I posted this question in the new members section also, but I figured not everyone reads the newbie section, so I hope this isn't considered double-posting...

I'm shopping around for a 2006 KJ CRD, and I'm not convinced that diesel is the best choice for me.

I need a small-ish daily driver that's not a fuel hog, for very short hops to the train station during the week, and a capable off-roader (with full time high and low 4WD) for the occasional romp through moderately rough terrain on weekends. Oh, and I shouldn't have to remortgage my house to purchase said vehicle or to maintain it. And I don't want an expensive bling toy that'll never go off-road other than a parking lot. Added bonus would be a tow package, skids, and a winch, but i wouldn't spit on a KJ that came without these, for the right price and condition.

Someone latched me on the idea that a diesel vehicle lasts nearly forever, that it's more fuel efficient, and that it has great torque. So I did some looking around...

I get that diesel engines last nearly forever, but the contradiction I see is that all other components, even with great preventative maintenance, will fail several times over the life of the engine. I also get that diesel is cheaper to operate, but this gap is dwindling with diesel now nearly on par with gasoline; at this point, improved consumption is only a slight advantage if diesel becomes more expensive than gasoline. I fully accept and agree that diesel has much better torque at lower speeds.

If the diesel turns out to be only marginally better, then that opens up a whole bunch of possibilities, including considering other vehicles than Jeep. There are quite a few true off-road capable rigs out there, and newer vintage to boot. I can do some mechanical work, and I typically like to keep my vehicles until they die. Blame it on military training.

So, I need some convincing about diesel vs. gasoline. Care to throw in your opinion?

Thanks,

Nordicman

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport KJ

If you need convincing - Don't buy it.


You might have gotten away with partial interest when they were new - but the newest one in the US is 7 years old.
They need attention - they need folks who are committed to making them work.

and if you're worried about mileage - don't buy a Jeep.


If this isn't where you want to be - do everyone else a favor - and buy a Prius.




If this is what you want - we'll help.

but you make your own decisions.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Personally, I like my 05 CRD so much that when I rolled my last one 4x, I wound up buying another. Mileage is about 20-30% higher that the gasoline counterpart. So about 25 cents on the dollar higher for diesel would be a push on a cost per mile basis. MPG I typically get City 20-21 winter blend fuel to 23 ish in summer Hwy 28-30 winter blend to summer 30-33. All on A/T tires with no lift and only OEM oil pan skid. Read on the typical issues, they can be frustrating, but curable. #1 must have is a GDE tune. Bank on it. Figure on a timing belt job too, unless its been done and can be verified.

Jeep and Chrysler did not support this vehicle for service with any sort of competent personnel. Keep this in your decision making process.

Plan on keeping mine a long time.

My

PS. tows like a dream

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2005 Red KJ CRD, TOTALED 12-21-11

2005 Blue KJ Sport CRD, GDE, Magnaflow muffler, Destination AT, Amsoil filters, Fumoto, Timing belt and waterpump @ 99,600, 11 blade nylon fan, 2905 hayden fan clutch, EURO TC




Arguing about whether the glass is half full or half empty misses the point: the bartender cheated you.
Unknown

I don't think diesel and short hops are ever a good idea in my opinion. The only thing good for short hops would be an electric vehicle, but a gasoline engine doesn't seem to be as affected by short trips compared to a diesel.

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05 CRD Sport Dark Kahki

RRO: Adventure Rack/Rails ** MOPAR: Skids/Renny Flares & 255/75r17 (32.1) BFG M/T on JK wheels ** ARB: Bumper/IPF lights/790/948/shocks ** GDE: TCM/Hot Tune ** ROCKLIZARD: Super Sliders/Komodo Bumper

My Build Thread
US Army Infantry

diesels aren't for short trips


If you think they are, youu obviously shouldn't consider owning one.

They take longer to warm up, and run better when they are warm. You'd never give it time to warm up with "short trips", which means that the heavier weight oil will never have a chance to reach temperature and become less viscous. End result, it will wear down on the engine bearing surfaces and cylinder walls, severely decreasing any expectancy of "lasting forever", as well as not sufficiently oiling the turbo to decrease wear on it.



A diesel isn't for you. don't consider it.