Questions for Liberty owners

[CT99XJ]

Feelings on wheeling with IFS? Pros/Cons? If yours is lifted, how involved was the lift and how much was it compared to lifting a Cherokee or a YJ/TJ? Anyone considered swapping in a solid front axle? I ask because the Liberty was supposed to replace the Cherokee, and a lot of the Cherokee people were upset about the Liberty having IFS. Possibly considering finding a used one for some experiments

 

[AZ Outlaws]

The Liberty is what it is and can not be compared to a Wrangler. On the other hand, you will be very surprised what a stock height IFS Liberty with full skids and good A/T tires is capable of. I've had mine on 2.50 ~ 2.75 rated trails on a scale of 1.0 ~ 5.0. Driver skill and ability plays a big part of the equation of what a Liberty can do.

As far as lift goes, I'm not an expert as mine is not lifted. The guys I know that are lifted say they can put a 2.5" lift which increases it's capability allowing for 30" tires.

There are a handful of guys, one in the group I run with, that have the SFA conversion which makes the Liberty a real Monster on the trail. My friend is able to run 33" Goodyear Kevlar M/T's.

Check HERE for SFA information and look elsewhere for lift info and pictures of the Jeep Liberty in action. There's a ton of info there that will answer all of your questions.

My friend's SFA conversion on a trail we did a couple of weeks ago near Tucson....

My friend in his CRD KJ with a 1" homemade lift going down an 8' ledge on Fins and Things in Moab, UT....

 

[CT99XJ]

I wasn't comparing it to a Wrangler, just lift price in comparison. I thought about one for my next DD/mild trail rig, but I'd want to do SFA swap because I prefer a solid axle to independent. As to the wheelbase, the reason I asked about price comparison to a YJ/TJ was because their wheelbase is closer to that of a Wrangler than an XJ, even though they were supposed to be an XJ replacement. Some good info though, thanks!

 

[Shaggy]

Now that is one bad ass liberty! AJ, tell your buddy I said that :crazy:

 

[AZ Outlaws]

A couple more on the same trail and the complete set if anyone is interested.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neatus/sets/72157624078223959/show/

The other Liberty has a 2.5" lift and more than held his own.... Got Groceries?

 

[AZ Outlaws]

I wasn't comparing it to a Wrangler, just lift price in comparison. I thought about one for my next DD/mild trail rig, but I'd want to do SFA swap because I prefer a solid axle to independent. As to the wheelbase, the reason I asked about price comparison to a YJ/TJ was because their wheelbase is closer to that of a Wrangler than an XJ, even though they were supposed to be an XJ replacement. Some good info though, thanks!

Sorry, i didn't mean to come off that you were. Just trying to emphasize the Liberty is a capable 4x4 in it's own right stock or with a 2.5" lift.

Don't know what kind of wheeling you do, but the SFA conversion is not for everyone. It's super expensive and quite a major undertaking. Unless you're really into doing difficult trails, I'd stay with the IFS.

 

[CT99XJ]

Super difficult or no, I just happen to prefer SFA. It's not that expensive when the steel yard near my house has a bargain barn at .50/lb to 1.00/lb for steel, Johnnie joints are easy to come by, and I have both MIG and TIG setups at my disposal :weld: Managed to build a set of long arms for my old XJ for 117 bucks, including a crossmember.

Why are there only up to 2.5" kits on the market? Is it the nature of using coilovers?

 

[Fulltimer]

The Franken Lift II Premium will get you about 3" to 3.5" of lift. Add in what we call a clivis lift and raise the front another inch. Going from stock 29" tires to 32" tires will give another 1.5" of lift. So you end up with about 5" over stock. The Franken Lift comes with the front coilovers (not really struts) assembled saving a lot of hassle.

There is a pinch weld in the front wheel wells that needs to be pounded over, not cut, to add tires 31" or above.

The SFA runs about $5K for parts alone. There is one guy that put $30K in parts alone on his, but he used VERY good new parts only.

There is another guy that is putting a built V-6 from an old Mustang II (365HP) into his KJ. That will be interesting!

If you follow the link provided in the above post to LOSTJEEPS you can get pictures of different ways of doing a SFA swap, along with directions. We have over 8,000 members all over the world. Including...Tibet!

Terry

EDIT: The Franky lift runs about $900.00

 

[tommudd]

Having owned and wheeled Jeeps for over 30 years I would have to say that lifting a Liberty is about the easiest there is. I have 4 inches or so in spring lift, plus running 32 inch tires. I go everywhere I took my last three XJs with no problems and they all had 3 to 4 inches of lift on them.
Some complain about the IFS but you have what you have and it works. If the time ever comes I have a 76 F250 sitting that will give me most of what I need to go a little different way
Ride is the best of any of the CJs/XJs/FSJs I have owned, gas mileage way better, able to haul my 78 year Mother and 83 year old step Father to Doctors appointments with ease. ( although I do have to provide them with a step!
Ease of lifting one, like I said very easy to do, I have done 15 and helped with another 5 or 6 last one we did in my garage was about 1.5 hours, complete lift with bumpstops installed, everything finished and out the door to the alignment shop.
Heres mine just out for a Sunday afternoon drive

a few years ago

of course just in case I keep a supply of parts on hand. 142,000 miles and haven't needed them yetp: