have any of you that are putting down the liberty (kj) ever even driven one or ride in one they are a very good jeep they are just not the same as what we are a norm to having i like my kj i have had it out off road and it did great the only thing is a little taller ride as far as the new cherokee bring it on but i what the soild axles for it or dont make it! watch and see the grand cherokee will be like the kj soon watch and see

here is my comment Ok is this new cherokee going to be unibody if so thats a nightmare to anyone wanting to take it off road or lift it. Also we are the ones getting hit with air polution testing and they are sending the diesels to Europ without even offering them to us.

Just an addition to my other statement. They should be making the KJ more like the Dakar concept and do a seperate redesign of the Cherokee.

From the looks of the pictures I think Jeep is making a huge mistake. It's fine that they want to better compete in the size range of RAV4 and the
4. But they should not be abandoning a model in the size range of the current Cherokee. The RAV4 and
4 isn't their only competition the XTerra is also and is bigger. I can't believe they won't have any model between the size of the RAV4(Wrangler size) and the Grand Cherokee. I have a 2000 Cherokee and even though I think it can be improved, I love it and don't think the 2002 model is the right direction for them to go. If they want to compete in that size range they should make a little bit bigger hard top version of the Wrangler, and either call it a Wrangler or make a completly new name. From the history Jeep has built what has happened with them being a leader not a follower. The RAV4,
4 and XTerra should be trying to catch up to Jeep not the other way around. Just my two cents worth, hope I havent' offended anyone.

Well, I see Jeep has finally caught onto DC's obsession with making good SUV's into minivans or making new Minivans with 2 inches of extra clearance and calling them SUV's. They managed to turn the Grand Cherokee's body into some sort of beefy minivan (just catch a look at that rear door) and it seems they are going to do that to the Cherokee and go the extra mile by turning it in to a less capable 4 wheeler by making a "more car like ride." Every one may not take their Cherokee's on the trail but it's sure nice knowing that you can.
I could have bought an Explorer in 1998 when I got a Cherokee but the Ford salesman at the dealer laughed when I asked if there were any 4x4 clubs in the area that had a lot of new Explorer owners. When I went to the Jeep dealer the salesman not only told me where Cherokee 4x4 clubs were, he told me advantages of solid axle compared to IFS and many other superior 4x4 characteristics the Cherokee has. So my response to the upcoming KJ (maybe that's for "Krappy Jeep" or "Kiddy Jeep") is a big thumbs down. They can build it but they better not call it anything close to Cherokee. It would be a disgrace to that solid axle beast we've all come to love. Here's an idea why don't they drop it off at the Chrysler dealer next to that cutesy PT cruiser and call it the PT Dakar or PT Extreme. But its a cold day in Hell when a Jeep is disgraced by having an IFS.

My Cherokee is always muddy,
Griff

As an owner of an 1992 XJ (Cherokee), I dislike the idea of going to an even smaller vehicle. I dislike the idea of this new vehicle having independant suspension for better on-road handling. Why does the KJ have to replace the current XJ? I admit that the current Cherokee is indeed getting "long-in-the-tooth", but the KJ is an inappropriate replacement model.

If the KJ is built it will lead to the jeep being no more than a Ford explorer, or Chevy blazer, which are go no where do nothing vehicles. DC is making a huge mistake if they think that JEEP has any competition that they need to immulate. People buy Jeep, not for the fact that it is a SUV, but because it is THE SUV. I expect a jeep to be able to do more and take more, even if I don't drive it off-road every day. (but, I do!) And, the ride is perfect. I can fill the road, I can fill the terrain, I have more control over my vehicle. I know that a Jeep is not a Cadillac, & I don't want it to be if it sacrafices the integrity and character of the vehicle. After all character does matter & and I hold the values of the JEEP name to the highest standard a vehicle can have. So, if jeep does make this mistake, then I will have to look at a different road. maybe a restoration, or custom made vehicle. It is just a shame that DC is willing to throw the Jeep heritage & history down the tubes just so they can have a few more dollars. But, I guess like they say money is the route to all evil, and I guess in todays world evil is winning.
Until next time,
A concerned JEEP owner
Jeff. O|||||||O

Although it sounds like the Cherokee is headed in the wrong direction, a 4 Door Wrangler is something I've wanted for a long time. The Dakar would have been what I purchased in April of 1999 instead of my XJ if it would have been available.

I wasn't looking for something to replace my TJ, but something for the wife. I do wheel our XJ (in fact took it out last night) and would have loved to have had the chance to buy a 4 Door Wrangler.

Hopefully, the lack of durability and off road ability that Car and Truck News spoke about will be fixed. I just have two questions:
1-When you say that it is higher off the ground than the current Cherokee, do you mean vehicle height or ground clearance?
2-You said that the current Cherokee would be replaced by the 4 door Wrangler. Is this another vehicle, or the KJ?
If you could send me an e-mail, or answer in the column, I would appreciate it.