Which Year Liberty Should I Buy?

[bwflorida]

A few years ago I bought a looks-like-new 2003 KJ 4WD Sport with only 84K miles (it now has 93K).
In the next year or so, I'm planning to give it to my Grandson... and because I like that truck so much, I think I might try to find another looks-like-new, low-miles Libby.
My question is, should I buy one of the last Gen1s (2007), or go for a Gen2 (2008-2012) model?
In your opinion, which are the best liked/reviewed models in those years?
Thanks!

 

[jeeplib05]

I'd stick with at the latest '05
They were the last model that didn't have all of the electronic BS
Although, it may be hard to find one that old with low miles but I'm sure it's possible

 

[KJ604]

05 is my vote. only year you can get a 6 speed manual and a LSD from the factory

 

[tommudd]

02-05s only IMO

 

[Tog]

I have both 04 limited and 2010 sport definitely stick with the KJ. KK are bigger yes but to much electronic bs .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[HoosierJeeper]

My preference would be a KJ but if the KJ market isn't good and you find a really nice KK in good shape with the right options, I'd much rather have that than a beat up KJ.

 

[Kal-El]

02-05s only IMO

X2

 

[JasonJ]

My preference would be a KJ but if the KJ market isn't good and you find a really nice KK in good shape with the right options, I'd much rather have that than a beat up KJ.

Same here.

But, if I had my choice, I'd prefer an 02-04. I don't like the redesigned grille/foglights of the 05-07.

 

[dude1116]

Early 03. Get that 45RFE.

 

[twolabs]

Yep got a headache with my '06 grrrr
the dashboard is lit up like a Christmas tree...ABS,ESP,BAS....it's in the shop now
oh well

 

[renegade 04]

Early 2003 with the 45RFE.

 

[sparky123321]

I know very little compared to others on this forum, but I love the 2002 I recently picked up. Very basic, but easy to work on. No crazy electronics, only 2 airbags, no antilock brakes(some would count this as a neg), no tire pressure sensors, no O sensor after the cat, etc, etc. Used parts are a dime a dozen and I was easily able to add some creature comforts like cruise, a new stereo and rear audio controls. You probably won't find one with only 11,000 miles like I did, but low/lower mileage ones do come up every now and then.

 

[sota]

-1 for the 07, especially if you want a stick shift. ******* throttle by wire is more ******** than hilldabeasts supporters.

 

[tommudd]

I know very little compared to others on this forum, but I love the 2002 I recently picked up. Very basic, but easy to work on. No crazy electronics, only 2 airbags, no antilock brakes(some would count this as a neg), no tire pressure sensors, no O sensor after the cat, etc, etc. Used parts are a dime a dozen and I was easily able to add some creature comforts like cruise, a new stereo and rear audio controls. You probably won't find one with only 11,000 miles like I did, but low/lower mileage ones do come up every now and then.

Thats the way I feel, once you get into the years that have antilock, etc then they get to be a huge pain in the butt.
I do enjoy them thar electric winders though............they go up, they go down,....wow

 

[04Liberty]

If I were to look for another one, I'd want an early build 03 for an automatic, or pretty much any year stick shift or CRD. Early build 03's and CRD's have better automatic transmissions (545RFE vs 42RLE).

 

[JasonJ]

If I went for a second KJ, I think I'd want a CRD... never owned a diesel before, could be fun. Do some sort of grease car conversion... run it on filtered french fry oil.

Although I'm now having flashbacks to all the issues VW diesel owners had when I worked at the dealership... bent con rods, injection pumps crapping out, faulty injectors, oops I put gasoline in it...

 

[krisP]

never any electrical problems with my 07 knock on wood , and the only real downside so far is the ever present tpms light because aftermarket wheels.... if i could go back in time id look for a crd

 

[Jbergun]

I have an 02 with 175k on it 45trans is a beast. Everything else if pretty much the same through the years. They just started adding more electronics. Some love it some hate it. I hate electronic throttle. In laws got a dodge nitro with it. Can not keep the rpms steady at all for diagnostics.

 

[dude1116]

Everyone's saying CRD...but they seem pretty unreliable from what I've read.

I would have a CRD only for the "cool" factor.