Kj liberty DD

[thechief86]

Hey guys, I have an opportunity to score a 2003 liberty for free as a DD from my aunt. The catch is that it needs an engine. Everybody used to Piss and moan about how the 3.7 is a minivan engine, right? So does that mean I can find a dodge caravan in the JY and slap it in there and call it good? If so, it will mean that I can build my Xj up more, and not have to try as hard to keep it comfortable on the road...

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Dakota's, JK's, and I think some others used the 3.7 as well. I would get one from a RWD vehicles as it will for certain be the same. The FWD engines are sometimes setup different.

 

[thechief86]

Cool. Thanks a lot! I think that will make my search a lot easier....

 

[MoparManiac]

Pretty sure the JKs and mini-vans used the 3.8?

I think the Liberty 3.7 was used in WKs...

Not 100% positive.

 

[Ian Christiansen]

Pretty sure the JKs and mini-vans used the 3.8?

I think the Liberty 3.7 was used in WKs...

Not 100% positive.

Yep.

 

[thechief86]

Is the 3.8 not interchangeable?

 

[cheapcherokee93]

you are thinking of the 3.8 found in caravans/town and countrys and JKs.

the 3.7 can be found in libertys, nitros, dakotas, rams (stripped down 1500s), grand cherokees (WK i believe) durangos, and commanders. and no, they are not interchangeable at all.

 

[thechief86]

Well, at least they still put that motor in a bunch of stuff...
I went and looked at the liberty yesterday, and tried to start it. All I got was a "clink" from the starter. There was no evidence that it had thrown a connecting rod through the block yet, and the oil, although dirty, didn't have metal shavings in it. My cousin said it had a slight knock to it, which got progressively louder, and finally quit. Before it quit, she drove it to a "mechanic" in Nashville, who told her it was probably just 'the belt' and not to worry about it. So she didn't. Lol.
Now either the motor is locked up, or something maybe in the bell housing isn't letting it turn. I'm hoping for the latter, but still preparing to replace the engine.

Any suggestions I haven't thought of yet? I told my cousin that next time she has a knocking sound, get it fixed, whether someone says to worry about it or not!

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Is the battery charged? How about pulling the plugs and seeing if you can use a breaker bar or larger wratchet to turn the motor over manually.

 

[thechief86]

Is the battery charged? How about pulling the plugs and seeing if you can use a breaker bar or larger wratchet to turn the motor over manually.

This is what I plan on doing this weekend. It kinda slows me down that the car is parked an hour away.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

This is what I plan on doing this weekend. It kinda slows me down that the car is parked an hour away.

You have AAA? Or know someone who does? If you have space, get it towed to your location.

 

[cf_collins]

Do a diesel conversion.

 

[thechief86]

Do a diesel conversion.

like button.
my aunt that is giving me the car says she will buy me a motor, so worst case scenario, it still won't cost anything, i just hafta swap in a motor.
she is just ready to get it out of her yard, because my cousin is getting some mazda hatchback deal and they need the space.

 

[thechief86]

so today i spun the motor with a breaker bar, and the crank will turn a full 360* before it stops, and back the other direction before it stops in the same place. it sounds like it is hitting metal on metal when it stops, but seems to turn smoothly and easily until it gets there.

 

[crimsondragon]

Did you pull the plugs and take a look inside to make sure a valve didn't drop inside?

 

[thechief86]

I did not. It was raining, and I have been limited on time. That would make sense, though. If it was a bearing problem it most likely would still spin all the way around, right? If that is the case, and it didn't damage the piston and cylinder too bad, can I just swap the head, or even replace the valve, spring, and retainer?
My cousin says when it died there wasn't a loud *BANG* or anything, it just quit.
I'm still moving super slow on this project because I haven't had a chance to get it on the trailer and bring it home yet.

 

[dasbulliwagen]

You need to pay attention to what year you get a new motor from. In the middle of prduction they changed the tone ring on the crankshaft, so if you get a motor with the wrong tone ring, you will still have a dead liberty, as nothing will make it run that way, so pay attention to that. You can also search on doing a 4.7 V8 conversion. I hear its almost bolt in, but would require a bunch of complicated wiring and computer mods. I think all you need is to find a motor and hit the road though. Good luck!

 

[thechief86]

A v8 would be cool, but I'm thinking that when I finally find time to mess with this project it will stay totally stock aside from maybe a spacer kit and some bigger all-terrain tires. The idea of having a dependable, newish DD is supposed to mean that I can build my XJ into a full on trail beast, as well as building the motor I want for my other car...