To be honest, I'd go with a very low miles crd, if you can find one, and that's valid for any car you get. You can never be sure how previous owner maintained his vehicle. But, my opinion is that 5000 would definitely take care of the "common" crd problems. I have never been let down by my crd, knock on wood, and I have no fear going in a long trip with it anytime. As with any older vehicle, you may expect problems, but once you do what you plan on doing, I think you eliminate from the beginning a lot of potential issues. Transmission wise, they last a lot, provided enough fluid has been in it and never overheated. Rockers, more than likely they are fine on a low miles crd. You need to add to your list a torque converter, if it doesn't have the updated version, that may shudder with a gde tune (like a full torque Eco or hot tune). That can cost you 300-850-ish if you get suncoast. But first thing, stay under 70k miles if you can, then obviously test the rockers using the map sensor (clean it first), if they are good move on to timing belt job. Do gde tune first, weeks elbow kit, fuel filter assembly, change all fluids (engine, steering, transmission, coolant, diff oil) and see if you need a torque converter after the tune (I advise to get Eco full torque or hot tune). Check the turbo also and keep in mind that good oil and proper cool down (1 min for city drive to 4-5 min when towing on highway, or just install an egt gauge) will make it last forever.
I wouldn't worry about the head gasket if your coolant bottle has no pressure on cold engine. You can test that when you buy the crd, and I one wouldn't buy one with a cyl head gasket issue, lots of ppl say "it's just the head gasket", it's never just the head gasket, lol, don't risk your money.
Regarding arp and rockers, it's not bad to replace them, but I wouldn't go that far unless I have to. Test rockers first and if they seem bad, then replace them, once you neuter the egr and use good oil, it's unlikely to go bad.
_________________ 2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.
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