Project KJ Summer 2012!!!

Hey guys. I know ive said im gonna do this and that and never did . BUT, this summer is different. I have been thinking long and hard about what i can do to make the liberty awesome!! and i have decided...

With the help of the fabulous crew over at Trail and Street Customs, I am going to turn the liberty into a Wrangler crushing monster.

I am going to solid axle the front end, put a Dana 44 in there, possibly the same to the rear or reinforce the 8.25, 8" of lift and 37x 12.5x15 Goodyear MTR's. Also lockig the rear end, and adding arb bumper with winch, and homebrew rear bumpers.

The final product should look something like this except with arb bumper!!!

now you can't corner though, drive careful! when that happens it'll be sweet, we gotta take it mud boggin through the swamp at the farm

I'm glad you're going to do it finally!!! You'll love the results.....it'll look amazing......
.....although I think it's a bit lofty an idea to think it'll crush Wranglers! hahahahaaa

...you can start by trying to crush Dennis' Jeep. Send pics!

Please let us know how it's going and keep pics of the build!!!

oh yea and mandatory 5pt harnesses so if dennis rides in it again when you brake you don't make him smack his head on the head liner :p

and XJX, i dunno! i think a monster like that might give your new ride a run for it's money

OK OK OK it may not "crush" Wranglers, but it will give them a run for the money...

I am hoping that I can run 37's, and hopefully get enough flex that at the next show dennis and i attend, i can put my front wheel up on one of his to show off the flex..

Either way, I intend to get A LOT more flex then i do now.

I plan to propose the idea to my dad (He is the decision maker) over my holiday break, show him examples, etc. I plan to propose it as a father-son project because he wants to get into it, also as an early graduation incentive/gift, and something that i will pay for as much as possible. Basically dubbing it as the last big thing for my jeep as i plan to keep it as long as possible.

After i propose the idea, we shall see where it goes, and i plan on keeping yall informed.

Just one question: any suggestions on front axle to use? im thinkin a Dana 44 is plenty. also do you think i culd get away with keeping my chrysler 8.25 rear or does that need to be trashed and upgraded?

If running 37's is in the plans...I'd do Ford 9", or beefed D44's.

That's F/R

The 9" is easier to get gears and lockers for, its a drop in 3rd member, as opposed to a PITA D44 set-up, so less work, less worry about rock damage on the diffs, etc.


And its a 9" ring gear instead of a wussy 8.25"

Good luck with your dad...I'm sure once he sees how much you love this and what it means to you, he'll be on board.

I'm with TJ, you definitely need to get rid of the 8.25....I bought mine with the 35 in the rear and very soon after swapped
it for a beefy new Ford 8.8. I love knowing that it can take anything thrown at it. Paid extra for a super heavy/durable diff
cover too...so if you have the $$, do it.

Here's a pic of mine...I love it.

Im sure i can get my dad on board especially since hes really coming around to it now. he understands its my passion, and i think once he realizes that im willing to pay for it, and ive done my reasearch he will agree. im not that worried.

As for rear axles: yeah. definitely upgrading. Leaning towards the ford 8.8 or 9". If need be due to avaliability or what not i will do a Dana 44. But i talked to the guys up at Mt. Zion offroad, they have done 3 conversions, and they recommend a high pinion Dana30 upfront, with 30 spline shafts. so we shall see where she goes.

thanks for the imput and support yall..

(I may actually be able to give dennis a run for his money now hahahaha its secretly been my dream because i always feel inadequate around him!!!!!)

Mount Zion is actually a VERY awesome option for getting the work done too.

We're big fans of theirs and they KNOW offroading.
For what you're looking to do, they may be a better option.

As for "feelings of inadequacy"....You hang with the wrong people if you feel
wheeling and being part of a club is a contest. It's not. Our best members and most
fun times are the ones when we all cheer eachother on, help fix/wrench eachother's
rigs, etc etc.

Of course, there are some people who are natural wheelers and some who need to learn,
and some people built up more than others...we're all out there for fun.

Out here, Chris' Jeep is too big for the stock people, and too small for the huge guys...and
there's not a lot in between. But he hangs with the big dogs and wheels some crazy stuff....
and he can do that because he has taken the time to "learn" wheeling. (he was a much
different wheeler when I met him than he is now) I have seen people with crazy-built stuff
that don't know the first thing about what to do with it and I have seen crazy-good wheelers
do things in smaller built Jeeps. So, be proud of your build...but remember to build YOU too.

Good luck and I can't wait to see where it goes!!!

hehehehe i know. im just loking about inadequate. i just joke with dennis about one day being a bigger rig than him.

i know im with the right crew and im happy as can be. this project is just somethig i want to do.

And yes im really considering Mt. Zion at this point.. more final ideas will be reached over christmas.. i will let yall know!!!!!!!

just a side note, i happened to take my Ford off road a little with Blackmagic not too long ago, i'm running FWD sedan with about 18" all terrains, BEAT THAT SETUP! and i STILL got it unstuck on my own. i might be a natural

So, as of right now, im looking at a ford 8.8 or 9" rear end, locked and a high pinion Dana 30 front. I will know more about what is recomended when i sit down with the shops.

I am getting my research done and putting stuff together to show my dad so i can convince him. keep your fingers crossed and keep me in your prayers that it goes well. i will keep you informed.


I am talking to several shops at the moment and im trying to get ballpark estimates and advice before I talk to my dad.

I talked to Mt. Zion offroad, and they pointed me to a fellow shop that has done several liberty conversions, including a couple for their customers. the shop is EMS Offroad, and i am probably leaning towards them to complete the project due to the scope of it. As soon as i hear back from them, i shall update you.

this could turn into an awesome project, and if it continues/gets approved by my father i will inform you of every bit of progress. if it gets shot down, I will be slightly depressed, but i will get over it.

Just keep the goal of my project approval in your thoughts and wish me luck!!!! i hope it succeeds!!

Don't know if your a member of the LOST forum, but here is a link to some info on SFA's for the Liberty


http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=73&sid=c15be88fc55f11040c861541f0a3566a