Give me Liberty or give me an XJ

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
05/14/2020 at 09:35 • Filed to: Jeep

Since it’s been hard to find a manual XJ, I’ ve also been keeping an eye out for a manual Liberty . Almost got to drive one a few months ago but it was sold j ust before I arrived.

Has anyone ever driven a Liberty, manual or not? It’s not my first, or even fifth, choice...actually I suppose the odds of me driving out of state to buy this are effectively zero, especially for a boring silver .

Still, any driving impressions?

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DISCUSSION (36)

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 09:50

My wife is still driving her ‘03 Liberty V6 she bought from Enterprise in 2004. 110k and it’s still going strong . A few fixes over the last 4 years but I expect that for its age.

Sovande > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 09:52

Isn’t it basically a worse Renegade? I thought I read it was the worst redesign in Jeep history? Motor Trend at one point gave it one star.

The upside is that they are pretty unattractive, so maybe thefts are low?

Gone > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 09:55

BIL went from a Renegade (V6/auto, 150k ) to a 4Runner TRD recently . It wasn’t horrible the couple times I drove it. The 3.8 is pretty ugh (diesel might be interesting, but not w/Renegade IIRC) but it worked. It’s no XJ (and no 4.0L HO) , but most XJs aren’t that great in stock form either (shhhh) ... Did well in the sand/beach and basic offroad stuff. No lift or anything although he thought about it. I had him pretty close to doing a SAS at one point - w ould have been a fun project. He did rebuild the entire front end in his driveway at some point, but what Mopar owner hasn’t done this once or five times??

412GTI > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 09:57

My best friend has a Second Gen Liberty. It’s uh, fine I guess. I’ve only ever ridden in a XJ so can’t really gives a good comparison . They’re definitely a bit bouncey but rides okay. Steering is sloppy and I didn’t like how it wanders around - similar to a Wrangler I guess? It has been a surprisingly reliable vehicle with over 120k on it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 09:58

I’ve driven two liberties, they suck. So much

Especially if you’re tall. The driver leg room is. Nearly non-existing.

Also avoid a diesel Liberty at all costs.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
05/14/2020 at 10:07

To be fair the XJ isn’t the greatest for tall people either. But yes, I would avoid a Liberty.

Aremmes > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 10:07

I drive Mom’s ‘05 Liberty Renegade occasionally. It’s not particularly comfortable inside, the seats are Daimler cost-cutting trash, and the plastics are garbage. Driving dynamics are ok, a bit stiff and bouncy on the road , though I can’t tell how it behaves off-road. I kinda like the PowerTech V6 in this application, and it’s been quite reliable considering its 250k+ miles, with just a coil pack and a leaking coolant line in the four years she’s owned it. The only really big issues she’s had came from the transmission cooler, where the feed and return lines rub against the front frame rail and eventually become punctured, and the single trailing arm on the rear axle breaking and losing lateral axle control.

fhrblig > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 10:09

I never got to drive a manual Liberty , but I did get to briefly drive one with an auto . I thought it was decent, actually. I never quite got the hate for them.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 10:23

Kinja'd!!!

If you want to expand your options, what about a Dodge Nitro? It’s basically the same thing and can be had with a manual and 4x4.

and 100 more > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 10:25

I tested a first-gen Liberty years ago, and my biggest takeaway was the feeling that it was going to somersault onto the hood if you stopped too fast. I mean, likely not gonna happen ever , but that’s what it felt like, and that was off-putting enough that it’s the only thing i remember about driving it.

Just Jeepin' > and 100 more
05/14/2020 at 10:34

That would be disconcerting.

Just Jeepin' > Snuze: Needs another Swede
05/14/2020 at 10:34

That’s an interesting thought, thanks.

vondon302 > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 10:51

I had a second gen liberty stick 4x4 sky slider. I hated that thing. 3.7 is junk, had the worse stability control in a modern vehicle I had ever experienced. Only vehicle I have ever had that were out the back brakes before the front at about a 2 to 1 ratio.

Ive heard good things about the first gen but still 3.7

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 10:51

Im actually picking up an 03 Liberty Renegade Saturday for my girlfriend. She wanted to join me on offroading excursions and we thought having a second 4x4 would com e in handy when we done have anyone else to go with. The price was right and these can be pretty capable when set up right. I wanted a manual but given how new she is to this (she hasn’t driven my WJ offroad) an auto was preferred.

The early years (02-03) were equipped with the 45rfe which is a tough transmission, later years got the 42rle as a cost cutting measure from Daimler. Avoid those as the ultradrive isnt bad in a car but absolutely shouldnt have been put in these.

These also eat rear window regulators like crazy, install the max cooling package on the 3.7 (mechanical fan) and for the love of god dont let these overheat. Otherwise they're pretty good vehicles.

Nom De Plume > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 11:00

Shuddering intensifies.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Aremmes
05/14/2020 at 11:17

Did the window regulators go yet? I’ve replaced both in back already.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
05/14/2020 at 11:18

How tall? I’m 6' and my wife’s ‘03 Liberty fits well enough.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata
05/14/2020 at 11:21

I think the 2nd gen Liberties got the new trans. I recall reading those cars (2008-2012 KK) has trans issues so I assume that’s when the switch happened. Far as regulators, can confirm. I’ve replaced both in back in my wife’s ‘03. Not familiar with the cooling issue though.

Aremmes > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
05/14/2020 at 11:29

The rear left window regulator is busted. The locking actuator on the same door is halfway cooked as well: it will lock, but not unlock, and makes a screeching racket when activated. I also replaced the HVAC blower.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
05/14/2020 at 11:43

I’m 6’2” and I could never get comfortable in one.

That’s coming from some one who feral right at home in a 91 Honda Civic

nermal > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 11:46

I had a 2008 (the only year of the new body style w/ manuel).

The 3.7l e ngine is crap. Slow, no power, poor mpgs. Thinking about doing an oil change on it gives me flashbacks to ‘Nam. Unless you have the forearm of an anorexic model, you will cut the shit out of your arm getting to the oil filter.

The transmission is the same as used in the Wrangler, so overall not terrible but very truck-ish .

The suspension is crap. Both springs and shocks are too soft.

The hinges on the rear window are crap. Relatively easy to replace, but annoying when your window falls out.

The 4x4 system and traction control are amazing. With good tires, I never had an issue in the snow.

If I had the spare cash and the inclination, I’d try to get a new body style with a blown engine for dirt cheap , put in a Cummins 2.8, then add aftermarket suspension and other small bits to replace the random crappy parts . For the ~$20 k it would cost you really wouldn’t be able to find something comparable that is new and better.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 12:15

There’s a 2004 Liberty for sale near me with 19k miles on it.

Just Jeepin' > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
05/14/2020 at 12:17

Hopefully doesn’t mean it’s been in the shop half its life.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
05/14/2020 at 12:26

Well, the Jeep seats DO kinda suck...

and 100 more > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 12:43

Pretty sure it was just a combination of a short dash area, tall hood with a short nose, and sitting up high. I’m sure there was nothing wrong with the Liberty itself, just my impression of it.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 12:48

My grandma has the next gen and its meh. Not very good offroad and drives very meh.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 13:14

No, it’s most likely been kept in a garage at someone’s summer home here and only used for a month every year since new

jeepoftheseus > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 13:24

Back in my high school days I dated a girl that had a new-ish first gen Liberty and I had an XJ. The Liberty was forgettable, in fact, I had forgotten that I ever drove that thing until you posted. Hers may have had a CD player and automatic windows but otherwise it was pretty basic.

I would buy another first gen xterra before I went with a Liberty. Some were five speeds as well... just get the timing belt done or it will “interfere” with your ability to drive it.

I’d say go XJ and have solid axles.

DipodomysDeserti > and 100 more
05/14/2020 at 13:28

The Renegades actually can pull off a stoppie.

Kinja'd!!!

AestheticsInMotion > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 16:32

It’s been over ten years, but I rolled a 2005ish automatic liberty a few times doing some light offloading at stupid speeds.

I didn't particularly like anything about the jeep, but after rolling it still drove just fine and we made it out with no injuries.

Just Jeepin' > DipodomysDeserti
05/14/2020 at 16:40

Holy..I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. How many vehicles can do that?

Just Jeepin' > AestheticsInMotion
05/14/2020 at 16:41

A few rolls during one incident or you rolled it on multiple occasions??

AestheticsInMotion > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 16:47

One incident.

Was going about 50mph over some blind hills in a canyon/desert area, and at the top of the last hill, I noticed the trail veered off sharply to the right to avoid a cliff. Managed to make the turn, but upset the car enough to roll it.

Just Jeepin' > AestheticsInMotion
05/14/2020 at 16:48

Man, glad everyone walked away from that. How was the body?

AestheticsInMotion > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 16:57

Surprising good. We were driving on a sandy dirt path but even so I was shocked at how little damage there was. After getting it cleaned up later that week, it looked no worse than many other 100,000 mile Libertys.

Worst part was checking the vehicle after the crash and seeing brown fluid leaking like crazy. Turns out the cooler in back just opened up lol

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin'
05/14/2020 at 17:19

It’s the only one I know of. The brake bias is adjustable on my Tundra, so I could probably get it to do it with some tweaking.