Real opinions about the Liberty...

[Viggen]

The site said that the CRD guys can reuse their gears in the new center section. So, the price is $1500? Would it come with stronger CVs? Thats not TOO bad of a price considering what you would be getting. Stronger joints and a little piece of mind.

My GF had a 3.7 Liberty that I got some seat time in. I had an XJ for a while and in my opinion, the Liberty really doesnt give up much to the XJ, except in axles it seems. I know thats could probably lead to some arguing among the XJ faithful but where the XJ was squat and wide, the Liberty is tall and slightly narrower. Being 6'4", I like the latter.

A CRD can be had for not too much money and I would gain a vehicle that was designed to have a diesel from the start whereas I would have to build and cobble something together otherwise leading to teething issues and an end cost greater than starting out with a diesel.

A Liberty would make an interesting starting point. A little bit of lift, some 32's, and a trailer with a RTT would be a great rig to go traveling in, in my mind. I was just curious as to the know weak spots.

The xcase is an NP231 in the Liberty, correct?

 

[phxtoad]

Yup. Used to be NP, now I guess it's NV. NV231 Command Trac in some, NV241 Command Trac (heavier duty) in some and NV242 Selec Trac in the rest. I've got the 242. It's supposed to be a bit weaker that the Command Trac's. I like the Full Time feature though since you can run it on pavement. It's a peace of mind thing in heavy rain, etc.

I think you are right though. It's a relatively low cost 'integral' deisel rig. Even if you don't like it, they are in demand so you'd still fetch a good price selling it.

 

[LilKJ]

A Liberty would make an interesting starting point. A little bit of lift, some 32's, and a trailer with a RTT would be a great rig to go traveling in, in my mind. I was just curious as to the know weak spots.

You're right.... a rig like that COULD be cool:ylsmoke:

 

[Root Moose]

I had an XJ for a while and in my opinion, the Liberty really doesnt give up much to the XJ, except in axles it seems. I know thats could probably lead to some arguing among the XJ faithful but where the XJ was squat and wide, the Liberty is tall and slightly narrower. Being 6'4", I like the latter.

You won't get any argument from me. Newer is better in this case. As much as I like the XJ I am fully cognizant of the fact that is a old design that has been tarted up in '97 to get a few more years out of it.

The biggest problems with the XJ in my opinion are the unibody (can't compare to modern Jeep unibodies) and the rear seat space.

As for the steel center section, I wouldn't keep the cost of that from being serious about a KJ. Really, are you going to break the aluminum one? Being honest with yourself about how the Jeep will be used is it really an issue? They are aren't egg shells; it takes driver input to break them. If you do break it then there is a solution in the aftermarket to deal with it after the fact.

$0.02

 

[Viggen]

You're right.... a rig like that COULD be cool:ylsmoke:

See, thats what Im talking about. That would be my set up right there. Save the room inside for people and fridge and the trailer can save me some mpg by hanging out in the back and with torque, not too big a deal.

You won't get any argument from me. Newer is better in this case. As much as I like the XJ I am fully cognizant of the fact that is a old design that has been tarted up in '97 to get a few more years out of it.

The biggest problems with the XJ in my opinion are the unibody (can't compare to modern Jeep unibodies) and the rear seat space.

As for the steel center section, I wouldn't keep the cost of that from being serious about a KJ. Really, are you going to break the aluminum one? Being honest with yourself about how the Jeep will be used is it really an issue? They are aren't egg shells; it takes driver input to break them. If you do break it then there is a solution in the aftermarket to deal with it after the fact.

$0.02

Im not too worried about breaking it really. I have a habit of breaking CVs in IFS before anything else, especially if they angle out as soon as many say they do. There are times where I will look at something and say to myself, "I can do that, no problem" only to find out that, well, not really. I live on the East Coast. No big open spaces, lots of mud, babyhead rocks, roots and tight spaces. I dont think I will break one but, like you said, its certainly nice to know that there is a solution out there.

 

[tommudd]

Some people spend way too much time worrying about the 30a and it possibly breaking. I never once think about it and wheel over anything I want to. Plus I know I have an extra laying at home waiting just in case I do break one ! :wings:

 

[Viggen]

So, I spent about an hour reading my way through Jeepin by Al. Theres a lot of information on that site. Whats the feedback on their products? Theyve got a 4" kit that will clear 32's easily and it comes with CVs, upgraded I guess. Its pretty damn pricey but the components list is pretty hefty.

Im not to worried about the front diff really. If it looks scary, I could always winch myself through once Ive gone as far into the mess as I could without heavy pedal abuse.

Is it possible to mount the Rock Trac 4:1 version of the NV transfer case into a Liberty? Something I was thinking when looking through JB's site. Could keep highway friendly gearing but get good low down gearing when needed.

 

[arcteryx]

I asked the better half before posting this.

As someone who had a Cummins 4BT Land Cruiser (4BTJ80), we would take one over the Liberty hands down.

That said, the Liberty CRD suits us well. I dont proclaim to be a guru about these at all, but I do my research. We're pleased so far with out CRD.

 

[tommudd]

If you are looking for a 4 inch lift then there are other options besides JeepinbyAls.
I like Marlin ( the owner) and he does have great products but with OME 927 springs a top plate and clevis lift you can have 4 inches of lift real easy. I have been at 4 inches for over 100,000 miles with stock CVs and no problems
Here's 4 inches of lift and 265-75-16s

 

[Viggen]

I asked the better half before posting this.

As someone who had a Cummins 4BT Land Cruiser (4BTJ80), we would take one over the Liberty hands down.

That said, the Liberty CRD suits us well. I dont proclaim to be a guru about these at all, but I do my research. We're pleased so far with out CRD.

Was yours, the FJ, for sale at some point last year? A black one? I think I saw it on Mud and drooled over it but it was just too big for what I was looking to do. For two people, possibly a third, it was just too much truck. A midsize diesel is more my size and easier to pilot around the DC area where I live.

Tom, your Liberty is one of the reasons why I actually am considering picking one up. They have just the right amount of room inside for me and the gear.

 

[phxtoad]

Marlin provides the best customer service around. They've been the innovators in the KJ aftermarket. Have a problem with their products and they will bend over backwards to figure it out and fix it.

 

[arcteryx]

Was yours, the FJ, for sale at some point last year? A black one? I think I saw it on Mud and drooled over it but it was just too big for what I was looking to do. For two people, possibly a third, it was just too much truck. A midsize diesel is more my size and easier to pilot around the DC area where I live.

No, mine was blue. I sold it to a friend here in Austin. He had it for sale for awhile on Mud/Expo. It sold to a fella in Florida.

 

[RedDog]

I think the Libby is a perfectly fine vehicle from a technical point of view.

I could never get past the look of the KJ. The styling is trying too hard with the round headlights. I like the look of the KK.

I'm just the opposite and one of my employers who had the KJ Renegade and loved it found nothing in the showroom to her liking anymore at replacement time. She splurged and bought a new BMW X5 about a month ago. It will never be off pavement of course but neither was her Liberty.

 

[Root Moose]

The Renegade version does have a different front clip. The headlights don't bulge into the hood. It's more like the JK. It is a better design IMO.

 

[DCH109]

My Wife and i had a 2005. Bought it new off the lot, Gas but it was the 6 speed. We sold it recently and bought an old CJ7.
There are times i miss it and there are times i do not. Worst seat i have ever seen. But the 4WD is good and it was like driving a car.

I have never driven the new ones, but i liked hers.