Is the KK a good choice?

hecticelectricauto · **Joined:** Thu Jul 03, 2014 1:57 pm **Posts:** 1

Just like the title says is the KK a good choice for a vehicle?

The reason im asking this question is my fiance has been car shopping for 6 months. This drives me nuts because I am a car salesman so the last thing I want to do is to look at cars. Needless to say she has finally narrowed it down to 2 vehicles the Dodge Nitro and the Jeep KK. From what i gather these 2 are same vehicle different sheetmetal. I have owned many jeeps and loved them all never had any major issues. But the KK is new to me and I worry it may be one of those problematic vehicles. I have a 2012 here on my lot with 40k miles its just a sport nothing fancy and I can get it cheap and she likes it. The nitros i have came across are either loaded to the gills or are ragged out. So im leaning heavily towards the KK.

So if u had 15,000 to spend would it be on a KK or something else?

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:26 pm

It's up to you. Basically, KK gets you(assuming it's a 4x4) a 2 speed transfer case(1:1 4high and 2.73:1 4low), the Nitro only has 4high.

Powertrain wise, the KK has a 3.7L v6 and 4 speed auto. It has torque, but isn't fast. It'll pull to merge onto the highway, but don't expect to set any records. Mileage sucks. I used to average about 16-17mpg with about 80-90% highway. Around town drops a little more.

Reliability is there. The engine and trans are proven for over 200k miles. Basic maintenance goes a long way. There aren't too many problems out there for the KK, and those that are seem to be simple fixes. Of course, a lot is electronic and we do have some electrical gremlins. However, they seem to be far and few in between.

Ride is alright stock, I prefer my ride now that I'm lifted and have stiffer springs, but that's just opinion.

If that seems like something you're into or ok with then you'll enjoy the KK. If you go offroad, it won't climb rocks like the Wranglers, but will get you where 95% of wheelers want to/can go.

rangerr47 · **Joined:** Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:03 pm **Posts:** 71

Like he said, its s good vehicle. Most on here would say take the Jeep over the Dodge no matter what, but if its a 4x4 , the Nitro is not a true 4x4 so its an easy choice.

As far as issues, the 2012 is the last one they made. They had several years to work out the kinks and the 12 has the fewest problems out of them all, but thats also because its the newest one...the 08 is the one that has the most issues, but its the oldest version of the KK so it makes since.

If you can get a great deal its a no brainer get the Jeep. Heck if you work there, have your guys check it over first, check the carfax and pull the trigger.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

I completely agree with what bmxer524 and rangerr47 said. I have the 08 manual, and absolutely love it. I have also not had any major issues at all. Those issues that I did have, were fixed with a relatively low cost to me. All in all, its a great vehicle and I wouldn't change a thing.

Scar0 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:52 am

rangerr47 wrote:

Like he said, its s good vehicle. Most on here would say take the Jeep over the Dodge no matter what, but if its a 4x4 , the Nitro is not a true 4x4 so its an easy choice.

What is your definition of a "True 4x4"?
The Nitro has a transfer case which locks the front and rear drive lines together, 50/50 split. To me that is a "True 4x4".

hecticelectricauto, if you are not planing on heavy off road driving, odds are you will not use the 4 low very much with an automatic trany.
With a manual trany it is hard to use the single speed 4x4 to creep along at a slow speed, because of the gear ratio.
Both the Liberty and Nitro use the 3.7 with the 42RLE automatic trany.
The Nitro also comes with a 4.0 and NAG1 trany option. But if you tow a lot, I would avoid that combination. The 4.0 is a car engine, which is not designed to handle the loads as well.

Both the Nitro and Liberty utilize the same electronic braking LSD system.
98% of the suspension components are the same.
Stock the Nitro has better ground clearance and better break over angles.
Approach angle 25.6
Breakover Angle, degrees 22.0
Departure Angle, degrees 26.7
Stock 8.3 inches of ground clearance

08+ Liberty has better approach and departure angles.
Approach angle 28.8
Breakover Angle, degrees 21.2
Departure Angle, degrees 29.9
Trail rated 8.1 inches of ground clearance

The Nitro has more interior room.
Interior Cargo Volume 32.1 cu.ft.
Interior Cargo Volume w/Seats Folded 65.2 cu.ft.
08+ Liberty
Interior Cargo Volume 26.1 cu.ft.
Interior Cargo Volume w/Seats Folded 62.4 cu.ft.

I'm not going to preach one way or the other.
You need to get what best fits your needs. At least you now have some more facts to base your decision on.

Because I like to go off road, tow a lot, and like to creep through the woods. The only thing I would change with my manual trany Nitro would be a 2 speed transfer case.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 3:24 am

Scar0, I didn't even know they made a Nitro with a manual. Definitely different there! Have you ever looked into putting in a 2 speed t-case?

Scar0 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:43 am

Bmxer524 wrote:

Scar0, I didn't even know they made a Nitro with a manual. Definitely different there! Have you ever looked into putting in a 2 speed t-case?

Only offered in 07

. I'm working on it... Mechanically I just need the drive lines. Front needs to be 1" shorter and rear will have to be a complete new one. Too bad the Liberty drive lines won't work...
Then the tough part is the computers. But I am close to figuring that one out.
The hold up at this point is life and $$$

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 10:52 am

If you go with a mechanical t-case like an Atlas or rubicon t-case can't you bypass the whole computer part?

Scar0 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:42 am

Yes, no, kinda...
All the computers talk to each other, which makes it difficult to bypass one part of the overall system, without causing problems somewhere else. Like the wheel speed sensors, Trany output and input speed sensors, ABS, etc. Because of this integration, a SFA conversion would be very difficult as well.

Is the KK a good choice?

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