I am sure that the questions I need to ask have been asked before, but I always get off track when I do searches on these forums. Start looking at stuff that has nothing to do with what I need to know. Besides some people love giving advice to newbies. So here goes, I am getting ready to possibly buy a Liberty. My experience with jeeps is limited to my old YJ and a little knowledge of the TJ's and XJ's.

1. I've seen a couple of threads reference the pre lowered Liberties. What is this and how does it affect lifting one and what year models were they.
2. Are there any year models to stay away from? I have looked at a couple of '03s and '04s.
3. Did anyones insurance jump way up buying a Liberty? If so what did you have before? I currently drive a Chevy 2500HD with the Duramax.
4. How is the fuel milage for you guys who are lifted running 245's? I would hope for 21-23 highway and 16-17 city. I am currently used to getting around that with my Duramax and I am not one to speed around every where I go. Any gearing issues going up to 245's? By the way I am looking at gassers and not the CRD. Would like the CRD, just not wanting to pay that much right now.
5. Does anybody on here regret buying thier Liberty? Why? ( I know, I am on a KJ site, but I thought I would ask anyways )
6. Are there any major differences between the Limited, the Sport, and the Renegade models other than the obvious stuff?
7. What is the factory gearing?

I know this is a lot of questions but I like to know what I am getting into before I jump in. Thanks for any info guys and gals. This seems like a really good site by the way.

1. Pre lowered = early `02 models before Jeep lowered their height.
2. All good, but if you don't want all that electronic control stuff, get `02-04.
3. Mine went up due to being brand new and needing full coverage. I had a 95 Camry and just had comprehensive at the time. My experience doesn't help you here.
4. Some say 13-14mpg overall. I get 15-17mpg. Depends if I am in a hurry a lot or if I am feeling like a little old lady from Pasedena.
5. No regrets at all. Love the KJ and wouldn't have it any other way. Being in the Rockies helps.
6. Some say the Reny has a stronger T-case, I don't know. The Reny does get a stronger alternator and the Trac Lock Limited Slip Diff in the older models. The new models have all that electronic stuff. Best option if the outer looks don't matter, get the Sport and with the savings, get all the mods. I just like the Reny look and the little add-ons that came with it.
7. I'll leave this to the gear heads.

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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

3.73 ratios for petrol V6

4.10 for 4 bangers

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http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/742957
aussie KJ Lost No#150605
3" OME lift + Rancho RS9000xl's front and rear
prototype Airflow snorkel
Magnaflow cat back
265/70R16 Hankook MTRT03 on MOABS baby
4.10's and a truetrac up front
super skinks
coming soon
a myride wireless controller

1a) The lift kits that are out will fit any KJ (pre-lowered or lowered). Final lift height is about the same, but pre-lowered KJs start about 3/4" higher.

I HIGHLY recommend staying away from "over-the-top" strut spacer lifts, btw!

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Ron


"There are few problems in life the liberal application of duct tape can't solve."

4. I stopped tracking my mileage since lifting them. I will say that I get about 225 miles from a tank (around town driving) by the time the light comes on and then it takes about 14-15 gallons to fill it back up. I can see about 30 or so more miles to the same amount when cruising the freeway on a long trip. (which are usually w/ the Jeep loaded w/ 4 people and gear for the trip) IF you are expecting as good of mileage as your diesel, forget it or be dissapointed.

6. No real major differences between the models except for bigger alternator in the Rene's. They get the same choice of transfer cases that the others have.

I own an 03 & 04. No major differences between the two. The 04's came w/ a smaller, square tube (instead of rectangular) set of rear lower control arms. I think they are just as strong though they don't look it. They are smaller so they do stay out of the rocks a little more than the earlier versions.
04's lost the large air silencer box from the throttle body and just use a curved tube, looks better but I doubt there is any major improvement for performance or mpg's.


My only regret is the lack of hard parts development for them. I honestly think that if a couple certain people didn't bail on the KJ we would have seen more cool parts come out for them as the ball was rolling on that.

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

Thanks for the help guys.

bad mileage is not mandatory in a liberty, some of us get way better than others. but it does take tweaks all over the place, mainly minor stuff. but as far as a lifted one goes with bigger tires, you will most likely not reach your goals. you can realistically expect 14 or so city and 18-20 hwy. your duramax will easily beat your new liberty on mileage. sorry.

i believe the prelowered are closer to an inch and a half higher than a later model. mine is, easily. but i probably have the stiffest factory springs. there were, what, 13 different combinations? read that somewhere. mine is a limited, air, sunroof, towpackage.

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Admin note:
This account has been deactivated.

The factory lowered the fronts 22mm and the rears 19mm. Basically a little less than 1". KJs all vary a bit in ride height depending on equipment and springs.

The lowering was done by using different springs. Once you replace those springs (for instance with springs that give you a lift), you are back on level ground with PreLowered.

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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

"but as far as a lifted one goes with bigger tires, you will most likely not reach your goals. you can realistically expect 14 or so city and 18-20 hwy. your duramax will easily beat your new liberty on mileage."

I think I can live with that milage with a lift and tires. I have owned a jeep before so i know that when it comes to fuel milage, you just have to accept the fact that it is a Jeep and not a Honda CRV or something. The Duramax does get good fuel milage especially for 4x4 truck that is about a city block long. Well good milage as long as I keep the programmer turned down and keep my foot out of it.

But where is the fun in that?

3) I went from an 05 Grand-am to the Lib. and my insurance went up $23 both had full coverage.

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-Gavin
2006 4x4 Sport ~ Dark Khaki
2.5" Rockfather II
Tow Hooks ~ HH Rear Hitch
Hella 500's

gwip Design

Resale value, provided you aren't gonna drive it to the ground, is higher on SPORT's!

My wife works at a Dodge Dealership and their black book value of a Sport is higher than the resale value of a "Limited"

Just a little FYI

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T.J. N
07 KJ; 2.5" RRO lift + 1/2" clevis lift & xtra isolators; 245/75R16 Dayton Timberline MT's;
ProComp ES3000 shocks; ProComp Explorer 5" driving lights; Mopar Tail light guards,
grille inserts, roof x-bars, tow hooks; full Mopar plus custom skids, custom spare tire riser;
Magnum hood deflector
soon: winch in factory front bumper...

I went from an 01' lexus is300 to the liberty dropped about $1000 cheaper per year!!!! Then again i'm in NJ, the highest car insurance capital of the country..

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02' Sport- SOLD

07' Dodge Ram Quad Cab 1500 4x4
Yeah it's got a hemi!

I went from a 2005 Dodge Ram to a 2007 Liberty and my insurance dropped over 60 dollars a month.

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Jason

2003 Red Wrangler Freedom Edition

2009 Black Grand Cherokee Rocky Mountain Edition

Wow!

I like the sound of that since I am going from a big truck to a Liberty.

I've seen people on the forum looking for a stronger alternator for their Liberty. Why not just add one that goes in the Renegade? BTW what is the Amp on the Liberty Vs Renegade?

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"I'm the guy who does his job, you must be the other guy"
02 Black UNlimited Edition 4X4 Select Trac Liberty Towing/Off Road Packages 245/75/16 on black Moabs
RL diff cover/Super Skink sliders, Rusty's 2.5" Coil Lift w/ clevis lift, Roof basket W/Hella FF75...
On the prowl for an M416/M101/M100 trailer
L.O.S.T. Member 2877

136amp(3.7),124amp(2.4) vs 160amp

I have a 2007 Liberty Sport 4WD with a 6 speed manual. I get 20-21+ MPG average. That's with about 70% highway miles at 75MPH. If you drive 55MPH you could probably get up to 25MPG highway ( I don't know - I never do). It's may be as bad as 15-17MPG for hard accelleration or 4WD. My insurance dropped more than half going from a 1996 Saab 900 Turbo to a 2007 Liberty. I think the newer Liberties and 6 speeds get better mileage. I think I would have to be drag racing in 4WD to get less than 15MPG in mine.

You can get amazing deals on 2007's before the new model comes out. I got mine ~$4500 less than sticker back in January and I the deals are even better than that now. Aim for invoice minus the Chrysler discount. (Sticker minus ~6K)

It's tough to find a 6 speed but it's worth it if you can find one.

Easy! Add a bunch of skids, rails, hitch, MT/r tires, camping and kayaking equipment. Then go to the hills of West Virginia and watch your MPG go to 14!

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03' renegade with light bar, limited slip rear diff,
rusty's 2.5 lift, 3/8"clevis, 2 iso pads
RRO sliders,Skid Row tranny plate,oem skids
Curt rear hitch with D shackle,
245/75 R16 wrangler M/T R's Al's arms, Moog LBJ's
K&N drop in filter, Thule racks 60"
Husky mats,Wet Okole seat covers
Garmin Nav, Spidertrax spacers