New huy here with a few questions

Hello all, new guy here. I don't have a Liberty yet but I'm looking. I'm looking for something under $10,000 and under 100,000 miles. It would not be a daily driver, just a toy, so to speak.

So I'm looking pretty much at the KJ models. It sounds like there were two different transmissions used during those years. Which ****** goes with which years? Is one better than the other? Are there any particular years that should be avoided?

I started out looking at Wranglers but decided that the Libertys were more my style. Any help will be appreciated.

wbw said:

Hello all, new guy here. I don't have a Liberty yet but I'm looking. I'm looking for something under $10,000 and under 100,000 miles. It would not be a daily driver, just a toy, so to speak.

So I'm looking pretty much at the KJ models. It sounds like there were two different transmissions used during those years. Which ****** goes with which years? Is one better than the other? Are there any particular years that should be avoided?

I started out looking at Wranglers but decided that the Libertys were more my style. Any help will be appreciated.

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KJ in my opinion are the best ones.
Personally I would stay with the 02-05s, more electronics after that ( 06-07 )
Limited or renegades are more optioned in most cases
02-04 has better leather seats in some models that later ones
I picked up an 05 3 years ago with 80,000 for under 5500 all taxes etc, then 2 years ago an 03 with 78,000 for under 4000 all taxes etc , both one owners , all records etc . My 04 I bought new , sold in 2016 and bought it back few months later. Over 222,000 miles over 200,000 miles lifted.
From WIKI
The 42RLE is a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The 42RLE comes in 2003.5+ Jeep Liberty. The 45RFE is a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission, with an alternative 2nd gear ratio for downshifting. The 45RFE was replaced in mid-April 2003 by the 42RLE in the 2003.5+ Liberty. The 545RFE is a 5-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The 545RFE was the only transmission available in Liberty CRD (diesel engine) models. The Liberty's maximum tow rating with an automatic transmission is Class III 5,000#. Mechanically, the 42RLE has 13 bolts and a straight crossmember, while the 45RFE and 545RFE have 15 bolts and a backwards angled crossmember . Electronically, vehicles equipped with the 42RLE have a 4 connector NGC PCM (Powertrain Control Module) with an integrated TCM (Transmission Control Module), while those equipped with the 45RFE have a 3 connector JTEC PCM and a separate TCM.
Two different transfer cases as well
Select Trac has 2wd, part time 4wd, full time 4wd and 4 low
Command Trac has 2wd, part time 4wd, and 4 low , Thankfully 2 of mine have the Command Trac
Look for rust around rear upper brake light and bottoms of doors
Make sure it has NEVER been ran hot
Other things like weak suspension is easily replaced with much better springs and shocks
Good hunting , I have 3 still looking for more :gr_grin:

tommudd said:

Two different transfer cases as well
Select Trac has 2wd, part time 4wd, full time 4wd and 4 low
Command Trac has 2wd, part time 4wd, and 4 low , Thankfully 2 of mine have the Command Trac

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What's so wrong about the Selec-Trac? Full time 4WD is quite handy at times.

Also, yes, 02-04 are the best IMO... for a lot of reasons. But with a $10,000 budget, you could buy 2, possibly 3 KJs.

Yeah what the other guy said. KJ Liberty's go for super cheap. Where do you live? I know on Kijiji I found like 3 that's were $1,000 so $10,000 budget is amazing.

Tip from me (take it or leave it): stay away from the '07. All Liberty's have problems but I see that the '07 has the most. I own one, and it is probably gonna cost more in repairs than its retail price. It's nice though. I enjoy its styling compared to the others (really I just like the fog light placement more)

JasonJ said:

What's so wrong about the Selec-Trac? Full time 4WD is quite handy at times.

Also, yes, 02-04 are the best IMO... for a lot of reasons. But with a $10,000 budget, you could buy 2, possibly 3 KJs.

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With a good set of tires never seen the need for Selec Trac, just have always liked the Command Trac better for my needs
I have no reason to lock it in for several months at a time like some do LOL

As far as 45rfe vs 42RLE, I don't think I'd really care. I used to think the 45 was a lot tougher but when I had to get my 42 rebuilt I asked about the 45 and the rebuilder said that the 45 is hardly any more durable and is more expensive to rebuild.
Maintenance records are king with KJs.

tommudd said:

With a good set of tires never seen the need for Selec Trac, just have always liked the Command Trac better for my needs
I have no reason to lock it in for several months at a time like some do LOL

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Hmm.. I've found 4-part time to be my least used setting, right next to 4-lo. Pretty much the only 4wd option I need around here unless we get 2ft of snow dumped on us is the 4-full time.

Interesting ....

JasonJ said:

Hmm.. I've found 4-part time to be my least used setting, right next to 4-lo. Pretty much the only 4wd option I need around here unless we get 2ft of snow dumped on us is the 4-full time.

Interesting ....

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Lived right on the border of Ohio / Michigan for 9 years, very few times did I ever have to use 4 wheel drive . Just good tires and go , well take that back when I first bought the 04 new, with crappy stock tires, first snow I did . BUT replaced them very soon after that:happy175: I always like to see how far I can go before ever needing 4 wheel drive. I drove 2 wheel drive pickups for years back and forth to work over roads that snow plows didn't touch until later in the day . Good tires take you a long ways
To me 4x4 is like a winch, you have it if you really need it, but you don't need it most times like some think you do

tommudd said:

Lived right on the border of Ohio / Michigan for 9 years, very few times did I ever have to use 4 wheel drive . Just good tires and go , well take that back when I first bought the 04 new, with crappy stock tires, first snow I did . BUT replaced them very soon after that:happy175: I always like to see how far I can go before ever needing 4 wheel drive. I drove 2 wheel drive pickups for years back and forth to work over roads that snow plows didn't touch until later in the day . Good tires take you a long ways
To me 4x4 is like a winch, you have it if you really need it, but you don't need it most times like some think you do

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True... the tires are probably 95% of the solution. I find that irregardless, on the crap roads I drive to work on, the 4-full time gives me more stability, not so much traction, as that is the tires' job. The Jeep feels more solid, anchored than in two wheel drive, and I certainly slip less around corners and when taking off.

BUT, having said that, it rarely if ever has gotten me through or out of any road condition that two-wheel wouldn't have. I suppose for me, it boosts driver confidence more than it actually improved driving performance.

4WD Full Time is very useful for me when driving on slippery, corrugated dirt roads. It has saved me more than a few times from spinning off the road. I actually came off the road about 2yrs ago (about a month after purchasing my Jeep) driving on a slippery dirt road. I came around a bend too quick, the vehicle started to fish tail and I ended up in a ditch. I was in 2WD at the time. Pretty scary!

That said, Fulltime is not as effective as Part time when doing the harder off road stuff, at least in my experience.

The OP never came back.............all this info and discussion
But then thats what I like debating things

JasonJ said:

I suppose for me, it boosts driver confidence more than it actually improved driving performance.

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When I was very young and first getting into trucks, my grandfather told me that for most people 4 wheel drive is a crutch, and can be downright dangerous in the wrong hands. His reasoning was exactly what you said, it boosts driver confidence without actually improving overall driving capability of the vehicle. Or in his words "4 wheel drive helps you go, but it doesn't really help you turn and stop". Keep in mind, this was early 90's before computer controlled traction systems and all the other modern wizardry we have these days.

I know he was thinking more along the lines of the little old lady who wants to run to the store for some eggs in the middle of a blizzard, but the point remains: Know the limitations of your vehicle and your driving ability, and approach those limitations with caution.


Back to the thread at hand though, I got my 2006 libby for $3500 with 70k on the clock back in 2015. I just passed 100k about a month ago, and its going well. If you are reading the stickies on this forum, then you will have good idea of the most common issues and how to fix them. Good luck hunting for a good Jeep at a good price, took me a while to find mine as anything 4x4 here usually sells high compared to other areas.

I pretty much only use 4lo anymore [emoji1] I heard the same saying about 4wd let's you go but not slow or something similar that rhymed.

mrlavalamp said:

When I was very young and first getting into trucks, my grandfather told me that for most people 4 wheel drive is a crutch, and can be downright dangerous in the wrong hands. His reasoning was exactly what you said, it boosts driver confidence without actually improving overall driving capability of the vehicle. Or in his words "4 wheel drive helps you go, but it doesn't really help you turn and stop". Keep in mind, this was early 90's before computer controlled traction systems and all the other modern wizardry we have these days.

I know he was thinking more along the lines of the little old lady who wants to run to the store for some eggs in the middle of a blizzard, but the point remains: Know the limitations of your vehicle and your driving ability, and approach those limitations with caution.


Back to the thread at hand though, I got my 2006 libby for $3500 with 70k on the clock back in 2015. I just passed 100k about a month ago, and its going well. If you are reading the stickies on this forum, then you will have good idea of the most common issues and how to fix them. Good luck hunting for a good Jeep at a good price, took me a while to find mine as anything 4x4 here usually sells high compared to other areas.

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Yes sir

tommudd said:

The OP never came back.............all this info and discussion
But then thats what I like debating things

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I've been here. Been reading this and looking at cars online to the point of having a headaçhe for three days. Well I took the plunge today. Getting an '02 with approx 96,000 miles. Will pick it up either Thursday or Friday. I'll check in after I take possession.

Mason Methot said:

Yeah what the other guy said. KJ Liberty's go for super cheap. Where do you live? I know on Kijiji I found like 3 that's were $1,000 so $10,000 budget is amazing.

Tip from me (take it or leave it): stay away from the '07. All Liberty's have problems but I see that the '07 has the most. I own one, and it is probably gonna cost more in repairs than its retail price. It's nice though. I enjoy its styling compared to the others (really I just like the fog light placement more)

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I have the '07 also. It is a changeover year but there's nothing so bad that I would stay away from it. At least it has the better pcv location so it doesn't have the moisture problem.

kage860 said:

I have the '07 also. It is a changeover year but there's nothing so bad that I would stay away from it. At least it has the better pcv location so it doesn't have the moisture problem.

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Only some have the " moisture problem" I've never had an issue at all, but then I know how to " warm them up good " LOL
Only ever had two at my place that did have it out of all thats been through it