We bought our 06 kj renegade over a unlimted rubicon hands down.

and after going thru all the comparisons. It's a no brainer even more now.

we are not into rock climbers, we are into open desert, & desert washes exploring.
the Stock renagade came with requested options:
4spd auto vlp
3.73 rear end
tow pkg
skid group
smoker's pkg for the coin...

In the washes it performs flawlessly without effort
for example
no need to hunt for more stable areas in the wash
just point down the middle and get some at 1500 -2000 rpm 4lo)

complete comfort of refreshments, ac & stereo cd all day long @ 110oF.
we did not even have to air down the tires the whole trip.

most my friends are long time hardcore desert runners & they were quite impressed & amazed with the liberty's effortless wash running abilities.

ie.. it just rides up on top of the sand.
this jeep is really nice to 4 wheel in.

yea there is a few downsides to the renegade.
don't scratch it up
thank goodness for a 20 gallon tank
stero misses track sequence
oil changes come way too soon.

but with all that....
it's still a great Jeep!
and when comparing the kj to the ability of the wrangler 06 or 07.
kj got
more styling
better colors
more road worthy
more stock optioned ameneties
better automatic power train (vlp)
built like a tank without looking like one.
great stock offroad clearance
I hope jeep does right by the liberty in the coming years
and that soccer mom thing- that's just bs......

So if anyone wants a truly all in one vehicle in 4x4 .
no doubt hands down the liberty renegade it the way to go in my book.

_________________
LIFE's Too ShoRt
noT oWn a JeeP
>:O)

Glad to hear that you're so happy with the KJ. I know most of my friends act like I have the most hardcore wheeler of the bunch (which I think I do). There are a few flaws in it, but what vehicle doesnt. Otherwise, why would there be mods? However, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Wrangler Unlimited at my local dealer to see how those compare.

<3 KJ

_________________
L.O.S.T. #31000

'03 KJ Freedom Edition - 4" JBA Coilover Lift w/ 32" Cooper STT PROs
'98 XJ Sport - 6" Full-Traction 4-Link Long Arm - Jeepspeed #2731 (Race Jeep)

DobermanRacing.com - Team Driver
Sponsored by UltRanger & CellTech

Nice to see another happy customer. Time to switch to synthetics to keep those oil/fluid changes at bay a little longer.

_________________
99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Well I'd agree with you about the desert washes part.

However, the power to weight ratio leaves a bit to be desired. Two weekends ago when we went to Oceano sand dunes, I could not crest a hill in 4LO + 1st or 4LO + D. The 4LO + D combination did get it up closer to the top but the KJ just gave up. To be fair, the Jeep was carrying two adults, two kids, and a load of camping crap in the back

She probably could have made it unloaded.

_________________
DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking

Always looking for an excuse to push your Amsoil huh?

iv'e got only one question..... once i change to synthetic
If the wife is traveling out & about & decides the libby needs a quart of oil.
if she adds dino. what happens?
she ask this very questioned of me so i pass it on to the ones that know.
thanks
bc

_________________
LIFE's Too ShoRt
noT oWn a JeeP
>:O)

Carry an extra qt. of synthetic! You Can mix dino And Synthetics but it isn't something I would run for an extended period of time. Also, You Shouldn't need to add a Qt. unless you have a leaky engine or are burning a lot of oil. Do what I do on my wifes vehicles, give them a checkup once a month or more. She never checks anything, so I make sure to do it every so often. Good question, I hear it often. THanks for asking!

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

It is what I do. BTW, Thanks for mentioning MY brand as I didn't!

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Technically, you do in every post. It's in you signature...

_________________
'05 CRD Sport born on 06/20/05, bought on 9/23/05, L.O.S.T. on 9/27/05 - modding ever since:

Daystar 2.0" Lift, P255/70R16 Revos, Boulder Bars, Reese Front Hitch w/9k Hooks, Poison Spyder Rock Ring, MOPAR Skids/Bug Shield/Roof Rails/Mats, WARN Hitch Shackle(Rear), 10k Hitch Hook(Front), Custom Tilt/Slope Meter, Ammo Box Mod, Rotella T 5W-40.

I know what you mean about not burning oil. My fiance old ford escort use to burn about a 1 quart every 2,000 miles. When I switch to synthetic oil and it didn't burn a drop in about the 6,000 miles I had it in.

So, no comment about conquering the dunes? Just pedal to the metal? Would synthetic oil help me there?

_________________
DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking

Seems like JJsKJ was directing his advice to a legitimate concern. There are more than a few members here that add links to signatures. Good Information is Good Information and that is what we are looking for isn't it? Everytime anyone here puts a link or names a product in their signature, they are letting the rest of us know what they support.

_________________
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

Bill, my experience with dunes is that steep/long ones require power, absence of weight, and good traction. That's why rails, quads, and motorcycles do well on them if set up properly. And that's what was against you - too much weight, not enough traction from your tires, and not enough power to overcome the shortcomings with speed.

As an experiment, when my YJ is rebuilt as a stroker, I've already got large paddle sand tires that I'm going to try at Glamis. With all the weight on the YJ due to skids, armor, heavy bumpers and a winch, it probably still won't be a real goer, but it should be way better than before. I'll also take off the doors and top and some other things. Maybe it will do most of what I want. I'll post what I find.

_________________
Ted Kalil
2005 KJ Renegade & 1987 Wrangler.
2010 Yamaha 700 Grizzly - got very sick. So.. 2012 Polaris RZR 800

I want to be there when you do that Ted!

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

when i think of jeeps @ the dunes.....
in my mind it's the jeeps on that tv series "RAT Patrol"...
Nothing like a 50 cal on back of the jeep to get the
excitment going.
Seemed that those jeeps & the men that drove'm
worked in tandem drab uniforms & kool googles.
wonder what type of jeep were those.
they almost never seemed to get stuck right......
i leave the sand dunes to the Masses nothing like a crowd of 10,000 to spoil a good outing
plenty of quite, out of the way adventure for all to be had.
good luck on cresting those dunes. if i see any KJ i'll stop & chat gladly....
BTW first strong west wind is blowing across the imperial valley right this moment.
3 more days of this & summer will have broke.
take care
bc

_________________
LIFE's Too ShoRt
noT oWn a JeeP
>:O)