Factory options? Tow package? Identify a lift?

thehypnotoad · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:05 pm

Hello everyone.

I recently jumped ship from my automotive roots (GM performance sedans, haha) and bought a 2006 KJ after having a fascination with 4x4's and offroading for a long time. So far I love it, but I have a few inconsistencies I would like to figure out.

The vehicle has a lift, and I am trying to figure how high it is and who makes it. All I can see by looking at it are red springs (front and back) and white shocks (can't see any identifiable writing on them). Does this sound like a kit from somewhere? Or something just put together? I'm not that knowledgeable on suspension components yet...

I also got the build sheet from Jeep and it is missing a lot of things that I have...such as: trailer hitch & wiring, factory light bar (with factory toggle switch), engine/front axle skid plate, transmission skid plate, and a (very factory looking) transmission cooler. Perhaps there are more things I just haven't noticed. I figure the previous owner must have just started strapping on factory options.

Since I don't officially have the tow package, what would I need to get up to the 5000lb rating?

Thanks for helping out a n00b. I learn quickly.

vincennescrd · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:49 pm

Sounds like the old model skyjacker lift that you can't get parts for

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:41 pm

More than likely thats what the lift is.
As far as the extras someone more than likely installed them.
Measure from the middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare to get an estimate of how much lift you have stock it was about 19 inches

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:53 pm

Howdy - you and Digger need to talk about hypno toad stuff........

XJMA · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:36 pm

So the build sheet for your vehicle says that it had tow package but you've got no hitch or wiring?? No skids?? Strange.

It's tough buying a lifted vehicle, especially for someone that doesn't have much knowledge about lifts and wheeling, etc....I wish you luck!! Join a jeep club, fast!!!

IIRC, the 'factory' tow package came with everything including a cooler for the power steering - which is not needed (but if you had it, it wouldn't hurt). I find it hard to believe that someone would remove the factory tranny cooler....it's kinda small but it is an aux cooler - look up front you'll find it. If you REALLY don't have a tranny cooler, you need one....like you need gear oil in the axles need one!!! I've been wheeling (read - beating the snot out of) jeeps for a long time including jeeps with automatic transmissions. There are two things that they need to be able to deal with severe abuse 1) don't submerge them in mudholes - they generally have open vent holes on the top that water can get in and 2) keep them cool as in get an aux tranny cooler for anything that doesn't have one!! I have 2 XJs that I beat the crap out of and the AW4 autos work great because I put the largest aux tranny coolers I could fit in each one.

To be able to tow 5000# all you'll need is a 2" receiver hitch (whatever class that is IV or V??). There will be three bolts on each side. I recommend the mopar one as it is tucked up nice and tight, all you can see from the rear is the 2" receiver itself, the bar going horizontal is hidden behind the bumper. Not sure which aftermarket ones are the same - I do know that some hang down lower. If yours had the factory tow package you should be able to find the wiring - check the grommet about midway from rear of vehicle to the axle on the passenger side of the rear cargo compartment and see if there is anything there for ya.

If you've got nothing for wiring, NAPA has the proper setup for you, tell them Hopkins 42475 and they'll find it. NAPA part number is slightly different but they'll get it for ya. You can also get it form etrailer.com but I would not recommend dealing with them as they don't understand basic math. (If you pay for 3day shipping on a saturday, it is unacceptable for the item to come the following monday....that's 6 business days) Wherever you get it from you just pull the panel back in the cargo area, unplug a connector and plug this little control unit in between the plug that you just un-plugged, pop one self tapper into the sheetmetal for a grounding wire and then run the flat 4 connector out of the grommet in the rear cargo area.

thehypnotoad · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:21 pm

Thanks for the info...I think what I said didn't get communicated properly, haha. I HAVE all of those options, but they are not on my build sheet. So I was just wanting to see what I have left to get to the 5000lb rating. Aside from the power steering cooler, I've also read the tow package has a clutch drive fan and a heavier duty electric fan? I suppose these would be good to have as well. I am also going to do the plugs since I have no idea when they were done last. Any particular brand anyone recommends? I'm gonna check my lift height tonight. Thanks again!

XJMA · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:03 pm

just regular plugs, champion, or whatever...don't do the platinum fancy deals.

Yep, something got lost in translation, sorry about that!!

Not sure on the fan clutch...never seen one in a KJ, and I would think that installing one would only hamper performance (robs HP, just like AC). I've seen people remove the mechanical fans and install dual electrics for mods...works better offroad where you don't have any airflow from speed and you're sitting stopped a lot and putting lots of strain on the motor. If you felt the need you could put a larger tranny cooler. The PS cooler really isn't needed.

If you have a 2" receiver than you can tow 5000 lbs with the KJ, although you probably don't want to do that all day every day!!! Also, tow ratings are given by the braking capacity of the vehicle, not just the motor's capacity to pull it!! In my experience the 4 wheel discs on the KJ are pretty stout - they definitely get the job done. I'm sure you could make them even better if you felt the need. You could also go a little lower on the axle gears which would help the motor not work quite as hard but that's gonna lower gas mileage, so there is a trade off.

In reality the KJ isn't the best tow vehicle in the world for no other reason than it's short wheel base - and the short wheel base is one of the reasons that it's basically the best vehicle in it's class for wheeling!! You can't have it both ways!!

gtommec · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:16 pm

The factory Tow Package on the Liberty consists of the 2" receiver, Wiring with 7-way round connector, 7-way round to 4-way flat adapter and Heavy Duty Cooling fan (which in addition to the electric fan all KJs have includes a fan clutch, metal fan and larger fan shroud)

The Power steering cooler is not part of the towing package and all KJs are equipped with them.

As for towing, according to Jeep the Liberty is rated to tow 5000 pounds (500# tongue weight)if equipped with weight-distributing hitch and cooling fan kit, otherwise it has a 2000 pound weight rating with a 200 pound tongue weight rating.

Factory options? Tow package? Identify a lift?

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