New 2005 Jeep Liberty owner

[fedebrin]

Hello everyone!

Just won a bid for a salvaged 2005 Jeep Liberty, my dream is to turn her into an off-roader!

Her details:
- 3.7L V6
- 4x4
- Manual transmission
- 160K Miles

Engine runs well and I know I will need to work on several things... so far I know the following needs to be addressed:

- Driver's window doesn't go up
- Hand break doesn't work
- Bumper damage but I plan to change it for an off-road one
- New tires & new rims

Can someone help me out to see how I can verify what trim it is, unfortunately cannot find any references for this?

Thank you!

 

[JibeHo22]

Looks like your basic Jeep Liberty with Sport trim.

 

[tommudd]

Gray flares, it is a Sport Model
but makes no real difference , just cosmetics
For instance limited have body color flares/bumpers
Renegades had the flares with fake bolts etc
Only real off road bumper there is now is the ARB, which is the best anyways
For lift OME springs and either OME or Bilstein shocks, plenty of write up on all of that
Regear if going larger tires to 4.10s ( lowest you can go in the D30a )
wheels ( not rims , rim is part of a wheel ) if lifted 7 inch wide with 4 inches of backspacing or if going to say 265-70-16s 8 inch wide wheel with 5 inches backspacing
Skid plates, tow points
Start reading on your dream

OH but first change all fluids
spark plugs NGK coppers only
HOAT coolant only, no universal/ green junk

after that almost ready ! LOL

 

[LibertyTC]

^^ All good advice right there ^^
Online you can type in your ViN# to obtain your options /build sheet Here: https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
Also helpful is the parts fiche & factory service manuals here: http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/

 

[fedebrin]

Thank you all very much!

Dear tommud, great advice,

Will have to get someone to do the regear for me as it seems very complex, hope to do as much as possible of the rest myself.

I will also try to stay in budget!

Will keep you all posted of the next steps

Thanks again

 

[tommudd]

Thank you all very much!

Dear tommud, great advice,

Will have to get someone to do the regear for me as it seems very complex, hope to do as much as possible of the rest myself.

I will also try to stay in budget!

Will keep you all posted of the next steps

Thanks again

If you can find a 4 cylinder gasser they came stock with 4.10 gearing

 

[fedebrin]

Dear tommud,

Now, it has a manual transmission, I understood the 3.73 ratio is more troublesome on automatic transmissions.

Is it the case?

thanks!

 

[duderz7]

For some reason my memory tells me the manual has 3.55, someone will correct me im sure. Whether manual or auto, high gearing is still high gearing.

 

[tommudd]

Dear tommud,

Now, it has a manual transmission, I understood the 3.73 ratio is more troublesome on automatic transmissions.

Is it the case?

thanks!

More troublesome ? How or why

 

[fedebrin]

From a video I watched, the automatic transmission has more trouble finding the right gear i.e. does not shift at the correct RPM.

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[tommudd]

I've never had an issue, of course two of mine are regeared to 4.10s and the other just one size larger tires
plus I use the overdrive button a lot, when on two lane and also backroads, overdrive is always off to put the 3.7 in its powerband where it likes to run
now larger tires and not regearing , yes can see
Also the reason say manuals got 3.55s and automatics 3.73 s
he is close but do not base everything he says as gospel

 

[fedebrin]

Well I meant to explain that staying with the gear ratio of 3.73 is less troublesome with a manual transmission... thanks Tom!

I need to set a plan of action to start converting the Jeep Liberty without breaking the bank & taking in consideration that I don't have a lot of experience working in cars!
Will start a new post on that

 

[tommudd]

Well I meant to explain that staying with the gear ratio of 3.73 is less troublesome with a manual transmission... thanks Tom!

I need to set a plan of action to start converting the Jeep Liberty without breaking the bank & taking in consideration that I don't have a lot of experience working in cars!
Will start a new post on that

Manual transmissions never had 3.73s in the KJs , only automatics
and if going larger not sure I understand why you are saying to stay stock with a manual
On manual trans KJs if you go larger tires you'll never use top gear ( depending on if 5 or 6 speed ) due it bogging down
Everyone wants to do a build as cheap as possible , but on lift etc go best you can with OME etc

 

[fedebrin]

Thanks Tom!

Below is the extent of the damage, the old tire is unbelievably worn out... Do you believe this is the main reason why it sits on an angle when looked from the front?

 

[tommudd]

Looks like when it was wrecked it got your alignment way out of wack
But get underneath and check out LCA, UCAs and also where it bolts up to the subframe