Best Jeep Liberty Model Generation?

David Jr · **Posted:** Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:51 pm

MINE!!!

02-04KJ is the best in my book, no problems yet. (except for the LBJ recall)

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:09 pm

The Liberty was revolutionary. Chrysler took some flak for the design and now they don't know what to do next...

Inc · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:45 am

I like the slightly straighter, more integrated stock front bumper on the 2005 and up KJ. The earlier front ends just don't do it for me as much as the 05 and ups. The new KKs are nice and more refined inside and out, but it is almost too refined. I like my Jeep to still feel "Jeep like". There are things I like about all the diff. liberties though. Wish I could pick and choose from each.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

You cannot do this to an 02-04.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:19 am

Pote wrote:

DryBones wrote:

05-07. I prefer the fog lights in the grill as opposed to the bumper. The new Wranglers have them in the bumper now. I just don't understand the logic behind that.

You bump into something and the fogs are toast!

I'd have to disagree....fog lights need to be low to the ground...thats what makes them function. Ever drive through fog or a ragin snowstorm with your headlights...they dont do much good, in fact they hinder...throw on the low to the ground fogs and you can see again. Having the fogs right next to the headlights defeats the entire purpose in my opinion. but to each his own. I personally like the Liberty's looks before the changed it in 05. I also like having a truck tranny in my ride over a minivan one.

I agree whole heartedly, But I took the Fogs a step further by trimming the Silver Star headlight bulbs and installing them in the fog. Talk about a night and day difference. :twisted:

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:57 am

tonycrd wrote:

I have one of the oldest KJ's around ( 09-01 ) and I'd say the first were the best. After that it all went downhill with DC cutting costs and taking out all the goodies.

I agree, I think the 2002 MY was the best one. My May-01 KJ has all the goodies many of the 03 and 04 don't.

jdumont · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:35 pm

Also agree, my 10-01 KJ has so far been rock solid. Currently have a small noise up front which may be the rack bushings but thats all in its entire life!

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Have to agree, the original 01's are the best.

06/01 here.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:17 pm

One thing I have to disagree with TonyCRD about is the door panels. I'd prefer the vinyl on the door panels instead of the fabric. It's easier to clean, would wear better (I got a nice worn-through divot on my driver's door where my elbow sits), and the vinyl wouldn't callous said elbow:P

Also, '03+ KJs have rear disks... I'd take a beefier trans with crummy rear drums over a less-beefy trans with disks out back, but it's still a wash, because 99% of KJs, even lifted and wheeled, don't get used hard enough to make that transmission an advantage.

If I were to buy another KJ, it'd be a light-colored '05 Renegade with a stick, or a light colored '03-5 Sport with a stick. the Patriot Blue shows all the bangs and scrapes...make it silver or light khaki

PCT 1981 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:57 pm

Everyone knows the 02's are the best, red is the best color, best off road and the fastest

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:36 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Liberator wrote:

I think popular nomenclature across different car cultures would call the 02-07KJ a generation. Generally generations are only seperated by differing chassis type. Heck the 97-01 XJ was radically different from the 84-96 XJ, but most everyone would not call it a "generation"

The nifty thing about chassis codes is that we can refer to a specific model without having to call it by some kind of laymens terms nomenclature.

For example, if I say 04KJ, or 07KJ, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Our particular case is further compounded by the fact that our "Liberty" is still called a "Cherokee" in the rest of the world. Generally Jeepers tend to refer to their particular model simply by the chassis code.

.

I miss my C101's & C104's. :lol:

Always wanted an FC170. FSJ's were only called SJ's after AMC and, AFAIK, were never known by a chassis designation by AMC.

But as to the question: the electronic nannies on the KK seem to work well, but IMHO may take away from what I want out of the experience. They have definitely gone a step further away from looking like an off-roader in stock form with the hidden spare, the worse departure & approach angles as well as an increase in weight & no increase in HP. The KJ was not nearly the departure from the XJ that the XJ was from the SJ ( they killed the SJ Cherokee for the XJ). You younger members may not believe how the XJ was laughed at for years before being accepted. Same with the YJ. With the exception of the D30a & the ease/avaliability of lifts, I don't think the KJ gives away anything to the XJ. I know I have followed stock XJ's everywhere without a problem. The advantage to the KK may be an improved front diff. But I don't know if enough KK's have been banged hard enough to test that for sure, yet.

As to the best tranny: I'll keep my NSG370, thanks. And my 241 x-fer. And the death of the D35 in later KJ's is a good thing.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:10 pm

InCommando wrote:

I miss my C101's & C104's. :lol:

Always wanted an FC170. FSJ's were only called SJ's after AMC and, AFAIK, were never known by a chassis designation by AMC.

But as to the question: the electronic nannies on the KK seem to work well, but IMHO may take away from what I want out of the experience. They have definitely gone a step further away from looking like an off-roader in stock form with the hidden spare, the worse departure & approach angles as well as an increase in weight & no increase in HP. The KJ was not nearly the departure from the XJ that the XJ was from the SJ ( they killed the SJ Cherokee for the XJ). You younger members may not believe how the XJ was laughed at for years before being accepted. Same with the YJ. With the exception of the D30a & the ease/avaliability of lifts, I don't think the KJ gives away anything to the XJ. I know I have followed stock XJ's everywhere without a problem. The advantage to the KK may be an improved front diff. But I don't know if enough KK's have been banged hard enough to test that for sure, yet.

As to the best tranny: I'll keep my NSG370, thanks. And my 241 x-fer. And the death of the D35 in later KJ's is a good thing.

I believe about the XJ being laughed at...and I don't see the XJ replacing the fullsizes...since they ran up until '91 or 92 and were replaced by the ZJ.

my dad has an '84 XJ wagoneer...what a HEAP. That vehicle made me think of XJs what I do...I think highly of the 2.8 V6 that came in the early XJs; the GM 60 degree V6 has served me well in various vehicles over the years, including an Isuzu Trooper. What most people my age will never realize is that the XJ was on the market for a good decade or more before it really got an aftermarket...so I don't want to hear any complaining about what's on the market for the KJ :lol:

It's funny that you mention the YJ not being accepted...and in a fit of irony...I used to not return Jeep waves from YJ owners (I was young and had a CJ, so I was better than them, give me a break :lol:

) and now I find myself not having the Jeep wave returned to me by YJ and TJ owners. I actually had a TJ guy give me a single finger Jeep wave! Whaaat?

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:36 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

InCommando wrote:

I miss my C101's & C104's. :lol:

Always wanted an FC170. FSJ's were only called SJ's after AMC and, AFAIK, were never known by a chassis designation by AMC.

But as to the question: the electronic nannies on the KK seem to work well, but IMHO may take away from what I want out of the experience. They have definitely gone a step further away from looking like an off-roader in stock form with the hidden spare, the worse departure & approach angles as well as an increase in weight & no increase in HP. The KJ was not nearly the departure from the XJ that the XJ was from the SJ ( they killed the SJ Cherokee for the XJ). You younger members may not believe how the XJ was laughed at for years before being accepted. Same with the YJ. With the exception of the D30a & the ease/avaliability of lifts, I don't think the KJ gives away anything to the XJ. I know I have followed stock XJ's everywhere without a problem. The advantage to the KK may be an improved front diff. But I don't know if enough KK's have been banged hard enough to test that for sure, yet.

As to the best tranny: I'll keep my NSG370, thanks. And my 241 x-fer. And the death of the D35 in later KJ's is a good thing.

I believe about the XJ being laughed at...and I don't see the XJ replacing the fullsizes...since they ran up until '91 or 92 and were replaced by the ZJ.

my dad has an '84 XJ wagoneer...what a HEAP. That vehicle made me think of XJs what I do...I think highly of the 2.8 V6 that came in the early XJs; the GM 60 degree V6 has served me well in various vehicles over the years, including an Isuzu Trooper. What most people my age will never realize is that the XJ was on the market for a good decade or more before it really got an aftermarket...so I don't want to hear any complaining about what's on the market for the KJ :lol:

It's funny that you mention the YJ not being accepted...and in a fit of irony...I used to not return Jeep waves from YJ owners (I was young and had a CJ, so I was better than them, give me a break :lol:

) and now I find myself not having the Jeep wave returned to me by YJ and TJ owners. I actually had a TJ guy give me a single finger Jeep wave! Whaaat?

I think the early XJ's and MJ's weren't great, I think the XJs really took off when the 4L went in, and the NP231/242 went in.

With the renix crap cleaned up the XJ got even better, the 8.25 rear was the final piece of the puzzle for a solid drivetrain.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:51 pm

WTF is the Renix stuff I hear about?

daspes · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:00 am

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

WTF is the Renix stuff I hear about?

From Wiki...
"A form of fuel injection. In such an application, it consisted of an Engine Control Unit (ECU - also known as Electronic Control Unit) and a number of sensors. It was first seen in engines produced by Renault (Renault 21, 25 and Espace) in 2.0 and 2.2 capacites, but is better known in America for its application in the AMC 4.0 L (displacing 3960 cc or 242 cubic inches) straight-6 engines that was developed by Renault and Bendix. Production began by American Motors (AMC) with the 1987 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) models. It was preceded by the AMC Computerized Engine Control, and followed by the Mopar MPI system."

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:50 am

Neat. I guess I could've always googled it:P

KJ>XJ anyway, though. 3.7>4.0 and all that jazz.

And before anybody says I'm biased because of what I own...if I was biased toward what I own, I'd own a Patriot Blue '01 XJ Limited with 41k miles an AW4 if I didn't buy the '02 KJ with 50,228 and a 45RFE...

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:13 am

+1 oh having cracks and a big divot where my elbow sits on the door panel only I have the leather panel, or is that vinyl? Either way, its been a pain in the elbow since I got the KJ!

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:57 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Neat. I guess I could've always googled it:P

KJ>XJ anyway, though. 3.7>4.0 and all that jazz.

False.

theBIGbCraig · **Joined:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:28 pm **Posts:** 20

InCommando wrote:

But as to the question: the electronic nannies on the KK seem to work well, but IMHO may take away from what I want out of the experience. They have definitely gone a step further away from looking like an off-roader in stock form with the hidden spare, the worse departure & approach angles as well as an increase in weight & no increase in HP. The KJ was not nearly the departure from the XJ that the XJ was from the SJ ( they killed the SJ Cherokee for the XJ). You younger members may not believe how the XJ was laughed at for years before being accepted. Same with the YJ. With the exception of the D30a & the ease/avaliability of lifts, I don't think the KJ gives away anything to the XJ. I know I have followed stock XJ's everywhere without a problem. The advantage to the KK may be an improved front diff. But I don't know if enough KK's have been banged hard enough to test that for sure, yet.

I couldn't have said it any better. So I'll try anyway.

Nannies are for nanny-cars, not Jeeps, lol. But really, the KJ isn't so powerful or torquey (peak at 4200rpm!) to need ESP. Granted, I spun in both 2WD and "Full Time" 4WD today in the rain, but that was on purpose. The KJ's are pretty controllable. And as for roll mitigation... It can't help off-road, and on-road a KJ will pick up a tire but it will understeer before it flips (don't ask...).

The tire on the back it soo much better than underneath, convenience and off-road.

The KJ is too heavy already, the KK weighing even more is outrageous.

The XJ rocked, as for them being unpopular I can't say - my mom bought both an XJ and a KJ just a few years into their respective productions.

Whoever said 3.7>4.0, stop it. Right now. You know that's a lie. [Flame-proof Suit]3.7/42RLE is possible the worst drivetrain in any Jeep, ever. [/Flame-proof Suit]

The 42RLE is pure sin, any Liberty before it OR any CRD is superior. Also, I like the earlier fog lights which are actually at fog-light level.

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:56 pm

theBIGbCraig wrote:

Whoever said 3.7>4.0, stop it. Right now. You know that's a lie. [Flame-proof Suit]3.7/42RLE is possible the worst drivetrain in any Jeep, ever. [/Flame-proof Suit]

The 42RLE is pure sin, any Liberty before it OR any CRD is superior. Also, I like the earlier fog lights which are actually at fog-light level.

what's wrong with the 3.7? And the 2.5 iron duke and 2.8 carbed GM V6 is BETTER than the 3.7? Seriously, come on.

Best Jeep Liberty Model Generation?

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