Since I picked up my CRD is has seen mostly street miles (2400 of them), till today. you would think that a nice, easy 4x4 trail in the home of the jeep would be easy to find, but it's really not. I finally found a nice little trail in the back of a water reservoir public park. to access the trail I had to drive over a big pile of leaves, atleast 4 ft high and 3 ft wide. no problem for the libby, and with boosted confidence I pressed on. After happily motoring though muddy trenches and hills I came upon the biggest obstacle of the day. a huge tree fell in the trail and there where large ruts on either side. I put it in 4 low, eased the go-pedal and the jeep literally jumped over the tree!! I wish I would have had a camera!! afterwards I noticed that I dented my oil filter and some other stuff, well earned battle scars, I can't wait to go out again!! -Corey

Dented your oil filter? Man, you are lucky you didnt 'knock your oil filter off and destroy your engine.' We have had a lot of discussion on this board about the vulnerable placement of the filter on the CRD. I would recommend getting skid plates before any more off-road endeavors!

This is why the week I brought my CRD home last May I immediately ordered the transmission skid plate to cover that oil filter. What a stupid place to put the oil filter on a 4x4 vehicle!! One hole in that oil filter and you are walking home (and maybe buying a new engine).

Awesome story. Glad you love your CRD. But I would also recommend putting the transmission skid plate on your Jeep immediately!

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2005 Stone White KJ Limited CRD 4x4
Off-Road Pkg
Trac-Lok
Emu 790s/948s
Skyjacker H7088s rear/Bilsteins front
15x7 Black Rock Lobos/31x10.50 Firestones
GDE HOT Tune + TCM Tune
Euro TC
CB radio
Thrush Turbo muffler
AEM DryFlow filter

I'm looking for some nice skids, I may just make my own if i can find some suitable scrap somewhere. Is it right that the gasser tranny skid plate will not fit the CRD?


the filter is dented on the back, kinda weird since I never backed up on the trail. I'll definitely be more careful, even with skids under it.

The skids are identical, the year of manufacture makes a difference. 2004 and earlier same skid. 2005-06 same skid. the Jeep tranny skid at your dealer fits the 2005-06 rigs. Only the aftermarket originally had the tranny skid and you had to modify them to fit the newer rigs. Now I think they have the heavy duty aftermarket skids for the 2005 and newer.

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No one knows as much as all of us.

thanks i'll get some stock ones then.