Driving an off-road vehicle means the world is your oyster, whether you’re driving to work or a remote campsite. Plenty of SUVs claim to be confident when cruising the backroads, but all sport utility vehicles are not made equal. How do you know which ones can handle the heat?

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Can the 2004 Jeep Liberty go off road?

Yes. While it doesn’t hold a candle to its more robust cousin—the

Jeep Wrangler

—the Liberty can handle itself on a wide variety of terrains. However, some models are set up with the Off-Road package, which kicks the Liberty’s off-road potential up a few notches.

For a small SUV, the Liberty is a versatile option for drivers needing a daily driver during the work week but an adventure mobile on the weekends. With an average range of $2,500 to $4,400, the 2004 Liberty is a solid purchase if you’re looking for a used off-roader that’s significantly cheaper than 2004 Wranglers.

Ready to get into the details of what makes the 2004 Liberty a good off-roading companion? Let’s get into it.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance is probably the most important measurement to look at when searching for a good off-road vehicle. The 2004 Jeep Liberty has a ground clearance of just 7.9 inches, which isn’t the greatest ground clearance—but it’s not the worst, either.

The ideal ground clearance range for dependable off-roading ability is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. Higher ground clearance means you can hit up rocky terrain without worrying about damaging the parts underneath your car.

The early Liberty models don’t compare to the Jeep Wrangler’s 9.7 inches of clearance, but they can still handle a fair bit of adventuring.

Torque

A good off-roading vehicle also needs to have low-end torque—or higher torque at lower RPM. When twisting and turning on untamed trails, it’s crucial to have more turning power than sheer speed and a lower RPM means your vehicle is more responsive and forceful on difficult landscapes.

The Liberty’s standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine manages 235 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm—decidedly not ideal for serious off-roading, but it’ll suffice for lighter adventures.

Tires

Here’s the bad news: the 2004 Liberty’s standard tires—P215/75R16 tires—aren’t suitable for serious off-roading. These are all-season tires, which make the Liberty capable on both paved roads and backwood trails—as long as they’re on the gentler side.

If you’re planning on hitting harder territory, you’ll need to replace your tires with

all-terrain tires

, or A/T tires. These tires have deeper grooves that give you better traction no matter what type of ground you’re covering. They’re most ideal for off-roading, but they tend to wear out faster than all-season tires.

Drivetrain

When exploring the road less traveled, all-wheel drive is a must. While the 2004 Jeep Liberty comes standard with rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive was an option, so make sure the used model you choose is equipped with the right drivetrain.

Angles

One more essential measurement to take into account for an off-road vehicle is its angles—the approach angle and departure angle to be exact:

Approach angle: the maximum angle a vehicle can ascend without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle a vehicle can descend without interference

The 2004 Liberty is blessed with a 36-degree approach angle and a 31.5-degree departure angle—great numbers for off-roading.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Now that we’ve gone over all the essential specs, we’ve rated the 2004 Jeep Liberty with

Jerry’s

super-technical DIRT rating system, outlined below:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

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The 2004 Liberty earns an R rating: the standard 2004 Liberty model has the numbers to make a suitable off-roader in lighter excursions, but it won’t survive on steep mountainsides or boulder-crawling expeditions. If you find a model with the Off-Road package, though, you’ll have a T-rated Trail Boss on your hands.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best alternatives to the 2004 Jeep Liberty

The 2004 Jeep Liberty makes a reliable compact off-roader, but you may be in the market for something with a bit more space, better gas mileage, or more capability.

Here are a few other ideas if the Liberty isn’t your cup of tea:

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best roomy alternative	2004 Nissan Armada	$5,000–$6,800	The Liberty can only hold five passengers, the Armada can seat up to 8.
Best eco-friendly alternative	2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid	$5,000–$7,000	The 2004 Liberty’s meager 17 combined mpg pales in comparison to the 2006 Highlander Hybrid’s 26 mpg.
Best alternative for more serious off-roading	1997 Jeep Wrangler	$6,500–$9,200	If you’re looking for a real off-roader, you can’t go wrong with a classic Wrangler, the King of the Off-roading.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

True off-roading vehicles are often more expensive when it comes to car insurance. Luckily for Jeep Liberty owners, car insurance is often cheaper than other Jeep models—but that doesn't mean you’re automatically getting the best prices.

To make sure you’re seeing the most affordable policy options, head to the App Store to download

Jerry

, the #1 rated insurance app. As

a licensed insurance broker

, Jerry will compare rates from over 55 top providers in a mere 45 seconds to bring you policy options for whatever coverage you’re looking for.

Ready for the best part? Jerry users save an average of $800+ every year on car insurance. That chunk of cash could buy you all new A/T tires for your Liberty!

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