Liberty vs. Grand Cherokee

65thKJ · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:02 pm

Just wondering which is better for offroading Liberty or the 2005+ Grand Cherokee. I know both have IFS and both have Solid Rear axles. I don't know much about the GC Suspension if it is coils or springs. I figured the liberty is easier to manuever and lighter.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:20 pm

The GC (depending on which model) can be better equipped from the factory to handle situations off road. The In-Laws have one and it is a lot larger then the Liberty for sure but I don't think it is too much taller or heavier.

The GC sits on all coil springs (IIRC)

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Probably pretty comparable. The Liberty is a little smaller as mentioned so that might help with tight situations off road (and parallel parking at the mall).

jerbacher · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:32 pm

My mom has an 05 GC and from my observation, I think the Liberty would be better. The GC has longer overhangs on the front and (especially) the rear, which would decrease your ability to enter and exit tough obstacles. Also, the body, as in the bumpers and rocker panels and everything seem to come down a lot closer to the ground, which would obviously cause some problems. Also, I don't know if they are all like this, but ours came with 17" wheels, which are tough to find good off-road tires for. Thats pretty easy to change though.

Structurally, I'm sure the vehicle is just as durable, if not more, than the Liberty, and the suspension design is probably pretty similar.

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:43 pm

The largest lift i can find for the 05+ Grands is 4.5 from rusty's its $1450 just something to think about if you plan on lifting it.

mike04kj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:44 pm

i may be wrong but the grand cher. does not have IFS at least my father-in-law isn't and its a 04 GC freedom ed. maybe i'm wrong but i think they are straight axels (sp). darn i got to call him wed. to find out . later mike

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:45 pm

mike04kj wrote:

i may be wrong but the grand cher. does not have IFS at least my father-in-law isn't and its a 04 GC freedom ed. maybe i'm wrong but i think they are straight axels (sp). darn i got to call him wed. to find out . later mike

In '05 the Grands switched to IFS like the KJ's.'04's and older had SFA.

65thKJ · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:15 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

mike04kj wrote:

i may be wrong but the grand cher. does not have IFS at least my father-in-law isn't and its a 04 GC freedom ed. maybe i'm wrong but i think they are straight axels (sp). darn i got to call him wed. to find out . later mike

In '05 the Grands switched to IFS like the KJ's.'04's and older had SFA.

Yeah that's why I said 05+ because the older ones had SFA.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:17 pm

Liberty. The 05+ would not be better than the libby in stock form. There are bigger lifts for the grand though.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:22 am

But the bigger lifts would be needed due to overhang etc . Still think the Liberty would be better overall. When I bought my KJ I had been driving a 95 Cherokee for about 5 1/2 years so looked at the Liberty, Grand Cherokee and between the two picked the Libby due to overhang, shorter length better looks IMHO, and some other factors. I very seldom have anyone but me, sometimes on trips the wife but the back seat area is mostly unused so no use having a lot of extra room to haul air around

skrracing · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:57 am

Totally depends on the driver but the KJ is always your best best for dang sure. Later...Clint

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:51 am

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Liberty vs. Grand Cherokee

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