Why are we still here? The legacy of the Jeep Liberty

[Brendon Holt]

I was having a conversation this afternoon with my fiancee about how I went from viewing the Jeep Liberty with derision just a few months ago to feeling a genuine fondness for the little KJ. Which got me thinking about a thread topic here.

This forum is old, but there are still a lot of old-timers and even new members (like me!) that still use this forum because of an enduring fondness for the Jeep Liberty. So I think it would be an interesting thread topic for those of us here to reflect on the Jeep Liberty platform and talk about the things and which keep us driving and talking about these somewhat antiquated and often unfairly maligned Jeeps.

I'll start since I brought it up:

If you'd asked me a few months ago what I thought of the Jeep Liberty I would have laughed and told you that I'd never own one. If it didn't at least have solid axles and a 4.0 I6 I wasn't interested. But then I moved to Montana and could not for the life of me find a replacement for my WJ. After deciding I couldn't own a Subaru without feeling like I settled I began to do some research on the Jeep Liberty. There were a lot of them for sale here and, hey, at least it was still a Jeep. That's actually when I found this website and slowly began sucking up as much information as I could. The more I read the more it seemed like a solid, but mostly misunderstood or prematurely dismissed platform. The praise that is often felt for the Libby on this forum must have seeped into me because before long I'd gone out and found a nice sample and bought a 2002 Sport 4x4. The loads of pictures of how cool they can look with a lift helped too, I imagine

Having owned my Liberty for about three months now I've come to really appreciate what a capable platform it is. Even in stock form it seems tougher off-road than most people are willing to give it credit for and mods only make it more capable. Sure it's not a rock crawler but for a utilitarian vehicle that can do most sensible things you could ask of it on and off road, it's great. It has proven itself to be damn near dead reliable so far (knock on wood!). I enjoy that unlike the hordes of modded Wranglers, a modded Liberty is not something you see all the time. In general I think I've just been impressed all around by how the Liberty has consistently surprised me across the board in terms of being such a solid all around vehicle. It's nothing like I thought it was before I learned more about it and now having had one for a while I can easily see why so many people on here love them.

I'd be super interested to hear what some of the long-time members have to say if they're willing to pitch in. So share your stories about what keeps you attached to your Libertys!

 

[LibertyTC]

There is a lot to like about the Kj's in general. Talking construction, even for a uni-body they are very well built & heavy little 4x4 tanks.
Many may not realize that the entire body is anodized dipped /aluminum !
When I first got to Jeep lot, I kicked the tires, crawled under to have a look at the running gear, and said "Yup" this thing is solid & I can make it better!
So out for a test drive I went, I liked the simplicity, manual transfer case that shifted easily, and crawled very well. The next thing I knew I bought it, I was sold.
Once OME lifted correctly, good wider tires & accessorized, so much for the soccer Mom looking Vehicle !!
Next is ease of maintenance. It's great that you can actually lift the hood & work on it at home, if you are willing to get your hands dirty and a few scrapes lol.
The KJ's are very nice looking Jeeps & why so many ladies also like them as well.
They are easy to park & with the independent front suspension, turning radius is very good. Air down at bit off road & leave the SFA Wranglers in the dust ! (bye bye)
Even though I could go on for another 20 minutes about why I like my Jeep, they are a bit heavy on fuel but hey..You feel safe in one & You won't ever see me in a Rav 4

 

[Brendon Holt]

There is a lot to like about the Kj's in general. Talking construction, even for a uni-body they are very well built & heavy little 4x4 tanks.
Many may not realize that the entire body is anodized dipped /aluminum !
When I first got to Jeep lot, I kicked the tires, crawled under to have a look at the running gear, and said "Yup" this thing is solid & I can make it better!
So out for a test drive I went, I liked the simplicity, manual transfer case that shifted easily, and crawled very well. The next thing I knew I bought it, I was sold.
Once OME lifted correctly, good wider tires & accessorized, so much for the soccer Mom looking Vehicle !!
Next is ease of maintenance. It's great that you can actually lift the hood & work on it at home, if you are willing to get your hands dirty and a few scrapes lol.
The KJ's are very nice looking Jeeps & why so many ladies also like them as well.
They are easy to park & with the independent front suspension, turning radius is very good. Air down at bit off road & leave the SFA Wranglers in the dust ! (bye bye)
Even though I could go on for another 20 minutes about why I like my Jeep, they are a bit heavy on fuel but hey..You feel safe in one & You won't ever see me in a Rav 4

Yes great point on how easy they are to work on! And even for quality parts the prices are pretty manageable. The steering radius is fantastic too! When my fiancee drove the KJ after driving her KL Cherokee all the time she was blown away by how tight a circle it could make.

 

[lfhoward]

Thanks for starting the thread, Brendon. I’ll pitch in.

I got my Liberty when my XJ Cherokee got totaled in a hit and run accident. I loved that XJ and never thought I’d feel the same about another Jeep. It was the first vehicle I learned to wrench on.

Well, here I am with the KK, nine years later. I liked the looks of the KK because it kind of reminds me of the squared off look of the XJ, and I noted that it had a Dana 30 up front and Chrysler 8.25 diff in the rear, basically the same as the XJ (well not exactly but close).

After owning the KK since 2011 (I am the second owner but have put on 90% of the miles), I would have to say the KK is more reliable in just about every way than that old XJ ever was. I was always fixing something on that old Jeep, and so there was hardly any money for mods. The KK has held its own over the years (with the exception of the infamous engine replacement in 2015), so I’ve been able to slowly build it up. I’ve added: cabin air filtration, heated seats, Bluetooth, power outlets, a CB radio, a JBA lift (sadly no longer available), 31’s, rock sliders, skid plates, an ATH roof rack and recovery points, a trunk tool drawer, and soon off-road LED lighting. It’s just fun to do these things and to have a highly capable, unique Jeep.

I use my Jeep for work where I drive on forest roads and bulldozed firebreaks. I also use it as a tow rig for my camping trailer made from a military M116A3 platform. But one reason I liked it more than the Wranglers I test drove at the time, was that it has a really nice quiet, comfortable ride. It is fantastic on long trips. And built up, it can keep up with Wranglers on most off road terrain that I would use the Jeep on (not rock crawling with the IFS).

Anyhow, the 08 KK is up to 169,000 miles but only 83,000 on the new engine. I hope to surpass 250K and keep driving it for as long as it holds together. So far so good.

 

[Billwill]

Love my Export 2002 2.5 CRD 5 speed manual....bought it new in May 2002 and still have it...longest time I have owned a vehicle!

I very much agree with the small turning circle...still amazes me sometimes when I think "am I going to be able to make this turn?".... and then it is done!

The KK has much more interior space and I would not mind owning one but the KJ is fine for me. I do mainly highway driving but the occasional trip into the Kruger National Park with some sand roads really is enjoyable...I have never got stuck yet and that is with Highway tires fitted.

 

[profdlp]

Liked a lot of vehicles I've owned over the 45 years I've been driving (and hated a few), but my Liberty was the first one I ever fell in love with. I've had it for the last 56,000 of the 98,000 miles on her and hope to have her for many more.

 

[Mator1988]

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Only had my 03 liberty KJ for 3 months. it has been a headache since the 2nd month. I have never put the effort in on a vehicle or the money I have on any type of vehicles I've owned before. through research and this forum I've fell in love with my KJ and I over look all the issue because I have pulled a grand Cherokee up a step hill i was in reverse plus a crew cab Chevy up a similar grad hill. The KJ has earned the spot in my life and I'll sink everything i have to to keep her

 

[sota]

Simply put, it's a ******* mule, in the right size price point, features, and durability.
decent sized lift? check
no fear moderate off roading? check
snow plow? check
tow car trailer with anything you want on it? check
haul bikes? check
has stick shift? check!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I bought mine back in 07 because I didn't want a Grand Cherokee! Would've done a Commander but fell in love with the KJ. Got 212k on it now, most of it has been replaced, but I love it! It's been a great companion.

 

[Brendon Holt]

I bought mine back in 07 because I didn't want a Grand Cherokee! Would've done a Commander but fell in love with the KJ. Got 212k on it now, most of it has been replaced, but I love it! It's been a great companion.

As in you didn't want a WK?

 

[sota]

I'd have bought a GC, if I could have got a v8 stick 4x4 manual t-case.

 

[Brendon Holt]

I'd have bought a GC, if I could have got a v8 stick 4x4 manual t-case.

I'd love to have found a manual 3.7 KJ. But, all things considered the 45RFE in my 02 doesn't seem like a bad transmission if you're gonna have an auto.

 

[Mator1988]

I'd love to have found a manual 3.7 KJ. But, all things considered the 45RFE in my 02 doesn't seem like a bad transmission if you're gonna have an auto.

I downloaded on from a forum on here I believe. It was 2,145 page download and one hell of a headache

 

[Mator1988]

I'd love to have found a manual 3.7 KJ. But, all things considered the 45RFE in my 02 doesn't seem like a bad transmission if you're gonna have an auto.

Best bet is buy a Haynes manual and talk with the experienced hands on this forum

 

[Brendon Holt]

I downloaded on from a forum on here I believe. It was 2,145 page download and one hell of a headache

Oh, ha I meant a manual transmission

 

[sota]

holy face palming batman.
and for the record, it took me 13 months to find mine.

 

[Squamish_Steffen]

I just picked up an 03 3.7L manual trans to fix up. So far I'm impressed by the motor and drivetrain (and steering!). I was never looking to join the Wrangler club, but the Liberty offers unassuming performance in a compact form. And this forum definitely helped to verify its potential.

True 4x with low range - check
Undervalued by many sellers - check
Stick shift - check
Parts available - check
Online community - check

Only wish the ****** had a 6th gear but I say that about everything.

 

[sota]

05-07 are 6spd. 07 has drive-by-wire, which *****. ASK ME HOW I KNOW!
also the ratios are spaced very weirdly. still I'd rather have it than any auto.

 

[renegade 04]

My liberty was my first ever vehicle, learned much of what know about vehicles from it. I owe my current career to my jeep, ever though it's not my daily driver it is now the fun toy. The first time I sat in the driver's seat, I knew the jeep was perfect for me. It has a good tow capacity, nice seats, manual transfer case, great heat and a/c and the roof lights are awesome and its just fun to drive. Now I own three 2004 jeep liberty's. Currently saving up for the engine build and the paint job.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

As in you didn't want a WK?

Correct! But then I ended up getting a WK down the road anyway. Then traded that in for a KL Cherokee. Kept the KJ though!