is buying a part time 4WD jeep liberty a good choice or no?

Question

considering i can't use the 4 WD in the mountains unless there is snow or mud. what do you think? do you know if they are rear or front wheel drive?

it's for 13500 dollars, a 2004 with 34700 miles, newer tires, 35000 left in the factory warranty.i'm getting it inspected tomorrow.thanx

Answer 1

there rear wheel drive until you put it in 4 wheel drive and that is a good choice,its going to be there if you do need it so id rather have it and not need it,as need it and not have it,but normally there all rear wheel drive,and that is a good choice,those are good vehicles ,good luck with it,hope this helps.

Answer 2

If it's like the '06 its in either 2H, 4H, N or 4L. Those are the positions on the shifter (it isn't a throttle) for the transfer case. According to my owners manual the "Part time" indicator illuminates when in 4H. The 4LO MODE indicator light illuminates when the transfer case is shifted to 4L. It also cautions not to attempt to make a shift when the front or rear wheels are spinning. "The transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the front and rear driveshafts must be equal for the shift to take place". The manual also states under the explanations for 4H & 4L that each locks the front and rear drive shafts together so I think that "Part Time" designator is maybe a bit of a mis-nomer. The Grand Cherokee has a different setup which does, I believe have a part time setup. Maybe they just used the same instrument panel and activated those lights because they were there. From personal experience if you want to shift the transfer case while sitting still make darned sure you have the transmission in Neutral. Try it in Park and (if you pull hard enough) you'll wind up needing a new transfer case shifter as it will break a nylon piece attaching the cable. The cable isn't sold separately and the entire shift unit has to be replaced at around $350. Luckily I did it while it was still under warranty.

Answer 3

Please forgive my copy/paste, but it was easier than retyping everything.
What was said about the 2wd vs. 4wd in refrence to mud and snow is correct. Just remeber that most SUV's do have a high center of Gravity, so watch you speed in turns. Anyway, Good Luck and I think that you might be able to talk the truck seller down about $2000

March 25, 2006
Best answer

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Boy, I been answering all your questions. I purchased a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (Diesel) last Feb. I look and compared with the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV, Mitisbishi, Nissan, Subaru, and the Saturn. Okay, first what I found on hybrids, meaning the Escape, hybrids are heavier than their regular conterparts, meaning they need more energy to get moving and it affects the towing and off road capabilities. Also, to get the real benifits of a hybrid, you have to get the darn thing up to speed and hold it there. Meaning that stop and go traffic in the city offers very limited benefit from a hybrid. Just the nature of the things. Next, the Escape drives great, but it isn't really fun to drive, kinda sedate. The Toyota has the reputation, but it is pretty whimpy when it comes to it's towing and off road capabilities, plus it sales at a premium, so you don't get as much for your dollar. The Subaru Forester is outstanding across the board, but is expensive and drives like a car, nothing wrong with that, but being a guy and owning pickups all my life, it just kinda turned me off. The Saturn Vue is nice, but kinda plasticy on the inside, drove alot like a car. The Nissan was great all around I thought and was my choice til I found out the Liberty came in Diesel. How you drive and where you drive make up alot on which vehicle you should get. I have attached a magazine article on the diesel lilbery. Should give you some idea about the Liberty in general and of course, diesel. While I will sing the praises about diesels to anyone who will listen , they are not for everyone. Though, mark my words, in 2008 and 2009 it will seem like there is a diesel craze going on from all the new models that will be offered in diesel. Anyway, good luck and if I can answer any questions, please drop me a line.
Yes, I do....In fact I own a 2005 CRD (Diesel), which means I am paying less for fuel and getting 27 to 29 MPG. There has been 3 recalls on the CRD since it's introduction in 2005. The First was the ERG Valve off the Turbo, has to do with the emmissions control system. Had some personal trouble getting that addressed, but after a month, I got it fixed by a good mechanic and a FREE 7year/100,000 mile warranty to boot. Second recall was on front ball joints, no big deal, seems the subcontractor for Jeep had a production problem during some part of his production run. Final recall was a Reprograming of the Engine Control Module and the Transmission Control Module, designed to reduce the torque to eliminate some "clunking" by the transmission during normal driving as reported by several owners. I never noticed the "clunking" and after the reprograming, didn't notice any difference in the driving. As far as power, well, the CRD Liberty is the only vehicle in it's class to be rated in the U.S. for 5000 lbs. towing capability. (7,000 lbs in europe). Parts and Aftermarket is available, mostly in Europe, since the CRD has been offered there from 2003. As for what the Liberty is and is not, look at the vehicle in comparsion to others in it's class and what your needs are. Off-Road performance is pretty good, though you need to remember that the Liberty does have a high center of gravity. It will not out perform a Wrangler (or CJ) off road, though on the pavement is a different story. I hope I have been helpful.


Source(s):
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/road...

Answer 4

Jeep Libertys are either rear wheel drive, 4WD, or Full Time 4WD. Part Time 4WD systems must be disengaged on dry pavement, the only time the system should be used is in low traction conditions or where the front and rear axles can spin at different speeds, for example in sand, mud, dirt, gravel, snow, ice, etc.

Why would you need to use 4WD any other time in the first place?

Answer 5

I own a Jeep Liberty and I LOVE IT! Its the best 4-wheel drive vehicle I have ever had!

They are rear-wheel drive in 2 wheel drive. And 4 wheel in 4 wheel drive. I have actually pulled out some big trucks in the mud, becuase the Liberty's are lighter and more versatile!
I SAY GET ONE!

Answer 6

Its RWD when not in 4WD. Ive driven quite a few of these for work on long drives to places I dont want to be. They drive like a smallish SUV so dont go thinking its a car or it will tip. They are reliable, get similar mileage to other small truck based SUVs (the car ones get better but lose some of the off road ability meaning dont do anymore than a dirt road), and are pretty comfy for those 5 hour trips.

Answer 7

This is my experience and mine only. I have owned 2 wheel drive vehicles that drove and handled better than 4 wheel drive vehicle and went where they went in hazardous conditions.
O.K. heres the deal.. You see people on the road with Hummers, 4 x 4's with big tires, lift kits, whatever....
First,, most those 4x4 vehicles actually have more moving mass in the front end. Like larger tires, a differential mounted in the front (which requires more moving parts.. to maintain), a driveshaft sending rotating torgue to front end, even though front wheel drive technology has improved leaps and bounds in its symetry and and drivability, heres the trade off.
More moving parts on 4x4, usually is less gas mileage, a steering system that is bulky and not user friendly for the sudden snap move you might need, and its an option you will only seriously need a few times in your driving life.
Some 4x4's because of front geometry and components handle worse in conditions other that snow,mud,ice,etc. (well actually they do for a fact)
They have a higher center of balance/center. Picture yourself on stilts trying to walk around the kids versus being on your feet.
Of course if you live in Africa or places similiar, then you should invest in a Landrover or Toyota cruiser.
A good reliable truck or van with, listen to this! Good and compatible tires for where you are, will get you there. The ground clearance on vehicles does not mean swat. Look at the differential, thats part that wheels bolt to. How far is it off road?? Not how far the body of your vehicle is off the road.
So the tire/wheel(rim) size matters. If its icy and snowy a vehicle with some weight is better, I know this flys in the face of what they say (and logic) . but its true.
Your comfortibility and confidence in vehicle is a big part of it. LOL!!
I think of guys who put their sig. others into a (big or small vehicle) with 4 wheel drive and the other individual does not like driving it, then they are put into a emercency situation. What do you think happens??
Remember good tires!
A vehicle you like to drive! Your comfy with.
If you are are in a situation where you need a serious 4x4 then you probably put youself there on purpose.
I am real big on front wheel drive.. Theres a reason most vehicles are FWD now. Especially for hazardous driving.
Of course a front wheel drive, being a 2 wheel drive, will be smaller stature. but if you have confidence in it.... Part of this confidence is knowing when to turn around, especially if other lifes are in car.. Don't be afraid to slow down.. But also don't be afraid to have a vehicle in whose confidence you have to PUNCH it and get thru it..

Answer 8

Part time 4wd is a great thing to have. I live in a Snowbelt State so the few times we get really snowed in that thing saves big time. So it really depends on where you live and where you go to determine whether you should shell out the extra money. Also remember a 2wd jeep is almost undrivable in any odd weather situation. A jeep without 4wd is also compared to a "declawed cat"

Answer 9

that warranty only covers the powertrain.
Jeeps are junk.
I have a 2005 liberty, i have had to replace the steering wheel because the leather wore out, the seats get stains, even if they get wet with water, like from a cold coke can, the windows bind up and woblle and squeak like if the car was 15 years old, the back hatch gets stuck, the brakes squeak.
The interior is cramped, and to top it off i have to drive 60 mph to try to get 20mpg.
I will never buy an american car again...theres a reason 10 year old 100k mile toyota 4x4 trucks sell for over 10000.

Answer 10

You didn't mention cost, new or used. You can use 4 WD any time you think you need it. I've heard they are good rigs. My cousin has one and has had no complaints. I've had a jeep Cherokee for so long, 239,000 miles and still going. I think they are normally rear wheel drive.