The ultimate CRD conversion...

blacksmoke · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:56 pm

So I finally did it, as you can tell by the before and after pics

Before

After (pic taken in Yellowstone National Park)

Only mod so far is the Inmotion Stage-2 tuning and the very cool Parrott Mki9200 with hands-free Bluetooth and iPod. Will have decals to add even more power soon!
Thank you all for your support in the Liberty CRD forum, I will now move to the GC one...

racertracer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:31 pm

That steel bumper looks great.... But I’ve heard horror stories about steel bumpers bending the whole frame if it even just lightly gets bent from a fender bender.

The bumper is meant to crush on impact. The bumper is supposed to take the initial impact to stop it from bending the frame. It is supposed to crush first.

If it resists crushing, then it will travel to the point of least resistance somewhere in the frame or in the body.

And since the frame of our CRD’s is of a Uni-body construction, there is no replacement. It is usually considered a total loss.

This is what I’ve been told and I may have been misinformed.

Hopefully a body shop mechanic or someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this.

reka12 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:47 pm

Me personally? I like the Liberty better. More personality. Enjoy the GC!

blacksmoke · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:03 pm

You right about the personality... they are very different. After a 4000miles trip from Seattle WA to Quebec City, QC my summary is:
Liberty CRD: a mule. Sometime harsh, but impressively strong, and easy to like!
GC CRD: a sumo wrestler in Armani suit. Will do everything smooth and easy, long range comfort, but man what a power reserve! Very few car/truck can be so versatile (comfort for 5, 7000lbs towing, go in tight parking spot without a Funomo radar) and have that kind of passing power. A 50 to 80mph pass is both effortless and "dramaless", except for hitting your head on the headrest

I'm happy, but I will miss the mule!

reka12 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:08 pm

What kind of milage are you getting? Nice summary too.

blacksmoke · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:21 pm

Thanks. That trip across the US was about 24mpg according to the EVIC, but this included long 80mph stretch, hour-long bison crossing stops :ALONE:

and lots of A/C, specially in the Badlands.

Going 80mph @ 2500rpm is not as efficient as 70 @ 2100, and A/C is a big drag, I could see an instantaneous 0.9-1.2mpg drop with the ScanGuage every time I put it on...

I'm not sure I can trust the EVIC, as it consistently showed lower rating than the ScanGuage. Will have to make some basic calculations over time to see which one is true-er.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:19 pm

racertracer wrote:

That steel bumper looks great.... But I’ve heard horror stories about steel bumpers bending the whole frame if it even just lightly gets bent from a fender bender.

The bumper is meant to crush on impact. The bumper is supposed to take the initial impact to stop it from bending the frame. It is supposed to crush first.

If it resists crushing, then it will travel to the point of least resistance somewhere in the frame or in the body.

And since the frame of our CRD’s is of a Uni-body construction, there is no replacement. It is usually considered a total loss.

This is what I’ve been told and I may have been misinformed.

Hopefully a body shop mechanic or someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this.

The KJ is a uniframe design,but yes the front has "crush zones" but they are replaceable.I have replaced many on uniframe and unibody vehicles when I worked at a bodyshop.If there not to bad they can be straighted on the frame rack also.

The ARB bumper is the only airbag tested bumber on the market.The bumber mount has intergrated crush zones in it to act like the OEM bumper in a accident.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:48 pm

Nice GC!!!! I agree the GC is very nice and more refined and is capable like the liberty is stock but can tow more due to being rated better, different wheelbase, engine and trans. Both are great just set up to be for different buyers. I do however love my Liberty for its character and all. yeah it can be harsh and is a bit of a mule but I like mine and find it comfortable for long drives. My Dad has a 2002 GC and it feels more car like than mine. with his v8 its near the same torque as mine. The one time I let him drive it he had too much fun.

flman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:25 pm

That GC has the 3.0 MB diesel? I saw a Mercedes SUV equipped with the 3.0 Blue Tec diesel as well. Actually that is what my new Urea burning Sprinter has in it as well. Still waiting for the shelves to equip it and put a load on it, so I can put that 3.0 to the test?

blacksmoke · **Posted:** Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:21 am

Yes the 2007-2008 GC CRD has the V6 3.0L from MB. Not the Bluetec, just efficient burning and possibly a particle filter, although I haven't see any filter replacement schedule in the owner's manual.

It is the same one as seen in the Sprinter, ML320 and E320 of similar years, the difference being in the emission setup.

Not meeting the very bias emission regulations in the US (show me that an Hemi pollute less than the CRD in real life!) and the divorce between DC and MB are partly responsible for a diesel not being available here, although you can still buy it in Europe!

OldSkull · **Posted:** Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:01 pm

I like the GC V6 3.0L MB engine, lots of Wrangler owners wish they to swap this engine in there rig but for me a 2.7L I5 from a Sprinter is something I dream about.... a friend got one (A 6 wheelers) and this engine is amazing, powerful, high Mpg, great tow capacity and yes...Longivity!

The GC CRD is a "deluxe" ride and it's to bad he didn't get the same electronic engine control system from the MB 320 because this one do even better Mpg. But from a Liberty owner point of view, you got no trouble finding a water pump for this one....... :mrgreen:

The ultimate CRD conversion...

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