2003 Liberty Renegade Purchase Questions

[utmtnman]

Hey Everyone,
I'm looking at buying a 2003 Liberty Renegade with 135K miles. This would be my first jeep, and I had a couple of questions if you don't mind helping me out.

1 - The transfer case lever has a position for part time and full time 4x4, but when I shift it, it only feels like it goes to part time, and then straight to neutral. How do you shift to full time, or is it possible someone changed the T-case out at some point?

2 - There seems to be a lot of oil leaking around the front diff, and somewhere around the ******. (****** pan is covered in oil.) Is there a common leak on these that's an easy fix, or should this be a warning sign?

The jeep runs fine, transmission feels smooth as silk, everything seems great except for these two concerns. Just looking for a more experienced opinion.

Thanks!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I guess you could double check the tcase tag on the back of it (NP 242 if full time). There should be 2 "up" positions before hitting neutral. Up once = part time, up again = full time.

For the leak, it could be any number of things. First rule out the diff leaking, see if there's oil from either axle seal or the pinion seal. Check trans fluid level. Chances are it's engine oil (mines doing something similar) and it just gets blown back. Pretty common with age. If you can figure out what fluid is leaking then we can help more!

Welcome to the forum!

 

[utmtnman]

Thanks, good info on the T-case model, I'll check that. As for the leak, I can't really tell where it is coming from without degreasing it, which I ain't doing unless I buy it! I was more just curious if there is any common leaks or seal failures on the 3.7 that I should be on the lookout for. Any history of the rear main failing on these?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Valve cover gaskets, oil pressure sender, front crank...not really aware of lots of rear main seals failures.

 

[Samsolo49]

Valve cover gaskets, oil pressure sender, front crank...not really aware of lots of rear main seals failures.

The biggest thing to watch for on the 3.7 is the bad design on the rockers in the heads. Change oil like it's church and don't let it get low or you'll need a new engine.

Mine has the 3.7 but I bought it at 210000 from the original owner. Changed the oil like clockwork and it was always synthetic, still runs like a top at 235,000

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yep, change the oil often and don't over heat it. Those two things will take a 3.7 a long way. Further than the transmission anyway.

 

[rjkj2005]

Hey Everyone,
I'm looking at buying a 2003 Liberty Renegade with 135K miles. This would be my first jeep, and I had a couple of questions if you don't mind helping me out.

1 - The transfer case lever has a position for part time and full time 4x4, but when I shift it, it only feels like it goes to part time, and then straight to neutral. How do you shift to full time, or is it possible someone changed the T-case out at some point?

2 - There seems to be a lot of oil leaking around the front diff, and somewhere around the ******. (****** pan is covered in oil.) Is there a common leak on these that's an easy fix, or should this be a warning sign?

The jeep runs fine, transmission feels smooth as silk, everything seems great except for these two concerns. Just looking for a more experienced opinion.

Thanks!

If your not prepared to do all the mechanical work yourself. Don't buy a Liberty. Unless you have a thick wallet. If I had to pay someone to work on mine over the past 2 years. I would have more money in labor than I do in the Jeep. But I love working on it. Gives me something to do on my days off while the kids are at school

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[JasonJ]

If your not prepared to do all the mechanical work yourself. Don't buy a Liberty. Unless you have a thick wallet. If I had to pay someone to work on mine over the past 2 years. I would have more money in labor than I do in the Jeep. But I love working on it. Gives me something to do on my days off while the kids are at school

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Yes, this is true. But NOT because they are difficult to work on, other than a few things, like oil pan or oil pressure sender... but because anyone who can say they specialize or are knowledgable in working on "Jeeps" tends to charge more.

Lets face the truth here, most Jeep owners are Wrangler owners.. and most of them just know how to sign the credit card slip and pay someone to mod or repair their trucks. So the market to wring the owners of all "Jeeps" for cash is strong.