New Liberty opinions?

[AndyS]

Bryan, thanks for the good info. I'm happy that what I was looking at on the motor turns out to be the plugs - if they were under the headers, that would have been awful to get to....

Since we are getting a manual tranny model, 42rle vs. 45rfe will not be an issue - have you seen any unusual problems with the manual transmissions/chutches?

Also, since we cannot order an '04 any longer, and nearly all Liberty's on car lots do not have the off road package/trailer package with HD cooling, etc., have you seen any cooling issues with street driven Liberties with just the electric fan? Does the HD cooling package have a different radiator as well, or is it just the addition of a mechanical fan?

Would a new '04 Liberty already have the ball joint sheilds in place, or would they still need to be added?

Thanks again!

 

[juicexj24]

www.kjjeep.com


is a group of Liberty owners which has some tech and install arts. and some club trips. Juice

 

[RichP]

Thats pretty cool that they moved the plugs up top, I agree it would have been a bear to change them from underneath. It's also interesting that they put disc brakes on the rear, they came equipped with 8.25's and drums in back when I first looked at them which opens up some possibilities.

 

[AndyS]

Sounds like a painless swap for XJers with 8.25's, and with all OEM parts too. I guess the issue would be finding a KJ with disks in a boneyard....

 

[Bryan C.]

No cooling system problems that I have seen. I am told that the radiators are different form HD vs. non HD cooling. If the Jeep comes with a tow package or the off-road package, it will come with the HD cooling.

For those interested, yes the KJ rear disk brakes are a direct bolt on for the XJ with the 8.25. My buddy has done the swap on his XJ and it bolts right on. The only mod that is needed is for the park brake cable and attaching the ZJ rear disk flexible brake hose.

Bryan

 

[AndyS]

Well, we got it. '04 Sport, v6, 5 speed, 231, no ABS. No trailer or Off Road package since there weren't any on the lot, but we got a good deal on it and were able to unload our VW Lemon (Passat). Drives nice, and even though the motor is brand new, I can't say that it seems lacking in torque at low rpms - it feels like it has a very flat torque curve. And the tranny has a pretty deep first gear, too. It also already has the ball joint heat sheilds (just on the lowers).

It looks sharp - Patriot Blue, tinted glass, alloys and fog lamps - it's a Barbie Jeep, but that's what my wife wants. I still have my XJ, and I got the green light for a stroker, gears and rear disks for the D35! It'll be a fun summer!

Thanks for everyone's input!!

Andy