Tell Me About A Jeep Liberty

obxbronco

obxbronco

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Location
Elkin, NC
A friend is looking at a 2002 Liberty limited for his son. I know it needs a motor. What else can y'all tell me about them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
They don't seem to be too popular to take off road with the suspension designs. So if he plans to venture off road much beyond the beach and the occasional snow storm, I'd stay away.

I had an 04 I bought new and surprisingly liked it. It towed well and worked great for my wife for her car. I had it till about 110k miles before trading it in. Never hand a single mechanical issue. I'd buy another.
 
Ya his son go off-road and he won't be driving it anymore lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The engines have a few issues. One being the valve guides loosen in the head and cause valve train/rocker issues. The other being they can sludge up if not maintained well. You can swap early used engines into early Libbys, but not late to early. The JTEC controlled engines won't interchange with NGC controlled ones. The way to distinguish is the JTEC engines have 3 PCM connectors where the NGC have 4. The reason they won't interchange is the tone wheel for the crank sensor is different between them and isn't swapable. (sp?)
The lower ball joints have a bad habit of popping loose out of the lower control arm. There was an ongoing recall on them for many model years. The window regulators are very prone to failure too.
I'd have one in a second if the price was right. They ride well and are a good size IMO. But look out for the aforementioned items for sure.
 
Jody Treadway said:
The engines have a few issues. One being the valve guides loosen in the head and cause valve train/rocker issues. The other being they can sludge up if not maintained well. You can swap early used engines into early Libbys, but not late to early. The JTEC controlled engines won't interchange with NGC controlled ones. The way to distinguish is the JTEC engines have 3 PCM connectors where the NGC have 4. The reason they won't interchange is the tone wheel for the crank sensor is different between them and isn't swapable. (sp?)
The lower ball joints have a bad habit of popping loose out of the lower control arm. There was an ongoing recall on them for many model years. The window regulators are very prone to failure too.
I'd have one in a second if the price was right. They ride well and are a good size IMO. But look out for the aforementioned items for sure.
Click to expand...

I think he get it for $600, I know the engine is seized up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
2002 was the first year, if it was made before April (something), 2002, it sits about an inch higher than the rest. People complained about how the handling felt, so Jeep dropped it an inch after.
 
ncpartsguy said:
2002 was the first year, if it was made before April (something), 2002, it sits about an inch higher than the rest. People complained about how the handling felt, so Jeep dropped it an inch after.
Click to expand...
i heard they ride rough, is that so?
 
LBarr2002 said:
It's a jeep so.... :)

It'd have to be damn near free for me to consider buying one with engine issues. They aren't worth very much more than that running and driving...
Click to expand...

You say that, but even at auction the wrecked or mechanical failure Liberties bring more than XJs/ZJs/WJs.
 
LBarr2002 said:
It's a jeep so.... :)

It'd have to be damn near free for me to consider buying one with engine issues. They aren't worth very much more than that running and driving...
Click to expand...
he has another motor that he can put in it, thats why he is considering it
 
Blaze said:
You say that, but even at auction the wrecked or mechanical failure Liberties bring more than XJs/ZJs/WJs.
Click to expand...
me and him both have looked at prices, and they seem to go higher than i expected.
 
The hardest part of owning one is telling your loved ones you are gay.
At least according to what @rockcity told me

Nothing useful to add
 
I got my girl a 08 liberty has 60k on it sunroof started leaking the heater core went out and transmission shuddered in reverse and on slow take offs... she loved it other than those issues
 
So tell me, suitable for a 16 your old boy?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
About 10 years ago we helped my daughter buy a 05 liberty for what I thought was a steal. She drove it until last fall and the transmission started acting weird then she traded on a Commander. Never any issues with it amazingly. Had 30k miles when she bought it a 175k when she traded. I'd buy another if I knew it would last like the first one.
 
obxbronco said:
So tell me, suitable for a 16 your old boy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Honestly I'm in same Situation with my oldest niece 15yr old, I'm looking more into safety and reliability then what their friends or anyone else cares for that matter! I've decided my nieces jeep will either be a Zj or XJ her dream is a wrangler but not safe enough for new driver for my liking!The jeep liberty is sorta like a ford ranger, in the fact it's a coed 4x4! Who cares at 16 he should be grateful to have a ride and folks to swap engines for him!!
 
That's what I thought, he don't have a lot of money, his is only 14, but he wants to get something now so he can fix it up. I think they have alittle lift for them, basically it would be a mall crawler


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mysterync said:
Junk! I've got two that are blown up waiting to be scrapped right now!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

3.7?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hell throw that engine in it tell him to sell it and get a actual mall crawler XJ or whatever with a 4.0 can't go wrong with that for first but liberty with a sas I've seen on old ones and it could do some shit...
 
C.Berry said:
Hell throw that engine in it tell him to sell it and get a actual mall crawler XJ or whatever with a 4.0 can't go wrong with that for first but liberty with a sas I've seen on old ones and it could do some shit...
Click to expand...

I know if he could find a decent XJ for $600-700 he would rather have that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
from what i have seen...

jeep liberty's are primarily chick driven cars. same with jettas. etc.
 
My daughter had one for a while. I had electrical and valve train gremlins even after we swapped the motor. She loved it and even I liked driving it. Was happy to get rid of it though.
 
Back
Top