I have an 06 CRD. I like the Selectrac transfer case and the diesel. But coming from a powerstroke F250 and Excursion this has been an eye opener. In the bigger trucks when it snowed I just went where I needed to, but hated the spots that were patchy because there was no full-time option. even in the mountains of WA state as long as I had good tires I could get through 2 ft or more of snow. We had snowmaggedon in Baltimore last weekend and I couldn't get 5 feet off the parking pad before I had snow packed under the entire chassis and couldn't go anywhere.

I do like the jeep and it's more realistic for what I need. I am single and don't need a truck the size of the F250 or Excursion I had when I was married. But I just realized that although I never planned to lift the CRD, I want the ground clearance and a lift on the Libby will (maybe) get me even with a stock Tacoma. If a diesel wrangler was available I'd be tempted, but thats not an option and if it were they would likely cost 45-50k.

Half-way tempted to find an early bronco and see if I can figure out a way to get a 2.8 in it. I was thinking 4bt but they are way too heavy. And the old broncos break a lot, i had one when I was younger. Mainly venting/thinking of options. I have another vehicle/work car I daily drive, but its even worse.

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WK CRD, hot, OME lift, quadratec hard rocks, duratracs, MBRP DPF back exhaust,

SOLD-2006 Red CRD Sport 4x4. Hot, Fumoto, Weeks stage 1, ARP studs .
SOLD-2006 blue CRD Sport 4x4. Eco, Fumoto.

A diesel bronco would be awesome.
But instead of a 4bt, I'd be looking at a 5 or 6 cylinder mercedes turbo diesel.

Jeepin By Al sells lift kits. The OME lift, about 1.5 to 2.5 inches, works best for a CRD.
A set of 245-75-16 tires will definitely work at 30.5 inch diameter.
235-85-16 tires are a little tall at 32 inches but might be doable with a lift.

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U.S. Army Retired

Plenty of ground clearance I think


But seriously lift it , build it right and you'll love it

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

Here is the last CRD that I lifted for a customer from Kentucky
Before and after shots ( Full OME 790/948 kit with clevis lift/ top plate and jeepinbyal UCAs )

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

Yeah it is low especially with the IFS up front on (I'm guessing) saggy stock springs.

235/85/16 is doable with a lift and some bfh work and heat gun work. Specs below (note that I have a gasser tho). Ideally, put the tires on Moabs or properly backspaced aftermkt steel rims. The tires rub some at full lock, both directions, but only at absolute full lock.

Be aware that on stock gears, mileage and power are affected. Might not be so bad in a diesel though.

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03 KJ Sport - black
4xGuard engine skid
235/85/16 Hankook ATM
OME 927/Ironman, 1/4" plate, 3-ring clevis 21.5"
OME 948/OME + 2 Iso's Rear 22"
JBA UCAs
Bumper and winch
2x5 rockers/steps
Dynomax Ultra-Flo Welded
Custom pinstriping
Custom rear interior shelf
SS drop table
Soon:
Rear bumper
WRX seats
All the skids

Totally worth a lift. Your right the stock CRD is like a sedan in terms of clearance in the front. My CRD handles much better with the OME spring/shock/struts, even with the extra height from the top plate and clevis.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

I share your perspective in a lot of ways. Fiancee drives the KJ mainly (6spd/V6)... I have several 93-older fullsize Dodges (pickups, diesels, ramchargers).

You sound like you're having a decent CRD experience - which is good. But we felt the 6-speed was more important, saved ~$5k on purchase price (used), and the Mercedes 5cyl (OM617) could be swapped in if/when the V6 died. Same engine would do well in a early Bronco or XJ.... and cheap/easy to lift. The KJ gets pricey to lift beyond ~2", but it certainly is nice handling & sporty for daily driving and long road trips.

I'm hoping the 6BT Ramcharger I'm cobbling together does the trick....

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Hers: 2005 KJ, V6/6spd/NV242J/3.73/posi, 2" Teraflex, ¾" cradle drop, KK forks, 22½" hub-to-flare, RRO arms, 245/75R16s, 260,000km
Mine: 1993 W250, Cummins/5spd/NP205/3.54, Lockright, ~3" lift, 315/75R16 Duratracs, extra smoke, more noise, 374,000km