Am I too short for a Liberty without pedal extenders?

Basically, I'm 16, and I'm saving up for my first car right now. A 2002 Jeep KJ is my desired vehicle. The problem is, I'm only 4'8, and I really don't want pedal extenders unless I absolutely have to use them. What do you guys think?

I think your best bet would be to go to a dealer that has a KJ on the lot, find one at a local dismantler or ask around your friends and acquaintances if anyone knows someone who owns one you can sit behind the wheel of to test the fit.

Even if someone here says, "i'm 4'8" and it fits fine for me," they likely don't have the same length of legs, torso or girth, so the seat-to-pedal-to-steering wheel will be slightly different. You won't know until you try it for yourself.

If someone came up to me at the parking lot and asked if they could sit behind the wheel for the same reason, I'd let them. Of course, my mind could be changed by the way they ask, the way they made me feel talking to them and other factors. And I wouldn't let them drive or even be in the Jeep with the key in the ignition. I'm not that trusting.

I agree with Jim. My wife is 4' 11" and has no problem driving our KJ, but it does depend on your particular anatomy.

one of my ex's was 4'9 and had no issues so you should be alright

Just because you can reach the pedals by moving the seat up doesn't mean that it's the correct car/jeep/truck for you... shorter people have a problem here not many talk about (or think about).

You will likely be too close to the air bag. In the event that it deploys, it could cause grave injury or death. The NHTSA defines a safe distance from the airbag to be a minimum of 10" from the center of the steering to the drivers chest. My Mother-in-Law is about 5'3", when she drives her 2001 Tahoe, she sits so close (to reach the pedals) that she can rest her elbows on the bottom of the steering wheel. It's ridiculous.

So be mindful of that... you may end up wanting or needing pedal extenders JUST for that reason alone. My cousin is a little person, and by that I mean she has dwarfism, is only about 3"6" and drives a VW Beetle.. with pedal extenders of course, and she sits a reasonably normal distance from the steering wheel that is a more typical seating position with no issues.

From the New England Journal of Medicine:
MMS: Error

Good tips at Michiganautolaw.com:
Airbag safety tips for shorter drivers

Consumer Affairs has a good article on this as well:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2011/02/airbags-can-be-lifesavers-they-can-also-be-lethal.html

Good luck.

Check ones with and without power seats.