I'm very proud to be a 4x4 and SUV guy. I have a clean 05 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4. This is what it looked like showroom stock.
and I just bought an 07 Z71 Suburban 4x4 for my Sweetheart. I'm pretty picky about the changes I make to them so in everything I do, I try to make them look relatively stock but real clean and functional.
"Rubigade" is my Liberty Renegade/"Rubicon". I just got my new tires and wheels but I need a lift.
I'd rather have a Rubicon Wrangler but with a family, this is safer I think, especially in a rollover. (I'm beginning to sound like my wife.) I've officially started improvements with lift kit and Moab wheels (stock wheels off a Jeep Rubicon Wrangler) and MTRs (Goodyear Mud-Terrain Radial Tires). Wow! What a difference already!
I believe in "function first, then looks" so to make these MTRs fit (no rubbing) while on road and when off roadin a little, I've done some front bumper/fender trimming by cutting the little "skirt" out from under the front end. This also gives me a greater approach angle when I'm off road.
Another function first improvement was raising the low hanging muffler. The exhaust system and tip were literal "rock catchers" so I moved them up into the bodywork and frame. Not really a better departure angle (dragging the rearend when exiting a slope) because of the hitch but at least I shouldn't be hitting the pipe first! There's no doubt though that I've improved my breakover angle (that's the amount of clearance in the middle of the vehicle under the occupants). If you have a Liberty that you take off roading, take a look underneath at the stock muffler. I've improved my ground clearance in the middle by 3 1/2 inches just by replacing it with a smaller one and moving it a little closer to the heat shield.
Now that my lift is on and my differential cover is in place, other minor things will be added liberally as they become necessary. Just FYI, if you decide you cannot afford to have a lift installed for the $1200 or so dollars they want at the Offroad Shop, buy Rusty's 2 1/2" kit with coils, struts and shocks. It's affordable and it only took me 4 hours with very limited tools. It was very easy. And it's a REAL Spring lift kit, not just spacers!
Soon I'm adding the front custom "slider" plate for radiator/front drivetrain protection, receiver hitch winch, air lockers, and other expedition/trip requirements.
This site is alot of fun so trust me, there will be many additions to it. I look forward to sharing changes and improvements with you and appreciate your words of encouragement. Remember, it's always under construction.
Oh yeah, I'm not a big fan of advertising for shops and manufacturers unless I have really good reason. They aren't giving any sort of "marketing bonus" when I buy something from them but they want me to carry their name around??!! On the other hand, when they do me right, I'll spread the word. If you see someone's name on my vehicle, you know they did good by me and you should patronize them too!
