2005 KJ for EagleScout

[blkfin]

Greetings All,

This is my first post. But have been reading through the forums with great interest.

My oldest son is turning 16 in about a month, he is an A-B student, Eagle Scout, and all around great kid.

So for his birthday, I have (with the permission of the wife) decided to get him a ride.

So after reading through this forum, and several others I decided that a 4x4 Liberty would be a good first car.

I found a government 2005 Liberty 4x4 base with 77K miles. Outside and inside are pretty clean for a 13 year old car.

I am now going to go through it and get it ready for him.

Using @profdlp as an example and some of his prolific words...

(I reserve the right to ask dumb questions elsewhere and at any time, though.)

I'm really hoping for some good suggestions and advice!

1. Fluids
2. Plugs (NGK IX Iridium Spark Plug ZFR6FIX-11 part number 6441)
3. CPacs
4. Filters
5. Stereo Head Unit
6. Roof Rack
7. Brakes
8. Wheels & Tires
9. Lift
10. Trailer Hitch
11. Seat Covers
12. Nerf Bars/Rock Sliders
13. Brush Guard/Bull Guard
14. Tint Windows
15. LED Head Lights
16. LED Tail Lights
17. Flood/Fog Lights
18. Paint Bumper and Trim Black
19. Fix Headliner
20. Fix Side Mirror Switch

Any 'Gotta Haves' and/or 'I wish I never' ... Please feel free to share.

I will document the changes we make as they occur.

As soon as I figure how to post some pics, I will. <-- DONE

Thanks To All In advance.

Jim

And yes...I am getting to live vicariously through my kids...:gr_grin:

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[Jo6pak]

Welcome to the Jeep disorder support group!

You quoted the Prof in your first post...we wont hold that against you:icon_razz:

Nice clean looking KJ you've found there. I've always liked the white ones, they look like Stormtroopers

As for your queries... I'll add my $.02 on a few
8. Wheels & Tires
I had pretty good luck having my stock steelies blasted and powder coated. Looks like you can use new lugnuts too. As for tires, guys are running just about everything. I really liked my General AT2.

9. Lift
Old Man Emu seems to be the most popular choice. Check out JBA Offroad, they have OME and other higher end options.
https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty-2002-2007-kj.html
***Stay away from spacer lifts, you need all new springs and shocks anyway

Seat Covers
Iggee covers are really nice. http://www.iggee.com/MScatview.aspx?catid=NSUPREME

And get some Husky or Weathertech floor liners too. (I had Husky in my KJ, now I have Weathertech in my WK)

Some underbody armor would be a good idea too. Skidplates can be a bit difficult to find, but they are out there. Tow hooks are also a good idea if you're playing off the tarmac.

Heck, just wander around the JBA website and get your credit card ready:icon_razz:

 

[Gyro]

#2-ZFR6F11G copper core or equivalent works best.
#10- If you live in a rust belt state there is a TSB N46 to install a hitch for fuel cell protection.

Gyro

 

[Jbergun]

I second the general grabber at2 i have been running them for a few years now. I love them. I would also second refinishing your steel rims. Save the money and spend it on something else. Got an active community here with lots of opinions good or bad hope you stick around.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Nice KJ! Looks like you already have skids and tow hooks. Welcome to the mad house.

 

[Jo6pak]

Good eye, HJ!
That'll save some time, money, and bother.

Might not be a bad idea to pull off the skids and clean up the undercarriage, no telling when the last time that was done.

 

[wdflr]

Great find, for what sounds like a great son!
You might look up plasti dip, or dipping for your plastic and maybe wheels!
it's a cheap fix, and easily removed if you change your mind down the road, I blacked out my plastic a few years ago, A set of steel wheels, to protect from salt, tail lights, ect.

 

[profdlp]

Wow! I'm famous! :winner_third_h4h:

I would read, read, read. Sit down with your (lucky!) son and see what he wants to end up with. Aside from essential stuff (keeping it running right), when it comes to mods, ask yourself what you want to do and why you want to do it. Sometimes that thing that grabs you at first glance is not what you really want big-picture-wise.

80% of what I've done (and all the major stuff) I learned about by following the advice here. I've been somewhere between very happy and ecstatic with virtually all of it.

The other 20% I just winged it. I'm maybe 50-50 on the satisfaction index with that. Overall that puts me at 90% happy with the money I've spent and the work I've done. The 10% surtax I paid by winging it and not being happy with the result bought me some experience, at least.

Sounds like you have a great son with great parents. The Liberty is a great first ride. Solid enough to be safe, fun enough you'll have to pry him out of there when it's time for homework. Enjoy!

 

[blkfin]

Update - 04092018

Greetings All...

And thank you for all the feedback.

So here is what I have gotten done so far.

Fluids
Plugs (NGK IX Iridium Spark Plug ZFR6FIX-11 part number 6441)
CPacs
Filters
Lift

Had my mechanic go over the entire jeep, all looked good from underneath. All the joints were good and it appears that the Ball Joints had been replaced recently along with the brakes.

Had all the fluids replaced. i.e. Engine Oil, Both Differentials, etc. Did not replace ****** fluid as it looked/smelled fresh.

Put new NGK IX Iridium Spark Plugs ZFR6FIX-1 and replaced the Coil Packs.

New K&N Air Filter

OK, I know there are many opinions on this. But please go easy on me on this next one. As for the lift I went with the DayStar 2.5" Lift Kit KJ09116BK. We live in central florida...which means flatland. The primary mission for the lift was for appearance not so much for mudding. So the cost savings was hard to ignore.

One thing now, that maybe this group can help me with.

Now the cruise will not engage. The 'cruise' light comes on for a second when you hit the on button then goes out and will not come back on.

If I stop/start the engine...it does it all over again. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

This week:

1. I have some Barter Dollars to use so I am getting a full detail done.
2. Roof Rack
3. Seat Covers
4. Mats/Rear Liner
5. Fix Headliner
6. Trailer Hitch
7. Tires
8. Refinish Steel Rims
9. Paint Bumper and Trim Black
10. Plasti-Dip front Grill Black.

Thank you so much for the addition suggestions please keep them coming.

Looking specifically suggestions for daytime LED running lights.

Thanks In Advance
Jim

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[blkfin]

Eagle Jeep Update - 04172018

OK...so I couldn't wait any longer to give it to him:gr_grin:

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Now I get to work with him to get the final things done. Its more fun that way anyway.

We put on Cooper A/T 265/75r16 (i.e 31.5x10)

With the 2.5" lift there is not an issue with the pinch weld, but it does rub a little on the front side during full turn. Going to get out the heat gun and try to reform the plastic a little to see how that goes before doing any cutting.

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Also put in some Philips CrystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulbs to give a little more white, less yellow look.

Before:

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After:

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Would like to find some 7" to 7.5" adapter rings for the headlights so we can go with some Halo Style Lights that are made for the wranglers. If anyone has a mod idea or knows where to get them please let me know. Thanks

We are Plasti-Dipping the Front Grill Black, refinishing the Rims Black, and painting all the Grey Plastic Black.

Also need to install the Basket Roof Rack.

All in all, He is very excited.

Thanks for all the help.

Jim

 

[Myke]

OK...so I couldn't wait any longer to give it to him:gr_grin:

You must be registered for see images

Now I get to work with him to get the final things done. Its more fun that way anyway.

We put on Cooper A/T 265/75r16 (i.e 31.5x10)

With the 2.5" lift there is not an issue with the pinch weld, but it does rub a little on the front side during full turn. Going to get out the heat gun and try to reform the plastic a little to see how that goes before doing any cutting.

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

Also put in some Philips CrystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulbs to give a little more white, less yellow look.

Before:

You must be registered for see images

After:

You must be registered for see images

Would like to find some 7" to 7.5" adapter rings for the headlights so we can go with some Halo Style Lights that are made for the wranglers. If anyone has a mod idea or knows where to get them please let me know. Thanks

We are Plasti-Dipping the Front Grill Black, refinishing the Rims Black, and painting all the Grey Plastic Black.

Also need to install the Basket Roof Rack.

All in all, He is very excited.

Thanks for all the help.

Jim

Unfortunately no one makes a headlight adapter. I have seen a couple guys make their own. There is also a guy doing HID retrofits. I can look up his info for you in you want to go that way but I believe it is like $400ish.

 

[Jo6pak]

Looking good.:happy107:
Blacking out the badges also might look pretty cool.

 

[Jbergun]

Looking great look at the pounding the pinch weld flat its a common fix for tire rub.