'05 Rubicon or '08 KK w/Sky Slider

meduncan · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 2:11 pm

Ok, I'm at a loss as to what my next Jeep project should be. I have the opportunity to pick up either an '08 Liberty Sport with the Sky Slider roof and about 42K miles or an '05 Wrangler Rubicon with 116K miles. Both are similarly priced.

The Liberty is in pristine state, but the TJ shows no signs of ever being offroad. Even so, the TJ needs new shoes all around, has a main seal leak, and is missing the tension bar on the back window.

I'm looking to build a Jeep that is stable and solid offroad, but won't give me too many mechanical issues. Which would you choose?

Budke · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 2:43 pm

Rubicon.
If the Rubi is at a dealer have them fix all that stuff before you take it home, and you may even be able to talk them into putting some new tires on it.
Rubicon has solid front axle, more suspension travel, factory d44 rear with a locker, HHHHUUUUUGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE aftermarket, and there is almost nothing like wheeling with the doors and top off, or just cruising the street getting the jeep wave(something I never got in the KJ) and getting looks from all the hotties.

KK- VERY small aftermarket, very little suspension travel compared to the TJ, IFS, no lockers factory, everyone thinks you're a soccer mom(or dad), and its boring to look at.

Driving a YJ has shown me why everyone wants one, wranglers are just plain fun to drive!
My ride may be bumpier, I don't have cruise control, and my speakers don't work, but I have more fun driving this down the road than I ever did on any wheeling trip with the KJ. I always have a smile on my face driving the YJ.

Megalos · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:10 pm

If your hands are idle, you could always come help me work on mine. :roll:

I've ordered the lift and bumpstops. Just in time for freezing weather when I won't want to be working outside in the cold!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:13 pm

meduncan wrote:

Ok, I'm at a loss as to what my next Jeep project should be. I have the opportunity to pick up either an '08 Liberty Sport with the Sky Slider roof and about 42K miles or an '05 Wrangler Rubicon with 116K miles. Both are similarly priced.

The Liberty is in pristine state, but the TJ shows no signs of ever being offroad. Even so, the TJ needs new shoes all around, has a main seal leak, and is missing the tension bar on the back window.

I'm looking to build a Jeep that is stable and solid offroad, but won't give me too many mechanical issues. Which would you choose?

Pass on the TJ,not worth it if it is about the same price as a 2 year old vehicle with 2/3 more miles and has known issues.You will never get that 4.0 to stop leaking anyways once it starts.

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:19 pm

Budke wrote:

getting looks from all the hotties

I am sure Matt is REAL concerned about this aspect of jeep ownership :roll:

Matt you have got two choices: somthing that easy is to mod with a ton of bolt on aftermarket parts, or a one that needs more of a creative touch and an imagination to mod. You already know how both ride (having owned wranglers and a libby) so........

what about the XJ......

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:36 pm

PFFFFFFT!
This is the dumbest question ever.... :roll:

Be the only one in Ohio with a modified KK....
or be one of the 1000's of moddified TJ's that all look the same....

Since this is all cleared up now..... I want your axles!

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:51 pm

03CDKJ wrote:

PFFFFFFT!
This is the dumbest question ever.... :roll:

Be the only one in Ohio with a modified KK....
or be one of the 1000's of moddified TJ's that all look the same....

Since this is all cleared up now..... I want your axles!

X2 and I want your tires.....

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:05 pm

I think the low miles on the kj win out. Those sky sliders sure look cool. I wonder how they hold up?

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:09 pm

Take the Liberty
That is too much for the Ruby :2cents:

of course like someone already said, if all you want to do is hang on a lot of stuff quick then the Rubis the way to go.
Just don't tell me its RED

meduncan · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:03 pm

Budke wrote:

... getting looks from all the hotties...

I don't think Liz would be too happy with me if I told her that's why I chose a TJ over a KK. :lol:

I'm still debating, but I'm leaning away from the Rubi because of the quirks I'm finding with it and my gut is telling me it'll be a mechanical nightmare. The KK is still under consideration. As for an XJ, I don't have much experience with choosing one of those. What's the best year, model, etc? Which version has the best axles?

What about a Hummer... :ROTFL:

...jk

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:11 pm

meduncan wrote:

What about a Hummer... :ROTFL:

...jk

.......ask your wife :ROTFL:

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

Get a Land Rover LR3, problem solved.

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:12 pm

yodejt02 wrote:

meduncan wrote:

What about a Hummer... :ROTFL:

...jk

.......ask your wife :ROTFL:

I can't believe you beat me :banghead:

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:15 pm

I am sure it was close I was laughing while I was typing

MATT GO WITH THE NEW LIBBY!!!!!!!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:46 pm

If you are back to thinking about XJs
The 97-99s have the high pinion 30s with stronger 297 u joints
so that much is better
any of the later models

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:14 pm

Yeah I wouldnt worry about that main seal leaking on a 4.0. That leaks on both of our 4.0's, one has been for around 5-6 years now.. Never notice a drop on the dip stick either..

Agree with tom, 97-99 xj's are good years.

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:39 pm

I would...

Get the TJ if the wife and I didnt need more then enough room for the 2 of us and had extra funds for repairs and a very long list of maintenance.

Get the KK if.....awww hell Id just get the KK. While I love the tj rubis, Im just done with my 2 door days and I need and want a 4 door. I want the extra towing, capacity and utility over off road upgradability. While the tj will be easier to modify for off road, I bought my jeep as a DD and the less miles and more utility mean a heck of alot more then getting a 6in lift over a 4 in. While go anywhere skills are very important, the KK will offer more then enough for what I would ever need or want. Now if it were a JK unlimited....

meduncan · **Posted:** Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:36 pm

Thanks for all the advice. Everyone brought up very good points and it was a really tough decision for multiple reasons, not the least of which was that I was attached to the KJ, but ultimately I ended up with a black 2005 Rubicon. Since posts are worthless without pics here is what my new project Jeep looks like stock with bald tires.

1996xj · **Posted:** Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:10 pm

Look's good matt !!! Keep this one, I assume D44 locker front and rear ??

Rotten Ollie · **Posted:** Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:11 pm

looks good allready, good choice, am personally not real fussy on them sky sliders

'05 Rubicon or '08 KK w/Sky Slider

Who is online