Formidable Off-Road Performer

AZ CRD · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:05 am

Just got back from an elk hunt in the Sawtooth/Datil mountains of central New Mexico. Summer rains took their toll on the "roads" throughout the region and made for some challenging driving conditions. One hunting partner was driving a Ram 3500 dually 5.9 Cummins and the other was pulling a tent trailer with a Dakota 4X4 gasser with manual trans. I pulled a 2,000 lb utility trailer. The gasser was the only vehicle to have problems making it up some rugged hills.

After dropping the trailer at camp, we took the Jeep into the backcountry. Everyone including myself was impressed with how the diesel machine just stayed in its power band as we nimbly negotiatied over, around, through various obstacles. Finally got mud on my hood and roof and some brush marks down the sides!

The only mild disappointment was that I didn't get to add about 800 lbs worth of bull elk to the payload for the drive home.

WWV · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 1:01 pm **Posts:** 121

Congrats on the 4x4 experience. I also found that the Liberty CRD is a heck of a performer.

I did a lot of work up in Dulce, NM and had to drive up there in the middle of the night. Had to stop a couple of times to just sit in amazement at the size of the elk up there. They were just huge.......I heard the tags up there for elk are pretty expensive.

Too bad you didn't get one, better luck next time.

WWV

06 Silver CRD Sport

AZ CRD · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:18 am

We heard a lot of elk but they were totally nocturnal. The consolation was that the outfitter in the area charged $16K for the same hunt we did [I own land in the area and got a private ranch tag] and had no better luck than we did.

DZL_LOU · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:47 am

AZ CRD wrote:

After dropping the trailer at camp, we took the Jeep into the backcountry. Everyone including myself was impressed with how the diesel machine just stayed in its power band as we nimbly negotiatied over, around, through various obstacles. Finally got mud on my hood and roof and some brush marks down the sides!

IMHO, the Liberty CRD is one of those vehicles that I would classify as "a sleeper". For the compactness, versatility and capability I hope that the used Liberty CRD get's a popularity boost in years to come. I don't seen any other manufacturer rushing in to fill the void of the CRD with true 4X4 capability in the near future.
Out of approximately 11,000 CRD sold, at any one time when I look for owners selling used CRD's I can only find about 20 being sold nationally.

donlvnv · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:53 pm

I drove up to Chama a week-ago and took 550 to Cuba then took 112 to Chama. Nice 20 miles of mud before going over the dam. I was glad it wasn't raining , the signage on the road warned not to take the road if heavy rains. There are two K-rail just before you go over the dam, no rv's , motorhomes or wide trailers.

marauderer · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:49 am

AZ CRD wrote:

Just got back from an elk hunt in the Sawtooth/Datil mountains of central New Mexico. Summer rains took their toll on the "roads" throughout the region and made for some challenging driving conditions. One hunting partner was driving a Ram 3500 dually 5.9 Cummins and the other was pulling a tent trailer with a Dakota 4X4 gasser with manual trans. I pulled a 2,000 lb utility trailer. The gasser was the only vehicle to have problems making it up some rugged hills.

After dropping the trailer at camp, we took the Jeep into the backcountry. Everyone including myself was impressed with how the diesel machine just stayed in its power band as we nimbly negotiatied over, around, through various obstacles. Finally got mud on my hood and roof and some brush marks down the sides!

The only mild disappointment was that I didn't get to add about 800 lbs worth of bull elk to the payload for the drive home.

What do you think of the ESP system? Do you think it would be better with a limited slip in the rear?

AZ CRD · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:02 am

marauderer wrote:

What do you think of the ESP system? Do you think it would be better with a limited slip in the rear?

I haven't figured that one out yet. I ran in "Full Time" on the open roads when you could consistently drive >30 mph and "4-Lo" when the going got tough which was most of the time. Couldn't really discern what the TCS may have been doing though I went through the same mud bog a few times and in the middle of it the Jeep took me through where it wanted to go rather than where I was steering. I think that was because of hidden ruts under the mud and not the TCS.

I'm generally skeptical of automatically controlled off-road features. I took a rented Ford Escape once to the same country and knew in 30 seconds of driving on a muddy road that I didn't want to go in any further than I wished to walk out. The Jeep, on the contrary, left me with the confidence to drive places where getting stuck would mean an unanticipated overnight stay and a 10 mile hike the next morning.

There are likely folks on here that know more about it than I do.

marauderer · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:10 am

AZ CRD wrote:

marauderer wrote:

What do you think of the ESP system? Do you think it would be better with a limited slip in the rear?

I haven't figured that one out yet. I ran in "Full Time" on the open roads when you could consistently drive >30 mph and "4-Lo" when the going got tough which was most of the time. Couldn't really discern what the TCS may have been doing though I went through the same mud bog a few times and in the middle of it the Jeep took me through where it wanted to go rather than where I was steering. I think that was because of hidden ruts under the mud and not the TCS.

I'm generally skeptical of automatically controlled off-road features. I took a rented Ford Escape once to the same country and knew in 30 seconds of driving on a muddy road that I didn't want to go in any further than I wished to walk out. The Jeep, on the contrary, left me with the confidence to drive places where getting stuck would mean an unanticipated overnight stay and a 10 mile hike the next morning.

There are likely folks on here that know more about it than I do.

Thanks for your input. My CRD is small like the old CJ-5 but has all the bling of 06 with the CRD. I have had several 4X4's in the past and have built rock crawlers with my son. I tried to keep my hands off the CRD but, it is to much fun and a true sleeper. I am debating whether to leave the DC 8.25 in place or replace it with a Dana 44 Hi pinion. I should just put in a Detroit Trutrack and modify the factory diff cover on the DC 8.25 and be done with it but, It's a fun Jeep.

rs4mtnitro · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:32 pm

marauderer wrote:

What do you think of the ESP system? Do you think it would be better with a limited slip in the rear?

When I go off road I pull the abs fuse and much better with out it. I have only tried that in the sand though.

railguy · **Posted:** Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:15 pm

Over the years, I've 4-wheeled in a number of 4WD's, some better than others (including numerous 4WD pickups, full-size Blazer, Bronco II, Jeep Comanche, Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer, and couple of IH Scout II's--one gas and one diesel). My "territory" has been all over Colorado, northern NM, and Wyoming, with some Utah mixed in. With that, I can say that, insofar as the engine is concerned, the CRD powertrain is one of the best for hardcore 4-wheeling that I have owned. If the CRD has an off-road "deficiency," it is the suspension. Its shock/spring combination is too "soft." That is not a good thing on an IFS vehicle when the suspension goes into full compression on a rough rock-strewn trail. I rate the CRD's stock minimum clearance (just under 7" by my measurement) as barely adequate. Take the front suspension to full compression and one can subtract about another inch. Not good enough for me.

I am looking at the Frankenlift CRD lift to get additional clearance. I'm still not convinced that the CRD Frankenlift (which I understand retains the stock front springs) will be stiff enough, especially if I add a winch to the front. I am not a fan of radical lifts (which I do not consider the Frankenlift to be), but I think the CRD needs enough lift to achieve at least about 8" of minimum clearance. It's too bad the manufacturers (even Jeep) seem more concerned about building "cute-utes" than factory-equipped 4WD's capable of more hard-core 4-wheeling. At least Jeep offers the Wrangler Rubicon--one pretty off-road capable 4WD vehicle "out of the box." What that vehicle needs is a CRD! I'd go for that!

action · **Posted:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:39 am

I've ran a few rocky trails with my CRD Sport, its pretty decent I must say, but I am a little disapointed with the ground clearance...you really have to watch for rocks to avoid scraping. The other problem I noticed at my first service (as pointed out by my mechanic) is the location of the oil filter. Its very low, lower then the base pan, and on my sprot model it isnt protected by a skid plate. Needless to say I'm ordering of fabricating a skid plate ASAP, or at least before the Jeep see's another rocky trail.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:54 am

Post removed.

DZL_LOU · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:38 am

Guys, there is a forum for this it's called PETA, take it there. I've seen threads shut down by the moderators for less than this. Let's keep it focused on the CRD, I joined this site for it's civility and politeness.
Can we all just get along?

oldnavy · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:11 am

DZL_LOU wrote:

Guys, there is a forum for this it's called PETA, take it there. I've seen threads shut down by the moderators for less than this. Let's keep it focused on the CRD, I joined this site for it's civility and politeness.
Can we all just get along?

Almost did, but decided to correct the problem instead.

KenJennings · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:32 am

Out of curiosity, where would one put 800 lbs of elk on the KJ? I think the roof a tad flimsy and the cargo area a tad small. Well, maybe with the seats down it's Ok. Or slung over the hood? Or would you have to be toting along one of those cool off-road trailers -- something like a Tentrax or Adventure Trailer?

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:52 pm

AZ CRD wrote:

---------%<----------
I pulled a 2,000 lb utility trailer.
-------%<-------------

I imagine the trailer has some room for elk.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:12 pm

Guy's, I tried it with humor before but you didn't get it.
I will try it again, as a vegetarian I find this thread highly offending, it also upsets my kid who also likes to look around this forum and I would like to ask you in a friendly way to stick to CRD matters and keep the bloodsport business in a hunting forum.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:27 pm

As I stated in the PM it is relievant to the thread as we in this country do a lot of hunting/fishing and this type of vehicle is often bought with this in mind. You need to use some common sense and if necessary avoid the thread and supervise your child better when he uses the internet I gues. I sometimes see a lot of things here that I am not fond of, but realize that I am in a small minority and just ignore the posting or at least keep the post non inflamatory.

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:24 pm

Dutchy wrote:

Guy's, I tried it with humor before but you didn't get it.
I will try it again, as a vegetarian I find this thread highly offending, it also upsets my kid who also likes to look around this forum and I would like to ask you in a friendly way to stick to CRD matters and keep the bloodsport business in a hunting forum.

The CRD also has plenty of torque for hauling 5000 lbs of.... cabbage. Even off-road into the highlands.

BCool · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:14 pm

I just got back from a sucessful hunt in Craig. We quartered the elk and the hinds and fronts fit in their fine (hoofs removed) with the backstraps. Now for the head and rack we had to put seats down.

Formidable Off-Road Performer

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