New Owner Musts

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JoeyCrush

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I just bought a 2005 Liberty Sport with 67,000 miles for $6400. Carfax was clean and appears to have all the necessary recalls done. I bought this so I can sell my '97 Wrangler. We just had a baby so the extra set of doors was a must.

What are some MUST things I should consider or take a look at as a new owner? With the new baby, my priorities right now are gas mileage and safety.
 

jeeplib05

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I’d do some research on here on the fluids you need and replace all fluids/belts/filters if needed
Maybe plugs as well, anything you can do to know everything is up to date
Also I have to suggest lifting it of course, because the stock suspension is junk so put that at the top of your list as well if you’d like
Post some pics whenever you get time! That’s a great price for that mileage- hopefully no rust is present on it being in Chicago
Others will chime in soon so hang tight
 

towpro

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others are hitting on good points, I also suggest check for open recalls. I think the list may include Lower ball joints, rear control arms, heater fan on some, a trailer hitch to make it harder to puncture fuel tank in rear end crash. maybe others.

Check all of the the front suspension, including rack and tie rod ends for looseness.
check the Drivers Side bushing on rack (see if rack moves), oil dumps on it during filter change and it can take out bushing.

measure height from center of wheel hub to outside edge of fender lip.
mine has brand KYB shocks/struts and Moog rear springs to bring it back to stock height. Front 19". rear 19.5". While not an absolute requirement, it sure rides nicer with my new components on it. (parts ran $350 for this)

another common issue is 4wd indicator not working, that was a $100 switch on top of transfer case.

on the side of "strange stuff" luckily I found this before I got robbed.
If you lock your doors with keyfob it locks everything including the rear hatch.
if you open rear hatch with keyfob, it opens rear hatch, it does not unlock doors.
Now when you close the hatch, and you think its locked again? WRONG, you need to lock doors again after you close hatch. if you don't, all you need to do is pull in rear door handle 1 notch and hatch opens (even though doors are locked)
 

JoeyCrush

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I’d do some research on here on the fluids you need and replace all fluids/belts/filters if needed
Maybe plugs as well, anything you can do to know everything is up to date
Also I have to suggest lifting it of course, because the stock suspension is junk so put that at the top of your list as well if you’d like
Post some pics whenever you get time! That’s a great price for that mileage- hopefully no rust is present on it being in Chicago
Others will chime in soon so hang tight

Hey Thanks for the reply. It isn't perfect. I talked them down quite a bit so that I can fix a few issues (front bumper plastic is cracked, dent in hood, etc). It was at a VW dealership so they weren't eager to keep it around. One of the issues is actually rust on the crossmember (???). Anyone know where I can go to order a replacement of the part pictured? I'm going to try to wirebrush it and rustproof it, but its likelytoo far gone.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

tommudd

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With any vehicle I buy I go from one end to the other checking everything changing all fluids from oil/filter/ cooling system/brake fluid/ transfer case/ both diffs/ idlerpulleys-tensioner/ belt/ NGK copper core plugs etc

But then I've been known to decide at 2PM Friday to go to the beach for the weekend which is 10 hours away, so want to make sure its ready to go any time I am .

Suspension, as some have mentioned sucked when new upgrade to at least OME coils/shocks 100 times better than stock ever was
Stock front coils are only rated at 310 lb, should of been 345-350 so they sag
middle of wheel to bottom of flare should be 19 inches, measure left front to see
 

JoeyCrush

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on the side of "strange stuff" luckily I found this before I got robbed.
If you lock your doors with keyfob it locks everything including the rear hatch.
if you open rear hatch with keyfob, it opens rear hatch, it does not unlock doors.
Now when you close the hatch, and you think its locked again? WRONG, you need to lock doors again after you close hatch. if you don't, all you need to do is pull in rear door handle 1 notch and hatch opens (even though doors are locked)

Oh wow. Haha. Good to know.
 

tommudd

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Hey Thanks for the reply. It isn't perfect. I talked them down quite a bit so that I can fix a few issues (front bumper plastic is cracked, dent in hood, etc). It was at a VW dealership so they weren't eager to keep it around. One of the issues is actually rust on the crossmember (???). Anyone know where I can go to order a replacement of the part pictured? I'm going to try to wirebrush it and rustproof it, but its likelytoo far gone.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sand it down and paint it , also paint the other areas where rust is starting
typical vehicle from that area. Have lifted 3 from Chicago area and all looked similar
 

tommudd

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Probably the best I've got right now!

You must be registered for see images

Its the right color at least
2005 is the newest Id buy
have an 03-04 ( bought new ) and 05
03 and 05 both were one owners with all service records and low mileage
but neither are black :emotions34:
If you want really good seats, find 03-04 Limited leather seats
 

JoeyCrush

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Sand it down and paint it , also paint the other areas where rust is starting
typical vehicle from that area. Have lifted 3 from Chicago area and all looked similar

Yeah - I did NOT do this with my '97 TJ... now I'm pretty much screwed with it. Trying to find a buyer to fix it up now.
 

JoeyCrush

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Its the right color at least
2005 is the newest Id buy
have an 03-04 ( bought new ) and 05
03 and 05 both were one owners with all service records and low mileage
but neither are black :emotions34:
If you want really good seats, find 03-04 Limited leather seats

Yeah - the dealer had only a stock photo and it was blue. I arrived and found it was black... I was glad to see that.

Why do you say that '05 is the newest you'd buy? Will the '03-'04 seats easily swap out with the '05 seats? What is so special about them vs. the '05 seats?
 

tommudd

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Yeah - the dealer had only a stock photo and it was blue. I arrived and found it was black... I was glad to see that.

Why do you say that '05 is the newest you'd buy? Will the '03-'04 seats easily swap out with the '05 seats? What is so special about them vs. the '05 seats?

06-07 has too many electronics added

03-04 Limited had way better seating than later models
Can't stand the 05 Limited I have after a few miles, the 03 Limited leathers I have in the 03-04 I can drive 6-8 hours no issue , better back and side support
 

JoeyCrush

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JasonJ

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Should I give these guys a call and try to retrieve these seats then? :icon_razz:

https://bionic-auto-parts.autopartsearch.com/catalog-6/vehicle/jeep/2004/liberty/seat-front

Depends on how many hours you plan to be sitting in it. Firstly, seeing as how you just got it, leave that be for some time.. I'd be more concerned with changing both differential fluids, transfer case, transmission, oil, coolant and brake fluid before I go and spend $360 on new OE seats to put into it.
 

tommudd

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Wow they really think their seats are special
Last set I bought was half that for the whole set both fronts and rear
 

djtimyd

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Perhaps a "New Owner Check-List" or "...Musts" would be a good sticky in either the New Members Forum or perhaps the How-To? I came into my KJ ownership with eyes wide open because I had an XJ. Not everyone has that special kind of torture available to them. There are plenty of people who could benefit from this basic info in a (relatively) short list.
 

HoosierJeeper

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x2 on all the fluids

Looks like a nice Jeep! I'd throw some POR15 on the cross member then paint it, doesn't look bad to me. My 09 WK was at least as bad.

Otherwise, I'd just drive it and get a feel for it. Get it off road. Badlands in Attica, Indiana is probably a 2hr drive for ya if traffic isn't bad. You've got Cliffs in Joliet too.
 

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