I have a 2003 KJ, the thing is lifting these jeeps are both limited and costly. I've had my Liberty 10 yrs. it's perfect we've never had any problems with it. I've read that IFS front suspension is not very good off road? so I'd like to get some feedback, Jeepin by al seems the only way to go for a lift, is his product worth it? and is the Liberty a capable off road vehicle?

I should mention that I want to build an expedition vehicle, not interested in rock crawling rather getting in the back country exploring..

I have the same need for my 2008 (my 4th Jeep) So take yours into the back country - and if it comes up unreasonably short, maybe lift it, else maybe get a Wrangler. I have not yet had the chance to see if my Liberty out Jeeps my Cherokee, but I suspect that it will, due to the Liberty's traction control. In the Baja, Mexico, I rented a manual 4WD Wrangler - it was no better in the tricky stuff than my stock 97 4WD Cherokee (since sold).

It's not so much that ifs sucks, it's that it lacks the articulation that a sfa rig has. The Liberty will never rock crawl or out crawl a XJ or Wrangler. But it will follow them on most trails and out wheel them in others.

Lifting can be done affordably. OME will get 2.5", Ironman wi get 2.25". All for around $800. You can add to both for 3-3.5" but that costs more money. Then JBA has the adjust-a-struts that are top of the line, but also most expensive.

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2011 Deep Cherry Red KK - Skyslider - JBA/Bilstein Adjust-A-Strut set at 3.5" - OME 731 Rear Springs - Bilstein Rear Shocks - Al's A-arms - 245/75-16 Duratracs - Rock Liazard Super Sliders

Upgrading the suspension is the best thing you can do for the overall ride and handling on the KJ on and off road. If you've had yours 10 years then you are 9 years and 11 months too late, mine was lifted before it hit 20,000 miles and I waited too long. They do great off road, sure not as much flex as some solid axles but they will surprise you
Do it right, but a good lift like OME from jeepinbyal and be done

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

You definitely have to consider that you will 3-wheel or 2-wheel a lot more than an SFA rig. So, in some cases you will need more momentum (i.e. the loud pedal) to get over obstacles, but you have to get into some pretty hairy situations to be at this point.

However, I'm the same, not really into rock crawling, more about exploring trails to get to interesting vistas and campsites. It does well with a lift to get through some tricky trails. We also have a 2003. Plenty capable and much more controlled and comfy after lifting it on a JBA lift. In fact, so far we've only lifted the front of ours on OME HD springs over top of iron man struts (the rears are only on a stack of OEM rubber isolators). This was mainly because the front crossmember (under the oilpan) kept bottoming out. I soon will pick up a set of OMEs for the rear and will try out the bilstein shocks.

I'd also suggest getting some skid plates to prevent damage as you are driving over things. One bad line and then you would have to deal with a hole in something expensive...

Check out the camping/exploring forum here on LOST too: viewforum.php?f=72

And if you haven't been on it yet, go read up on Expedition Portal (also a forum, but not brand/model-centric).

Have fun!

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03 KJ Sport - black
4xGuard engine skid
235/85/16 Hankook ATM
OME 927/Ironman, 1/4" plate, 3-ring clevis 21.5"
OME 948/OME + 2 Iso's Rear 22"
JBA UCAs
Bumper and winch
2x5 rockers/steps
Dynomax Ultra-Flo Welded
Custom pinstriping
Custom rear interior shelf
SS drop table
Soon:
Rear bumper
WRX seats
All the skids