Thinking about getting a KJ...

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:34 pm

I wanted to get some feedback on how you guys feel about your Libertys. I'm nearing the end of college and when I finish I'm pretty sure I'd like to buy a used KJ as a daily driver vehicle. I dont plan on wheeling it (Thats what my Explorers for...) but I'm thinking about trying to find a Liberty Renegade. Does the 3.7L have enough power to get around and what kind of milage should I expect, any problems with either the automatic or the manual, and what kind of transfer cases are used in the Libertys? Do the t-cases use a slip yoke? Are there any local KJ clubs around Oregon? Any info will be appreciated!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:44 pm

Get the KJ and trail it. Make the found on road dead your daily. No issues with auto tranny. Has the torque and hp but it is a heavy beast. More than 1,000 pounds heavier than a Cherokee (US edition - for our overseas friends).

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:49 pm

The Explorer is solid axle swapped, locked rear, and fully armored... I couldn't imagine wheeling a KJ nor do I want to. No offense to those that do, I just love my Explorer. I'd like to get a manual tranny but the girlfriend wants to be able to drive the Liberty also and refuses to learn how to drive a stick..

Besides the rugged fender flares that come with the Renegade Liberties, what other options are availible? What year did they start to offer the Liberty Renegade (2003?)

PitViper · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:12 pm

Welcome to L.O.S.T

They started the renny's in 2002. You will love the Libery as a DD! It rides good and is fun to drive. You should be able to get 18mpg mixed highway/city. I was getting 19/20mpg before my lift but my dads stock 2004 is getting 18-19mpg. (lead foot)

I have heard very few problems with the 3.7 or trannys.

The main thing you will want to do after buying is check your lower ball joints. The stock joints are known to ware out quick. The best replacment part is Moog K3199.

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:21 pm

Thanks for supplying me with that information PitViper!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:28 pm

If you don't plan to off-road it, then why think about a manual? An Auto is better for off-roading anyway (except going downhill).

Not sure what you mean by rugged fender flares. They are all show rugged. Not anymore real rugged than the Sport's flares.

The older Reny's (`02-04) come with roof lights, and a plastic roof basket (essentially show and not so effective for tossing gear up in it (gear will sit on rooftop). The older Reny's came with skids, but you don't need skids on a daily driver. Since yo plan to only daily drive, save money for your Ford and buy a KJ Sport. Costs a lot less. The Reny, bought new, costs as much as $8,000 more than the basic Sport model. There is a towing package. All KJ's came with crappy tires but if you buy used, you might get one with decent tires, otherwise, you better save money for safer road tires. The Goodyear Wrangler SA and SRA tires are terrible on road (rain, snow, ice).

Leather power seats are great. Seat warmers are a nice touch if you live in colder areas. The EVIC system is always nice (keep an eye on tire pressure as you drive and gas mileage and outside temp (helpful up in the mountains).

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

First off, I'm not sure if they come standard on the Renegades, but the Selec-Trac in my Limited is awesome. It has been great for a daily driver with occasional off road action. Also, mine gets about 16.9 mpg, but that's with a pretty heavy right foot and stop lights. The 3.7 has plenty of go for me and that's here in Phoenix where there are many freeways. Granted, this is my first vehicle so I can't really compare it to, say, a Corvette, but for its purpose, it has plenty of power. Finally, ABS is not standard, so if you want it, you have to check that it came as an option.

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:50 pm

The Liberty Renegades come with more rugged fender flares:

I'd prefer a manual for off-roading and daily driving, I like having more control of my shift points, manuals tend to last longer than automatics and also are simpler to work on. I live way out in the country and I drive down muddy roads nearly everyday, so thats why I'm looking more at the Renegade model than the other ones since it appears to be more ready for some off-roading, but I dont plan on rock crawling or playing out in the hills with it like I do my Explorer. I wont be buying one till summer of 2007, and I plan on buying it used. You guys have been very quick to answer my questions, so thank you for the info!

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:17 pm

Depending on your budget, you might be able to get a CRD (Diesel). They get awsome gas milage! 24 city, 28 highway. If you get a sport, you can add the renny light bar whenever you want but you will have to drill a hole in your roof to add it. The rivits in the renny are NOT functional and are only for looks.

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:13 pm

uvalax236 wrote:

Depending on your budget, you might be able to get a CRD (Diesel). They get awsome gas milage! 24 city, 28 highway.

I thought about the CRDs, but diesel prices are much higher than pump gas so how many miles would I have to travel to justify having a diesel?

Tokyojoe wrote:

Make the found on road dead your daily.

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:34 pm

get the renny its more of a man jeep as my wife calls it?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:41 pm

Welcome to L.O.S.T.!
Renegades are really not any more off road worthy than the regular Sport model which can be bought used much cheaper. If you like the look then go for it but the various Liberty models can all be equipped to work well off road. Skids were available on all models as was the Trac-lock posi and full or part time transfer cases. The transfer cases both use slip yokes but can be upgraded with a SYE & custom CV rear shaft if wanted. (or at least the 231 can be for sure. Either way, they are both good transfer cases but the 231, part time version can take a little more abuse from what I have seen. Keep asking questions and don't let anyone get to you about your Ford as Sploders that wheel Rock and it sounds like yours is very capable and well built. Be sure to share some pics of your Sploder over in the Other 4x4's section. :wink:

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:51 pm

I have a Reny. The flares are all show. Not anymore rugged than the regular ones. The rivet look is all it is. Looks. Those are fake rivets with absolutely no funtion.

Yes, look at the option of the Select Trac (Auto - not sure if you can get it in Manual). You get:

Hi 2wheel
Hi Part time 4-wheel (when roads are slick - locks all 4 wheel so they all rotate together)
Hi Full time 4 wheel (wheels can turn separately - similar to All-wheel drive)
4 Lo - this is for the fun of life. No use for a pure daily driver and dirt trails.

The newer models (`06 and I think the `05's also) have the rear seats drop down to a flatter level than the earlier models. For better cargo carrying.

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:52 pm

Thanks JJsKJ! Are all t-cases manual shift? I'll look around on autotrader and see how the prices vary between the different models for KJs.

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:00 pm

91Sploder wrote:

uvalax236 wrote:

Depending on your budget, you might be able to get a CRD (Diesel). They get awsome gas milage! 24 city, 28 highway.

I thought about the CRDs, but diesel prices are much higher than pump gas so how many miles would I have to travel to justify having a diesel?

A stock gas KJ will get 18-20mpg (depending on how you drive), a Diesel will get 24-28 (depending on how you drive). You can also make BioDiesel and can cut back on the price of Diesel. There was a guy on JeepForum.com who made BioDiesel at $2.77 a gallon when gas prices were at $3.00+. If I had the option of getting a Diesel over my gas, I would do it in a heartbeat!

MBeachKJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:04 pm

KJ ALL THE WAY....haha. Ok anyway. You know..you dont have to get a 4x4. Getting a 4x2 will really help yoru gas mileage

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:11 pm

Its gotta be a 4x4! If my girlfriend is gonna drive it some of the time, then its gonna have to have 4wd cause tends to get vehicles stuck and then I have to go pull her out :lol:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:43 pm

All KJ transfer cases are manual shift. 4Lo and Go!

91Sploder · **Posted:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:45 pm

Cool! I'm going to assume that the front axle is an IFS D30? Jeeps been running the D30 in the front since forever...

NU ARTY BOY · **Posted:** Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:16 am

You would be correct. Difference is that (besides being IFS) is that its aluminum and isn't as strong as those you would normally find in a Wrangler.

Thinking about getting a KJ...

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