Overlanding/Expeditiion 2011 Liberty project -

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enumclaw

New member
Hi everyone! Always wanted a Jeep - and this is my first. I was heading to a 2011 Wrangler unlimited, but needed more towing pull. Bought the Liberty with the intent of pulling the family boat, and traveling extensively offroad - exploring, camping. While I new the saleman who told me "the stock trail rated liberty will go anywhere an stock trail rated unlimited will" was pushing to sell me the Liberty - it actually turned out the Liberty was the better fit for our needs.
That said, here is some of my plan. I have put all the skids plates on. I am planning on better shocks with OME springs, have a combination Yakima bars+Curt Basket on the roof for my gear; and plan on getting a roof-top tent/lower room combo with a custom built kitchen in the aft stowage area. I have pondered moving the spare up top, in front of the roof-top tent - in the basket. Then building a titanium water-tank where the spare originally was. I figure I can get 15+ gallons with a 12v pump supplying water to the galley. It would be shaped for clearance requirements. Am also wanting a snorkel and extra battery(which might fit next to the new water tank.) to add 12v power for a fridge/freezer, water pump, and 12v camp lighting throughout...

Please share your suggestions!
 
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jeep-N-montero

jeep-N-montero

Expedition Leader
A Liberty will not go everywhere a Wrangler can, this is obvious and never listen to clueless salesmen. Start with investing in better springs and shocks that will better handle the increased weight you are about to add to it, rough math tells me this will be close to 400lbs. Good luck with your "Jeep" project, hope you don't regret buying the Liberty over the Wrangler or even an early Cherokee.
 
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enumclaw

New member
No regrets....

I knew the salesman was blowing nonsense - I know there are some who say if it does not have solid axles it is not a true Jeep - kinda reminds me of the HD guys who say Sportsters are girls bikes.... But since I do not intend on crawling or going on trails rated 5 or higher, I should not have any regrets. As I wrote - I have ordered shocks and springs; good ones that will not raise the rig up more than 2-3 inches. Thanks for the put!!
 
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Topgun514

Adventurer
Dont listen to Black ZJ, you should be excited on your new purchase and proud as well. The liberty will not be as modifi-able as a wrangler and will not be able to (in stock form) bounce around as much as the rugged wrangler, but for overlanding, which is much more to do with driveability, you will be more comfortable. The driving portion will be smoother and quieter.

I am not fully familiar with the newer drivetrain however, but I assume it is equal to the newer patriot. The patriot, which I have used for work purposes in all portions of Utah, has proven capable. I have had problems with the ABS though on fast/ waterboard roads, maybe someone else can chime in.

Your first issues will be space useage. Find places under seats or decide how many people you would like to carry. Many overlanders are family oriented so 3-4 seats are needed but you may be able to stow your new tank under a seat or take out a seat. With the kitchen idea, you may want this be detatchable or on a rail system so you dont always have to carry around your gear. Or have it be able to "drop" right into a place.

For roof racks/ RTT's, you will want to look around and research more maybe. There are plent more options and I would look around at least for a system that holds stronger and distributes weight better.

Good start and congrats. Keep us posted.
 
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enumclaw

New member
Sounds like you know the direction I want to go with overlanding...

My wife and grandkids with be primary users/riders. I plan to keep the entire back seat open for riders. Do you know of any company that already fabs galley/kitchen units that slide in and out? I can make one - actually have the plans somewhat laid out. But would like to see what others - or what a company is doing jwith their designs.
We are planning our first trip down to Moab and surrounding areas this next spring. You have an incredible state to live in.
 
reece146

reece146

Automotive Artist
I'd expect a KK is roughly the same size, maybe a touch larger inside than an XJ. If you haven't already looked through the XJ threads here they are probably worth a look for ideas. I think for a SUV style vehicle a removable kitchen in a case like what some people mount to the exterior of their M416 style trailer would be a good idea.

Where's the spare on a KK? If it is inside like on a XJ move it outside to the rear bumper. Frees up a huge amount of space in the cargo area.

Really light stuff like sleeping bags and bedding can be thrown up on the roof. Get something light and easy to add/remove to the factory rails. The lighter the better. Don't put heavy stuff up on the roof. I always shake my head when I see stuff like shovels, hi-lifts, recovery gear, etc. up on the roof on a massive steel roof rack. There's a time and a place for that kind of kitting out but lots of people seem to do it for the look. Personally, I'd rather stay more stable with a lower center of gravity and keep the extra $10+/100miles due to fuel costs in my pocket.

HTH
 
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Topgun514

Adventurer
I agree with reece ( however I have a 100 lb ARB rack up there so who knows) But if your already planning a RTT, definitely do a spare tire carrier on the bumper (or maybe they are under the jeep already?) Even if it is in the stow away like the patriot, you can stow more important things in there that shouldnt get wet, like camp gear, while the tire can stay comfortably outside where it belongs.

The way you are looking, expect 1000 extra pounds per trip with your family. Get HD springs and your non-adventure trips will be stiffer but on the long trips, you will thank us for not getting light duty and bouncing around in a squaty rig.

In Pounds:
140 for Tire carrier (if not under the rig)
100 for RTT and mounts
140 front bumper/ winch orrrrr 20 lbs for solid mounts, either works sometimes.
200 for kitchen
Added gear- depends on if you are a mountaineer style tripper or a winnebago(sp) style- 250 lbs for example
Then people :eek:

Dont forget tires too, but thats weight off the springs
 
reece146

reece146

Automotive Artist
Just to further the comment above about weight.

For frame of reference:

On the truck scales my completely stock XJ (MY00) weighs ~3250 lbs.

On the same scales my built XJ (MY01) weighs ~4350 lbs.

That's with nothing inside it, no passengers or driver and about 2/5ths a tank of gas.

Get HD springs.
 
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enumclaw

New member
there is a lot of potential

our numbers will keep growing. I really like mountainluvers threads. I am in the process of putting on a integral front reciever and a winch that can be moved front or aft as needed. LOTS of good data out there, reading all the time. Will be taking another stop over in the sandbox soon though...surprise!!
 
HARDTRAILZ

HARDTRAILZ

Certified
Actually been pretty impressed by a couple Liberty's offroad. Congrats on picking what you felt would best fit your needs.
 
ZONE ZERO

ZONE ZERO

Active member
Build it, cut it, wheel it , drive it, they will go alot of places



ya liberity's suck dont bother lol

Im running one been across the country 2 times,

just finished an 850 mile expo trip, No they wont win a rock-krawling compition but they make great expo rigs in the right hands with a good driver.

Ive had 9+ jeeps and I dont regreat the Liberity
 
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mwhite

New member
The Liberty is a very versatile vehicle. I might buy a Wrangler in the next year or so, but my KJ is going to stay in the family.
 
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