I've been checking out info about KJ CRD and thinking about making the switch. However, I'm concerned about the limitation it may have in regards to moderate (+) 4 wheeling. So here I am to get schooled. My '94 XJ has a 5" lift w/ 44 rear (Detroit Locker) and 30 front (TruTrac) with a Warn axle kit front and back / disk brakes. The gearing is 4.88. It also has a Ruby 4:1 TC, 33" BFG KM2's. The motor has 120K on the OD and was thinking about a stroker as I want to pull a 2K lb. trailer.... enter the CRD.

My goal is a long term vehicle that has MOST but not all of the off road attributes of my XJ but better fuel economy and more creature comforts.

What year(s) are preferred?

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Marty

'05 CRD, GDE tune(s), JBA stuff, OME, Weeks Stage I & II, "Provent"(custom) +++

You only have 2 choices for a year if in the US,'05 and '06 and there not that common.

After you get it close to the ability of your XJ your not looking at much better mpg's or towing ability and will spend 2-3 times more(or more).

It can be done

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2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

deisel engine swap into the XJ

I'm pretty sure you are maxed at a 2" lift...

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2006 Jeep Liberty CRD, Limited
GDE Eco Tune, GDE TCM Tune, Bauer 203* Tstat, Amsoil EaA 201 Filter, Clean MAP, Samco CAC Hoses, Magnaflow Muffler #12226.
New Mopar Fuel Filter, K&N Filterminder, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve
225/75R16 Hankook Dynapros

Owning many XJ's, one CRD, and swapping a CRD into an MJ (with a CRD planned for my XJ). I can tell you right now its going to take LOTS of work to get a KJ to the point that your XJ is at.

What you need to do is grab something like this:
http://ww4.traauctions.com/kws/napplica ... Exit=Close

For a few grand and swap it into your XJ.

Even stock for stock KJ vs XJ, the KJ is just not as good offroad as the XJ. There are many "easy" trails around moab that I have taken my XJ that I would be concerned about taking my KJ on without serious skids, lifts, etc. Basically, don't take a stock KJ on em.

If your used to the visibilty of the XJ for city driving you will dissapointed with the KJ.

There are trails I take on both Jeeps, never touch bottom, never fear for anything on the underside of the Jeep, but when I am in the KJ, I loose track of the number of times something hits the underside.

I don't fear light to moderate 4wheeling in my cherokee, but I fear for the KJ. I'll take a stock XJ over black bear pass, I sure as heck wouldn't take a stock KJ over black bear.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

Unless you convert to a solid front axle. I'm thinking a CRD engine into the XJ might save money and time.....

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'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

x2

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

Save money,not really,save time..........................

Hey Sir Sam how long have you been working on the MJ? About 12-18 months now?

Took me three and half months to make my KJ more capable then a XJ,even a well modified XJ.

I suppose it depends on one's skill set and parts available. And which vehicle you like. I suppose I would like the SFA Libby, but I'm only capable of swapping an engine....

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'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

A lifted CRD is fine for moderate wheeling,and can be equipped with lockers(see bugnout's sig).
No 5" lift though,so I'm sure a 2" lifted CRD is comparable to a 2" lifted XJ,but will tow better than one.





Seemed like that "Under Construction" sign was up there for a LOOOOOONG time.

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Bub
06 Inop Edition CRD Silver
06 Inop Edition CRD Green

3.5 months is was up,like stated.

In the past year I have worked about 1:45 minutes on it. Getting an Engineering Degree is more important to me than a vehicle.

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

Must have been the anticipation.
Was well worth the wait.

_________________
Bub
06 Inop Edition CRD Silver
06 Inop Edition CRD Green

At minumum to make a KJ even moderately capable compared to your current XJ without breaking the bank, your looking at this:


Front Steel diff upgrade with DTT or a selectable locker
4" lift w/32in tires and upper a-arms (max you can go without doing a very expensive front diff cradle drop, and rear longarms)
machined front cv axles
depending on individual vehicle, also may need a t-case short shaft kit w/new rear cv type driveshaft and lower gears

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2005 Black CRD KJ____Full GDE turbo kit, EHM, 6.5L GMCTD lift pump, euro tq conv, 31" Duratracs on 15x7 Procomps w/3.75"bs
2.5" lift, full skids, Super Skink Sliders, front JBA Steel Diff w/True-Trac___Powertax "No-Slip" locker rear
Tow Rig: 2003 Silver 2wd Dodge 2500 reg. cab 5.9 Cummins (highly modded with 550hp/1200tq+)

Thanks all for your input. I knew it would be a huge sacrifice to go with a stock KJ but I was hoping for mods that wouldn't break the bank.

Sir Sam: Your recommendation of swapping a CRD into the XJ may be the compromise. I'll have to research what's entailed for that swap. I've budgeted $2500 for a stroker and now I will weigh that against a CRD swap. As a side note, I have a '06 TDI and have been super impressed with the performance. That swap, however, is not financially feasible or maybe not at all as I have not found anyone who has accomplished it. The CRD may be a doable swap as my main goal is added power for towing as well as fuel mileage. The one major down side for me is the electrical. Do you know of any write-ups on the CRD swap?

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Marty

'05 CRD, GDE tune(s), JBA stuff, OME, Weeks Stage I & II, "Provent"(custom) +++

Going to be pretty hard to get a 2.8 CRD engine and matching trans for that price.

2500 is a little on the low side for buying a wrecked CRD. It's more likely going to cost 3-3.5k for a wrecked CRD. I paid $3400 for my rolled CRD Limited(which various parts are being picked off of it and sold, and the leather interior went into my sport).

Wiring, ya, its wiring, and plenty of it, I've spent plenty of time with the service manual sitting down and figuring it out. The short of it is, keep KJ drivetrain wiring intact, interface to XJ wiring where needed(run-start signal, etc).

The trickier things are things like the guage cluster, I haven't gotten this far yet but right now the plan is to use a TJ gauge cluster, it uses the PCI bus - like the KJ does, so hopefully all the things like engine temp, rpm, voltage, etc will work off of that cluster.

It's not uncomplicated, but sitting down and tracing out the connector pinouts is the way to go. basically there are about 4 connectors that interface the drivetrain harness with the KJ harness, do the work to connect these up together and you have most of the ancillary controls setup(AC relays, etc).

Best I can say is watch my thread as I am posting all the information that I can as I come across it there:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32756

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

XJ's unibodys WEAR OUT! Put that CRD into a TJ of sorts.

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2006 KJ CRD Ltd - Suncoast, GDE Eco, EGR Delete, After market T-Stat, Skid Row skids, V6 airbox, 2.5" Turbo back
2005 KJ CRD Sport-Suncoast, Transco, GDE Hot-GDE Trans, EGR Delete, Skid Row skids, V6 airbox, 2.5" Turbo back, After market S-Stat
1987 Suzuki LWB Samurai -diesel powered, custom 4 link coil suspension 38.5 SX Swampers

Ya, thats not true.

_________________
http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic