I shall call him... "Mini Me" (2005 Jeep Liberty KJ)

[theksmith]

the GF has ditched her 2WD Trailblazer and is now a Jeep family member!

We got her the KJ this weekend and took it out for it's first trip to the dirt (well sand actually) this afternoon. This will be primarily her daily driver, but may also go on some milder expeditions such as the Mojave Road, and will of course hit some forest roads when we go camping. The first thing she said when we looked at it was "can we get all-terrains instead of the wimpy tires?" - i'm so proud!

I'm affectionately referring to it as my "spare jeep."



Important Stats

bone stock 2005 Jeep Liberty (KJ) Renegade 4x4
3.7L V6 Automatic
Chrysler 8.25 rear axle with 3.73 gears
Select-trac with 2WD, AWD, 4-Hi, 4-Lo (i believe this is a NP242 ?)
all factory skidplates, driving lights, taillight guards, and appears to have some kinda rock rails
full size matching spare wheel/tire
leather heated seats, factory navigation, overhead console with whizbangs, etc
~64K Miles
previous life appears to be behind an RV as has front tow bar adapter and break-away brake hookup.



Immediate Plans

i believe i have approval for the following in the near future:

- de-badge
- front side windows darker tint
- iPod Adapter for factory radio
- rubber floor mats
- front tow hooks
- air compressor, tow strap, tire patch kit
- CB
- front disconnects

then as soon as we save up a bit:

- mild lift (maybe 2")
- one size larger tires, all-terrains (30 x 9.5")
- rock rails
- roof basket

i'm thinking to keep the tire size small since it's mainly a daily driver, and we want to avoid the cost of re-gearing. not to mention having to get a rear tire carrier to fit a larger tire, etc.

came with factory skids everywhere and trailer hitch. unfortunately the factory front tow hooks were removed by previous owners to install a tow bar adapter, so i need to take that off and get some hooks back.

one day a rear locker might be in order as well, but that's about it for mods.



Factory Build Sheet

*DL Prem Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-DB Dk/Lt Slate Gray
ADLP Skid Plate Group
AFF Luxury Group
AHMS Convenience Group I
AJPS Power Convenience Group
APAS Monotone Paint
AWS Smoker's Group
A90P 3.7L Eng (EKG)/4Spd A/T 42RLE (DG6)
BABS 160 Amp Alternator
BC2S 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BRY Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
CF5S Rear 65/35 Folding Split Seat
CGS Supplemental Side Air Bags
CGUS Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready
CG3S Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags**
CKDS Floor Carpet
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CK3S Plastic Swing Gate Trim Panel
CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats
CLHP Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSWS Driver Assist Handle
CTMP Deluxe Door Trim Panel
CUDP Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
CUKP Removable Ash Tray
DGBS All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DG6 4-Spd. Automatic 42RLE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHP Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
DMEP 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EKG 3.7L V6 Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEKS Flipper Swing Gate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GNKP Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
GTSP Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
GXXP Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
HAAS Air Conditioning
JA2P Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAP Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JJMP Auxiliary 12-Volt Rear Power Outlet
JKYS Power Accessory Delay
JPHP Speed Sensitive Power Locks
JPM Heated Front Seats
JPTP Power Front Driver/Passenger Seats
JPYS Pwr Windows, Front 1-Touch Down
K1PS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K9AS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING COLOR
LABS Tire Pressure Monitoring Warning LP
LACP Illuminated Entry
LAZP Vehicle Information Center
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LCDP Map/Dome Reading Lamps
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer
LHDS Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LNJS Fog Lamps
LN9 Delete Light Bar
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
LSES Enhanced Accident Response System
MDAS Front License Plate Bracket
MFKS Body Color Grille
MLSS Accent Color Fascias
MT2S Trail Rated Badge
MVCS Jeep Badge
MVDS 4X4 Badge
MWZS Rugged Side Roof Rails
MXGP Tail Lamp Guard
MZLP 3.7L Badge
MZ2S Renegade Badge
NAS 50 State Emissions
NB5P Federal Tier 2, Bin 5 Emissions
NFPS 20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHMS Speed Control
PX8 Black Clear Coat
QX8S Black Clear Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RBKS AM/FM Compact Disc Radio w/Chgr Ctrl
RCGS 6 Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
RSA Sirius Satellite Radio
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCGS Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBRS Outside Tire Carrier
TR7S P225/75R16 OWL All Season Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WDUS 16X7.0 Aluminum Wheels
WKBS Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XCAS Occupant Classification System
XEAS Tow Hooks
XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
XEFP Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate
XE9P Transmission Skid Plate
XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener
XGGS Grocery Bag Hooks
XJFS Tethered Fuel Filler Cap
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
X97P 1-Year Service Provided by SIRIUS
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

 

[matthewp]

I have one recomendation: www.jeepinbyal.com (Don't forget your wallet!) A quality front disconnect set should run you about $150 or so. I have them and are very happy. I also have their adjust-a-strut front suspension; a little pricy but well worth it in the long run. Especially if you are looking to add on a winch and/or bumper later on (like I did!).

 

[Bigjerm]

The "Libby" (as we call the KJ in my house) has been a great vehicle. Drive it right and you can see 20+ mpg on the highway easy. Only advice I give is carry zip ties and know how to take off the door panels. The later years (04-07 maybe) liberty's changed window regulators and they have a weak plastic piece that will break without notice and your window will just slide down into the door... Jeep has extended the warranty on the part but no recall yet. The fix is to replace the whole window unit with 1 from the older year libertys. So far we have had 2 break and fixed and the 3rd just broke the other day and is zip tied shut till we can take it to the dealer. Dealers wont fix them till they break though...

 

[ihatemybike]

Here's my wife's

Roughly 4" of lift - Fakenlift and Boiler Spacers
(We say it has a Fakenlift cause we basically built our own Frankenlift)

JBA Upper A-Arms w/ Moog grease-able and replaceable ball joints
Moog grease-able lower ball joints
(The stock upper and lower ball joint are known wear items. Seen way too many aftermath pics from them separating while driving down the road.)

$30 Custom Roof Rack Cross Bars
(Low profile)

Black Widow Roof Basket

245/75R16 Goodyear MTR tires on Jeep TJ Moab rims.

Boiler Radiator Skid

All J Boulder Bars

Rusty's Transmission Skid and Poison Spyder Rear Differential Guard
(No longer in production)

OME Tow Hooks, Engine Skid, Transfer Case Skid

Rear swap bar removed

4.10s



We've seen the front swap bar disconnects in use and haven't seen that they provide much of an advantage. One person that we talked to said they're noisy. Most KJ owners that we wheel with leave the front connected.

The stock 3.73 gears work well with 245/75R16 or 235/85R16 tires, the 245s being the tire that most modded KJs run. We regeared our KJ since we plan on running 265, 70 or 75 tires in the future.

If you value the way the Jeep rides, DO NOT get the budget lift from Rocky Road Outfitters. It will increase the wear/sag on the stock suspension and you'll end up having to replace it all. Better to do it right and replace it all the first time. Their replacement A-Arms have a history of improper fitting too.

Steiger Performance makes an upgraded bracket that repairs the part when the window regulators fail.

 

[TexasTJ]

I have a daystar lift and the 245 75 that came on my Jk on my wife's Liberty and it drives and handles better with the little larger tire.

 

[tommudd]

If you need suggestions there is plenty of us around to help you out
Also don't think its been mentioned but you don't have to get another tire carrier for the rear it will take up to a 245-75 real easy and even 265-75 -16
OME springs are the best buy all around
Check out LOSTJEEPs as well for information and suggestions
have to throw a couple pics of mine in of course
Custom lift 4 plus inches OME springs etc Rock Lizard roof Rack, rock rails, rear bumper ARB front, 4.10s 32 inch Duratracs/Moab wheels and other stuff :wings:

 

[Utah KJ]

Here's mine... it's a CRD which automatically makes it cooler that most other Jeeps. It has nothing JBA so I don't have to worry about flipping and exploding on the freeway.... just sayin'

Good luck with yours, take the advice over at LOST with a grain of salt.

 

[phxtoad]

Welcome Mini Me!

 

[yellocoyote]

Here's my wife's

Yeah, this is me.

She's going to love the KJ (sounds like she already does). It's fun to drive, and relatively easy to work on - I've learned a lot in the 4+ years I've had mine. I wouldn't trade it for anything right now.

 

[theksmith]

got the front half of her budget boost installed this weekend, looks just plain awesome like this

 

[SSF556]

got the front half of her budget boost installed this weekend, looks just plain awesome like this

Kitty cat approves

 

[4lowdean]

Talked my mom into a '06 CRD KJ a while back. Got to drive it some while my Jeep was under the knife and my truck was out of commission. Keep telling her she should let me lift it. I did get to lift her '99 XJ when the rear leafs needed replaced. I doubt though I'll get to mess with the CRD though... at least not any time soon. Just a mile 2" lift and some 30" ATs would make it look so much better. Maybe once she has it paid off she'll call me and have me work on it.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Here's mine... it's a CRD which automatically makes it cooler that most other Jeeps. It has nothing JBA so I don't have to worry about flipping and exploding on the freeway.... just sayin'

Good luck with yours, take the advice over at LOST with a grain of salt.

THIS is just flat out awesome. Don't mean to hijack, but this is one cool liberty. I have always thought that the liberty with a solid axle swap, with the CRD, is the right size and right level of capability for, well, me. Very cool build. To the OP, best of luck to you, I will be watching with interest!

 

[Utah KJ]

Thanks, my KJ was too sexy for what LOST has become. :bigbossHL:

 

[Free Beer]

We love our little KJ, its a great car. Fun as hell to drive in the dirt too.

You're giving me ideas.....