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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
XJ Destoryed (pics).... Liberty next? More New Pics...
Giant tree came down in a snow storm and destroyed my XJ. There are no young XJ's anymore, so I am thinking of a KJ Liberty (first series) or KK (boxy second series). The prices on the KJ are getting pretty low now. And still some good examples available.
What are your opinions of the relative merits of the KJ and the KK?
My XJ before the storm.
My XJ after the storm:
It is pretty badly damaged. The hood got whacked down onto the engine and did some serious under hood damage. Right side bodywork is trashed. Door won't open.
Had to use a sledge and crow bar to get the hood open.
Last edited by HappyTrails; Feb 17, 2019 at 01:16 PM.
Dont' forget to look at ZJs and WJs. I too looked at Libertys when I bought my latest XJ. I asked around on the various forums and there were many who said they loved their Libertys and had no regrets going to them, better fuel mileage in many cases, better ride, less NVH, ect, and for what the vast majority of people used their XJs for just capable. Others (the minority) said they hated them. Prices are certainly down there. I was looking at a few fully loaded Limited models that were probably 1500 more than what I spent on my XJ. Was very tempting.
I also looked at a lot of WJs. Clean low mileage WJs are probably more common around here now than XJs and in some instances cheaper.
Dont' forget to look at ZJs and WJs. I too looked at Libertys when I bought my latest XJ. I asked around on the various forums and there were many who said they loved their Libertys and had no regrets going to them, better fuel mileage in many cases, better ride, less NVH, ect, and for what the vast majority of people used their XJs for just capable. Others (the minority) said they hated them. Prices are certainly down there. I was looking at a few fully loaded Limited models that were probably 1500 more than what I spent on my XJ. Was very tempting.
I also looked at a lot of WJs. Clean low mileage WJs are probably more common around here now than XJs and in some instances cheaper.
Thanks for the feedback. I looked at the Grands and especially like the WJ. But the shop manager wants a smaller vehicle. She already drives a real nice Dakota 4 x 4. And we are not giving that one up. So the Liberty seems like a good candidate. My son has one he bought new in 2002 and likes it quite well.
I personally haven't owned a Liberty, so I can't say from experience. But if you read Moses Ludel's Jeep Bible, he had high praise for them.
Personally speaking you get a lot of bang for your buck with a 2004 WJ (Grand Cherokee) with the Overland package. You get the last of the solid front axles, Up-Country (1" lift) suspension, *much* better engineered vehicle (than an XJ), Locking front/center/rear ...if you have the Quadra-Drive 1 or 2. And they just drive so much better. The 4.7 HO engine moves the rig along very spritely. They are an incredible bargain for what they sell for nowadays, IMO. Some Limited's with Quadra-Drive might also have the Up Country suspension too.
OTOH, I really like the ergonomics of the ZJ's. Just the seating position and the way the cabin works out, to me is the best of ANY of the Jeeps. I've got one so I know. If you had the Select-trac and added a locking rear, you have a really nice rig.
I might be half tempted to look at a FJ (don't crucify me!!).
Giant tree came down in a snow storm and destroyed my XJ. There are no young XJ's anymore, so I am thinking of a KJ Liberty (first series) or KK (boxy second series). The prices on the KJ are getting pretty low now. And still some good examples available.
What are your opinions of the relative merits of the KJ and the KK?
My XJ before the storm.
My XJ after the storm:
It is pretty badly damaged. The hood got whacked down onto the engine and did some serious under hood damage. Right side bodywork is trashed. Door won't open.
Had to use a sledge and crow bar to get the hood open.
Man, that's a rotten deal. Really nice 2 door. I've had 4 two doors and love them all. Of course, I have no kids and just a small dog so the 2 doors work for me.
If you end up scrapping it out, be sure and keep the stuff unique to 2 doors. I.e., the rear quarter glasses and the little trim panels behind them. The rear hatch door glass, while not unique to 2 doors, is still getting harder to find.
I really hate to see such a nice XJ terminated by Mother Nature.
That's a shame. While never I owned a liberty my buddy does so I can provide some info and my opinion. They remind me a lot of an xj (no surprise there) except they ride better and are more car like in general. The big reason I avoided them is they have a independent front suspension which can be less reliable especially off road. They're tough vehicles and are pretty reliable but less capable off road ,more expensive to maintain imo they're not true Jeeps.
Wow, what a shame. Beautiful XJ. I had an '04 Liberty with the CRD. Personally, I loved it. Pulling a boat was a breeze in it, and it got really good fuel economy. I didn't do anything more than trial ride with it, but I would think they would do really well off road with the torque the CRD has down low as well as the electronic traction control. As someone else stated, they have an IFS, so that can limit how high you can lift them. But I know guys have put solid axles in them.
.... my expert mechanic mate is not impressed with the 4.7,
What?!! Well, some experts become mired in their 'beliefs' too. 4.7 is a great motor. Esp before they went to cyl de-ativation (maybe that's what he's thinking about). Almost 300hp torque on the HO! I drove a ZJ I-6 for years, there's no way I would go back to a 6 if I had the option for an 8. Completely changes the vehicle. We've got 215k trouble-free miles on our 4.7. Well, wait, we had a head gasket repair on warranty. Long time ago. I have a XJ, WJ and ZJ. Driven them for many years. Snow, Heat, Moab ..-25°. They're all neat in their own way. WJ is nicest to drive, best engineered hands down, ZJ is funnest to drive and best driver experience IMO. A lot of guys say the same thing about the ZJ's. XJ is insanely light, nimble ..easy to see and navigate, but not nearly as refined as WJ's. An I-6 moves an XJ around nice b/c they're so light. Liberties are somewhat light, but G/C's are heavier. Newer WK Jeeps were somewhat like the ZJ's, becoming more car-like and starting to become watered-down but still retain some of the Jeep ruggedness. The WK2's are really nice and refined, but low and more car-like. I think 04 was the last of what some may someday call the 'great Cherokees'. I've owned Explorers and GM Blazers too ..and other SUV's, Still have a Land Rover ...rented MK's MK2's and taken around Moab/Rockies ....the ZJ to me still has the best seat-dash-hood driver position. Ok but lethargic with a 6, but the cat's nuts with an 8 ...and only like 1 mpg penalty. XJ is plain, basic, nimble and light ...great for easy getting around and off-roading. Guess you have to look at your driving habits and needs and choose from there. I'm looking at a H3 right now for the wife. She wants an H3, I want to get a newer MK2. (??)
FWIW, I had a customer years ago who bought a new Liberty a year or two after they came out. One day I stop in to see him, he showed me pictures. Someone ran a stop sign and hit his wife. Mostly head-on. Liberty was totally destroyed (not just wrecked!). It was the kind of wreck you think someone may have died. She was hospitalized for minor injuries, maybe a broken bone, but not critically hurt like you would think if you saw the wreckage. I was impressed for it's safety in that instance. I worked at a body shop for years when I was in College, so I've seen my fair share of collision work and totaled out cars. Anyway, it seems Liberty isn't too bad when it comes to safety.
After the Ford Explorer/Firestone debacle nearly all mfgrs lowered their vehicles. You want to read an interesting and riveting book:
XJ Destoryed (pics).... Liberty next? More New Pics...
