Can a Cheap $5,000 Jeep Liberty KEEP UP With a Brand-New $65,000 Jeep Wrangler?

[@ajr5195]

I’m going to say it… the liberty looked WAY more fun to drive on that trail. A less capable vehicle creates a challenge. A challenge is fun.

[@jg8263]

Amen to this, the overbuilt stuff today makes going in typical off road like hitting the drive thru. Worse, it then makes it easy for inexperienced drivers to get in way over their heads because they got to trails they would not have in an older vehicle that requires skill. I remember when you needed skill and momentum to off-road, and had a sore back and wore a goose egg or two at days end from bouncing your head off the side of the vehicle at some point in the adventure.

[@Agent.K.]

​@@jg8263 It makes helping them even more difficult because now you have to pull them from an awkward position deep down the trail ... and they don't have recovery gear 😐

[@paulmadkow9143]

Exactly!

[@WW-wf8tu]

With the rubbing they created, of course it is way more challenging. It was working harder trying to over come the handicap it was given than it was the obstacles. 🙄 Might as well have tide a log to the rear bumper and asked it to do a drag race for all the so called improvement that did. Open diffs. that got more restriction is not what I would call fun. I call it creating the Roman mathematical exaggeration of drama. Even he said it, the Jeep that was working properly was no fun to him. He wants chaos, not things that do what they are supposed to do. lol

[@greggc8088]

Just wait until the 3.7 drops a valve seat, then it will be fun.

[@nateadventures2135]

I think we need more series like the cheap jeeps. Love it.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Cheap Jeeps could be its own channel.

[@Nikephorus]

I owned a first generation Liberty and loved it. It was great in the winter and had a really awesome turning circle. Never had any issues with it. I actually kind of miss it to be honest.

[@HowtoRestoreHeadlights]

Same! I wish mine hadn’t flipped! I wish it was a manual AND a the less reliable diesel

[@KB-1976]

You are the only two.

[@MacsSpecialitiesProperties]

😁@@KB-1976

[@HR91360]

Did you know about all the safety recalls? All the rear end collision deaths? Did Chrysler make any attempts to remedy the recall? If not, you may have a lawsuit.

[@Natethegreat200c]

@@KB-1976on ALL these videos owners are commenting 250,000k miles plus… your a liar.

[@bsenka]

I loved my 2003 KJ Limited. Traded it for my current 2015 KL Trailhawk. The Liberty was a much more reliable vehicle than the Cherokee has been, it was far less expensive to fix when it did need anything, and it was a substantially more capable offroader. Best winter vehicle I have ever driven. I regret trading it in pretty much every day.

[@firebir11]

I owned a 2007 liberty for 14 years and put 227,000 miles on it. I was always shocked at where this small truck would fit off road and in the winter... Unstoppable.

[@KB-1976]

Lol

[@Natethegreat200c]

@@KB-1976ohhhhhh u see one of the comments I’m talking about and say LOL. Your just misinformed on this car. Admit your wrong!

[@CFITOMAHAWK2]

@@KB-1976 lol you, My friend did exactly this deal 3 years ago and he loves the Cheap Jeep. He is a commercial pilot retired. Take that you fool.

[@garyheddinger2322]

What's so funny

[@todddunbar176]

How was the reliability of it for you? Serious question as I am thinking about trying to find one and daily it.

[@JamesSmith-uc8tk]

I had an 03 KJ Sport, purcased brand new. It came with factory tow hooks and skid plates for the gas tank and transfer case. IIRC, you had to get the Renegade package to get the front skid plate factory installed. I eventually purchased the front skid plate from the dealer and installed it, as well as an aftermarket transmission skid plate. I also put 31" tires on it at factory ride height. They only hit the inner fenders at full turn. The only real problem I had with them was the hit to fuel mileage (already not awesome with the V6 and automatic transmission). I had that Liberty for 13 years and sold it to buy a JKU. During the time I had the Liberty, I had to have a fan relay replaced 3x, replace the valve cover gaskets (common 3.7L V6 issue), and have the transmission cooler lines replaced. I didn't get the window regulator issue until just before i sold it. I still miss that thing.

[@NickTarterOKC]

The KJ has way more in common with the XJ than most people realize. From size, to transfer case options, to rear axle (many had the Chrysler 8.25 and even posi traction from the factory), towing capability, similar stock ground clearance, and etc... it was Jeep's replacement for the XJ and retained several of its parts and features. Of course moving from the 4.0 to the 3.7 was a big bummer. The independent front suspension isn't as big a deal as many think it is unless you are a hard core rock crawler (which most people aren't). For basic overland off-roading, the KJ is pretty ideal.

[@matthewschiebout7384]

transfer case, transmission and rearend are shared with the XJ/JK parts bins

[@NickTarterOKC]

@@cee1237 ZJ and WJ for sure. Both commonly use the 242 T-Case as does the KJ.

[@PhatboyHD88]

You mean has way more in common with the “TJ” XJ had leaf springs and very different . The TJ and KJ shared the tranfer case NP231-J ,,,, auto trans 42RLE 4 speed auto … Dana 30 front diff ,, and 8.25 rear which is basically a dana 44 ,,except the KJ has. More torque and HP , and has better towing 5,000 lbs compared to the 3,500 lbs of JK and JL and payload of 1150 lbs compared to JK and JL 950 lbs more than any Wrangler JK or the JL even..

[@PhatboyHD88]

@@matthewschiebout7384 ya mean TJ and JK ,,YJ had leaf springs and was a very different jeep

[@PhatboyHD88]

@@NickTarterOKCthe KJ uses the same exact transfer case as JK and TJ which is a NP231-J , i own both jeeps and have replaced transfer cases in both the 242 transfer case was used in the 2nd gen liberty’s the KK , which didnt have a lever for 4wd but an electronic switch 👍

[@jordanbryant4022]

Love these cheap/ budget series videos! Especially like this one. While most people with a proper budget to start a a hobby don't mind the money so much, too many people don't realize that you don't need to start on top of the mountain to have fun.

[@CEREBRALKILLER]

I own a 2005 jeep liberty renegade, that has a 3.7l v6 with the automatic transmission. It has 165k miles on it. I love this jeep. It gets around very nicely and yes it's very easy to work on, parts are cheap too. Mine has a nice functioning sunroof, barlights, and it's trimmed out very nicely. I believe this was all from the factory.

[@jg8263]

I want a TFL-SoftRoad channel, in which they simply test the limits of capability of stock/unmodified Crossovers off-road (maybe an allowance for off-road/AT tires in stock tire size, since that is the extent to which a typical non-off-road driver changes their vehicle from stock) just to see how capable (or not) the typical daily drivers of the majority of Americans are. I think the results would be both amusing and educational. Subaru would definitely have their brand image riding on the outcome.

[@Black-Villain]

Don't they already do that with the TFL Ranch testing?

[@jg8263]

@@Black-Villain yes but not with many Crossovers. Yes use that location, but dedicated video channel for them.

[@scottgabbard662]

Um, that’s why Subaru doesn’t let them review there cuvs.

[@WW-wf8tu]

Watch Driving Sports TV. He has his own cross over course(as well as hard core off road test track)and he does a lot of what you are talking about. As a bonus, he actually tests subarus.

[@jg8263]

@@WW-wf8tu love his channel, I simply think tfl can do a great job in the segment. More opinions equals more informed buyers.

[@JandCDoodles]

We LOVED our 2010 Liberty. Handled GREAT in snow and rain. Loved it.

[@danielsalm6410]

It is so much more fun to see an older Jeep go through that course! The new Jeeps are so ridiculously expensive that many people can't or wo t they to afford them. BUT, older Jeeps like the Liberty are still good Jeeps! I prefer watching videos with older slightly built up Jeeps!

[@edcpike]

I have a 2006 Jeep Liberty sport, 4 wheel drive. I love it. She takes me anywhere I wanna go and has never let me down.

[@barrya.6212]

Those ARE RELIABLE....you ditch it saying it's not at >>> 16:48 ....but yet your's has 200,000 miles on it and is still running GREAT! And in the comment section here and other blogs many owners have well over 200,000 without issues, just basic maintainence....that 3.7 is a solid long lasting engine.

[@roxxor0]

Loved my Liberty. Went through a lot of stuff: literal blizzards, floods, roads that had been shutdown… drove around the barricades. Didn’t make it through quarantine.

[@kjfishman547]

I went from a Cherokee to a 2002 Liberty then a 2005 CRD Liberty. Loved both Liberty's and the Diesel was the best.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

The Liberty had a limited slip rear differential as an option (I believe included in the off-road package). My '05 Libby CRD has it, along with skid plates. With my 3" Frankenlift suspension, I run 245/75R 16 tires which is an about 30.5" tire on stock rims with no rubbing issues. One thing about the Libby compared to my old lifted XJ, the Libby has a shorter turning radius. Put skid plates on your Libby, and put a Detroit Locker in the rear axle and rerun this test. The one disadvantage of your Libby over mine is the gas engine. My CRD (diesel) has great torque right off idle. It will just purr at idle and climb like a tractor (the 2.8L CRD was designed originally as tractor engine).

[@letsrace567]

I'd also disconnect/remove the sway bars, both of them. I did that to mine years ago and it made a world of difference. It's actually really happy without them.

[@ohaggdah]

I’ve got an 05 CRD as well… How do I know if I have the limited slip (besides obviously testing it lol)? Do they have an RPO code similar to how GM’s got the G80?

[@josijo]

I used to work on a family 05 liberty with the 3.7. It had more than enough low end punch. Almost painfully much in low. We have a significant rutted 16 degree switchback hill climb for a driveway. It was one of the few that could do it in 2wd.

[@PhatboyHD88]

The libby’s had limited slip diffs “until” 2006 where they got traction control and brake lock diffs ..

[@PhatboyHD88]

@@ohaggdahup to ‘05 have limited slip,, ‘06 and up have brake lock diff’s…

[@bluebell2586]

You need to piece together the lift on a KJ with Old Man Emu springs and Bilstein shocks, none of the kits actually lift it properly using spacers

[@JavierBrent]

Those Libertys are like leaner Wranglers. They even do better on narrow trails. Lean and lovely cheap SemiWrangler.

[@ajr5195]

A $250 lunchbox locker in the rear that you can install yourself would transform that liberty. I put an ‘Aussie locker’ in my KJ.

[@zachconroy1443]

Or a manual OX locker. Either would be great

[@b1m3x8]

Yup! It would keep with the cheap build theme too.

[@jeepinintexas6215]

Yup, my thoughts exactly. But the main cast of softies at TFL aren't about to get their hands dirty doing their own mods. I'm sure that David could have installed it for them at least. He's the only capable dude on their roster.

[@sidneysanders5726]

I'm not sure, but I think the front differential on that is a dana 30 that's been modified for IFS and you might be able to install a solid axle style locker or limited slip in that thing

[@GeronimoJenkins]

a budget liberty video series would be refreshing

[@TomaszbtdZiobrowski]

there is, new cheap jeep series

[@TheTopGun920]

What do you think you're watching? This is episode 3 lol

[@TomaszbtdZiobrowski]

@@TheTopGun920 no, this is not new cheap jeep series video. red kj is from this series, and is driven by Andre

[@WW-wf8tu]

@@TheTopGun920This is NOT episode 3. Not by their count. This is just an in-between filler for content.

[@OscarHernandez-ym4hx]

We own one. But we went different route. My mom had spinal surgery and could not hop on the jeep. So... Two choices rid of jeep or my Mum. You guessed right. Neither. Found lowering perforrmance springs and new Shocks. Rear were softer. Tires 255 60 17. Now the " Jefa " hops on no strugle and on turns the Jeep corners like a Go cart. We love it. ❤

[@gimpybarrett]

I had an 06 liberty for several years. It was reliable where it counted. And very good in slick winter driving.

[@staragape7999]

This was a good video. You can see you guys are actually having fun challenging yourselves and the jeep. I learned very quickly the best off road vehicles are the ones you don’t mind taking a little damage.

[@_TenaciousD_]

Love this series and the cheap Jeep series. But you forget to mention the KJ has a triangulated 4 link rear suspension which allows it to have very nice rear suspension travel and maintain traction more often (then other 4wds).

[@Jay-me7gw]

Its not really true 4 link. The upper link is a boomerang and rides on a ball joint at the rear diff. There were some people that made kits that made it two separate arms but not sure they really worked like a 4 link.

[@_TenaciousD_]

@@Jay-me7gw yeah, you've just explained what a "triangulated" 4 link is 🙂 (4 link with no track bar). Granted what Jeep fitted stock on these isn't as good as a aftermarket/custom build for a rock crawler it still works well out of the box (works much better than the short arm 5 link on the KK).

[@Jay-me7gw]

@@_TenaciousD_ Triangulated 4 Link is not really mounted to a single point on the axle though like the boomerang on the Liberty. it just mounts to a single ball joint and so the two arms arnt really able to rotate or move separately. The axle pivots on the ball joint and the outer arms control the ends of the axle. I guess maybe it works similar.

[@ohaggdah]

Please please please keep the Liberty and go crazy with it on a budget. Locker… bigger lift… skid plates etc. I’ve got an ‘05 2.8 CRD (diesel) and it’s an absolute monster, but I’d love to see the off road possibilities !!

[@kilohotel6750]

I bought a 06 Liberty CRD new and loved it. It was hard to find not many dealers around me stocked them and I think they were really happy to have me take it off their floor plan. People were always shocked when I told them it was a diesel.

[@peijae1]

My 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD diesel is my favorite vehicle to date. Lifted 2", Green Diesel Engineering power tune, 350 ft lbs of torque and gets 25-33 MPG. 140k and drives like a new vehicle. It would make this offroad test twice as fun as the gasser 🤙

[@jworthe]

That first generation Liberty also has a 4-link rear end, and look at those cast front A arms. And the Liberty's 8.25 rear axle never gave me any trouble, more than I can say for Dana 44s I've owned!

[@jamieknopp300]

You guys have to try And find the 2.8 library I had one with a tune on it and it was a awesome rig

[@LukeEdward]

You should have put 215/85 on the Liberty. They are the perfect size. But a slightly larger bumpstop in the rear is an easy answer. The Liberty will have long term problems with a “budget boost” lift. But dang it, you’re going to have fun. Nice video and point well made young Mica.

[@patc7055]

I wish they would bring the Liberty back. I had a 2011 Jeep Liberty with the sky cover. Loved it!

[@tonylee7126]

I have had an 03 and 06 liberty they were the best Jeeps I have owned , live in Midwest you can’t find a nice one anymore, without rust

[@kelliemishmish]

This made my day. I have a 2005 liberty, with the trail rated badge. All this time I didn't think she could do these trails...well she's my work car so I can't risk messing her up. Only 110k miles. I've always wanted to do off road trails. Recently we thought she had needed big repairs but it was not bad, I had started looking at other Jeeps and am heartbroken they don't make liberties anymore. I would get another in a heartbeat. But not the newer style. 2005 is perfect. Now I want to go to the training and learn what I need to do so I can take her on the trails, I'm so excited! 😊

[@sheltonsingletary2488]

The 07 liberty has really good traction control. You can also buy all the skid plates you need

[@scottyellis3442]

My daughter and son-in-law had a jeep just like that one & I'll have to admit hey are tough little Jeep's. Theirs had over 300,000 miles on it & he did not take care of it at all.

[@mbiker345]

I love the size of those liberty’s. Similar size to my xterra. Just right.

[@nlken7175]

Loved the video. Liberty did better than expected.

[@aquilaphotofilm]

I’ve got a bone stock KJ diesel and it’s so good off road already. It’s really good in soft sand, got tones of low end torque and could climb up Everest in low range😂 just watch the ball joints after a long trip. Took mine on a 6000km trip through Namibia with out an issue but when I got back the ball joints were done 😂

[@explore_off_road]

BINGO!! On the Liberty being more fun. You said it earlier in the video about the point of off roading. People do all kinds of mods... (Cheats) ... and then it's easy. The Liberty looks alot more fun... you have to think, pick a line and all the stuff that attracts us to wheeling. ... and ya! The Wrangler is a hundred times more expensive. .... Ya, Keep it. Put it through it's paces, just get rid of the coat hanger. Put something cool up there.

[@JasonBoydston]

I had a first Gen Liberty, at that time Jeep did not have the Wrangler Unlimited with 4 Doors so the Liberty was the only option from Jeep if you needed 4 Doors.. I had the Renegade package with leather. The factory light bar was really cool. Wish I still had it.

[@Lord_Marco]

Why was the Liberty the only option with 4 doors? The Grand Cherokee had 4 doors as well 😀

[@TylerGamer765]

I know I miss mine too, I just couldn’t afford the 4door wrangler so I went with a renegade I ell in love with it. I rly do miss it. She was pretty tough

[@JasonBoydston]

The Liberty was the closest design wise to the Wrangler with the round headlights and center mounted window switches. It was kind of the production version of the Jeep Dakar concept. I think Jeep was testing the waters with the idea of a 4 door wrangler. The Grand Cherokee was great but a lot more expensive. @@Lord_Marco

[@letsrace567]

Love the video! I have an '03 liberty, and I've been running a 3" lift for the past 6 years, I'm right in the middle of doing a solid axle swap on it to take things to the next level. I understand the wheelbase is nearly identical to the fabled "LJ"

[@jmac6782]

Can’t wait to see more. You guys are the absolute best.

[@CFITOMAHAWK2]

My friend did exactly this deal 3 years ago and he loves the Cheap Jeep. It is half the prized of a Wrangler. Kept thousands more in savings.

[@vertstang123]

The fact that Liberty had over 200k miles says a lot for Jeep reliability that they seldom get credit for.

[@jamesakemon4115]

These jeeps are far from reliable. They have many built in factory issues. Most never hit 200k. They have a weak front diff made of aluminum. Faulty balljoint. Faulty rear control arms, poor cooling issues. And the list goes on.

[@CFITOMAHAWK2]

@@jamesakemon4115 Dont do extreme off roading with it. Duhh. Its a cheap jeep. Buy a more expensive 4x4. Ball joints are covered by a factory recall. Free. Control arms too.. Free. Dont compare it with a double expensive 4x4.. Duhh.

[@jamesakemon4115]

@CFITOMAHAWK2 I didn't compare it to anything. Plus I know just how unreliable they are after owning one for the past 5 years.

[@benbaker5166]

​@@jamesakemon4115Mine just hit 260,000 on the odo :)

[@javafirelegacy]

I have an 03 kj with Manual Transmission and its a great off road vehicle.

[@nomadicnewbie]

I've had my '05 Liberty coming up on twenty years. It's been a huge money pit, but I love the damn thing. It's so easy to see out of and fun to drive around in. It can turn on a dime.

[@troytaylor9228]

If you got the better traction package in your Liberty it has five selections on the 4x4 selector not four. If you only got four you got open diffs.

[@bikerbill63]

Cheap Jeeps are fun. Finding one in the salt belt is difficult because the winter road treatments rust them away. We had a Patriot for a few years until the frame rusted beyond reasonable repair. My wife loved it.

[@cirbar3467]

Man I just got one from the auction for a client. I tried it and I was amazed on how good that liberty 3.6 was. I was stoked

[@Saltfreesurfer]

Mine is an 06 4x4 3.7L and i love it. The frame may bee cracked but he's Holding up well. I just don't wanna trash it because its my first, and everyone in the comments is saying they regret getting rid of theirs.

[@TheRodder506]

Jeep XJ has entered the chat...

[@kc0lif]

not

[@quintenhart8330]

ZJ with the 318 would be the one to outdo with ez mods.

[@offgridrecon]

Long live the XJ!

[@deceptive5146]

Zj forever

[@randallseverini8688]

At 138,000, I got my daughter's 2007 high-school, college and early adult years Liberty as a hand me down. It had some wear. I replaced injectors, plugs, coils; then the evap components; then installed a 2"lift, new struts, ball joint, ties rod ends control arms, wishbone, wheel bearing, brakes, rotors , front cv drive shaft and cv axles, and fuel pump. All the normal thing that are worn out by 140,000 miles. All the parts are pretty inexpensive. All did a re-pack of the limited slip reaer-end. The cheap jeep runs like new and has been ultra reliable. It's has a frame-mounted trailer hitch to protect the rear if the fuel tank, and scrape shields for the tease and tank. It offroads really well and is also my errand runner. No issues. I'm in the Western Sierra's and hit the Rubicon occasionally and it gets after it. Stay within the vehicles limited and the Liberty is an inexpensive alternative. Just be sure you maintain the parts that wear out and it's reliable

[@HammerNQuill]

I had a 2012 Latitude for 5 years until my Bronco arrived. Great daily driver and really nice options for a little Jeep. 4x4 switch was a trip, having had a 92 XJ beforehand - definitely helped make the leap to the GOAT mode dial, but both electronic transfer cases have been smooth. My brother has my Liberty now, veen reliable for him too.

[@dougbarlow3010]

I have an 05 Liberty with the 2.8 CRD Diesel engine. It’s a beast. I love it. And I live in UT.

[@jimmybobco]

Dont underestimate the liberty. I have one 3,000$(including repairs and mods) with 4 inch lift kit on 33s and almost full skids

[@frandrew1]

I agree ... I had an '04 Liberty with a manual transmission ... after that, I had plenty of other vehicles until I got my '15 JKU a coup[le of months ago, also with a manual transmission. Up until the JK, that Liberty was the most enjoyable vehicle I ever had. Don't know why they were so hated.

[@squxshyy]

got a used 2007 wrangler sahara unlimited for $15k 122k miles. In florida they are still going for $15-20k with over 100k miles. I love my jeep. The previous owner installed a 2 inch lift, aftermarket front and back bumpers, a smittybilt spare tire carrier and green halo headlights. Recently I spent 3k on a complete brake overhaul and new 35 inch toyo at3s. I cant wait to take it out mudding again in the Ocala forest. I am going to do what I can to keep it on the road because i love the look of it. The saharas are my favorite.

[@davidthomas9267]

I towed a 2007 Jeep Liberty behind a motorhome for several years and had very few problems with it. When I sold it I'd gotten rid of the motorhome. It needed some suspension work by then, but other than that it was running fine.

[@TheOnlySolipsist]

Hey you by chance aren’t in So. California are you?

[@chuckmanley1423]

I'm pretty sure the liberty can actually tow more than the wrangler as well. The liberty is rated at 5000 lbs and I believe the wrangler is under 4000 lbs. We use our liberty to tow a small off road camper at 3, 800 lbs no problem. We also had the engine rebuilt top and bottom for 5 grand. We should be keeping in style with home in tow for a total of 10 grand for the next 100,000 miles. Gas mileage is an issue though. We keep our trips short!

[@fearlesscherokee9701]

Mine is a 2002 KJ and i'm loving it. My Wrangler boys nearly hate it, because i follow them mostly everywhere. 3.7 V6 limited with a LSD and 40mm/1.5" lift.

[@ZanyAckz]

Hey one question, I have my own 2004 liberty and I see clearly you have one if that one is yours. What would be the best website to get parts for off roading with a liberty?

[@stevepool625]

I bought an 03 liberty, gas and standard transmission. This was beford i knew the difference between ifs and straight axle. A 2.5" lift, front posi, rear lunch box later i still have it. Front driveline was swapped from cv style to traditional after breaking 2 and that helped alot. Its not a rock crawler by any means but on 31x10.5 r15 it goes just about anywhere i dont diff out and has out performed my buddies yj and tj a couple times. Their size is great, they have their issues but i dont need a trail badge to tell me they are capable. Very underatted.

[@Cobalt-60]

I have 2004 KJ Sport 3.7L AT 4x4 Custom Steel IFS, Detroit Locker (rear) & Detroit Trutrac, 4.10 Gears, Tow Package, Mopar-Rusty's-Skid Row skids&sliders, OME struts&springs/Rancho shocks, Terraflex bumpstops, Landy Front Receiver Hitch, Treadwright Warden II 235/85/R16s, Spidertrax wheel spacers, Rockcrusher rear diff cover, bumper-mounted Hella supplemental driving lights, Smittybilt XRC8 w/ Bulldog wiring (front & back) in a removable 2" receiver hitch cradle, NAPA HD brakes, JBA Upper Cobtrol Arms & spacers, removed rear sway bar (and inserted an angle adaptor on the rear suspension coat-hanger), and an Optima Yellow Top battery. 71K original miles. Mostly off-road. She has as much mud inside as the outside, has faded paint, dents, and rust. She has had a new A/C and a Trans-Go shift kit installed, and recently a replacement BCM (would not pass emissions inspection), but besides interior plastics and electronics wearing out (turn signal module and factory radio) she has been bulletproof. She does not drive like a grocery-getter on-road but I would take her over a stock Wrangler any day. She is my "Blue Bunny". 💙🚙

[@rockymountboy]

Every Gen 1 Liberty owner I've talked to loves theirs. Reliable/dependable, good MPG, convenient/practical, and fun. Install an LSD. I was on a Jeep Jamboree with one in the group and it did very well.

[@Tallnerdyguy]

They were the least reliable engines jeep ever made

[@rockymountboy]

@@Tallnerdyguy Perhaps in the larger vehicles? Look at how many Gen 1 Libertys (Liberties?) are still on the road.

[@kadimsilahtar]

Perfect experiment. You guys have some skills to be honest, it looks easy here in front of the screen but damn... Lots of fun with such incapable gear where driver's capabilities shine. Thanks very much guys, you rock the dare part.

[@howlerzgorge4005]

I had an 06 liberty renegade that I gave to my dad. It had full under body protection! It had around 210k on it and outside of waterpump and fuel pump, it never left me stranded while it was our primary vehicle for a year or so

[@jeffrentsch4318]

Not everyone hated liberty, I like them. I seriously considered one before finding my 2014 JK Rubicon. Couldn't find one with manual transmission and 4x4. Think because manual was a cheaper option and 4x4 was more expensive. I am a committed manual man. The 2014 Rubicon is the most expensive and nicest vehicle I've ever owned, makes it a bit more adrenaline in avoiding body damage, however, as I told my wife on Hurricane Creek Trail NC. I don't want body damage but I specifically bought this vehicle to take family on off road adventures, I will fixi it or modify if it brakes.

[@wolverine350r]

Holy CV angles Batman!

[@PatrickRich]

Hey Tommy, not sure how much you care for the nature of the challenge, but the upper and lower ball joint boots are torn on the DS in the front. Might be worth taking a look at for safety sake if you are headed out onto the highway. They may not be dead and just headed that way, but they may be hanging on by a thread. check @9:19

[@Zac-ft7id]

My parents bought a 05 and we went to California in it in 2009. Kept it for years until a misfire started due to water damage after a radiator line blew and mechanics say it’s somewhere in the wire harness. I drove it throughout high school even missing on cylinder #5. Some people made fun of it in the condition it was, but that never changed the love I had for it. I even had my first accident in it sitting at a stop sign when a Chevy avalanche clipped the turn too short. Rear hatch held down with a leash, no windows working, missing the plastics off the fenders wnd it’ll still start up and shift. I hope I can eventually fix the misfire. It’s a good little vehicle really. (Edit. It has about 350k miles on the original engine, and transmission)

[@WkndOffroad]

Just lovely!!! I had 2015 limited KJ and for 5 years I had a lot of fun taking to KJ to it limits!!! Very capable rig comparing all segment and VS. others brands. 33's , 3 inch lift, custom front fender, 4.10's, rear powertrax locker and that's it, fun 100% !!!, mine was exactly same color, now I'm JKU folk (exact color, what a coincidence..) as family grow but I really missed those amazing trips, of course the driver has a lot to do...excelent video!!!

[@John-yf4ie]

I purchased a new 2006 Jeep Liberty and spent additional $3000 on upgrades,. I drove it until 2008 when I took it in for an inspection at my local Jeep Dealership that had performed all the upgrades under factory warranty! The dealer had the Jeep for over a week and had found the problem! One section locacted in the middle under body where the uni-body is welded had split wide open. When being built it was missing several spot welds causing the body to split apart! This couldn't be repaired by Jeep standards so most of my money was refunded and applied to a new 2008 Jeep Wrangler. Jeep and the Dealership both felt bad as my Liberty still looked brand new. My Liberty had always ran like jeep. Jeep had thr liberty transported to their Tech center and was used as a tool for Jeep Techs to learn by. I still buy Jeeps and now own a new Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Still miss the Liberty! Watching you guys take the Liberty thru the paces against the $65,000 made me feel Great but sad! John

[@donpignone7480]

I have a 06 with a 3.5 inch lift and full skid plates. I love it. 207k miles on it.

[@bmata1989]

I have had a Liberty 02 since 2019, it had a bad owner and I rebuilt it and I like it a lot.

[@anibalflores8079]

I own a 2003 liberty sport, its rwd but i loveee that thing, i repainted the whole car changed the color. Lifted it, its got about 230k miles and i replaced the engine cuz of multiple misfires, and also i beat it up pretty badly lol but since replacing the engine i been takin care of it, doing the usual maintenance and ever since then i havent had any problems with it, and i replaced the engine about 8 years ago sooo, its like everything, you take care of stuff and they will last you a lifetime

[@RUMBALman4downunder]

I have a 04 kj Cherokee great suv, I put ironman suspension in it and a set of yokohama geolander tyres

[@GaJeepr]

About what I expected. Own three Libertys ( 05' KJ, 06' KJ, 12' KK ) they have been terrific Jeeps. Capable, comfortable and reliable ( 220K, 235K and 195K ). Have owned many Jeeps ( CJs, XJs, YJs, JKU ) my KJs have been just as good as the others. As the replacement for the XJ I sorta get the hate these little Jeeps got when introduced.

[@TomaszbtdZiobrowski]

15:00 I just wonder if your wrangler would go this route, but also without lockers and disconnected swaybar. It is a pity you didn't try to have full comparison.

[@ohyeagirl1111]

I’ve got an 02 KJ Renegade. She came with some good skid plates. After 264,000 miles, and a lot of rust, she was retired and is off road only as a paintball/airsoft tank.

[@sprk11]

put 200 thousand on my Liberty and never had any major issues most of it as my daily commuter but also as my hunting and camping rig. Yes it need an over haul in the end and due to some rust issues we had to retire the old girl but i was ready to 10 grand into a rebuild . Open diffs were a minor issue but it was as capable as most other cross overs in it's category

[@jfmarzulli]

I bought a KJ in Sept, 2001. Put ARB lockers and bumper on it, along with a 2.5” lift. Did Poison Spider, Hell’s Revenge, and Fins & Things with it. I owned it for 18 years, finally replacing it with a 2019 Rubicon.

[@kj_killer_kj1774]

Love my kj and wouldn’t trade it for anything, that being said I will get a wrangler down the road but can’t ever replace mah kj

[@GT-gt4bf]

A rear locker and it would be unstoppable. And it does look like some form of traction control intervention.

[@markeasley6149]

I always liked the look of the gen 1 liberty. Very compact, so while a good SUV, it may not be practical, but a good starter car for young drivers.

[@danieljones8639]

I've had my 2005 on Fins & Things, Hells revenge, taking it up hermit pass in Westcliff, and over Medno pass several times and all the trails around Cañon City. You guys should test the Bank Loop Trail out there sometime. It's a fantastic testing ground. I love the look on the "Real Jeep" drivers faces as I pull up at 13,000+ feet in my soccer moms Jeep.

[@pgmurray76]

You guys ROCK!!! And I don't mean skid plate/slider rock either. The comparisons you have done the past few months are the of the greatest entertainment value and a learnibg experience

[@Cinder-g2o]

had a KJ Renegade and had quite a bit of upgrades on it. Offroad it was very capable, had no problems with the poor weather and winter storms in upstate Nevada. MPG sucked and some components like the HVAC bladder failed (no heat) and window motor guides failed and windows fell into doors.

[@alexlebron2237]

I had a 2004 Liberty Renegade with a 2.5 inch lift and 31 inch Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s with factory rear Trac-lok LSD and full skid plates and it was a ton of fun

[@PreparedOverlander]

I love the Liberty, it really is a budget/entry for overlanding or light wheeling. I owned one years back and been thinking about buying another. I currently own a WK, WK2, JT, and a 04 Dodge 1500 4x4 of course. I am not sure if my wife will be accepting of another to the fleet, lol.

[@thomas5890]

Did you know that the first generation Liberty’s have a roll cage from factory in them? It’s not a race approved cage. But if you have a bad day and end up on your lid, they do far better than most stock SUV’s. Those side to side bumps in the inside roof are the roll bars. A nice feature a specialty if you’re a built like a Sasquatch. We don’t have a lot of extra space to spare in the headroom department.

[@seanmanness1351]

Man. Those upper ball joints are MAXED! That said, that was pretty impressive!!

[@imadominate]

I used to have a diesel liberty. That thing was pretty awesome and had great low end torque

[@paulstone4804]

I have a Liberty as my daily driver. 258k miles all original power train. Did Ophir and Engineer passes for Jeep Badge of Honors and on street tires. Paid $2800 for it 3 years ago. Cheap fun !

[@jareddodge1985]

I miss my dad’s crd liberty that was fun to drive

[@slickwillyforpres]

The Liberty has a 106" wheelbase, not 204" like Tommy stated.

[@jeepdave]

And 20 psi is not "aired down". lol.

[@williamdobbins3131]

I had an 04 liberty that I owned for 13 gears, 250,000 miles. Limited slip, full time 4wd, 3 inch Franken lift. Loved everything about that car. The lift ripped the boots on the CV joints, and eventually locked one up.

[@devilslide01]

Had an 02 Liberty sport, and never got stuck, even driving in a New England blizzard with 10” of snow. It did go through U joints a bit , 2 by 66K

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I loved them so much that I owned 3 of them during the early 2000s’ I bough the first one when it first came out in 2002 it was a limited sport, then my wife bought one in 2003 also a limited, and in 2006 a renegade with all the goodie’s! And I gotta tell you! To me they where a lot of fun to drive off road! Specially the renegade version! I had put at the time bf Goodrich ko tires on them and tires makes a big difference when off roading. Now we both own wranglers! But we do miss them Liberty’s. Great video guy’s!

[@robertbrainard5651]

i own a 2003 jeep liberty, it is 4x4 as well, burgundy tho but its the easiest vehicle to find. I have done some work on it, did the radiator, did the water pump just in case, did the alternator, new battery, new fuel tank because old one dropped due to rusty straps, new straps for fuel tank, I'm about to do the Transmission gasket. Hey for a 21 year old vehicle, its holding alright. Gotta do the exhaust manifolds and value gaskets but leaks through gaskets happen after a while. I'm mentally disabled so this is the first vehicle i've worked on but it been taking care of me alot and been faithful. Gotta go to Chrysler to get the recalls fixed but haven't had the chance due to mental issues and physical ailments.

[@Jay-me7gw]

06 and 07 libertys had some kind of traction control. In 2006 they added 4 wheel independent ABS where as the prior years only had a single speed sensor on the rear axle.