It was the first Jeep to have fully independent front suspension (IFS) and a real transfer case with low range and 4WD. Sure, there were several other models of Jeeps that came in 2WD, and if you dig deeply enough even a few rare Jeeps from the 50s and 60s with IFS, but this was the first mass produced Jeep 4-wheel-drive without, gasp, a solid front axle.

Still, the Liberty is and was a Jeep. The IFS design works pretty well off-road for what it is, and the Jeep had some new CPU technology that other Jeeps hadn't really seen. For example, the Liberty had a separate computer program to better control engine RPMs in low range. That's cool. The Liberty also has a three-link solid rear axle, unibody frame construction, four doors, and an obviously Jeep-inspired grille. Most Liberty models served time as commuter cars with a few actually getting used to their full potential.

Currently, these Jeeps are cheap on the used market. With either the decent 2.4L 4-cyl or the peppy 3.7L V-6, lightweight uni-body construction, a common four-speed auto, and somewhat common 5-speed manual, the Jeep Liberty actually can make a good platform for a trail rig. That's exactly what Max Krause of Goodyear, Arizona, created when his 2014 JK Unlimited caught on fire and was significantly damaged.

A Jeep Liberty After the Fire

It seems that Max's 2014 JK Unlimited, which was already on one-ton axles, had the front driveshaft seize up. That in turn destroyed the JK's transfer case, tossing transmission fluid onto the hot exhaust. Poof, the Jeep caught fire and Max's smallish onboard fire extinguisher didn't do much to quench the flames. Finally, a good Samaritan in a cleaning van stopped and used his onboard pressure washer to douse the fire. The Jeep was pretty well burned to a crisp, but when the dust settled, Max was able to salvage the axles, the coilovers, most of the suspension, steering components, and more. With these parts in hand and a strong urge to get back out onto the trail, Max tracked down this Khaki Metallic Gold 2004 Jeep Liberty with a five-speed transmission. It was quickly put under the knife, and Max and his crawler buddies were cutting and fabbing on the Liberty to make the parts fit.