TECHNIC JEEP

JEEP LIBERTY

WHY THE LIBERATY HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL The Cherikee won 4-Wheel & Off-road's 4x4 of the Year both times it was entered. The first time the XJ won it had a GM 2.8L V-6. If that didn't keep it from winning we can't imagine what could. The Grand Cherokee won 4 Wheel & Off-road's 4x4 of the Year five times. the Cherokee was frist introduced in'84 --- that's 17 years without a major body or frame redesign.

THE COMPETITION Jeep provided us with a few examples of what they consider the KJ's competion, and we have chosen this as an opportunity to make fun of them. We have said it time and time again : Do not attempt to convert your car into a truck. Now, not only do we have to deal with some joker from Alabama with a Renualt Le Car that runs 35-inch mud tires and wants into Jp because it's got a Dana 30 from a Leep, we also have to deal with huge car companies trying to make cars more off-road worthy.

LIKES Some cool new ideas have been employed on the KJ. Comfortable ride on-road and off-road. The four-cylinder has good low-end power for four-cylinder. Good approach and departure angles. DISLIKES The hood is rounded at the corners for visibility like a TJ, which is good. The problem is now you can't see where the fender ends. this increases the chance that you will unintentionally introduce your fender to a rock or tree along twisty trails. All four-wheels-drive KJs should come with tow hooks and skidplates. Where is the Up-Country suspension?

SOME COOL NEW STUFF The 2.4L four is borrowed from other Chrysler cars such as the PT Cruiser and brings with it the NV1500 Manual five speed, which features a dual-mass flywheel said to absorb harsh shifting, sort of like a torque converter does in an automatic. When you shift into 4-Lo the KJ's computer system modifies the idle speed and adjusts the antilock braking system for better off-road performance. Despite the IFS, the Dana 30 centersection should accept just about any aftermarket traction-adding device for the good ol'Dana 30 straight-axle. The 3.7L V-6 offers aluminum heads, a composite molded-plastic intake manifold, counter rotating balancing system, dual-knock sensors, and a Zero-:eak engine sealing system. the exhaust has resealing coupler that will separate if the muffler gets hung up on a rock. this break in the exhaust makes the KJ grumble like a street rod until the rock is passed and the coupler reseals the exhaust system.

HONDA CRV A civic-based cute-ute for the masses. We're sure that it gets great gas mileage, but our precious masculinity would be far too damaged be seen in one regularly. GRIPES the halfshafts make good toothpicks. "Real Time 4WD," A two=legged hamster with one eye and irritable bowel syndrome has more off-road prowess.

RAV4 Toyota is a phenomenal car and truck manufacturer, but you can't make a Camry an SUV by adding a few half shafts and some plastic fender flares. GRIPES Someone put the motor in sideways. That is not a tow hook.

FORD ESCAPE We are not sure which car Ford based the Escape on, but who cares? It is more of a car than it could ever be a truck. At least it has aV-6 available which means you may be able to use momentum to get further off-road before the thing gets hopelessly stuck. GRIPES Could be a fun car but it's too high off the ground to corner wall and ti's too low to be of any practiceal use off-road unless you think wet grass is an extreme off-road adventure.

NISSAN XTERRA OK, finally we have a contender. This actually can be considered an SUV. It has a transfer case which seems to be as elusive on so-called SUV as a sane cabdriver in New York City. Thankfully, this SUV is based on a truck, Nissan's Frintier. Unfortunately, the Frontier is nit very capable off-road. GRIPES The low-range ratio is too high and does not afford the slow speed and vehicle control that most transfer case-equipped rigs do. It's got a V-6, but where's the beef?

บทความจาก JP MAGAZINE : September 2001

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