2nd Gen Liberty Experience...

[BIGdaddy]

KK Liberty's were completely redesigned for the 2nd generation (2008-2013). Different beasts than the KJ(2001-2007), altogether....

Anyone have experience with road-tripping and Jeeping with one?

I've found these mods available:

-Front ARB locker (Dana 30 IFS)
-Rear ARB locker (ChryCo 8.25 solid axle)
-Rock rails (rockyroad, JCR)
-Roof rack (Defender, ARB, etc)
-Front winch mount (Detours Backbone)
-LIft kit (OME, Jeepinbyal)


I'm thinking that a OME lifted KK with Select-trac tcase with ARB air lockers, rock rails, winch mount for my M8000, a set of General Grabber AT/2's would be a heck of a contender off road.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Lol...righhht. Point taken.

 

[Morticon]

I think it would be cool. Giver and find one of the last years with the power sliding canvas roof that fully retracts!:smiley_drive:

 

[WKexpedition]

I think that would make for a pretty good expo rig. Def won't be taking on huge rocks, but that sounds like a solid set-up. I guess the real question is what will this set-up be used for?

 

[Morticon]

What size tires? 235/85R16 with no lift or 255/85R16s with the lift? He'll maybe even some cheap rubi takeoffs?

 

[BIGdaddy]

I think that would make for a pretty good expo rig. Def won't be taking on huge rocks, but that sounds like a solid set-up. I guess the real question is what will this set-up be used for?

Replacement for my XJ, honestly.

I'm on 30's with a 2" lift. My setup is great for exploring, DD'ing, grocery getting, geocaching, etc.

Mostly sandy desert, shale sierra single-track type stuff.

 

[Allof75]

Sounds good to me!

Mopar made something very similar in 2011.

From Peterson's 4 Wheel and Off Road:

"The mission for the Jeep Cherokee Overland was to create a small, light adventure platform alternative. The template is a built-for-export 2011 Jeep Cherokee (Jeep Liberty in the U.S.) equipped with a 2.8-liter CRD 4-cylinder turbo diesel and Selec-Trac II 4x4 system.

ARB offered their steel roof rack, awning, compact refrigerator, and prototype rock rails to set the Overland’s mood.

To increase off-road capability, an ARB 3-inch suspension lift and Old Man Emu shocks clear the way for Mickey Thompson 265/75-R16 MTZ tires mounted on steel wheels. Traction is increased with the addition of an ARB Air Locker in the rear differential and on-board air compressor.

Mopar provided a host of underbody protection including skid plates for the front suspension,transmission and transfer case. Additional items from the Mopar catalog include front and rear tow hooks, slush mats, cargo tray liner, sill guards and sport pedal kit.

To blend in with the wildlife, an update of the classic zebra safari pattern paint scheme is added to the exterior."

Build this!! :sombrero:

 

[Morticon]

As cool as that vehicle is I think the lft is one off....

http://arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/jeepLibertyKK.pdf.
They only have 1.5" of lift. I guess maybe they used spacers?
Also of note that because of different spring packages from the factory some may only get .75" of lift

 

[Morticon]

May I ask why you want the KK over the KJ?
Is it because they're newer? Or? Just seems to be more mod out there or the KJs

 

[BIGdaddy]

May I ask why you want the KK over the KJ?
Is it because they're newer? Or? Just seems to be more mod out there or the KJs

They're bigger inside and some still come with factory warranties. Also, I just prefer the newer design/look of the KK.

 

[WKexpedition]

I agree that the new kk looks a lot better I just wish they kept the swing arm for the spare, great feature. Other than that this sounds like it will be a great set up. These are def nice dd suv's and with the right traction and lift very capable!!

 

[Pilotblake]

We had an 08 KK with the roof slider before we found out we had twins on the way and needed something bigger. On the interstate wind noise with the roof slider closed made having a conversation complicated. I even tried duct taping around the front edge of the roof slider to eliminate windnoise on a road trip it got so annoying. I loved every other aspect of the vehicle, and if we lived in the city and it lived the majority of its life in the urban jungle I would buy another one in a heartbeat. We bought it new and there were several TSB updates for the roof slider in the time we had it, and every time we took it in it would be better until we opened it again, then it would get noisy. Washing it was also an issue since it wasn't recommended to be driven through an automatic carwash. Since it was my wifes DD this meant it was always dirty unless I took the time to hand wash it. Offroad in stock form it got around very well. The tcase gearing seemed right, and the hill decent control was nice. Im sure the newer jeeps have this, but the stability control system worked way to well. I dubbed the vehicle the fun hater. If you tried to get the thing out of control the brake system would take over and set the vehicle in a straight path again flawlessly. All in all I would buy another KK with the trail rated package, but would stay away from the roof slider if it was a vehicle I planned on keeping for awhile, or saw alot of Interstate driving.

 

[ihatemybike]

Been off-roading many times in groups with KKs present, they do fine. Here's my favorite so far.

 

[matthewp]

As cool as that vehicle is I think the lft is one off....

http://arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/jeepLibertyKK.pdf.
They only have 1.5" of lift. I guess maybe they used spacers?
Also of note that because of different spring packages from the factory some may only get .75" of lift

If you have a couple bucks to spend, I recommend Jeepin' By Al. I've had great satisfaction dealing with them. They have a few toys for the KK if you want "wallet-emptying ammo" for your decision making.:elkgrin: JBA KK parts list

 

[Justincredible]

We had an 08 KK with the roof slider before we found out we had twins on the way and needed something bigger. On the interstate wind noise with the roof slider closed made having a conversation complicated. I even tried duct taping around the front edge of the roof slider to eliminate windnoise on a road trip it got so annoying. I loved every other aspect of the vehicle, and if we lived in the city and it lived the majority of its life in the urban jungle I would buy another one in a heartbeat. We bought it new and there were several TSB updates for the roof slider in the time we had it, and every time we took it in it would be better until we opened it again, then it would get noisy. Washing it was also an issue since it wasn't recommended to be driven through an automatic carwash. Since it was my wifes DD this meant it was always dirty unless I took the time to hand wash it. Offroad in stock form it got around very well. The tcase gearing seemed right, and the hill decent control was nice. Im sure the newer jeeps have this, but the stability control system worked way to well. I dubbed the vehicle the fun hater. If you tried to get the thing out of control the brake system would take over and set the vehicle in a straight path again flawlessly. All in all I would buy another KK with the trail rated package, but would stay away from the roof slider if it was a vehicle I planned on keeping for awhile, or saw alot of Interstate driving.

I love the idea of the sky slider roof, but remember hearing that it was nothing but trouble.
I still considered buying one, yanking out the roof motor, and replacing the fabric with plexiglass, but eventually came to my senses.