Hello fine KJ people. I am in the market for a new Jeep and am torn between a TJ and a KJ. I would like some of your input as to why KJ's are preferred over TJ's...

That's not really an apples-to-apples comparison. The KJ will have more space and offer you a better environment to ride in, but there are limited modifications that you can do, at this time. If you really want to get into wheeling offroad, go with something else. But if this is going to be your daily driver 99% of the time, it's not a bad jeep.

Note: it will be incredibly expensive to get the same performance, offroad, as a TJ...when those options become available.

With the way gas prices have gone, I'd say get a CJ7 and a little car for your daily driver. You'll be happier when gas gets to $4.00/gal (I'm getting 17.3 miles per gallon and I have a 19.5 gallon tank).

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jeep movies: http://users.catastrophe.net/~eric/jeepmov/
other stuff: http://www.zischen.org/

Frankly, they both have their strong points and weak points. They are very different vehicles and it depends a lot on the driver as to which one is preferred. What are you looking for in a Jeep?

I currently have a Cherokee that is going to need some expensive repairs...supposedly. I love TJ's but would like the room and power options of the KJ. I do some mild off roading, nothing crazy. I know the mod options for a TJ are numerous. As far as lifts for the KJ which ones are recommended? I will probably plan on putting 31's or 32's on. Thanks for your help guys

To me it's the 4 doors. Now wrangler will be available in 4 door then no reason for me. Instead, many reason to go with wrangler - IMO.

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2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

Perhaps you are from one of those states that don't like diesels but if you aren't and you want economy look for a CRD Liberty while they are still available.

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Dave

'06 CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki, MOPAR Slush Mats/Skids, DrawTite Front Hitch, Mag Lite, Yakima Bars, Thule Bike Rack, Fumoto, ORM, 245/70 Revo 2

Wish list: Lift, Boulder Bars, Something Bigger in the Front and Back, More Lights

Unfortunately no CRD for us Massholes

The 2.5inch "FrankenLift" is very popular and is known as the best option. http://www.boulderbars.com/frankenlift.htm

Rustys Offroad also makes a Good lift 2.5inch http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merc ... sus_kj_kit

Im personally waiting for my for my frankenlift to arrive.

The KJ is very capable here is a link to pictures of what stock KJ's can do http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... php?t=9202

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-John L.O.S.T. #229262
SOLD 2005 Liberty
SOLD 2006 TJ Rubicon
1977 Ford Bronco
5.5inch Superlift
35x12.50's

KJ is a better option since you say you will not do hardcore off-roading. More comfort, quieter, better on-road manners, and more cargo space than a TJ. Just some advantages of the KJ over the TJ.

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New KJ Gear - Desert Armor Flak

2004 Renegade Light Khaki - 4" JBA Lift - Rock Lizard Products: Komodo Dragon Rear Bumper, Prototype Winch-mount Front Bumper, Super Skink Sliders - All J's Super Tranny Skid II - 31" Firestone Destination AT's on Moab wheels - Cobra 75W CB w/ stock Antenna mod

[b]Retired, US Military

I agree. From the sounds of it the KJ will fit your needs. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well it does off road when you do head out for some adventure.

Don't get me wrong, I love my KJ, but if I didn't have a wife & three kids... TJ. I love a convertable! (and in Mass., you should be able to use it 6 months out of the year) Need to haul stuff - get a trailer, or a hitch-hault at wallyworld for $60.

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
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2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop

i can speak good and bad for both because we own both a TJ and a KJ this is what i think
for a DD with some mild to moderate offroad use a KJ can fit the bill just fine
it will ride better quieter get better mpg and in general be more comfotable than a TJ
another option that many KJ fans dont like to talk about is the LJ or wrangler unlimited
it has the same wheel base as a KJ it does not ride as nice as a KJ no power options more gas and noise and a little less cargo room but better offroad
and then there is the TJ lets just say all that is good about the KJ is bad about the TJ things like space ride quility mpg but when it comes to offroad
none are better and easer to modify
so in short more on road less off KJ
more off road TJ or LJ
hope this helps

Ooh, another masshole, Welcome! No matter which jeep you get, be sure to check out the Northeast section, come on a trail ride with us (even as just a passenger, it's fun)

I had to make the choice of KJ vs TJ (among many other vehicles). Here's a few of the things I considered:

- TJ is much smaller than KJ. You can either fit 4 people or 2 people and some stuff. In a KJ you can fit 5 and all their stuff.

- KJ has 4 doors, TJ doesn't (well, now there is a 4 door wrangler for 2007)

- KJ is more refined, TJ is more rugged. That's the simple way of saying it, but there are a lot of details behind it (KJ can have heated leather, TJ has a solid axle, among other things)

- TJ has a removable roof, that's a big +. KJ can have a sunroof, though, that's pretty nice, too.

- KJ has solid doors and tinted windows, as well as an alarm and cargo cover. With a TJ in boston, you can just assume you'll have your soft-top slit and stuff removed at some point.

What I did when I was looking for a car was make a list of the things I wanted, and then came up with a HUGE list of vehicles that met it. I went through the vehicles and gave them pros and cons and elimited the ones that didn't meet what I wanted. My initial requirements were:
- small suv (small enough to drive + park in the city, large enough to bring lots of people+stuff)
- standard transmission
- sunroof
- luxury options
I narrowed it down to the XTerra, Forester, and Liberty. Forrester looked too much like a wagon, and xterra didn't have the ability to get a manual and a sunroof in the same vehicle.

Good luck in your search!

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Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

Both are great vehicles. I've owned two TJ's and one KJ, and I loved all of them. I wish I had my TJ for reasons such as: more ground clearance, more aftermarket options, more rugged, true convertible, little quicker from a stop, and simply put, it's the signiture Jeep(I miss the Jeep wave!) I love my KJ for it's: 4 doors(wrangler soon to have this!), comfort on hwy rides, slightly better gas mileage, more overall room, also has great looks. I will be trading it in in Spring of 07 for a 4door Wrangler Rubicon, though I will miss it when it's gone! Whichever u choose, enjoy it! Gotta love us Massholes!

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2005 Jeep
Liberty Renegade
Silver

Previously owned:
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport (Silver)
1999 Jeep Wrangler Sport (Gunmetal)

I'd go for a Rubicon unlimited myself!

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jeep movies: http://users.catastrophe.net/~eric/jeepmov/
other stuff: http://www.zischen.org/

The KJ is a great general purpose vehicle. Cruise comfortably down the highway at 75 with a trailer then hit the trails. If you are happy with your XJ running 31 or 32s then you will be happy with a KJ. A KJ can handle moderate trails just fine, despite some of the criticism. It will keep up with any equally equipped jeep period.

Popular lifts include the Frankenlift (www.boulderbars.com), Rusty's Lift (www.rustysoffroad.com) and the Daystar (www.boulderbars.com). They will allow you to fit 31" tires or 32" if you want to trim away some plastic.

I just traded in my 2002 Liberty Limited 4x4 for a 2006 CRD. I had a 2.5" lift with 32's, Detroit TrueTrac front, Powertrax Locker Rear and a Warn Winch on a Trailready Front bumper with bull bar (also had the TrailReady Rear bumper). There really was no place I couldn't go with the TJ's around here...except competition TJ, YJ ect.

I traded it in to get the CRD before they went out of production. I could have waited for the 4-door TJ coming but I liked the KJ's tough build (I rolled mine amoung other battle scars) and it always kept pluggin along. My new CRD is going to be setup more for medium trails...camping, ect. It is much nicer to travel any kind of distance in and can be locked up more securely that a TJ.

If I ever decided to build a TJ/YJ for serious Roackcrawling...I could tow it with my KJ...

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

Not to hijack this thread...IDK if this was before my time here on LOST or not, but can you post some pics (in another thread)?

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-nate
LOST#NL068123 - 2005 Renegade 3.7L 4x4, Off-Road Package, Rock Rails, Skids, Command-Trac, Trac-Loc LSD, Light Bar, K&N Drop in Filter, AMSOIL LUBES, RRO's Diff Guard for 8.25", Frankenlift, & Goodyear MT/R's
Cardomain

Like a tribute to the Goat thread? That would be cool to see!

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Nanette

03 Freedom with some neat stuff done to it that I learned about here.

I traded my 2005 CRD Liberty for a 2006 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited. I did this for several reasons. I know a ton about the TJ's and was afraid that after the 2006 model year the Wrangler would become something else. I love the old 4.0 inline six with the six speed manual and this will be the last year for that setup.

If you really drive mostly on road with only moderate offroading you'll really like the Liberty and I highly recommend the 3.7 or the CRD. The MPG on the CRD’s are the best out there for a true 4x4.

My Unlimited Rubicon is great for my family. We only have one child and it's easy enough to let her in the back. Plus the Unlimited has about the same amount of room behind the back seat as the Liberty.

Some of the down falls of my Rubicon are that the MPG is less by 7 or 8 mpg on the highway than my CRD. It's pretty close to the 3.7 MPG maybe a little less, but it depends on how you drive. The towing of my CRD was it's shining star. IT WAS AWESOME as a tow vehicle, 18 to 20 MPG towing a 4500 lbs travel trailer.

It you’re really into working on your own vehicle and love offroading you'll wish you had the Rubicon Unlimited. I have been to Tellico and a ton of other places in my Libertys. (my 2002 3.7L and my 2005 CRD) I am not downing the Liberty's I really like them. When offroading I believe the Jeep Rubicon is unbeatable offroad by anything short of the Military H1 Hummer and if you can afford that you should by a Rubicon and a Liberty!!

Wes

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport (KJ4DIW) Ham / Warn 9500ti

http://www.cardomain.com/id/wesbronco