Any expirence with the 4 cylinder gas KJ?

mikekj_cda · **Posted:** Sat Jun 03, 2006 4:27 pm

Wanting to know if anyone out there has any info or exposure with the 4 cyl gas Libby? Reliable, good/bad, ect...? Was 4X4 available as well?
I am looking to replace my parents car and I am thinking the 4 should be cheaper on fuel and price. It will never leave pavement so power isn't an issue.
I have been looking online and all I can locate used is the V6 up here in Canada. Was the 4 not available in Canada? Or are they so rare and not worth it I should just look to the 6?

Any comments/advice would be awesome, thanks in advance.

*update* maybe I should mention the daily drivers will be a 50 and 65 year old ladies :lol:

I like the V6 for myself but I will try pull more juice out her :twisted:

Mike

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Sat Jun 03, 2006 5:56 pm

The 4-banger is a little underpowered and isn't very popular around here. Even on the road most say it feels like a dog. Go for the 6-cyl.

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

I would avoid the 4. With how heavy the KJ is for such a small vehicle and how much throttle you would probably want to use, I don't really know how much gas you would be saving compared to the aggravation of the lack of power. I've never seen one though.

mikekj_cda · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:49 am

My first thoughts were exactly the same but I still would like to hear from someone who has driven one. I can't see any real road reviews online either, almost like no one ever bought one?

Hard to believe though, since from what I can tell it was produced from 02 until 05, correct me if I'm wrong on that?

Thanks for the posts.

white04kj · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:55 am

There was a fella from lost who owned one at one point, but I don't remember if he's still around or anything like that. He's got a cardomain - it's a blue KJ, don't remember the year. You could try contacting him through there if you can find the page, or I think he was from PA or somewhere along the Atlantic coast, you might find him on here. Good luck!

Sean · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:21 pm

Not a liberty, but I have driven a 4cyl wrangler, and wow that thing was terrible. I belive DC made V6 standard (no more 4cyl) in 2006 models as you mentioned. (someone correct me if I am wrong)
With as many KJ's are for sale now, I cant imagine you saving that much money on a 4cyl vs a 6cyl.
-My .02 anyway.
-Sean

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:56 pm

My libby is under powered with the 6, well for me it is at least. :twisted:

PitViper · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:09 pm

forget the 4

shak · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:36 pm

only if the kj came with the hemi........sigh

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:55 pm

I test-drove a 2005 4cyl 6-speed sport back when I was looking for my liberty. Even in a 6-speed, it felt like it was slow in pickup. I don't think you'd get much for gas mileage improvements in actuality, since you'd have to drive it that much harder just to get the same performance. If you want efficiency and power, look for a CRD or a 3.7 6-speed.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:47 pm

Get the CRD you can still have a 4 cylinder and driven correctly it will stomp on the V6 :twisted:

You will not regret it.

Sorry never drove the 4 cyl gasser

dog_party · **Posted:** Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:54 am

I'll chime in as another one who never drove the 4-cyl GAS liberty (the 4-cyl diesel KJ is AWESOME though...and it doesn't use ANY gas ;-)

). I have, however, had experience with a 4-cyl Ford Ranger. It was a great truck, but the 4-cyl ended up giving me the same gas mileage as my friend's 6-cyl ranger. As has been stated, the 4-cyl needs to work harder to push a truck through the air and over the hills.

So, if you're looking for a 4 for the gas savings...don't, it's not worth it.

If you want a 4 due to lower initial cost...do. That's why I had the 4-cyl Ranger and it lasted a long time and did everything I asked of it. I would, however, strongly suggest only getting a 4-cyl mated to a manual tranny. 4-cyl engines and automatic trannies should be an illegal combination.

So, if your parents don't want to shift...there's one more thing leading toward a 6-cyl.

Just for informational purposes: I don't know about the earlier models, but the 4-cyl gas was available in both 2WD and 4WD during it's last ('05) run. It was also available with the auto or manual tranny.

Good luck on your search.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:03 pm

I drove a 4 cylinder 04 Liberty 4x2 with an auto and it was brutal.

I haven't wished somebody rearended me that much since I had my '86 Civic WagoVan 4wd...

I drove a 4 banger 5 speed 03? I think? I don't remember what year IT was...but it was about as nutless.

My 02 6 banger doesn't have enough power for me TBH...I'm wantin to at least swap in the 4.7L or something after the warranty's out.

tcschum · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:05 pm

I have an '02 4cyl 4X4 with the 5 speed manual. Gas mileage is around 20-22 at best. Re: power, it pales in comparison to the 6 (which I test drove). I like manuals, and this 4cyl was the only one on the lot. The dealer - dirty rotten scoundrel - claimed they weren't making the 6 with a manual. Libbys were new on the lots back then and I just went on his word. Live and learn...

The four does get up to speed on the freeway (eventually), and has enough torque for the trails I run, so I don't mind. I'd like to think I'm saving a bit on mileage, but I don't really know what people with the 6 cyl/manual trans get.

Bottom line, if you can't stand down shifting into third at 50mph to get the necessary kick for passing, don't get the 4.

Any expirence with the 4 cylinder gas KJ?

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