03 Dodge Cummins Convert

dontstrokeme · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:28 pm **Posts:** 6

While driving on the freeway near Mt Vernon, WA I started looking for a different rig! Looked at newer 4runners, and drove a friends FJ. 4runners seem more pavement, "stay on the trail" 4x4. The FJ was gutless on the freeway with an empty 10ft utility trailer and got horrible mileage, not to mention the horrid blindspots.

So my truck is great! 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins, Edge EZ, 25hp nozzles, AFE, STR8 piped, 4.5" Fabtech, 35x12.5x17 Toyo MT.....hauls balls and gets around 19mpg driving agressivly on the highway and freeway.....but I rarely use the large towing capacity (and can use a work truck if need be) and the truck drives like a Cadillac but rides like a Model A...you feel every little bump in the road! And my back is tired of it as I have been doing more distance traveling for my recreational shooting.

My quest has lead me to the Liberty....between Rocky-road.com and now finding this site I know I want one....but is there anybody that can talk me out of the swap?

I built my PRO list like so:
-Rides incredibly better even stock, from my research the Godfather kits with Old Man Emu springs greatly increase the ride quality
-Looking for a slight lift as with the Godfather 3"
-More of a Range Rover style tire, not nessecary big hurking knobs
-Looking into the CRD because I work for CAT and know I can work on the CRD and I am sure that there are ways to hop the CRD up.....I haven't found near as much as the ISB Cummins in the Dodges but I know I can warm it up.
-Not sure if the benefit of the CRD would be worth the extra cost and search in locating the CRD's...especially with the cost of Diesel generally at least equal if not more than Gas Super.
-I am sure the longevity of the CRD would be longer than the 3.7L but will the vehicle die before the CRD? Like the Cummins are 300k easy in a 100k truck!!!!
-The power of the CRD is a concern to me (stock form) the 3.7L seems to have plenty not towing
-I have a 5x8 trailer, 4x8 baby trailer and acces to a 14ft 14k tandem.....I can tow anything up to 5k size wise with the Liberty (or can I not)

This should get me started!!!!

My current rig.

My use is clearcut access...rough entry and alot of goat trails. I use the Dodge in these situations all the time and have only scratched the clearcoat on my truck.....after feeling the 4-low in the Liberty 3.7L I feel like it could would be a tiny version of my Dodge that rides alot better!

Thank you very much for any insight.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:24 am

Welcome to LOST
The Liberty when lifted and fitted with better tires does great on and off road.
Lots of reading on here of what works / what doesn't and what companies have better customer service and products than others.
OME coils ( all around which RRO does not provide) does great
I won't go into RROs history here
Also when choosing a lift (if you go with a CRD) it requires the 790 OME front springs and OME front shocks seem to work better on the CRD
Like I said Welcome to the site , spend a few days reading and then get "LOST" :wink:

dontstrokeme · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:28 pm **Posts:** 6

I am already pretty well lost!!! And without a KJ even!

I was hoping to hear if others have made the downsize from a fullsize diesel 4x4 to a liberty and never looked back. I have always had a truck and it feels wierd to think about not having one!!

Thanks for the welcome

LetFreedomRing · **Joined:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:51 am **Posts:** 268

dontstrokeme wrote:

I am already pretty well lost!!! And without a KJ even!

I was hoping to hear if others have made the downsize from a fullsize diesel 4x4 to a liberty and never looked back. I have always had a truck and it feels wierd to think about not having one!!

Thanks for the welcome

IMHO if you are getting around 20mpg in your truck already, I would just keep it. The 3.7 in the liberty gets around (or less) the same mileage. If I were in your shoes, I would just spend some money on your truck to get it to ride nice.

Nice truck btw

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 18, 2010 1:22 am

I been gettin about 20 to 21 around town in my CRD on the highway I get 25 -29 depending on the speeds I can or can't maintain due to traffic and sometimes conjestion. generally the more steady I drive on trips the better. the CRD is more ecomony than ur truck if your getting 20 highway. that said with GDE eco tune I'm told you can have more power and more MPG.

I can say about comming from a bigger vehicle I traded a 2003 OutBack Sedan for my CRD. I love the Outback but the CRD is more cargo room, more towing capable and can go more places while getting the same or better fuel economy.

jafstl38 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:23 pm

I would give my right nut for a cummins, its probably my dream vehicle. I love my KJ dont get me wrong, I love the confused looks from jeepers. The "is that a liberty" is always fun. I must say though, I love your truck! Its so perfectly set up!!

Granahan378 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:31 pm

Hello all, this is my first post and i was somewhat in the same position. I just bought a 2005 dark green crd a week ago but i couldn't bring myself to trade in my 2001 2500 24valve. I love them both but i really like the smooth drive compared to my battle wagon. Its nice to not feel every bump,crack,manhole cover while driving on the road. To each there own but now i have a diesel truck and a diesel liberty and will be holding on to both for a very long time. :rockon:

mag03kj · **Posted:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:02 pm

I know a guy thats got a '05 3500 about that same lift but the tires are A/Ts. Only thing that is diff. is the lift, his lift is a pro comp lift. His 3500 rides better then any Caddy i've rode in b4.
Thats just a thought!

:JEEPIN:

03 Dodge Cummins Convert

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