Amazing what a 2" lifted Liberty can do.

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:18 pm

Inspired by MtnLuvr, Diggerfreek, and everyone else on here. I finally got the chance to take my KK off road to Hidden Falls Adventure Park in central Texas. This was the first time doing any real "hardcore offroading" minus some amazing performance on natural beach. I, along with my passenger, was thoroughly impressed with what it could do. There, are 6 trail levels and we made it up to a level 3. This is the parks own description regarding level 3 trails, "Our level 3 trails are rated for 4x4 modified vehicles with at least 33" tires and at least one set of lockers with stock transfer case. If you do not meet these requirements you are not allowed on level 3 trails". Funny, we did it with a KK that is practically stock, just a 2" DAYSTAR lift. 33"s who need 33"s when you got 29"s LOL.
Im going back next month with new Duratrac tires and rock sliders. Will really see what it can do then.

Of course the pictures don't do it justice.

cgass · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 10:50 pm

Very nice! I've had the same experience with my KK. The vehicles natural ability is much higher than most people think

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Roastbeef · **Joined:** Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:31 pm **Posts:** 199

That's a sweet ride man! I have only done some moderate wheeling and I was impressed with the Libby. Good pictures too

itsdavem · **Posted:** Sun Aug 12, 2012 11:35 am

great pics. Its amazing the places we can go in our libertys

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:56 pm

Thanks, all!
The reaction on my spotter's face was hilarious. I had a small rock stacked and my back tire shot it out and the tire just caught the edge of the ledge. If it hadn't had caught, my rocker panel would have gone bye bye :grim:

. I really should have waited for the rock sliders. But I was impatient. On the bright side though, my spotter gained a whole new respect for the Liberty. I hate how on other forums a lot of the wrangler, guys and even the FJ guys call the Lib a soft roader. Granted it will probably never be a Wrangler Rubicon. But I have guys with stock Sahara JKU's say my jeep isn't a real jeep. And that bugs me to no end :evil:

. So I have to disprove them. I'm glad there are forums like these were people take their KJ/ KK off road and do even crazier (that's a complement) stuff with them. Sorry about the venting.
Though I love the Liberty my next Jeep will probably be a Rubicon, especially with the rumors of what the next Lib will become, but that is many many years away.
To everybody with a LIB who is afraid to take it off road, start off easy, but you'll soon find yourself wanting to push it harder and harder. Even stock with bad tires it can do amazing things. When we arrived out there there was a couple who just bought a used TJ, with 33's. They saw my tires and were like, "your going out with those :?:

be careful."
So keep on JeepinOn :JEEPIN:

.

kskj · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:11 pm

JeepNCrowd wrote:

Thanks, all!
The reaction on my spotter's face was hilarious. I had a small rock stacked and my back tire shot it out and the tire just caught the edge of the ledge. If it hadn't had caught, my rocker panel would have gone bye bye :grim:

. I really should have waited for the rock sliders. But I was impatient. On the bright side though, my spotter gained a whole new respect for the Liberty. I hate how on other forums a lot of the wrangler, guys and even the FJ guys call the Lib a soft roader. Granted it will probably never be a Wrangler Rubicon. But I have guys with stock Sahara JKU's say my jeep isn't a real jeep. And that bugs me to no end :evil:

. So I have to disprove them. I'm glad there are forums like these were people take their KJ/ KK off road and do even crazier (that's a complement) stuff with them. Sorry about the venting.
Though I love the Liberty my next Jeep will probably be a Rubicon, especially with the rumors of what the next Lib will become, but that is many many years away.
To everybody with a LIB who is afraid to take it off road, start off easy, but you'll soon find yourself wanting to push it harder and harder. Even stock with bad tires it can do amazing things. When we arrived out there there was a couple who just bought a used TJ, with 33's. They saw my tires and were like, "your going out with those :?:

be careful."
So keep on JeepinOn :JEEPIN:

.

That's one of the reasons why I like wheeling my Liberty. I am usually the only Liberty on the trail (unless I bring a few friends) And I don't like being like everyone else in a wrangler. I am not into taking all day to go two miles on some crazy difficult trails. I like taking all day to drive moderate to difficult trails and get somewhere. And at the end of the day still drive my jeep home without the use of a trailer.

GoodPrepper · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:29 am **Posts:** 64

Nice! It's funny because people loved the old Cherokee (myself included) and the Liberty has the same dimensions and similar if not more power AND is build on a frame like a truck and not a unibody like a car but the same people still poo poo it!

KK_Canuck_Guy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 2:08 pm

GoodPrepper wrote:

Nice! It's funny because people loved the old Cherokee (myself included) and the Liberty has the same dimensions and similar if not more power AND is build on a frame like a truck and not a unibody like a car but the same people still poo poo it!

I know what you mean but the Libby IS actually unibody (reinforced but still unibody). Still I love my Libby and am still impressed with what it can do even with just a 2 inch lift.

Quote:

Thanks, all!
The reaction on my spotter's face was hilarious. I had a small rock stacked and my back tire shot it out and the tire just caught the edge of the ledge. If it hadn't had caught, my rocker panel would have gone bye bye . I really should have waited for the rock sliders. But I was impatient. On the bright side though, my spotter gained a whole new respect for the Liberty. I hate how on other forums a lot of the wrangler, guys and even the FJ guys call the Lib a soft roader. Granted it will probably never be a Wrangler Rubicon. But I have guys with stock Sahara JKU's say my jeep isn't a real jeep. And that bugs me to no end . So I have to disprove them. I'm glad there are forums like these were people take their KJ/ KK off road and do even crazier (that's a complement) stuff with them. Sorry about the venting.
Though I love the Liberty my next Jeep will probably be a Rubicon, especially with the rumors of what the next Lib will become, but that is many many years away.
To everybody with a LIB who is afraid to take it off road, start off easy, but you'll soon find yourself wanting to push it harder and harder. Even stock with bad tires it can do amazing things. When we arrived out there there was a couple who just bought a used TJ, with 33's. They saw my tires and were like, "your going out with those be careful."
So keep on JeepinOn .

Yeah I am still amazed at what it can do...obviously no where near what a wrangler can do but still catches a lot of people off guard...love the looks on their faces!!

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 2:38 pm

I would but my KK up against any stock sport or sahara Wrangler especially the unlimited. Compared to the unlimited we have much shorter wheel bases,and a tighter turning radius.We are also narrower (not always a good thing but can be beneficial in some circumstances) than all the JKs. If you do a side by side comparison, there isn't even much of a ground clearance difference at least with a small spacer lift. I parked next to that slightly modified TJ and I think I actually had more clearance. Wranglers do have better approach and departure angles, but ours aren't horrible, especially compared to some other SUVs. Now compared to a stock Rubicon that's a totally different story. Their stock 2" lift, 31" tires, lockers, and electronic sway bar disconnect totally change the game. The beauty of the wrangler is in its ability to "easily" modify it. While a modded wrangler would blow me away, most stock ones are practically equal.
I love wranglers, I will probably get one as my next Jeep. I just can't stand when some people dis the Liberties just because they have a godlike reverence for the wrangler. Especially when theirs is bone stock. Of course that makes it more satisfying when they don't want try things that some of us try in our Liberties.
I'm actually not an angry person, this is one of the only times I ever vent, just because I have received said comments relatively recently.
I loved the Cherokee (always wanted one growing up) and the KK is the closest thing I could get to that body style and still be new.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 2:52 pm

The good ole' Cherokee was a unibody too.

I used to have a 2000 XJ too, and loved it. Lost it in an accident. The Liberty is actually a stiffer unibody than the Cherokee ever was, although it's heavier and probably safer. Even though the horsepower is comparable, my old XJ with the 4.0 felt like it had a lot more power because it was much lighter. Love my '08 KK though, even though I miss the XJ sometimes. :JEEPIN:

KK_Canuck_Guy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:39 pm

JeepNCrowd wrote:

I would but my KK up against any stock sport or sahara Wrangler especially the unlimited. Compared to the unlimited we have much shorter wheel bases,and a tighter turning radius.We are also narrower (not always a good thing but can be beneficial in some circumstances) than all the JKs. If you do a side by side comparison, there isn't even much of a ground clearance difference at least with a small spacer lift. I parked next to that slightly modified TJ and I think I actually had more clearance. Wranglers do have better approach and departure angles, but ours aren't horrible, especially compared to some other SUVs. Now compared to a stock Rubicon that's a totally different story. Their stock 2" lift, 31" tires, lockers, and electronic sway bar disconnect totally change the game. The beauty of the wrangler is in its ability to "easily" modify it. While a modded wrangler would blow me away, most stock ones are practically equal.
I love wranglers, I will probably get one as my next Jeep. I just can't stand when some people dis the Liberties just because they have a godlike reverence for the wrangler. Especially when theirs is bone stock. Of course that makes it more satisfying when they don't want try things that some of us try in our Liberties.
I'm actually not an angry person, this is one of the only times I ever vent, just because I have received said comments relatively recently.
I loved the Cherokee (always wanted one growing up) and the KK is the closest thing I could get to that body style and still be new.

Correct, I would rather have the Libby and build it up over a Wrangler.

That being said, from personal experience...a Libby with a 2 inch lift will be as good or slightly better than a stock Unlimited Sahara / sport (assuming same driving skills behind the wheel ). A stock Sahara/ Sport is better on the rocks than a stock Libby (probably due to better articulation with the SFA as well as better Ground clearance at the front)

Mikzor · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:28 pm **Posts:** 64

Great pics JeepNCrowd.

I pretty much have the same opinions as you. I love my KK and found with just a 2" lift and some good boots they are an incredibly capable 4wd. I've got mates with stock and minor modified Tritons and Hiluxes and I've been able to do everything they can so far, sometimes more, and generally do it a heck of a lot easier then they had to. If you're not after a rock-crawling monster wearing 37"s then the Liberty is a top car and should hold its head up high.

Our biggest negative in my mind is simply the lack of after-market gear... but personally for me slowly getting things custom fabricated up will just make the end result more sweeter when your standing out from the cookie cutter JK/JKU pack all wearing identical off the shelf gear.

Amazing what a 2" lifted Liberty can do.

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