gas vs crd cradle?

moose_1978 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:33 pm

I was told by a tech at my dealership that the front cradle on the crd is about an inch lower than the gas and wanted to know if you guy's herd of that being true?If so that might solve our cv problems and I will order a new crd cradle from mt parts dept as soon as I know for sure.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:42 pm

yup, its true. Im not sure how they lowered it, its not a cradle drop. They only lowered the front diff.. A cradle drop lowers control arms, along with the diff. :wink:

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:44 pm

From what i read somewhere earlier today, the diff was also movedcloser to the drivers side thus resulting in CV axle contact on the drivers side more so then on the passenger side....can't recall right now, but i know someone wrote up something about it after an epiphany was had...

W3CSX · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:05 pm

I’m afraid this is not correct. Some where it has been confused what the differences are between the gas and CRD cradles. The cradles are pretty much the same the only differences are the engine mounts and the differential mounts. The CRD cradle mounts the Diff lower than the gas (presumably for clearance around the block). This is why CRD’s have different CV angles. Some how this has been confused with the whole cradle being dropped, but if that where true. The bottom control arms would also be lower and CV angles would be the same just lower on the Jeep. This is why the shaft collar idea will not work on a CRD. Since the Diff is lower in the cradle it sits closer to it. There is insufficient clearance to fit the collar without hitting the cross member that makes up the cradle. DurbyWalters and I both had to sell are collars since it will not fit.

Since the diff is lower. When you lift a CRD the CV’s sit at a better angle thus improving the lifting ability of a diesel over a gas KJ.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:08 pm

and there you have it.....^^^^...thanks jason for the corrections....

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:10 pm

So in theory us gasser's could just get the CRD diff mounts and put them on our gas KJ's to have better CV angles with those 3" plus lifts, Hmmmmmmmmmmm :idea:

.

moose_1978 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:20 pm

hmmmmm Good point

W3CSX · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:24 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

So in theory us gasser's could just get the CRD diff mounts and put them on our gas KJ's to have better CV angles with those 3" plus lifts, Hmmmmmmmmmmm :idea:

.

I'm not positive if that will work or not. The differential is also mounted further to the driver’s side as well. The axle shafts on a CRD are different to compensate for this. Not only will you have to change the mounts but you will also have to change your axle shafts. It could work but I'm not sure.

If you look at this photo of the driver’s side you will see how straight my cv's are after a 2.5" Daystar lift.

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

Hmmmm..... I see a bit of Clevis lift in my future.... :twisted:

I wondered why my CV angles looked fine...

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:54 am

Obviously there is some room to mount the diff a little lower. What all of you gasser guys need to figure out is how to do it without shifting the diff off to the side like our CRD's are. That would be the best of both worlds. I dont have a gasser to compare with. But perhaps there is a CRD owner and gasser owner who have both tore their front ends apart and could provide us with some pics of the mounts?

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:28 am

Hmm Maybe there is a different cradle. Im not real good with this parts listing stuff, but here is what I pulled from the PDF of a 2006 Parts Listing Page 34. Nice find on that BTW! I deleted the screws, washers, and bolts etc and just left the parts I felt were most important. Maybe someone can help interpret this or maybe even get some dimesions on these different part numbers.

[EK0]=Engines - All 3.7L 6 Cylinder Gas
[EN0]=Engines - All 4/5 Cylinder Turbo Diesel <---I wanna see this 5 cylinder TurboDiesel!

1. CRADLE, front suspension
52128994AE 1 [EK0]
52129013AE 1 J, U [EN0]

4. BRACKET, Mounting
52059467AD 1 J, U [EK0], Left Rear
52059475AD 1 J, U [EN0], Left Rear

5. BRACKET, Mounting
52059465AD 1 J, U [EK0], Left
52059473AD 1 J, U [EN0], Left

6. BRACKET, Mounting
52059464AD 1 J, U [EK0], Right
52059472AC 1 J, U [EN0], Right

W3CSX · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:19 am

When I was investigating the difference between the two. I specifically measured the both a stock gas and diesel. The lower control arm mounts are in the same position. Between the gas and diesel part numbers, the engine mounts will be different. I have to wander if the holes for the diff mounts may have changed. I'm sure someone could improvise and drill new holes in there gas cradle to make it work.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:01 am

I think the 5 cylinder Diesel is the 2.7L that comes in the Sprinter Vans or something.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:59 am

DarbyWalters wrote:

I think the 5 cylinder Diesel is the 2.7L that comes in the Sprinter Vans or something.

This is true. It was also available in the previous model Grand Cherokee outside North America.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:36 am

RFCRD wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

I think the 5 cylinder Diesel is the 2.7L that comes in the Sprinter Vans or something.

This is true. It was also available in the previous model Grand Cherokee outside North America.

Strange it was mentioned in the parts manual for an 06 CRD...

Anyhow can anyone get any measurements on these parts anyone got access to drawings? If you have them and dont want to post them send them to me and I will. Im sure there are a few gasser owners that could benefit from better CV angles.

gas vs crd cradle?

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