Hoosier Jeep family checking in

[artfull dodger]

My wife and I are both Jeep owners, her with a 2002 TJ Saraha edition and I have the 2004 KJ Renegade. We in a quandry what to do with the KJ, she has 178K miles on the original engine and trans. We in building hers to go play at the Badlands offroad park near us here in Indiana and were going to do the same for mine. But the high milage is a concern. To get the engine replaced its going to be $4-6K depending if its a used or reman, the trans does slip a bit and is slow to shift when its really cold out, along with brown fluid(scared to change it at this point as that used to be a no no once it got this bad looking). So there is another large cost along with servicing the transfer case. We priced out some mild lifts for the Liberty as the suspension is worn out. My fear is putting a bunch of $$ into suspension, ARB bull bar with winch and such, then have the engine go or the trans. This is my daily driver to work btw. Do we try to trade off the KJ for a TJ or roll the dice and just bite the bullet when the engine does go. For now the 3.7L runs smooth and quiet, and I am nice to the 42RLE trans(should I have a fluid and filter change or leave it alone till rebuild time?) Need suggestions and thoughts from others with a high millage KJ. She does look good, body is really nice, only minor bubble rust in the rockers. So atleast the body part is solid.

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[first&lastKJ]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will get some good advice from the guys here. Just don't mention spacer lift or Daystar.:Big Laugh:

 

[artfull dodger]

Oh heck no, if she does get built, she is getting the 3" Rockfather lift with the HD option as I want to put the ARB bull bar on the front and I do tow with it once and awhile(nothing real heavy). The original plan was to do an Aussie outback look with snorkle, mild lift/tires and the bull bar bumper. Its the concerns over the lifespan of the 3.7L that has us on the fence right now. I put 115 miles a week on going to work and back till it warms up enough to get the motor scooter out of storage. Mike the Aspie

 

[tommudd]

Oh heck no, if she does get built, she is getting the 3" Rockfather lift with the HD option as I want to put the ARB bull bar on the front and I do tow with it once and awhile(nothing real heavy). The original plan was to do an Aussie outback look with snorkle, mild lift/tires and the bull bar bumper. Its the concerns over the lifespan of the 3.7L that has us on the fence right now. I put 115 miles a week on going to work and back till it warms up enough to get the motor scooter out of storage. Mike the Aspie

Please no on the RRO lift, not a good idea at all
get a good lift if doing it
and if ARB bumper then OME 790 front springs / 948 rear
how much lift are you going for? I'd go ahead and do 3 inch with jeepinbyal UCAs as well
Build it and run it

 

[artfull dodger]

I sent you a PM Tom about the cost of having you do the lift on her as we live not far away, just north of Indy here. What you do in a couple hours would take me days by myself to do. Then I know its done right. I am out of my league lifting an IFS rig. Dont want to go any higher than 3 inch. for now the little AT tires will have to stay as new shoes are not in the budget till next year. But the sagging, bottoming out and clunking need to go! Even with that, she did well at the Badlands last fall.

 

[artfull dodger]

I am also hunting for a pair of the OEM Hella fogs(bumper top mount style) from the newer Liberty Renegades that are in good condition if anybody has a pair on the shelf. I want to build her, as I do like my "creature comforts" vs my wife's Wrangler. Espically after 8-9 hours on the assembly line building transmissions for FCA. Mike the Aspie