XJ Destoryed (pics).... Liberty next?
#1
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Year: 1996 Two Door Wagoneer
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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.
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; 02-17-2019 at 01:16 PM.
#2
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Location: Hunt County Texas
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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.
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.
#3
CF Veteran
Sad news
Does anyone buy XKs over there? I've only seen a couple round here but the looked pretty nice. Or does that get me thrown off the forum? lol
Does anyone buy XKs over there? I've only seen a couple round here but the looked pretty nice. Or does that get me thrown off the forum? lol
#5
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Year: 1996 Two Door Wagoneer
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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.
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.
#6
Senior Member
Dang, sorry to hear about that? What a bummer.
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!!).
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!!).
#7
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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.
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.
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#8
Seasoned Member
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.
Sorry for your loss.
TexasTaz38
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.
Sorry for your loss.
TexasTaz38
#10
CF Veteran
One of my friends bought a Liberty. He said the hardest thing about owning it was telling his father he was gay ...
#12
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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.
#14
CF Veteran
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.
When I had the KJ, I belonged to this forum:
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/
Great place with a ton of knowledgeable people especially in regards to the limited CRD.
When I had the KJ, I belonged to this forum:
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/
Great place with a ton of knowledgeable people especially in regards to the limited CRD.
#15
Senior Member
.... my expert mechanic mate is not impressed with the 4.7,
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:
Last edited by Jeepwalker; 02-15-2019 at 12:56 PM.