04 with every intention of not doing anything to it. Didn't work out too well :ROTFL:

Welcome to LOST

mdoffroad · **Joined:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:01 pm **Posts:** 18

thanks! I know spacers really aren't my thing, as you rely on previously worn springs... not sure that much for a lift is in the budget, but, we shall see! I only wanna do it once...

Jeep has a habit of having "first year" of models with mega issues, the 02 any real issues over the rest to speak of?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:06 am

mdoffroad wrote:

thanks! I know spacers really aren't my thing, as you rely on previously worn springs... not sure that much for a lift is in the budget, but, we shall see! I only wanna do it once...

Jeep has a habit of having "first year" of models with mega issues, the 02 any real issues over the rest to speak of?

The "2nd" year of '02 KJ's are the best out there,better trans(auto) and just generally better overall,yes they made model year 2002 KJ's for almost 2 years.Granted most will have pretty high miles by now but you can still find low mileage '02's.The 2nd run for the model year '02 started about october of '01,the 1st run started in march of '01 for model year '02.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:08 am

Actually 02s early 03s had a stronger tranny so some prefer them. No real issues with "first year" KJs to speak of.
Back to lifts I've ran / tested about everything out there that works.
Plus lots of info on here so if you have questions just ask. :wink:

You can always do a 2.5 inch and later add a few things to get 3.5-3.75 inches real easy

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:58 pm

If you really look for a good KJ one with descent miles and the 545RFE tranny or 45RFE with a good serivce history your drive line worries are minimum. The 5 Speed versions in these are also extremely reliable but don't know if there is any real MPG gains and they are kinda hard to find. The radiators are very easy to swap (the Diesels are alittle more difficult but easy all the same) and it is mostly a crack in one of the plastic sides that they get replaced for. The window regulator issues in the 05-07 are kinda hit or miss and are easily fixed with a $60 kit from Stinger (I have been through 1 since 07 when i bought mine). The limited trim will get you anything from Navigation and leather heated full power seats to the standard leather and a single disc CD player. The renegade trim is and apperance package with a few interior touches but not quite as nice as the limited.

mdoffroad · **Joined:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:01 pm **Posts:** 18

How much room compared to the Cheroeke and WJ grands? As reliable? The WJ I looked at today had the typical wiring issue in the driver door jab needing repair, the KJs have that too? What about AC? do they have the issues with the unit in the dash (evap or condenser,never remeber which) needing the dash dropped like the WJ?

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:12 pm

Legroom, headroom, and cargo room:
XJ < KJ < KK
Don't know about the WJ - never owned one.
My XJ had wiring issues in the front doors, but my Liberty is fine. Never had a problem with the AC.

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:04 pm

I'd take kids and car seats and try the fit in any vehicle I was interested in. I don't have kids but I try out my dog crates.

mdoffroad · **Joined:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:01 pm **Posts:** 18

well, I finally got a deposit on my Impreza so HOPEFULLY, no later than Friday next week, it will be gone and I will be buying something.. it honestly looks like its gonna be an XJ or a KJ finally. I figure I have done 3 XJs and 3 WJ's, sooo why not give a new chassis a shot. At this point, I want a quiet engine, COLD AC, and room for the kids and myself

soooo, school me on the KJ!

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