Just got a KJ

[Ian Skolnick]

Hello all,
I just got an 02 Jeep Liberty Sport, auto with shiftable transfer case. The body is rusty at the rear of the rockers, but over all, it looks pretty good. It drives very well and only needed a front driveshaft and a coil to get her running great.

I originally bought her for resale as I got it for $650 and didn't have to do much work to it, but now I am thinking of making it my project car. I was looking for a CJ or TJ, but I have this one and it didn't cost a lot, so I'm thinking if I should put a couple of thousand into it or not. It'll be for 90% road use and some light off roading, so I don't want to do anything radical.

I'm going to look around the forum to see what others have done to theirs to help make my mind up.

Thanks,
Ian

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the forum!
$600, sounds like you have a a bargain purchase price there.
Is the engine light on for the coil?
I'd probably replace all 6 coil packs & 6 new NGK-ZFR6F-11G spark plugs, gap them at .040 inch.
How many miles on this KJ?
Does the transfer case shifter show 2-Hi-4Hi- N- 4LO ? That is a locking command trac (Part Time) for slippery surface like mud snow only.
The other shifter Selec-trac would have full time on it, can be used anytime without binding.

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[Shaggy]

Hello all,
I just got an 02 Jeep Liberty Sport, auto with shiftable transfer case. The body is rusty at the rear of the rockers, but over all, it looks pretty good. It drives very well and only needed a front driveshaft and a coil to get her running great.

I originally bought her for resale as I got it for $650 and didn't have to do much work to it, but now I am thinking of making it my project car. I was looking for a CJ or TJ, but I have this one and it didn't cost a lot, so I'm thinking if I should put a couple of thousand into it or not. It'll be for 90% road use and some light off roading, so I don't want to do anything radical.

I'm going to look around the forum to see what others have done to theirs to help make my mind up.

Thanks,
Ian

Congrats and welcome to the forum. Smoking deal for you KJ! So everything is running fine, just want to mod it out more? You thinking lift, lights, wheels?

 

[Ian Skolnick]

Congrats and welcome to the forum. Smoking deal for you KJ! So everything is running fine, just want to mod it out more? You thinking lift, lights, wheels?

Yeah, I was thinking of putting 33's on there, but I don't know if they will fit without much modification. I wouldn't mind a 2.5"/3" lift and maybe a bull bar. Some lights would be great also, preferably the original light bar, I find they look the best.

 

[tommudd]

Yeah, I was thinking of putting 33's on there, but I don't know if they will fit without much modification. I wouldn't mind a 2.5"/3" lift and maybe a bull bar. Some lights would be great also, preferably the original light bar, I find they look the best.

33s ?? LOL Better do some other plans
for 33s you need 6 inch lift, (no longer available from JBA)
then a regear to 4.88s with steel front diff ( no longer available from JBA )
bull bar, only ARB available anymore but is the best

Best bet2.5 inch OME full spring lift with regearing to 4.10s and 31 inch tall tires

 

[Ian Skolnick]

33s ?? LOL Better do some other plans
for 33s you need 6 inch lift, (no longer available from JBA)
then a regear to 4.88s with steel front diff ( no longer available from JBA )
bull bar, only ARB available anymore but is the best

Best bet2.5 inch OME full spring lift with regearing to 4.10s and 31 inch tall tires

We'll, I guess a project liberty is out in the back burner. I'll finish the body and see if I can do a 2.5" lift with 31s.

 

[tommudd]

On the back burner ???
OK, even with 2.5 inches of lift, 31s and 4.10s they do great, drive one that way 90 miles a day

 

[Ian Skolnick]

On the back burner ???
OK, even with 2.5 inches of lift, 31s and 4.10s they do great, drive one that way 90 miles a day

Well, I've got four other cars in my driveway that I need to work on.I'll wait a couple of months do some research and try to get the parts I need and hopefully by the end of summer it'll be done

 

[tommudd]

Well, I've got four other cars in my driveway that I need to work on.I'll wait a couple of months do some research and try to get the parts I need and hopefully by the end of summer it'll be done

I've lifted over 60 KJs for friends/ customers and for two of mine with the 04 having had 5 different lifts , testing and trying out new lifts etc
Run an 04 I bought brand new that has over 210,000 miles being lifted, over half that over 4 inches of lift/32s/4.10s and a ton of aftermarket parts
have had my 03 for over 65,000 miles now, lift was bought before I found the right KJ LOL
So do your research , ask questions we're all here to help you save money by not making stupid mistakes

 

[Ian Skolnick]

I've lifted over 60 KJs for friends/ customers and for two of mine with the 04 having had 5 different lifts , testing and trying out new lifts etc
Run an 04 I bought brand new that has over 210,000 miles being lifted, over half that over 4 inches of lift/32s/4.10s and a ton of aftermarket parts
have had my 03 for over 65,000 miles now, lift was bought before I found the right KJ LOL
So do your research , ask questions we're all here to help you save money by not making stupid mistakes

Thanks for the help.

 

[Ian Skolnick]

I would like something similar to this...

Cool Lift

• Ian Skolnick
• Apr 5, 2020

Are these 31's? 3" lift?

 

[tommudd]

I would like something similar to this...

Cool Lift

• Ian Skolnick
• Apr 5, 2020

Are these 31's? 3" lift?

35s and 6 inch lift , 4.88 gearing

So if you have an extra 8000 or more just for the parts no issue,
oh well but there is in a way
It has Rock Lizard front bumper, rock rails, roof rack ( none of the parts no longer made)
Rear bumper is one of mine, no longer making them
6 inch adjustable coilover lift with steel front diff from JBA, lift/steel diff no longer made
Skid plates all were from JBA as well
4.88 gears , rear no issues, but need steel front diff for the 4.88s
then price out 5 35s and those wheels add that on to the 11,000
then you have to be a real jerk to everyone who supplied parts for it trying to rip them off LOL
With all parts/ labor/ Line X etc well over 10-11,000 at least without the price of the KJ

I should know, my 04 had even more but running a 4.5 inch lift and I know what I have -had in parts alone
guess you haven't seen mine

 

[Ian Skolnick]

I guess I'll get a TJ, it'll be easier and less expensive in the long run. I really like the look of the 35"s though.

 

[tommudd]

Would never , ever own another TJ, one for 6 months was enough for me.
Yes chinese parts ( bumpers etc ) are cheaper , not any cheaper for a quality lift though
regearing is same price basically
wheels and tires same prices
then you have what every other person has at the Mall or outdoor parking area
I've owned a variety of Jeeps since the early 70s, has always been at least one in the stable of my DDs
But they have always been something unique and stand out, not a cookie cutter

 

[Ian Skolnick]

Would never , ever own another TJ, one for 6 months was enough for me.
Yes chinese parts ( bumpers etc ) are cheaper , not any cheaper for a quality lift though
regearing is same price basically
wheels and tires same prices
then you have what every other person has at the Mall or outdoor parking area
I've owned a variety of Jeeps since the early 70s, has always been at least one in the stable of my DDs
But they have always been something unique and stand out, not a cookie cutter

So what's my options? I do the like the YJ and a CJ is very expensive.

 

[tommudd]

Build the KJ
800 or so for parts for a good lift ( well best there is available now )
Find some TJ Moab wheels 250-300 a set
( 5 ) 265-70-16 Falken Wildpeak A/T 3 Ws, 650
better to regear but can get by with not
So 1750-1800 have a way better handling KJ than it ever was brand new, will look good and take you most anywhere

always pick up used stock skids at pick and pulls etc
tow hooks

 

[Ian Skolnick]

Build the KJ
800 or so for parts for a good lift ( well best there is available now )
Find some TJ Moab wheels 250-300 a set
( 5 ) 265-70-16 Falken Wildpeak A/T 3 Ws, 650
better to regear but can get by with not
So 1750-1800 have a way better handling KJ than it ever was brand new, will look good and take you most anywhere

always pick up used stock skids at pick and pulls etc
tow hooks

Is this kit a good kit for almost $900 from Rocky-Road.com

Rockfather II contains:

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New Old Man Emu front custom springs.

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Under-the-Top® strut cap and spacers for 3" leveling lift in front.

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Old Man Emu or Heavy Dut GR2 front strut shocks.

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Custom full height rear springs. Full height! Not small springs with a spacer included.

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Rocky Road engineered rear shocks

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Optional pre-assembly of the front struts.

 

[tommudd]

Is this kit a good kit for almost $900 from Rocky-Road.com

Rockfather II contains:

You must be registered for see images attach

New Old Man Emu front custom springs.

You must be registered for see images attach

Under-the-Top® strut cap and spacers for 3" leveling lift in front.

You must be registered for see images attach

Old Man Emu or Heavy Dut GR2 front strut shocks.

You must be registered for see images attach

Custom full height rear springs. Full height! Not small springs with a spacer included.

You must be registered for see images attach

Rocky Road engineered rear shocks

You must be registered for see images attach

Optional pre-assembly of the front struts.

Please do not even think about anything at all from RRO
Very bad company to deal with
If anything is wrong when you get it, it's your fault, they will not back anything up

 

[Ian Skolnick]

Please do not even think about anything at all from RRO
Very bad company to deal with
If anything is wrong when you get it, it's your fault, they will not back anything up

Thanks tommudd, what is a good site to look at?

Ian

 

[Proudsoldier_kj]

Build the KJ
800 or so for parts for a good lift ( well best there is available now )
Find some TJ Moab wheels 250-300 a set
( 5 ) 265-70-16 Falken Wildpeak A/T 3 Ws, 650
better to regear but can get by with not
So 1750-1800 have a way better handling KJ than it ever was brand new, will look good and take you most anywhere

always pick up used stock skids at pick and pulls etc
tow hooks

Hello

does anyone make a metal winch bumper for these anymore? Or am I too late to the game for this one? I have a 05 Renegade that I would like to lift and put a bumper with winch on it. Also where is a good place to find the discontinued parts that are used?