How does the CRD compare to the 3.7?

liberty04 · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 7:43 pm

Hello , Me and and wife are kicking the idea around about trading in her 04 Liberty Columbia Edition on for a 06 CRD and was just wandering what you feel its a doable trade? How is the performance compared to the gas motor? What about resale? I just dont want to take a beating on the trade only to not be impressed with the performanc... Any commemts would be appreciated.. I would like to test drive the CRD KJ but there is NONE on the local dealer lots.....

Thanks
Joe

rjmaype · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 8:50 pm

My wife totaled her Red Columbia Edition after 18k miles last September.

She loved the Liberty, I hated the MPG- best ever was around 20 MPG.

She has a Limited CRD- she loves it.

I love the 27 MPG and torque. It consistently gets 20 MPG in city driving.

The diesel noise at start up and at traffic lights was annoying to her at first but she can jump out when the light turns.

I would not buy another Liberty unless it was a CRD.

liberty04 · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 9:03 pm

Thanks for your quick and timely relpy..... I am starting to feel a lot better about saying bye bye to the 3.7 Liberty....

.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 9:04 pm

I rented an '04 Sport and drove it cross state and back (600 miles) before I bought my CRD Limited. Absolutely no comparison in performance in my book.

With respect to comfort, one thing I wasn't sure if I would like with the Liberty was the foot room after driving the '04, I felt cramped and like I had no where to out my feet on that trip. The added an inch or so of foot space in the '05/'06 and I have never noticed the issue on my CRD. I have driven it on the same trip 2.5 times since.

liberty04 · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 9:26 pm

These replies are helping me make the decesion that much easier.... I know one thing the 3.7 does not equal fuel economy .. Has the aftermarket crowd caught on to the the CRD yet? I just cant seem to leave well enough alone exhaust, plug and play boost controller, timing map adjustments ....

Thanks

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

I have a CRD and recently rented a gasser. The gasser comes off the line quicker, especially with minimal throttle input. The CRD needs you to push the pedal down and get the turbo going. Once it is going, it will move. It moves much better at higher speeds.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 1:17 am

Pablo wrote:

The CRD needs you to push the pedal down and get the turbo going. Once it is going, it will move. It moves much better at higher speeds.

That can sometimes be a little disconcerting though. Sometimes you are trying to ease away from the traffic light an "BANG" the turbo launches you like a sling shot. :lol:

I picked my CRD up from the dealer in bad weather and drove it over a mountain pass through a blizzard. It was an amazing feeling of confidence even with the bad OEM tires. I think the extra weight of the CRD makes it hold the road better but I really didn't drive the 3.7 in anything other than heavy rain.

spencevans · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 2:10 am

If it wasn't for the CRD, I don't think the KJ is worth buying. It's not like the 3.7 is that good of an engine and I would say it's well below average as far as engines go. The CRD is a thing of beauty. Little noisy, but I love diesel clatter. If you don't get the CRD then stay away from the KJ. You would be much happier buying a new Grand Cheerokee, or new Nissan Xterra. Also the other sweet thing about the CRD is the 5 speed autotranny.

tazer · **Joined:** Wed May 03, 2006 3:35 am **Posts:** 28

spencevans wrote:

If it wasn't for the CRD, I don't think the KJ is worth buying. It's not like the 3.7 is that good of an engine and I would say it's well below average as far as engines go. The CRD is a thing of beauty. Little noisy, but I love diesel clatter. If you don't get the CRD then stay away from the KJ. You would be much happier buying a new Grand Cheerokee, or new Nissan Xterra. Also the other sweet thing about the CRD is the 5 speed autotranny.

I have to disagree with your assesment of the 3.7. I think it is a great engine. It blows away the 4.0 in almost every catagory. But I will also say that it isn't a diesel and the torque will never compare to the CRD but the 3.7 will smoke a CRD with two cylinders tied behind it's back. That is also comparing apples to peaches I know. For low speed torque the CRD can't be beat in the Liberty platform. But for hwy performance the 3.7 can't be beat in the Liberty platform either. If I had it to do all over again I would probably have gone for the CRD because of the towing I do with the Liberty and the better fuel economy. We will see after 20 more payments of $250 a month. I just might be getting into a CRD. My local dealership has about 20 of them on their lot.

Ripster · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 6:46 am

20 of them where are you located?

Guest · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 7:03 am

Ripster wrote:

20 of them where are you located?

I think some dealerships have loaded up on them just in case they are dropped for the '07 model year while they fine tune the emissions requirements. Just a guess.

As for the performance of the CRD, one nice thing is that at freeway speeds your not depending on the transmission to downshift all the time to increase rpms in order to speed up, and/or pass someone. With the CRD, you just feather the throttle a little and it goes!

As for towing, I plan on pushing the limits as I'm looking into a 24-foot Kodiak Model 214 expandable travel trailer. It's about 4000lbs dry and maxes out at 5000lbs loaded up. Weight distribution and sway control will be needed, but without the CRD, it would not be a very viable option.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 7:30 am

tazer wrote:

I have to disagree with your assesment of the 3.7. I think it is a great engine. It blows away the 4.0 in almost every catagory. But I will also say that it isn't a diesel and the torque will never compare to the CRD but the 3.7 will smoke a CRD with two cylinders tied behind it's back. That is also comparing apples to peaches I know. For low speed torque the CRD can't be beat in the Liberty platform. But for hwy performance the 3.7 can't be beat in the Liberty platform either. If I had it to do all over again I would probably have gone for the CRD because of the towing I do with the Liberty and the better fuel economy. We will see after 20 more payments of $250 a month. I just might be getting into a CRD. My local dealership has about 20 of them on their lot.

I don't know what you been driving, but our CRD easly smokes the neighbors 3.7L automatic Liberty and has 3 times now, one of those was on level devided 4 lane. I just walked off and left her when we rolled on at 66 mph. I have also beat a couple of kids in 3.7L Limited at the stop light and they were never able to catch up. I run it up to about 90 before they just gave up, they were about 3 or 4 car links behind me when they quit. Our CRD has seen 113 mph on the speedo. I suppect you haven't learned to drive a modern diesel with the heavy throttle delay built in thanks to the EPA, but there is a way around that problem. The VW TDI automatic was same way, the 5 spd had the same problem but not as bad.

And I total disagree with you on the 3.7L V6 vs 4L I6, but that is for a different section. :roll:

naturist · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 8:22 am

But you'll be pleasantly surprised: modern diesels are NOT noisy/smelly/slow anymore. The CRD has almost 1/3 more torque than the 3.7 L gas engine, and will out pull that engine easily.

But you WILL have to learn how to drive it just a little differently. It doesn't take off from a light the same way. The turbo has to spin up before the engine really puts out, so if you are in the habit of just stomping on it to get away from lights, you are in for a surprise. Doing that will result in a leisurely take off, and initial 30 feet of travel, but then the turbo will deliver a wheel-spinning kick in the booty that will scare the pants off any bystanders, and likely get you a ticket if the local constabulary is watching. So I've learned to not expect a sudden take off, and to plan to leave the light gently, which is, of course, good for mileage anyway. And I've also learned to be gentle with that throttle pedal when the turbo does kick in.

It is also great when you have that heavy load in tow. Tooling down the expressway, loaded to the gun'nels, and time to climb a little hill or speed up from 55 to 65, or 60-70, is no problem without the tranny insisting on a downshift. I dragged a 3500 lb trailer 130 miles across the state in February, and hardly noticed there was a trailer back there.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 9:16 am

naturist wrote:

But you'll be pleasantly surprised: modern diesels are NOT noisy/smelly/slow anymore. The CRD has almost 1/3 more torque than the 3.7 L gas engine, and will out pull that engine easily.

But you WILL have to learn how to drive it just a little differently. It doesn't take off from a light the same way. The turbo has to spin up before the engine really puts out, so if you are in the habit of just stomping on it to get away from lights, you are in for a surprise. Doing that will result in a leisurely take off, and initial 30 feet of travel, but then the turbo will deliver a wheel-spinning kick in the @$#% that will scare the pants off any bystanders, and likely get you a ticket if the local constabulary is watching. So I've learned to not expect a sudden take off, and to plan to leave the light gently, which is, of course, good for mileage anyway. And I've also learned to be gentle with that throttle pedal when the turbo does kick in.

It is also great when you have that heavy load in tow. Tooling down the expressway, loaded to the gun'nels, and time to climb a little hill or speed up from 55 to 65, or 60-70, is no problem without the tranny insisting on a downshift. I dragged a 3500 lb trailer 130 miles across the state in February, and hardly noticed there was a trailer back there.

The major thing slowing the take off is the vehicle computer momentarly over rinding full throttle sudden standing start to help keep imissions down, if it were not for that then you would have almost no turbo lag. To experience the no lag just put foot brake and bring RPM's up to about 1200 and release brake and hammer throttle at same time, you do it right and you will launch out of the hole faster and be across intersection quicker then a Hemi V8 Magnum. I believe that is what some of the chips stop from happening, I know it was one of the problems addressed in TDI chip programming several years ago.

PS: becareful careful or you can burn up tranny. :shock:

europachris · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 1:20 pm

oldnavy wrote:

To experience the no lag just put foot brake and bring RPM's up to about 1200 and release brake and hammer throttle at same time, you do it right and you will launch out of the hole faster and be across intersection quicker then a Hemi V8 Magnum. I believe that is what some of the chips stop from happening, I know it was one of the problems addressed in TDI chip programming several years ago.

PS: becareful careful or you can burn up tranny. :shock:

That's how I make a FAST launch in my TDI. Just before the light turns green, I'll start blipping the throttle up to 1500 or so. You can hear the turbo start to spool up and get moving.

Just as the light turns green, I dump the clutch and roll on full throttle. Get's just enough wheelspin to keep the engine at the power peak, until the car catches up and by then I'm grabbing second gear and usually darn near at the rev limiter. This all happes REAL fast. It's really quite fun, but I don't do it very often.

I can only imagine what it would be like in a TDI with a chip and big holes. I fellow TDI buddy has a son with a Golf TDI with .205's, a chip, and the VR6 clutch. All reports say it's a rocketship.

Chris

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 1:42 pm

They are, I had a '00 NB chipped (Rocktchip) and 205's and it was still pulling hard at 130, hole shot was hell on any gasser V8 around town. But it still got mid 50's on the highway.

liberty04 · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 5:03 pm

Thanks for all the replies.... I am not looking for it to be a 1/4 mile king ; just something that runs smoothly and with little drama. The performance aspect not really to worried about it.. I have a Ram and a 99 Z-28 with heads and cam for that...

Thanks...

Albert · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 5:43 pm

We can't get a CRD in NY.....................pollution laws....

tazer · **Joined:** Wed May 03, 2006 3:35 am **Posts:** 28

Ripster wrote:

20 of them where are you located?

North East GA. They are all over the dealer lots here.

tazer · **Joined:** Wed May 03, 2006 3:35 am **Posts:** 28

oldnavy wrote:

tazer wrote:

I have to disagree with your assesment of the 3.7. I think it is a great engine. It blows away the 4.0 in almost every catagory. But I will also say that it isn't a diesel and the torque will never compare to the CRD but the 3.7 will smoke a CRD with two cylinders tied behind it's back. That is also comparing apples to peaches I know. For low speed torque the CRD can't be beat in the Liberty platform. But for hwy performance the 3.7 can't be beat in the Liberty platform either. If I had it to do all over again I would probably have gone for the CRD because of the towing I do with the Liberty and the better fuel economy. We will see after 20 more payments of $250 a month. I just might be getting into a CRD. My local dealership has about 20 of them on their lot.

I don't know what you been driving, but our CRD easly smokes the neighbors 3.7L automatic Liberty and has 3 times now, one of those was on level devided 4 lane. I just walked off and left her when we rolled on at 66 mph. I have also beat a couple of kids in 3.7L Limited at the stop light and they were never able to catch up. I run it up to about 90 before they just gave up, they were about 3 or 4 car links behind me when they quit. Our CRD has seen 113 mph on the speedo. I suppect you haven't learned to drive a modern diesel with the heavy throttle delay built in thanks to the EPA, but there is a way around that problem. The VW TDI automatic was same way, the 5 spd had the same problem but not as bad.

And I total disagree with you on the 3.7L V6 vs 4L I6, but that is for a different section. :roll:

Not trying to start an argument here but......Lets look at numbers. CRD: a big whopping 160 HP the 3.7 has 210. The CRD weighs more also. Torque: the CRD has a very nice 295 Pounds-feet and the 3.7 has 235. The CRD builds this torque much sooner but also drops off much faster. The 3.7 builds torque all the way to 4000 rpms and reaches max hp at 5200. The crd builds max torque at 1800 rpms and max HP at 3800 rpm. Add the weight of the CRD and it is just simple that it runs out of juice MUCH faster than the 3.7. Torque is unmatched when it comes to towing, pulling and off roading. But HP is the king when it comes to take off and all out performance. I have driven both the 3.7 and a friends CRD. I have also towed the same trailer with both. His CRD will feel like it is going to pull the trailer hitch off when towing but falls flat on it's face when attempting to "drag race". The 3.7 struggles with the 4600 lb trailer but will smoke his CRD on "take off" when both are bare butted.

Not really smokin' faster but the 3.7 is faster when driven by professional drivers.

The following was taken from trucktrend.com.
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD 4X4
0-30 2.5 sec
0-40 4.4 sec
0-50 6.7 sec
0-60 10.1 sec
0-70 14.7 sec
0-80 20.7 sec
1/4 mile 17.5 sec at 74.5 mph

2004 Jeep Liberty Limited 4X4
0-30 3.0 sec
0-40 4.5 sec
0-50 6.8 sec
0-60 9.6 sec
0-70 12.6 sec
0-80 16.4 sec
0-90 24.9 sec
1/4 mile 16.89 at 80.58 mph

Edited to add stats from trucktrend.com

How does the CRD compare to the 3.7?

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