I'm back and thinking about buying a 05 CRD...or should I?

Robert Bradbury · **Joined:** Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:37 am **Posts:** 132

Used to own a 02 3.7L Limited, frankinlifted, arb, snorkel etc.and now I am thinking about coming back.
I have an opportunity to buy a 2005 CRD in mint condition with 65,000 miles on it and no damage...very clean.

I would want to lift, do the ARB bumpers, winch and snorkel for sure.

Questions are: Is the CRD the way to go, and how loud is it on the highway?
How much lift is possible with this rig , I really liked the 32" I ran before?
Any known issues with this year or the CRD?

SmokyCA · **Joined:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:31 pm **Posts:** 35

I just bought an '06 CRD (basically identical to the '05) within the last year and have put about 10,000 miles on it so far. It's honestly best all-around vehicle I've ever owned.

Pros:
-Gutsy engine that'll pull up mountains without breaking a sweat or even dropping a gear.
-A strong (hemi-capable), reliable transmission with 5 speeds.
-Full-time 4wd as well as Part-Time high and low 4wd transfer case.
-Quiet on the highway (the engine is hardly noticeable above 50mph).
-Unmistakably a diesel when puttering around below 30mph or so, but not obnoxiously loud (nowhere near as loud as a Cummins/Powerstroke pickup), just diesely enough to be cool, in my opinion.
-Seats four with gear comfortably, unlike my YJ Wrangler.
-Gas mileage is great for such a heavy drivetrain, especially after the GDE tune...28mpg highway @70mph, and easily in the neighborhood of 30 if I could keep it under 65.
-On-road and off-road manners are stable and confident.
-Can pull quite a loaded trailer for its size.

Cons: (or really, just things that, if changed, would be icing on the cake)
-Limited stock ground clearance, and limited lift potential without extensive CV mods (under 3.5" or so is fine).
-Need to perform a few tweaks under the hood (See the CRD Noob Guide) to head-off long-term maintenance issues...once performed, it's a very well-proven & reliable engine & has been used throughout Europe for years.
-Not available with a manual transmission.
-Wheel wells not stock-designed for larger tire sizes.

I say take one for a spin and see how one sounds & feels from the driver's seat. You probably won't be able to run 32's without rubbing unless you sink some money into a lift that covers the CV issues that crop up when lifting beyond 3.5 inches. JeepinbyAl would be a good resource if you really want to do a 4+ lift with a CRD. Any "issues" with the diesel engine are well-documented here, and can fortunately be remedied without too much pain. Overall, I think the benefits far outweigh the initial effort.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:29 pm

Reading the noob guide would be good to do at this point in considering a purchase.

Topan · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:12 am

if you buy it (AND YOU SHOULD !! :grim:

) please replace the CAC hoses with either SAMCOs or stock ones (i prefer stock ones now that the material has been improved.) straight away , they will tear-off within soon.
and then...have fun ! :JEEPIN:

Robert Bradbury · **Joined:** Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:37 am **Posts:** 132

Topan wrote:

if you buy it (AND YOU SHOULD !! :grim:

) please replace the CAC hoses with either SAMCOs or stock ones (i prefer stock ones now that the material has been improved.) straight away , they will tear-off within soon.
and then...have fun ! :JEEPIN:

I was just about to buy it until I checked out Jeepin Al's site only to discover the 4" lift is minimum $3200. Add new wheels, tires, ARB bumpers
the winch,this and that and I'll be out $7500, close to doubling the price. At the 20K mark there are some nice rigs out there already so now I have
to look really hard first. Maybe the CRD is not the way to go after all. I may be better off just to wait until the new 2012 KJ's are out in another month
and go that way given the new 286HP Penstar engine that is coming. I also really wanted a manual shift which I cannot have in the DRD as well .

Topan · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:30 am

true that if your choise is also a new generation rig at 286HP, then the KJ CRD may drop to the lower part of the list...

But still am quite surprise by the price of the lift you mention. I got my Frankenlift for much less (ok....2 inch)

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:06 am

The CRD is no louder than any other gas car or truck I have driven or rode in on the highway when crusing along. the engine is louder on acceleration but not as loud as a powersmoke, cummins, or Chevy/ISUZU engines. you will notice the difference going slower or in car parks. It is not bad at all and easy to get used to.

so fer for me maintace has been a breaze thanks to this site. I have leard so much about diesel engines, love mine dont regert buying it yet nearly 2 years later.

Robert Bradbury · **Joined:** Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:37 am **Posts:** 132

mikey1273 wrote:

The CRD is no louder than any other gas car or truck I have driven or rode in on the highway when crusing along. the engine is louder on acceleration but not as loud as a powersmoke, cummins, or Chevy/ISUZU engines. you will notice the difference going slower or in car parks. It is not bad at all and easy to get used to.

so fer for me maintace has been a breaze thanks to this site. I have leard so much about diesel engines, love mine dont regert buying it yet nearly 2 years later.

If I could get the CRD in a 4 door Jeep pickup life would be good. Basically a scrambler really when you think about it. I may just give in and
build one now that I think about it. Either a CRD or V8 scrambler with removable top . There we go, now we're thinkin.
do

I'm back and thinking about buying a 05 CRD...or should I?

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