Chase After Life and Joy with This Chopped-Top Jeep Liberty for the Price of a Beater Car

      Justin Donnelly via Facebook Marketplace

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      America’s 250th anniversary has arrived, and automakers have fallen short. Most of the special editions celebrating America 250 have been rather unimpressive, especially when compared to the bicentennial editions from 50 years ago. When Thomas Jefferson spoke of “the pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence, he wasn’t referring to a Dodge Durango adorned with black tape stripes. The true representation of the American spirit can be found on Facebook Marketplace.

      Situated in Cherryvale, Kansas, this 2003 Jeep Liberty has quite literally taken the roof off. The seller states that the roof suffered damage, and rather than being repaired, it was removed completely. A roll cage was added for some protection and, ideally, to restore some of the structural integrity lost with the roof. The seller is asking for $4,500 or a trade, and since this Liberty convertible has been on the market for 11 weeks as of the time of writing, there might be room for negotiation.

      What’s not to appreciate about this unconventional open-top Jeep? Well, there are a few factors. It is being sold with a rebuilt salvage title and has 165,000 miles on the clock. The seller asserts it “runs and drives great,” and claims the air conditioning and cruise control are functional, but there are many uncertainties with a 23-year-old Jeep that has undergone modifications. While the roll cage is likely better than having nothing, evaluating the quality of the workmanship through Facebook Marketplace photos is challenging.

      Despite bearing a name that the Founding Fathers would admire, the Liberty is not a favorite among Jeep enthusiasts. Following the XJ Cherokee’s legacy was always going to be difficult, and the KJ Liberty’s rounded design marked a significant shift (even though it was quite fashionable for its era). The arrival of the boxy KK Liberty coincided with Chrysler’s bankruptcy, which might explain why Jeep returned to the Cherokee name even as its models strayed further from the XJ standard.

      However, if you’re looking for an inexpensive vehicle, this could be a great option. The seller claims it has a three-inch lift, and the photos reveal that the tires are larger than standard. The 104.3-inch wheelbase is smaller than that of a JL Wrangler Unlimited, and a two-speed transfer case was standard in four-wheel-drive KJs. The listing doesn’t specify the engine, but early KJ models came with either a 2.4-liter inline-four or a 3.7-liter V6 (a diesel option was briefly offered later in production).

      The Liberty also looks surprisingly appealing without a roof. It’s a more intriguing alternative to the typical Wrangler and is more affordable than a decent Wrangler. For once, the price of freedom is quite reasonable.

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