[fastredjeep]

Why did the KJ replace the XJ? How are the manual transmissions on the KJ? Similar to the XJ or completely different?
Thanks.

Side question, how many manual XJs were produced? If you're not supposed to answer that one, that's cool.

[XJK]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

Kyle,

As much as we'd like to share what our standards/specifications are, that information is proprietary as it represents a significant competitive advantage for us. Our goal is to make our vehicles the most capable within their given segment...

Thanks again

Ya i figured that was going to be the case, thanks for your help

-Kyle

[grogie]

I just asked my wife if she had any questions (since she mainly drives our '04 KJ), and she said, "How can I get my husband to not be so Jeep obsessed?"

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by grogie

I just asked my wife if she had any questions (since she mainly drives our '04 KJ), and she said, "How can I get my husband to not be so Jeep obsessed?"

My wife wonders the same thing!!

(hi honey )

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by pkt1213

I just wanted to say I really like the redesgin of the Liberty. It looks a million times better than the old one. I am hoping to get one for me here in the next year or two and a new Wrangler for my girlfriend.

The 2008 Liberty was designed to incorporate a lot of classic Jeep design cues, so we appreciate your response. Glad to hear you're a true Jeeper - one for you and one for your girlfriend! Thanks again for the feedback

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by garsarno

On my '07 Hemi Grand Cherokee, 16,000 miles, has a ticking noise that sounds like a lifter that is noticeable when cold. Running Mobil 1 oil since new. Been told this is a characteristic of the Hemi engine. True?

I remember hearing it on a 70 Hemi GTX way back when...

While this is a Liberty event, I'll go ahead and answer this since we've fielded the question before - the Hemi engine, by nature of it's canted valve arrangement will inherently make some noise - the rocker arm is not only creating downward force as it moves though it's range of travel, but outward force as well. In order for a valvetrain to "survive" with this arrangement, there needs to be some additional clearance designed into the valve stem/valve guide interface. As you've noted, your 426 Hemi makes a similar noise, and this is true of all severly canted valve arrangements that utilize an OHV design with the camshaft in the block.

Thanks!

[JeepMan1975]

Thanks for once again being here!

What was the influence behind the new exterior/interior styling, besides the Commander? I'll add that I think the new design is a vast improvement over the last Liberty, btw

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by Kyle Deidrick

Also for a KK page that im working on i have a couple of spec questions to ask (because im too lazy to look it up myself)

For both the sport and the limited packages
What axles were used front and rear?
Spline count on both of those axles?
Gear Ratio (did you guys have different options?)
Was a LSD available?
Anything else regarding the axles that i may have missed please feel free to include, also if the information differs from sport to limited please include what is different.

thanks
-Kyle

The axles for the sport and limited packages are the same.

Front Axle: Dana M30 (above center)
- 27 spline outputs
Rear Axle: Chrysler 8.25"
- 29 spline outputs
No LSD is available for KK
Gear Ratio is tied to engine/trans combination;
3.7L Auto = 3.73
3.7L Manual = 3.21

Thanks!

[XJK]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

The axles for the sport and limited packages are the same.

Front Axle: Dana M30 (above center)
- 27 spline outputs
Rear Axle: Chrysler 8.25"
- 29 spline outputs
No LSD is available for KK
Gear Ratio is tied to engine/trans combination;
3.7L Auto = 3.73
3.7L Manual = 3.21

Thanks!

I believe that takes care of my questions, again we always look forward to seeing you guys around here. Until next time

-Kyle

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by fastredjeep

Why did the KJ replace the XJ? How are the manual transmissions on the KJ? Similar to the XJ or completely different?
Thanks.

Side question, how many manual XJs were produced? If you're not supposed to answer that one, that's cool.

The KJ is an evolutionary vehicle from the XJ and meant to bring better on-road performance and creature comforts from the XJ while maintaining a high level of Jeepness. Many agree it is hard to replace an XJ but we feel that some of its nature has been brought back further in the new for 08MY Liberty.

For the manual trans question, the NV3550 used in 2002-2004 Libertys is the same transmission used in the last two years of XJ production. Beginning in 2005MY KJ's and subsequently KK's use a Mercedes based NSG370 6-speed transmission. Both are very robust units.

I can't quote the exact XJ manual production nos but do know that the 2000/2001 NV3550 are the rarest. You may have better luck finding an older manual transmission XJ. Thanks for writing!

[dakuda]

I don't have anything on the 08, but I did call my parents who have 07 Liberty Limited w/3.7/

My old man has a few questions:
Why the heck (I am making is nicer than he did) are tine window controls in the center console still (is this still the case in 08)?

Also, when he had a Grand Cherokee, the wipers would turn on the headlights automatically. WHy does his newer vehicle not do so? In IL, it is law to have the lights on w/the wipers.

He told me his new Liberty is fully loaded, so if a feature is hidden, please let me know.

Thanks.

[grogie]

Originally Posted by JeepEngineers

The KJ is an evolutionary vehicle from the XJ and meant to bring better on-road performance and creature comforts from the XJ while maintaining a high level of Jeepness. Many agree it is hard to replace an XJ but we feel that some of its nature has been brought back further in the new for 08MY Liberty.

Agree! I almost bought an XJ (Classic), and I'm glad I waited for the KJ. For what the KJ offers, it is a great all around Jeep.

[grogie]

Originally Posted by dakuda

My old man has a few questions:
Why the heck (I am making is nicer than he did) are tine window controls in the center console still (is this still the case in 08)?

For the record, I like having them centrally located. It doesn't take long to get use to where they are located in the KJ, and IMHO it makes more sense for a vehicle with power windows.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by jeepjeepster

^They do not make a SRT-8 Liberty.

Thanks for answering that. Is there anything you can reccomend to make the Dana30 stronger on the kj?

There are aftermarket modifications available, but Chrysler has not performed any testing to validate any improvement.

The best that I can offer is that the KK front axle is stronger as mentioned in an earlier response.

Thanks for your interest.

[JeepEngineers]

Originally Posted by grogie

Next: I recently upgraded tires from the stock size 235/70/16 to 245/70/16. I had heard that this slightly larger tire size would not rub (on a forum), however I do get a rub from the front driver's side tire, when backing and turning the wheel all the way to the right (sounds like it is rubbing on the inside of the wheel well). As the rub really doesn't bother me, is there anything that I can do to correct that (besides going back to previous size )?

The production tires are sized to provide the best use of available space in the Wheel houses under virtually all conditions. A small increase in size (diameter, width or offset wheel) can result in some level of contact in selected conditions. Our official position on tires is that we can only recommend replacement units of same size and construction. Since you have already invested in a larger tire, you should look for contact areas in the wheel liner. Chalking the tire and duplicating the maneuver could help. You might check the inside front corner of the left front wheel house based on your comment. Occasional light contact during a low speed maneuver (parking) to a plastic liner may not be a problem if that's all it is. You can check to assure that the liner is properly secured in that area. If you can pinpoint the area, check to see what's behind the plastic liner. If the liner is covering a flange or sharp edge, you may want to take some action to relieve the potential contact.