Hello everyone, I've been reading on here for a little while now, finally decided to register because I really like my KJ. Took awhile to get my account confirmed (lol) but here I am. Picked up my 2003 Renegade in April of last year, it's Silver on black cloth/leather, no sunroof, roof lights and rack with the running boards, with the onboard computer option (in the headliner, forget what this package was called. also has the auto-dim mirrors).

First mod was 35% llumar tint on the front windows; didn't want to match because I don't think the Renegade has the right character/persona for the "gangster" look of match-tint. Save that for my mom's lexus rx lol. Also got a "shorty" antenna off ebay I think (Antenna-X). About 13" high, and black. Much improved over the huge whip that was stock, and reception is unaffected (at least for me, in suburban Philadelphia).

Next I tackled the badges. Man this car had alot of them, took me awhile, and they are nasty rubber things that easily break apart. Left the hood badge because after photoshopping what it would look like blank, I thought that would look stupid. Also left the 4x4 badge on the rear because I know some aren't 4x4 and want a little character on the rear end. So the sides are anonymous and clean, the way I like it. Hood badge was peeling really bad, so I very carefully removed it, marking off the original location with painters tape, cleaned the hood, and sprayed the badges flat black. I really like how it turned out, flows well as there is no other "chrome" on the whole thing (Aside from 4x4 badge but its in perfect condition so I'm leaving it).

Coming up, I have smoked signals en route (another ebay item, hopefully works out well), as I thought clear on the silver would be too light. Smoked should provide some contrast while sticking to the silver/black theme. Oh and I'll be getting new tires soon, probably BFG All-Terrain K/O's. Not sure if i'm gonna go for a little 2.5" lift, or how big of a tire that would allow me to get, but it's a possibility. This is the only decent pic I have at this time, I'll get more in the near future. You can see the antenna, de-badged side, and kinda the black hood badge. Signals aren't even on yet. The tint looks really dark, looks matched to the rear, but that is just because of the bright sunny day when I took the pic.

looks good!.. really nice and clean. i have the same tint on the front as you do.. welcome to L.O.S.T. before you know it you'll have a lift in the mail and some larger tires!

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2006 Renegade. Completely stock.

Welcome to the group! I take it that the PA inspection laws allow tinted tail lights? When I was living in PA my daughter, from Louisville, KY, came for a visit and was pulled over and given a warning about her front windows being tinted. That was a bunch of bull!! They were legal in her state. Might want to check that out also.

Terry

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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4

Welcome MainlineRenegade nice looking jeep ,looks good in silver.

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2004 2.8 crd Limited

Looks good. Welcome to LOST!

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Jason

2003 Red Wrangler Freedom Edition

2009 Black Grand Cherokee Rocky Mountain Edition

That is a nice looking Jeep sir, cool idea with painting the hood badge. Can't wait to see the smoked signals. Keep up the good work.

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-Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. -Einstein
-'07 KJ Sport
-Skink Super Sliders, Mopar Skids, Huskys, 245/70 16 Grabber AT2s, Hooks, Warholamo Rails, Black Widow Roof Rack
-Up Next: Lift?

tinted lights, light covers... tinted windows (not from the factory) and any sticker besides inspection on the front and rear glass are illegal. PA really sucks with it's laws.. we're also not allowed wheel spacers.. exposed roof mounted lights.. any exterior lighting (neons or x-mas lights are illegal) but it seems like some areas are worse than others with enforcing these laws.. philly might have bigger fish to fry than busting someone for tinted windows.. haha.. i've had tints for 5 years and never bothered..

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2006 Renegade. Completely stock.

That pic makes me miss my Renny.

Thanks for the kind words guys. Yea the tint is illegal, as is tint above 70% on the front windows (you won't find tint that light at any tint shop I've been to), but it has never been a problem. I had my mom's white RX matched front/rear and she's had no issues, same as in my volkswagen (20%). Cops in my area don't really mind it. Helps that I have never been pulled over.

Here's a tip - at least in PA. Tint violations are a secondary offense, meaning you can't be pulled over for having dark tint. It's like the seatbelt law. If you get pulled over for speeding or whatever and the cop sees your tint, then you can get cited. Truth is it's really up to the police officer, but around here they don't care. If I get pulled over, first thing I'll do is roll all the windows down and shut the car off.

Oh and I meant front smoked signals, leaving the rears. I like the red contrast, not a big fan of smoked rears, usually are too dark.

Sidenote - I just saw the "New Member Intro" forum below the pictures forum, is there a way to move this thread? Guess I could just re-post over there.

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2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade, Silver/Black
2008 VW GTI 6MT, Black magic/interlagos

darn another silver rene, welcome twin lol. except i dont got the step rails on mine

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2004 Liberty Renegade
Silver, loaded
Full skid plates
255/65/16 yokohama Geolander A/T-S
Tow hooks
Flowmaster super 44

I need another Jeep badge on the front and rear. Somehow those badges are just prone to get eaten by carwashes! I bought mine 2nd hand and when I got it the badges were already @$#% up

Oh had I just had better options than the carwash

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L.O.S.T forever!
Silver 2002 Skoda Fabia TDI, 235,000km
Former car: Jeep KJ 2003 CRD

DIESEL - saving millions of liters of petrol every day!

Rig looks great! Welcome to LOST!

And Fulltimer is right - Front tint is illegal in PA... but only if you get caught!

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STEVE
L.O.S.T. #075255
Patriot Blue 2002 Sport, OME Lift, 245/75/16 BFG AT's on Cragar Soft 8's, Black Widow Basket, Magnaflow Exhaust, Sirius Radio, Alpine Blackbird GPS, Silverstar Headlight Bulbs, Homemade Cross Rails, Debadged, Amsoil Bumper-to-Bumper, More Mods to Come...

looks good! welcome! i love those gunmetal wheels on silver libbys

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2002 Cactus Green Renegade~OME HD/Rancho
235-85-16 Firestone Destination MT's~Detroit Locker~AL's 4.5 Arms
ARB bumper/Superwinch 9k~PIAA 540 driving lights/PIAA reverse lights~Crane 8.25 diff cover

Welcome! Good looking KJ! I wil be adopting your black painted front JEEP badge since mine is also peeling and looking terrible on my 03. Note that if you plan on wheling it you might want to remove the running boards as they are usually the first thing to get hit or hung up on a trail.

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

Nice KJ i would suggest some new tires for sure, the stock tires are garbage especially on a wet surface

what size BFG All-Terrain K/Os would you guys recommend? Stick with OEM size or 1+ on the width, or what? Yea I have heard that these running boards can be a hinderance, are they easy to pop off? I haven't really investigated that yet, not doing anything serious til new tires.

on another note, would anyone like to make a suggestion on an easy-to-install (spacer?) lift <$500 and tire combo? I'm not familiar with the jeep's suspension, but I have done suspension installs on my previous audi S4 and vw jetta, so i'm somewhat capable under those wheel wells.

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2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade, Silver/Black
2008 VW GTI 6MT, Black magic/interlagos

If $500 is your budget, spend $465 and get Rusty's 2.5" suspension. It's a complete kit with springs and shocks all the way around.

Some will tell you to upgrade the rear shocks or go with heavy duty springs. But I'd only cross that bridge if you come to it. PLUS you'll stay within your budget this way.

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'04 Renegade 4x4
L.O.S.T. #058466
Car Domain, Updated: 2/23/2009
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could you post some close ups of the hood badge. thats a great idea. oh yeah the kj looks nice. good choice.

i'm at school with the v-dub right now, i'll be back home tomorrow. i'll try to take many more pics of the car (do a little photo shoot) for you guys, and of the badge close up, and post them up asap.

edit: sorry guys, my dad snagged the jeep for airport duty this weekend. it'll be another week til i get pics. but don't worry i'll get them. oh and its all good bc when he takes the jeep he leaves the key to this:



(sry phone pic)

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2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade, Silver/Black
2008 VW GTI 6MT, Black magic/interlagos

Here are pics of the smoked blinkers in. Sorry, just iphone pics for now. The sun was very bright today so they look a little lighter than they are.





and a couple guys wanted a pic of the black badge. it's been quite awhile so they probably could use a respray, but you can't tell except from up close.

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2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade, Silver/Black
2008 VW GTI 6MT, Black magic/interlagos