The Jeep Liberty - Diesel and Gas - Buyers Guide
2008 models
See the 2008 Jeep Liberty page. The Dodge Nitro was built starting August 2006; the redesigned Jeep Liberty, on August 2007. Toledo North, a four year old plant, was expected to produce 300,000 vehicles per year (225,250 Libertys were sold in 2006). Diesel Libertys ended at the end of 2006. See the Jeep Liberty being built (2011 factory tour)
Liberty sales were surprisingly high, with the Liberty beating the Ford Escape to be the best-selling compact SUV in America for 2005.
Drivetrain
Jeep Liberty was the first diesel-powered mid-size sport-utility in the US. The 2.8 liter common-rail turbodiesel engine was rated at an estimated 160 horsepower (120 kW) at 3800 rpm with an enormous 295 lb.-ft. (400 N.m) at 1800 rpm, providing class-leading torque and towing capability. Diesel engines offered increased torque, towing, and range, while improving fuel economy an average of 25 percent and reducing CO2 emissions by an average of 20 percent.
The diesel engine was available on both Sport and Limited models with a Chrysler 545RFE five-speed automatic only. This engine, a Detroit Diesel VM model, was well received in Jeeps sold in Europe for some time.
The current 2.4 and 3.7 liter engines continued, but gained a new NSG 370 six-speed manual transmission, which replaced the previous five-speed manual transmission. It was available on 4 x 2 models and 4 x 4 Sport and Renegade models. Jeep claimed it had a better feel and higher quality.
We had a detailed review of the 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited with the diesel engine option - click here to read it.
Styling
The 2005 Jeep Liberty had a freshened exterior and interior, with new front fascia, grille, foglamps, fender flares and body side-moldings. Interior refinements included relocated power window switches, new instrument panel cluster graphics and trim bezels, and improved seat comfort. The 2005 Jeep Liberty was available (as predicted) with a diesel engine and a Renegade model.
All Jeep Liberty four-wheel-drive models wore the Jeep Trail Rated badge. The Jeep Trail Rated badge showed that the vehicle had been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key performance categories: Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, Articulation and Water Fording (that was, moving through water, not blowing it up).
Suspension
Jeep Liberty clearly stood apart from car-based sport-utility vehicles in terms of capability, as well as truck-based offerings in terms of on-road refinement. A coil spring independent front suspension and link-coil rear suspension provided an exceptional on-road ride and legendary off-road capability. Sturdiness and four-wheel drive gave Jeep Liberty 5000 lbs. of trailer-towing capability (with V6 or diesel).
The 2005 Jeep Liberty 4 x 4 models met or exceeded the minimum requirements established by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) and Jeep Engineering.
Marketing statements and the Jeep Liberty Renegade
Jeep Liberty had 4 x 4 capability to set it apart among a new generation of less capable mid-size sport-utility vehicles. Since its introduction, 75% of Jeep Liberty buyers have been new to the Jeep brand.
Starting in 2005, the new Jeep Liberty Renegade had a distinct exterior when compared to the Sport and Limited models, with a new flatter hood and taller grille, plus off-road foglamps, taillamp guards, fender flares, available all-terrain tires and higher ground clearance. This model featured functional rock rails, four skid plates, and available P235/70R16 all-terrain tires with wider, more aggressive treads, available GPS DVD-based navigation radio and “diamond plate-inspired” seat fabric.
Jeep Trail Rated was an industry-leading methodology established by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) and Jeep Engineering to objectively measure and consistently predict off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles today and into the future. Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests, as well as computer simulated environments, Jeep Trail Rated provided a repeatable and consistent measurement of off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles were Trail Rated.
Jeep Liberty ball joint problems and repairs
An engineer wrote, “The [ball joint] specifications were changed, the durability cycles were changed, as well as the loading factors, all downwards from standard JTE specs. This was to follow a directive to reduce cost of SUV parts, because, as so many people have noted here, SUV's aren't used offroad generally. The point is, the joints have a full lifetime as designed and predicted. The issue is not with the parts being poorly made, the issue is the wrong spec was used.”
This seemed to have originated by an argument between the Executive Engineer (just below VP of Engineering) of Vehicle Development (who was an old Jeep guy) and Financial (which had the backing of Bob Eaton). The parts met the specification, but the specification was changed to save money - as with Neon head gaskets, AC, and exhaust donuts.
SPECIFICATIONS / JEEP LIBERTY BUYERS GUIDE
All dimensions are in inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted.
The information shown was preliminary and based on data available at the time of publication.
Allpar does not trust the weight figures since they are exactly the same as in 2004! The same may be true of gas mileage. We'd hope they'd trim some weight.
LIBERTY 2-WD JOB RATINGS |
Four wheel drive |
Two wheel drive |
2.4-Liter Engine |
||
| Axle Ratio (lbs.) | 4.1 | 4.1 |
|---|---|---|
| GVWR (lbs.) | 5200 | 4950 |
| GCWR (lbs.) | 7000 | 6750 |
| GAWR Front/Rear (lbs.) | 2750/3150 | 2750/3150 |
| Curb Weight, est.(a) (lbs.) | 3826 | 3648 |
| Max. Tongue Weight(b) (lbs.) | 300 | 300 |
| Max. Trailer Weight(b) (lbs.) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Max. Payload(c) (lbs.) | 1150 | 1150 |
| Max. Cargo(d) (lbs.) | 400 | 400 |
3.7-Liter Engine - Manual |
||
| Axle Ratio (lbs.) | 3.55 | 3.55 |
| GVWR (lbs.) | 5600 | 5350 |
| GCWR (lbs.) | 8750 | 8500 |
| GAWR Front/Rear (lbs.) | 2750/3150 | 2750/3150 |
| Curb Weight, est.(a) (lbs.) | 4044 | 3846 |
| Max. Tongue Weight(b) (lbs.) | 525 | 525 |
| Max. Trailer Weight(b) (lbs.) | 3500 | 3500 |
| Max. Payload(c) (lbs.) | 1150 | 1150 |
| Max. Cargo(d) (lbs.) | 400 | 400 |
3.7-Liter Engine - Automatic |
||
| Axle Ratio (lbs.) | 3.73 | 3.73 |
| GVWR (lbs.) | 5600 | 5350 |
| GCWR (lbs.) | ||
| 42RLE | 7400 | 7150 |
| Multi-speed auto | 10,100(b) | 9850(b) |
| GAWR Front/Rear (lbs.) | 2750/3150 | 2750/3150 |
| Curb Weight, est.(a) (lbs.) | 4115 | 3898 |
| Max. Tongue Weight(b) (lbs.) | 750 | 750 |
| Max. Trailer Weight(b) (lbs.) | 5000 | 5000 |
| Max. Payload(c) (lbs.) | 1150 | 1150 |
| Max. Cargo(d) (lbs.) | 400 | 400 |
2.8-Liter Engine |
||
| Axle Ratio (lbs.) | 3.73 | |
| GVWR (lbs.) | 5600 | |
| GCWR (lbs.) | 10,150 | |
| GAWR Front/Rear (lbs.) | 2750/3150 | |
| Curb Weight, est.(a) (lbs.) | 4296 | |
| Max. Tongue Weight(b) (lbs.) | 750 | |
| Max. Trailer Weight(b) (lbs.) | 5000 | |
| Max. Payload(c) (lbs.) | 1150 | |
| Max. Cargo(d) (lbs.) | 400 | |
Engines
ENGINE: 2.4-LITER, DOHC, 16-VALVE POWER TECH™ I-4 |
|
| Availability | Standard – Sport |
| Type and Description | Four-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 148.2 cu. in. (2429 cu. cm) |
| Bore x Stroke | 3.44 x 3.98 (88 x 101) |
| Valve System | Belt drive, DOHC, 16 valves, stamped-steel followers, hydraulic lash adjustment |
| Fuel Injection | Sequential, multi-port electronic |
| Construction | Cast-iron block, cast-iron bedplate, aluminum head, balance shafts |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Power (SAE net) | 150 hp (112 kW) @ 5200 rpm |
| Torque (SAE net) | 165 lb.-ft. (224 N•m) @ 4000 rpm |
| Max. Engine Speed | 6240 rpm, electronically limited |
| Fuel Requirement | Regular unleaded, 87 octane (R+M)/2 |
| Oil Capacity | 5 qt. (5.3-Liter) |
| Coolant Capacity | 10.1 qt. (9.6-Liter) |
| Emission Controls | Catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, on-board vapor recovery system, leak detection pump system(a) |
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight (lbs.) | 2000 lbs. (900 kg) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Hwy) | 20/24 |
| Meets LEV light-duty truck emissions standards in all 50 states. | |
ENGINE: 3.7-LITER, OHV, 16-VALVE SMPI POWER TECH V-6 |
|
| Availability | Standard – Renegade and Limited Edition, Optional – Sport |
| Type and Description | Six-cylinder, 90º V, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 225 cu. in. (3701 cu. cm) |
| Bore x Stroke | 3.66 x 3.57 (93 x 91) |
| Valve System | Chain drive, SOHC, 12 valves, roller followers with hydraulic lash adjustment |
| Fuel Injection | Multi-point fuel injection with returnless fuel rail |
| Construction | Cast-iron block, compacted graphite bedplate, aluminum cylinder head |
| Compression Ratio | 9.1:1 |
| Power (SAE net) | 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5200 rpm |
| Torque (SAE net) | 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) @ 4000 rpm |
| Max. Engine Speed | 6000 RPM, electronically limited |
| Fuel Requirement | Regular unleaded, 87 octane (R+M)/2 |
| Oil Capacity | 5 qt. (4.7-Liter) |
| Coolant Capacity | 14 qt. (13-Liter) |
| Emission Controls | Catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, on-board vapor recovery system, leak detection pump system(a) |
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight (lbs.) | Automatic with trailer tow package 5000 lbs. (2250 kg) Manual transmission 3500 lbs. (1600 kg) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Hwy) | Automatic 17/21 / Manual 16/22 |
|
|
ENGINE: 2.8-LITER, TURBO DIESEL 16 VALVE DOHC, DI-CRMade by VM Motori (a division of Detroit Diesel) |
|
| Availability | Optional – Limited Edition and Sport |
| Type and Description | Four-cylinder, inline, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 171 cu. in. (2768 cu. cm) |
| Bore x Stroke | 3.70 x 3.94 (94 x 100) |
| Valve System | Belt drive, DOHC, 16 valve |
| Fuel Injection | Direct injection, common rail 23,000 PSI (1600 bar) |
| Construction | Cast-iron block, aluminum cylinder head |
| Compression Ratio | 17.5:1 |
| Power (SAE net) | 160 hp (120 kW) @ 3800 rpm |
| Torque (SAE net) | 295 lb.-ft. (400 N•m) @ 1800 rpm |
| Max. Engine Speed | 4300 RPM, electronically governed |
| Fuel Requirement | #2-diesel |
| Oil Capacity | 6.3 qt. (6.0-Liter) |
| Coolant Capacity | 13.2 qt. (12.5-Liter) |
| Emission Controls | EGR, catalytic converters |
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight (lbs.) | Automatic with trailer tow package 5000 lbs. (2250 kg) |
| Estimated EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy) | Automatic 21/27 |
Transmissions, axles, and transfer ratios
TRANSMISSION: 545RFE – A5 AUTOMATIC |
|
| Availability | 2.8-Liter (Diesel only) |
| Description | Five-speed, overdrive, automatic |
| Gear Ratios | |
| 1st | 3.00 |
| 2nd up shift | 1.67 |
| 2nd down shift | 1.50 |
| 3rd | 1 |
| 4th | 0.75 |
| 5th | 0.67 |
| Reverse | 2.21 |
TRANSMISSION: 42RLE – AUTOMATIC, FOUR-SPEED OVERDRIVE |
|
| Availability | 3.7-Liter V-6 |
| Description | Two planetary gear sets, full electronic control, overdrive lockout, electronically modulated converter clutch |
| Gear Ratios | |
| 1st | 2.84 |
| 2nd | 1.57 |
| 3rd | 1 |
| 4th | 0.69 |
| Reverse | 2.21 |
TRANSFER CASE: NV231 COMMAND-TRAC® |
|
| Type | Part-time |
| Operating Modes | 2-WD; 4-WD High, part-time; Neutral; 4-WD Low, part-time |
| Low Range Ratio | 2.72:1 |
| Center Differential Type | None |
TRANSFER CASE: NV242 SELEC-TRAC® |
|
| Type | Full-time |
| Operating Modes | 2-WD; 4-WD High part-time; 4-WD full-time; Neutral; 4-WD Low |
| Low Range Ratio | 2.72 |
| Center Differential Type | Dual sun differential with high-range and low-range lock capability |
AXLE RATIOS |
|
| 2.4-liter I-4 | 4.1 |
| 3.7-liter V-6 Auto | 3.73 |
| 3.7-liter V-6 Manual | 3.55 |
| 2.8-liter Diesel Auto | 3.73 |
| 2.8-liter Diesel Manual | 3.55 |
Electrical
| Alternator | 136-amp, Sport and Limited Edition, 160-amp Renegade |
| Battery | 600-amp |
More Jeep Liberty specifications
Rear Wheel Drive |
Four Wheel Drive |
|
| Wheelbase | 104.3 (2649) | 104.3 (2649) |
| Track, Front | 60.0 (1524) | 60.0 (1524) |
| Track, Rear | 59.7 (1516) | 59.7 (1516) |
| Length (to spare tire) | 174.4 (4430) | 174.4 (4430) |
| Overall Width | 71.6 (1819) | 71.6 (1819) |
| Overall Height | 70.3 (1784.7) | 70.2 (1784.1) |
| Overall Height (to roof rack) | 71.9 (1822.9) | 71.1 (1822.2) |
| Ground Clearance: | ||
| Front Axle (to skid plate) | 6.4 (162.8) | |
| Rear Axle | 8.0 (201) |
7.9 (200.4) |
| Running | 9.5 (240.6) | 9.4 (239.3) |
| Approach Angle | 36.2 | 36 |
| Departure Angle | 31.5 | 31.5 |
| Curb Weight | ||
| 2.4-liter with Manual | 3648 (1655) | 3851 (1747) |
| 3.7-liter with Manual | 3846 (1745) | 4011 (1819) |
| 3.7-liter with Automatic | 3898 (1768) | 4033 (1829) |
| 2.8-liter Turbo Diesel Automatic | N/A | 4306 (1953) |
| Payload – includes occupants and cargo(b) | 1150 (522) | |
| Weight Distribution, F/R(b) | 53/47 | |
| Frontal Area | 29.74 sq. ft. (2.76 sq. m) | |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.421 | |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.5 gal. (74-Liter) | |
| Cargo Volume | 29 cubic feet / .821 cubic meters 69 cubic feet / 1.95 cm with rear seat folded |
|
ACCOMMODATIONS |
||
| Seating Capacity – F/R | 2/3 | |
| Front | ||
| Head Room | 40.7 (1034) | |
| Leg Room | 40.8 (1036) | |
| Shoulder Room | 56.5 (1435) | |
| Hip Room | 57.0 (1448) | |
| Seat Travel | 8.5 (216) horizontal, 1.5 (38) vertical w/ optional power height adjuster | |
| Recliner Range (degrees) | 53 | |
| SAE Volume | 54.4 cu. ft. (1.54 cu. m) | |
| Rear | ||
| Head Room | 42.1 (1069) | |
| Leg Room | 37.2 (945) | |
| Knee Clearance | 1.4 (36) | |
| Shoulder Room | 56.5 (1435) | |
| Hip Room | 47.4 (1204) | |
| SAE Volume | 49.3 cu. ft. (1.4 cu. m) | |
| Load Capacity | 400 lbs. (181 kg) | |
BODY AND CHASSIS |
||
| Layout | Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, part-time or full-time | |
| Construction | Uniframe | |
SUSPENSION |
||
| Front | Upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, stabilizer bar | |
| Rear | Live axle, trailing upper A-arm, dual trailing lower arms, coil springs gas-charged shock absorbers and stabilizer bar | |
STEERING |
||
| Type | Power rack-and-pinion | |
| Overall Ratio | 18.2:1 | |
| Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb) | 35.9 ft. (12 m) | |
| Steering Turns (lock-to-lock) | 3.6 | |
| TIRES(a) | ||
| Standard – Sport | ||
| Size and Type | P215/75R16 all-terrain | |
| Mfr. and Model | Goodyear Wrangler ST | |
| Revs per Mile | 732 | |
| Standard – Renegade, Optional Sport and Limited Edition | ||
| Size and Type | P225/75R16 | |
| Mfr. and Model | Goodyear Wrangler ST | |
| Revs per Mile | 715 | |
| Standard – Limited Edition | ||
| Size and Type | P235/65R17 | |
| Mfr. and Model | Wrangler HP | |
| Revs per Mile | 723 | |
|
||
| WHEELS(a) | ||
| Standard – Sport | ||
| Type and Material | Stamped-steel | |
| Size | 16 x 7 | |
| Standard – Renegade | ||
| Type and Material | Cast-aluminum | |
| Size | 16 x 7 | |
| Standard – Limited Edition | ||
| Type and Material | Cast-aluminum | |
| Size | 17 x 7.5 | |
BRAKES |
||
| Front | ||
| Size and Type | 11.3 x 1.1 (288 x 28) vented disc with 2.6 (66) single-piston caliper | |
| Swept Area | 228 sq. in. (1471 sq. cm) | |
| Rear | ||
| Size and Type | 11.2 x 0.47 (284 x 12) solid disc with 1.89 (48) single-piston caliper | |
| Swept Area | 109 sq. in. (703 sq. cm) | |
| Power-Assist Type | Tandem diaphragm, vacuum assist | |
| ABS (optional) Type | Three-Channel ABS: Features Electronically Variable Brake Proportioning, 4 Low Mode Calibration | |