They look funny.

 

Look funny, bad IFS (way worse than SFA for trails), just plain not good. Its almost like family breeding, they took the wrangler and mated it with the Cherokee to get Liberty.

Kevin

Reason To Offroad: The rubbers are starting to dry rot!

 

Hey libertarian,
Please don't take it personally (although I can understand why anyone would). Personally I think the Liberty is nice looking truck. It's too small for my use, but I think it's a nice compromise between an XJ (Cherokee Sport) and a Wrangler. Also folks are pretty up in arms that the XJ has been dropped in general. So since the KJ has been said to be the XJ replacment, that adds fuel to an already smoldering fire. It will just take awhile for the vetrans on the block to accept the new kid.

I like the KJ (Liberty) so much that I'm trying to figure how much work would be involved in swapping out my old H4 (trianglular) lights for the much nicer round projectors on the KJ. If I manage this feat, I'll rename my Cherokee to a "Liberated Cherokee" /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif. Then I'll probably become a traitor to the XJ folks, and a "wannbe" to the KJ folks /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif.

94 XJ (purchased July 00)
Skids, XD9000I, Lights, Bumpers, CB/Ham/Scanner, Duo roof racks, ARB compressor, Duo-Optima's, 200 amp alt, and too much more to list!
These trucks rock!

 

I've heard some things about the "Rubicon Testing" of your beloved Liberty and I wasn't too impressed with it after i heard that there were DC people stacking rocks at many obstacles on a trail that EVERY OTHER STOCK JEEP model has passed without a problem. To me it just seems unnatural for a Jeep to have IFS. Also, to replace the 4.0L with a V-6? thats just wrong. first of all, the 3.7 only makes 20hp more than the I-6, but it makes that horsepower at 600RPM over what the 4.0 makes its peak hp at. Same deal with the torque. The 3.7 makes 235ft-lbs while the 4.0L only makes 225ft-lbs, but the 4.0 makes it at 3000 RPM and the 3.7 does it at 4000 RPM. The last thing you want on a trail vehicle is to have your best horsepower and torque at a high rpm, because you can't utilize it as well. The 4.0 is the latest in a string of proven motors. It was developed from the 258ci(4.2L), which is a descendant from the 232ci and 199ci, which have been around since the days of the Willys. From what i can see, DC took a V-8, lopped off 2 cylinders, and made an engine that has a little bit more power and probably better gas mileage than an engine that basically has been around for half a decade and has just been modified over time. But if you like your Liberty, then you can have it. This post is just my opinion from what i have seen. I just personally don't feel that a vehicle of its type deserves to wear the Cherokee name (And it will be called the Cherokee overseas) like it is some new and improved model.

87 Comanche Shortbox 4X4, 4.0, 5-Speed, 4.5" lift, 33s, etc.

 

The "MID-SIZED" BBS has always been comsidered an XJ/MJ site since they were produced on basically the same platform. Off-road needs to create a new section for IFS Jeeps so you don't have to listen to us complain about that which we can not control(i.e. the discontinuation of the XJ). A new breed of truck needs it's own section so you can talk about likes and dislikes and problems you are having because no one here can relate to your problems anyways.

These are some of the reasons you see Liberty bashing(way too many others to list). So I guess if you don't like what you are reading, contact Off-road.com and get them to set up a Jeep IFS section for you and others like yourself. Sorry.

If it ain't dirty, you're doin' it wrong/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

 

RIGHT ON Taz...andy

 

It only matters if you are happy with it and obviously that's the case so I wouldn't worry what anyone else says. My personal opinion of them isn't very high for a couple of reasons, mainly the IFS and the size. To me it's like Jeep is sacrificing some of it's heritage for comfort and streetability, in other words playing follow the leader with all the other manufacturers. But hey that's business. I've had several IFS trucks that I spent LOTS of money beefing up for off road use and while they were tough, they were nowhere near as strong as a solid axle without any mods.

89 XJ/lots of homemade mods...

 

I'm not totally sure yet. I may want something new to tow with and just drive around, but had always considered a Grand. I saw my first Liberty here in MO the other day on the highway, and it dwarfed my XJ. They're incredibly tall. I can tell they really wanted the look of the Dakar concept, which was well received. I actually do like the front end and the profile. The Grand has all the interior stuff and pretty gold trim you wouldn't want to get dirty, but I've seen some Grands do amazing things off-road, for those that could afford to risk a 30k$ truck /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif. However, now that 93-96 Grands are getting affordable, maybe that will change.
Question for the group: I know it wouldn't be immediately profitable, but what about a Liberty off-road package with a Dana 30 option? I know they killed the option they were going to do, but what would you think of it? After all, the big-tire option for the TJ went over great...

You can't have everything. Where would you put it? -Steven Wright
1996 Cherokee Sport

 

I would personally like to see the d30 as an option so that at least the people who plan on taking their vehicle offroad could have the option of making it more trail-worthy from the factory.

87 Comanche Shortbox 4X4, 4.0, 5-Speed, 4.5" lift, 33s, etc.

 

I guess I should correct myself, I think the Liberty has a D30 center section, right? It does have the 231 or 242 t-case option...I meant LIVE axle option...sorry

You can't have everything. Where would you put it? -Steven Wright
1996 Cherokee Sport

 

hey,

i don't mean to be the ass here, but come on!!! look at the damn thing. Cross between an XJ and TJ, no i think not, is a GD Kia, Vaitara thingy. And thats just the looks of it. Nevermind the mechanics, or severe lack of parts. Do you guy know that Jeep just got the oil filter for it friday? I went camping with a jeep mechanic saturday, and of course we asked him about the KJ. He has always been a Jeeper as well, and is pretty upset with it. They allowed some of the sales people and mechanics to take one of the demo model wheeling, so they could tell people of the capabilities 1st hand. They were none too pleased, and knew that the WONDERFUL XJ would walk right over stuff it had issues on. I mean Jesus, since 19 frigin 40 jeeps have not had and IFS system, always a solid axle. Still one of the only companies that even offers one, and don't give me that keeping up with the times crap. It's keeping up with the soccer moms that think the dirt road to the field is wheelin. He also said that the XJ sales, were absolutly trashing that of the KJ, i guess most people here still know what works. since 1984 the XJ has worked, and damnit i think it still could for another 5 years of so. we'll see how long the KJ lasts, but i guaren damn tee you that it will NOT be for 17 years.

Have fun,

Todd

AOL AIM- Quikag57

Lostsa Mods, Little Time, oh well!

 

Preach on!!! Preach on!!!!

Jeff

86 XJ 2dr 2.8L auto 139kmi

 

could not say it better myself!!!!!!!!!!!!I fell like humming god bless america While I read this again

86 Commanche
Rancho 3#
31's
3.4 V6
4:10's
bpe's
its a jeep thing with a real "chevy" motor

 

TODD YOU ROCK! Another thing that irked me was no bumpers...it seemed like that the XJ was the last vehicle out on the road that had actual straight bumpers and not wrap around contoured fascias that did nothing. You're right on Todd, they are just trying to carve out some money from the soccer mom's. I'll make sure I have good snap strap in my XJ this winter....

89 XJ/lots of homemade mods...

 

Firstly, yes, the front carrier in the KJ is a D30 with cv shafts coming out of the flanges.

libertarian, you still here?? I'm guessing you could be pretty turned off to this board and I have to say follow taz' advice and contact off-road.com for a new board. Tell them the truth (and I mean this) that the other boards will not do much for the newer vehicles because they are pretty conservative when it comes to their favorites. The full-size jeep board picks on us for our jeeps having plastic. I guess we pick on you for having IFS. You'll have to prove to us that it's a good thing. Right now, I'm happy that my solid axles have taken me as far as they have without busting a cv boot.

Now for what I have to say. Number one, the KJ was designed not by Jeep, but by Chrysler. Secondly, it has broken the boundary that Jeep never once before succumbed to: Conforming with the other automakers. Look at the past. Jeep's designs were truly bonkers compared to the competition. Now compare the KJ to a Suzuki XL7, Kia Sportage, or even a CR-V. Notice the rear-mounted spare to promote more personal cargo space? Notice the tall roof-line of the (ironically) Japanese styling? You clip the front clip, and without that fascia (no comment to that) you have no clue that it's a jeep. I miss the boxiness that all Jeep trucks carried. Even the last of the XJ's are rounded out. And plastic. The FSJ board gives the XJ crowd a knock for the XJ being a plastic Jeep. Well, I guess they just will have a feast now. Oh, yeah, and I second the killing of the 4.0. Why end the life of a perfectly bablanced engine that could run forever. Oh yeah, they want the old owners to buy a new one every three years.

I don't care what they tell you, or what they tell me. The KJ was meant to replace the Liberty and Chrysler (and I really mean just Daimler) knows it, but didn't tell Jeep until they dropped the bomb on the XJ plant. The Germans are destroying what destroyed them 60 years ago.

Tuck and roll, pussy.
'88 MJ SporTruck shortbed
Rebuilt 2.5L: 40 over rings, 10 on crank, 10 on bearings
nearing 400K

 

hey,

thank you thank you! like i said i am sorry to be the ass in the bunch and tell it like it is, but hey truth hurts right? Anyway i forgot to even mention the Plastic EVERYTHING- Aaron, good call. you guys know what i can't wait for? This winter! I can absolutly not wait to pull my first KJ out of a snowbank, that will make my month! This winter in one storm where we had 3.5 feet i pulled, in a 2 mile streach 3 people. The first was a Vitara, 2nd a Tracker, and 3rd a CRV. It was the revenge of the Mini Utes I tell ya, and not that i expected it you usually get $10 for helping out, not these idiota's, didn't give me a thing. So for each one of them, i made sure to tell them that they should have gotten a Jeep. Now when i pull my 1st KJ out, i'll have to specify a bit more "You should have gotten a Cherokee!"

Be assured i'll post that the second i get home when it happens.

Have fun,

Todd

AOL AIM- Quikag57

Lostsa Mods, Little Time, oh well!

 

Hey todd how do you pull them out without a winch or at least I don't see one in your sig pic? By the way how good are those come-alongs I've heard of??

Jeff

86 XJ 2dr 2.8L auto 139kmi

 

a lil FYI kia is part of ford or is it ford is part of kia?...anyways...why would the jeep name want to be put on a ferd????? any ideas on that one?...i almost ran off the road today driving home from work when i say an kj...laughing my ass off way to hard at how muich it looks FAKE...and i mean fake in everyway...i too cant wait till winter...iowa winters are fun and i'm not sure how much i will charge the kjs to pull them out??...andy

 

jeff,

well to put it bluntly (i;m good at that) all i do is hook their bitch asses up to a tow strap attached to my shackle, and pull em'. I loved it 2ft of snow on the ground and i got the tracker out of a snowbank and ditch with 2 pulls. I stopped traffic to do it any everything, and got a thumbs up from a CJ.

Have fun,

Todd

AOL AIM- Quikag57

Lostsa Mods, Little Time, oh well!

 

I was about to type "you guys up North are lucky that you even get the opportunity to yank out all the Yuppie-SUVs every winter" but then- you wont find my Southern @$$ anywhere near snow /wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif I get cold enough down here each winter as it is

Make it up as you go.

 

come on sycho, what does it get down to there? 30-40 hell thats t-shirt weather man! j/k. it does get cold here, and without adecuate heat it kinda sucks, oh well. but the satisfaction does give you a warm feeling in your jeepin heart when you get the oppurtunity to pull out a mini-ute.

Have fun,

Todd

AOL AIM- Quikag57

Lostsa Mods, Little Time, oh well!

 

LOL!!!! I've pulled my share. Heck, the little 4cyl pulled my friends' '70 Jeepster last night. And the thing is like 5000#'s with the new drivetrain he put in to it. Just needs a clutch reservoir and that's why I pulled it for a few miles. Dang, those mini-utes are so much easier to scoop out of the ditches. Does anyone in the south know what a tow strap is??

Tuck and roll, pussy.
'88 MJ SporTruck shortbed
Rebuilt 2.5L: 40 over rings, 10 on crank, 10 on bearings
nearing 400K

 

hey,

they must there is a lot of mud. and it's sooo humid that the water doesn't evaporate very quick. I was down at Mardi Gras this year and man the humidity was incredible.

Have fun,

Todd

AOL AIM- Quikag57

Lostsa Mods, Little Time, oh well!

 

Wouldn't that make it a Wrangokee?/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif

Personally, I like the size and concept of the KJ. I am not a fan of IFS, but can't help looking at what's been kicking butt at the Paris-Dakar Rallye. This is pure off-roading, and the little "station wagons" are all over that race.

I've gone through a Chevy K5, a YJ, and a TJ before getting my first XJ. I consider my XJ to be the best all-around off-road vehicle I've had. I've been through some pretty hairy stuff and learned that there's a lot more to off-roading than rock crawling, where a solid front axel is almost a necessity. I like the KJ, and I look forward to the mods I know will come out in the near future.

Hewgag

The wise eagle keeps his talons hidden

Visit my 2000TJ in BackCountry Trailers' Back Country Rigs section at http://www.backcountrytrailers.com/

 

Has anyone ollked at a PT Cruiser? The interior is "the exact same" as the Liberty. And the exterior is just a Grand and a Wrangler having sex!

If it ain't dirty, you're doin' it wrong/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif