Transforming a Liberty...

[LilKJ]

Well I know I am pretty new here but I thought I'd share my transformation thus far in my attempt to make my Liberty in to a stout expedition vehicle. It spends a lot of time in the desert so it will end up with certain prerunner traits (not that that's a bad thing)

So here's what we started with: 2006 Turbo Diesel Jeep Liberty 4x4

Fresh off the floor: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/jeep3resized.jpg

First was to fab up a rack to hold a second spare:http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/racjresize.jpg

Then a roof rack was built to hold the bikes and whatever else I need: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_1476.jpg

Full armor and tow hooks were added: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2200.jpg

Extra lighting was needed and a guard was made for the new lights: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2148.jpg

Next was a big one chop up the front end, relocate turn signals, and fab up flat fenders: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2284.jpg

Navigation and electric fan cutoff added: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2151.jpg

[LilKJ]

Finally lifted!!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/DSCF0800.jpg

Some 32" BFG AT's will be on in the next couple days... looking forward to it.

[LilKJ]

I forgot to add the best part!!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_1550.jpg

[haven]

Looks great! Which lift did you use?

[LilKJ]

It's a Daystar lift with Rancho Shocks. As soon as I finish some other things and dig up some money out of the back yard it'll get changed out with OME stuff.

[kcowyo]

Nice!

It's about time we have a CRD Liberty build thread here.


:beer:
.

[XXXpedition]

so, in colorado adiesel is ok and in CA not. not fair! :-)))

well, durango is a nice town. we've been there in 03 meeting with our sponsors durango4x4...
an nice wheeling there too! i'm getting envious again :-))))
cheers
from germany
sven

[weezerbot]

Very cool! We are coming through Durango in a couple of weeks, any great trails you can suggest and or back country camping and do you want to join us?!

[LilKJ]

You coming for the big FJ Summit? I can certainly recommend a couple trails in the area and would love to join you... send me details and we'll see what we can work out

[JPFreek1]

I forgot to add the best part!!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_1550.jpg

Awesome!

[jerdog53]

I do like a CRD Liberty with a lift!

[2006KJSPORT4x4]

Good work durangotang....i need to get a build thread done up on my rig, starting on the dual battery setup and then the Engel fridge installation. What you got planned next?

[LilKJ]

haha I knew some LOST bretheren would make an appearance.... well i currently have 4 265/75R16 BFG AT's sitting in the garage and some Soft 8's in the mail so those are the next step... then I hear the rear fenders calling

[2006KJSPORT4x4]

sounds good sir, keep up the good work...I might make an appearance in your area around early june of 09. I'm working on a plan for a "Western Loop", but we'll see how things plan out as the time nears...

[FlyingWen]

Freakin Diesel!
I am jealous. I have a 02 and get a whopping 14mpg.

Rig is looking good so far. How about a front bumper??

[weezerbot]

Freakin Diesel!
I am jealous. I have a 02 and get a whopping 14mpg.

Rig is looking good so far. How about a front bumper??



FINALLY! Someone who gets worse gas mileage than we do!! :wings:

Sorry Wen....

[2006KJSPORT4x4]

Freakin Diesel!
I am jealous. I have a 02 and get a whopping 14mpg.

Rig is looking good so far. How about a front bumper??

Don't feel too bad Wen, I get roughly 13.8-14 driving roughly 50 miles a day...

[Signcutter21]

i stopped keeping track of actual mpg. Long as I get 200+ before the light goes off, I'm happy. Might have to get some 195/75r16 to increase my mpg. lol

nice build up thread too Durangotang

mike

[LilKJ]

Thanks all...

and yes, a front bumper will be making an appearance in the near future.... have to build it though as my front end is a foot narrower than a normal KJ.

[LilKJ]

sounds good sir, keep up the good work...I might make an appearance in your area around early june of 09. I'm working on a plan for a "Western Loop", but we'll see how things plan out as the time nears...

You're gonna make it for LJS '09 in Ouray right?

[2006KJSPORT4x4]

You're gonna make it for LJS '09 in Ouray right?

I'll do my darndest. Gunna have to look up the discussion thread if there is one for it...

[tommudd]

Freakin Diesel!
I am jealous. I have a 02 and get a whopping 14mpg.

Rig is looking good so far. How about a front bumper??

wow only 14..... I was complaining on getting 13/14 when I had an 6x10 enclosed trailer behind me fully loaded! I get 19/20 all the time on the highway and thats with an ARB, Kilby skids etc and all kinds of other heavy stuff packed on it!

Tom

[LilKJ]

OK now we have located the KJ people... let's post up some pics... show off the built Libby's

[flyingwil]

Any side shots of the new fenders?

[calamaridog]

Nice. I will look forward to the updates!

[LilKJ]

Any side shots of the new fenders?

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2691s.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2619.jpg

[LilKJ]

New wheels/tires installed... "persuaded" some metal bits not to rub the tires

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/128_0097s.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/128_0095s.jpg

[calamaridog]

What are the tire and rim specs?

Looks good!

[LilKJ]

Cragar Soft 8's 16x7 4"BS
265/75R16

[rokklym]

Are your roof rack cross bars custom made? Any info or pics would be appreciated, especially of the mounting system. I need to add cross bars to the girlfriends Liberty for my Thule cargo box and would like to do it as cheap as possible.

[LilKJ]

Mine is about as cheap as it gets.... it's electrician superstrut from Home depot

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_1476.jpg

You can just use U-bolts to attach it to th factory rails... the stuff is very strong and you can mount whatever you like to it.

[tommudd]

Are your roof rack cross bars custom made? Any info or pics would be appreciated, especially of the mounting system. I need to add cross bars to the girlfriends Liberty for my Thule cargo box and would like to do it as cheap as possible.
some excellent writeups and ideas on LOSTKJS.com on how to mount them

Tom

[tommudd]

some pictures of mine

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/tommudd/KJpictures004.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/tommudd/DBFKJs028.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/tommudd/HoodLouvers005.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/tommudd/100_0239.jpg


OK could not get them to load right but I tried!

mines an 04, Kilimanjaro Edition debadged, ARB, Moab Wheels, 255s, roof rack /interior rack skids including Kilby gas tank skid plus lots of extras

[rokklym]

Mine is about as cheap as it gets.... it's electrician superstrut from Home depot

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_1476.jpg

You can just use U-bolts to attach it to th factory rails... the stuff is very strong and you can mount whatever you like to it.

Thanks, I went to Home Depot today and picked up 10 feet of Superstrut and some U-bolts. Should work great!

[JimC]

Are you really getting 30+ mpg? I ordered the literature on the CRD before it came out, but lost interest when the claimed mpg was only 19-22 or some such figure. If you're getting 30+ all the time, I might have to go shopping...

[LilKJ]

on the highway around CO I was averaging between 30-32mpg. A tank average for me with plenty of wasteful puttering around town comes out to about 26mpg.

[JimC]

Wow, thats great. I'm glad to hear it doent suck!

[LilKJ]

Well... I forgot about this thread and thought it might be due for an update. The KJ has been acquiring quite the pile of spare parts and I'm slowly getting them installed. The fabrication of new goodies seems indefinitely delayed by my desire to get it dirty and break stuff :smiley_drive:

Where it sat when I last updated:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/jeep.jpg

I started the task of converting a factory TJ bumper to fit the front of the KJ. New recovery points were on the list as well.

Hacked up the front...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2416.jpg

The starting points...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2417.jpg

Some cutting was done and bolted the points directly to the subframe:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2419.jpg

A little cutting was needed to get the TJ bumper on but it fits great:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2422.jpg

[LilKJ]

Painted to match:coffeedrink::
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2427resize.jpg


Not a big fan of the ends so some modification was in order:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2512edit.jpg

An impromptu welding clamp:D:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2571edit.jpg

Looks better and stiffened up quite a bit in the process:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2574edit.jpg

Built a template for metal endcaps... this part is in the works:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2517edit.jpg

I did test out this bumper and the approach angle rocks my socks...more goodies will be coming after I spend some time in Canyonlands:wings:

[LilKJ]

New aluminum roof rack installed... it's the bees-knees:victory:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2502edit.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2497edit.jpg

[LilKJ]

Experimenting with fabrics for soft windows... eventually to make uppers for half doors... this is the second attempt and working on a third (it's getting there, I need a bigger sewing machine:ylsmoke:)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2504edit.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_2509edit.jpg

[jeepmedic46]

Looks great. Like the bumper. Is that one of Boilers racks on top?:smiley_drive:

[LilKJ]

Looks great. Like the bumper. Is that one of Boilers racks on top?:smiley_drive:

Yeah that's one of Boiler's racks on top... it's sweet. Might have to sell it though and build another one if I plan to run a RTT:coffeedrink:

[jeepmedic46]

That will be my winter project, Building a rack that can hold a RTT and have storage up front.:smiley_drive:

[XXXpedition]

i think i have seen very similar rocker rails before...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/128_0095s.jpg
right here (somebody likes yellow):
http://www.xxxpedition.com/ShortTrips/2005-Anza/Gallery/IMG_5213.jpg

[LilKJ]

Some updates on the KJ.... getting ready for 3 weeks in Baja this spring:sombrero: It seems I'll be sporting the FrankenExPo vehicle... half of the parts were bought from other ExPo people haha.

Finally got a trailer and RTT... just need to fix some wiring and change the hubs to fit Jeep wheels... love it already... (needs to be painted to match though:Wow1:)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3433resize.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3434resize.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3435resize.jpg

Also finished the rear cargo area (actually need to re-do a couple mounts but that's nothing)

Everything closed up...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3438resize.jpg

Everything open...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3439resize.jpg

The top cargo shelf holds the OBA and a lockbox... inside it are all my tools... not sure what is going to live inside the drawers... they're too big:coffeedrink:

Picked up a 12V fridge as well... just the coleman model... but I took it to Phoenix and it works great... I think it's all I'll need.

[LilKJ]

More Baja Prep for the KJ... almost done with the rear storage:wings:

Things got VERY re-done and beefed up. It's all over-engineered by 1,000% but that's just fine with me.

Started off the day welding up a base for my fridge...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3462.jpg

Welded up a new support for my cargo shelf. Fridge base can be seen in background.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3464.jpg

Just managed to make it a 3 seater again 8) New compressor and tank installed.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3465.jpg

Cargo shelf reinstalled and everything ready to go.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3466.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3468.jpg

I think I finally found the way I want it done. It took a LOT of shuffling and a couple hundred mockups...

I did find out one very cool thing:
The drawers are big enough to fit a hi-lift :D (many thanks again to RoamingAZ for hanging onto these for me)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_3460.jpg

[winkosmosis]

Are you sure you want to build soft window half doors? I made a soft window and rear panel for my Miata, and I learned how difficult it is to get it right. Not worth doing if you already have good normal doors.

[LilKJ]

Are you sure you want to build soft window half doors? I made a soft window and rear panel for my Miata, and I learned how difficult it is to get it right. Not worth doing if you already have good normal doors.

I got them to work great... the fabric just didn't hold up to UV very well at all. I'll probably be doing it again when things settle down a little.

[LilKJ]

Finally got off my butt and finished the bumper today... I'm digging the new style. Suspension got re-done as well and the KJ is tall and happy again:victory:

Capped the ends off to cover up the ugliness 8)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7394300dpi.jpg

The Jeep looks so tall and happy since being re-lifted...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7392300dpi.jpg

I thought I was done until I found some tubing lying around and decided to have some fun... took all day but I think it looks great. Pretty stout too...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7395300dpi.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7397300dpi.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7398300dpi.jpg

The side covers... also gives me an extra point to attach the bumper... this one warped a little in welding and needs to be tweaked back into place.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7400300dpi.jpg

Now my lights can get moved onto the bumper.... a project for another day...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7401300dpi.jpg

[gpwpat]

Hey I found a liberty arb bumper with warn m8000 winch on sacramento craigslist. at that price it might be worth the drive down over a weekend.

[jeepmedic46]

What do you have for a lift and tires? Great job on the rear storage and bumper.:smiley_drive:

[LilKJ]

What do you have for a lift and tires? Great job on the rear storage and bumper.:smiley_drive:

Lift is OME with Rancho front shocks... tires are 265/75R16

[LilKJ]

An update... still preparing for Baja... lots of stuff has been done...

Th KJ in its current state:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7425resize.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/bennance/IMG_7430resize.jpg

[NOMADIC_LJ]

great job on that front bumper! I like the end caps and the tubes. Really makes the KJ look more stout!

[Inc]

Looking good man. Custom = Cool. Looks like you are putting all your new toys to good use building some good stuff.

I'm jealous of that trip you are planning as well. Sounds awesome. :costumed-smiley-007

[flyingwil]

Looking good!

[LilKJ]

Looking good man. Custom = Cool. Looks like you are putting all your new toys to good use building some good stuff.

I'm jealous of that trip you are planning as well. Sounds awesome. :costumed-smiley-007

Thanks man :ylsmoke:

Trailer's getting painted tomorrow after some work gets done with it... you'll dig it:coffeedrink:

[Inc]

Thanks man :ylsmoke:

Trailer's getting painted tomorrow after some work gets done with it... you'll dig it:coffeedrink:

I dug that trailer right when you first showed me it. :drool:

[Sock Puppet]

Looks fantastic! I've never really considered a Liberty until now....