...That we need a CRD Liberty!

Looking for a new car/truck/suv, something a small family can use comfortably. Right now is me, wife, and a 2 year old. At least one more little one in the plans anyhow. We currently have a 98 Dodge Ram 2500/Cummins, has 4 doors so it works for the carseat, can even fit groceries in it. But it's becoming a work truck more and more, and diesel has hit $4.20+ here, so I've started driving a 99 Honda Accord. I hate it. I need something that's not a....Honda.

I'm no stranger to diesels, before the Honda we had a 02 Jetta TDI that was a great little car and a learning curve for me, something that wasn't a Cummins.. unfortunatley it was crashed . But I'm thinking a Liberty diesel is a good bet, I've done some reading over the past few weeks and the common stuff doesn't scare me. Making it run a little better sounds even more fun.

My only concern is finding parts for it, although it won't be my only set of wheels so I'm not overly concerned. Probably won't be towing with it as I have the Dodge, but a commuter/grocery getter and maybe a little fun with it offroad.

I've read about oily intake/exhaust, pressurized coolant bottles, and low oil for first things to look for when buying. Anything else to keep an eye out for? I've found a few in the 5500-7k range that look great online, but haven't seen them in person yet.

Thanks in advance
gorms

Take her for a test drive, she seems to have no problem with your other diesels?

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20 year owner of Libby CRD!
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

Diesel Power mag had a nice short write up a few years ago that might be worth sharing with her:

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/news/1103 ... di_diesel/
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ ... berty_crd/

and a road test:

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ ... ty_diesel/
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ ... rbodiesel/

Ours was my wifes daily driver for a number of years. She lover the power and size - bigger than a TDI and sit a little higher, but not as hard to park at her work as her former vehicle which was a 97 Ram/ Cummins 12v 4x4.

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2005 Limited CRD

So we got to look at a few gasser Liberty's today and we like them, little small compared to the truck but thats part of why we're looking for one.

Trying to hunt one down that has some proof of the t-belt being done. If not I will just plan on doing it myself....

I already have a little shopping list going, including a eco-tune from GDE. My only question on that, is here in MA 2000 and newer light duty diesels under 8500lbs are supposed to have an OBD check. Does disabling the EGR valve show up as a CEL with their tune?

Anyone else in MA with experience on this?

Okay a word from Mrs. Squeeto:


Okay now they are discussing homes.

Before you decide to read up..... viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78122

These CRD's are a lot of work. not a good primary driver.

Good luck
KJJET

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05 Liberty CRD Sport with Leather 115k
GDE ECO, No EGR, no FCV, (system gone)
Oil Drain plug P/N 090-039
K&N Air Filter, 2nd gen Fuel filter head
NEW Rockers & lifters
Mobil 1 0w-40
Stant 13519 195 deg inline Thermostat.
0 281 002 845 MAP
Etecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs
Advance Gold 800CCA Battery
Traded it for a Quality VW TDI

It's not going to be a primary driver. I should have specified that my wife doesn't drive, it's just another vehicle besides our Dodge for all three of us to get out and do things... and get some better mileage to boot. My Dodge has been a daily driver for me for some time now, so I'm aware of what "a lot" of work can be. In the last 3-4 years (truck now has over 250k on it) I've swapped the auto for a 5 speed, swapped rear end, rebuild turbo, completely replaced just about every moving part in the front end, built a flatbed for it....the list goes on and doesn't end.

But we love it, wouldn't trade it in for anything out there, and it has paid for itself several times over. It takes a beating weather it's plowing all night long, towing too much, lumping trees out of the woods, or just pulling the camper in 100 degree heat through the mountains. Just looking for another diesel to get around with, Jetta's are great, had one, but it's too small and we need some better ground clearance. It was the same thing with that, not just a turn key and go kind of car...for long anyways. Always something to keep up with, sticking turbo vanes, dirty map, clogged intake...you get the idea.

If something does wrong I will be fixing it myself, and it won't be the only set of wheels. From what I can read also, it doesn't sound nearly as bad as the early 6.0 problems (or as expensive to fix) so it can't be that bad, right?

Insight from both sides of the fence is appreciated.

They are a lot of work if you read the Noob guide and keep on fixing them until they are broke. Most of the problems I had here are caused by doing recommended mods on lost. The only recommendation is, get the GDE tune, and follow regular scheduled maintenance with recommended fluids and parts. If I ever started to beitch constantly about my CRD I would no longer own either of them. Also I will have to tell my wife that her CRD that she drives daily for 4 or 5 years is not a good primary driver, but what would she drive then? The other CRD?

BTW, I almost have the url to Kjets thread remembered, I saw it so many times in so many threads. Maybe he can get TonyCRD to bump Sir Sams Noob guide down and make it the top sticky?

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78122

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20 year owner of Libby CRD!
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

Any of the GDE tunes will not trigger any issues at Mass state inspection. Check my recent posts on previous threads regarding others who have recently been considering a KJ CRD.

DOC

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2005 KJ CRD Ltd Detroit TrueTrac Bilsteins G2 GDE "HOT" ECU GDE TCM "Tow Tune" "euro" TC SEGR Weeks Elbow New HG at 130K ARPs Clean CAT aFe Filter Magnaflow Exhaust EHM Cumminos In-Tank Lift Pump Hayden Fan Clutch Nylon Fan VH Enabled with GDE lower shutoff point Recalibrated Temp Gauge Tekonsha Prodigy Sears P-1 ZDDP

double post

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

If you don't mind getting dirty every now and then, get one. There are plenty good deals, some on the classifieds section of this forum (there is one in Austin TX for 4000, with a minor side crash for example), some Craigslist or autotrader. If you get one with over 100k, just replace the rockers, timing belt, pulleys and water pump, get a GDE tune and the engine is good for another 100k. I really like this jeep, it's my daily driver but I also have a back-up jeep just in case. The ride is smooth and comfortable for a car of this type, warms up the cabin relatively quick even w/o viscous heater, my wife likes it, but I let her drive only when I have few drinks, lol. I'm looking into getting another crd for her.

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

The Princess loves hers. I only get to lay under it, spend time under the hood, clean it, and fill it with fuel. Do I get to drive it ? Into the shop to work on it or every other Christmas. I tried to sell it but was OVER RULED with extreme prejudice.

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05 KJ CRD Limited..
08 WK CRD Laredo
03 DR 2500 Cummins
13 Edge Limited AWD

Who drives when you are together? My wife prefers shotgun.

"Who drives when you are together? My wife prefers shotgun."
We take the Dodge Diesel. I'm 6-5 and about 230 and don't really fit so good in the Jeep. Remember Joey Chitwoods Thrill Show ?
Riding with the Princess is sometimes quite similar.

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05 KJ CRD Limited..
08 WK CRD Laredo
03 DR 2500 Cummins
13 Edge Limited AWD

you will never convince your wife of anything she doesn't already want to happen.

at best she may chose not to disagree with you - that is not the same thing.

you might get be able to convince her that it was really her idea - because of some comment/suggestion she made - and that this was the logical conclusion....that's hard to pull off - but can work on occasions...

when something goes wrong (and everything with wheels will have some issue somewhere)

it will be completely and totally your fault - she will explain that to you.....several times.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Brilliant, all the way through.

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--Prof

927/948 OME Springs - Bilstein Shocks - JBA Upper Control Arms - Rage Black Widow Roof Basket - Viper 3606V Alarm System

Brilliant indeed!!! Lol

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Thanks, flman

_________________
05 Liberty CRD Sport with Leather 115k
GDE ECO, No EGR, no FCV, (system gone)
Oil Drain plug P/N 090-039
K&N Air Filter, 2nd gen Fuel filter head
NEW Rockers & lifters
Mobil 1 0w-40
Stant 13519 195 deg inline Thermostat.
0 281 002 845 MAP
Etecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs
Advance Gold 800CCA Battery
Traded it for a Quality VW TDI

Your welcome, and a good sport about it too.

_________________
20 year owner of Libby CRD!
2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.

OK just took one for a drive in RI at a used dealer, nice little trucks they are. Has 107k on it, no idea of t-belt being done etc.

Anyhow, about a min after starting up in the cold (around 32 here) I popped off the coolant bottle cap and it popped into my hand like it was under pressure. I'm guessing that's not a good thing. Once it warmed up a bit it had no pressure under it. Tell tale sign to keep looking?

Also I know the EGR system can make the oil black, but even after a "fresh" oil change it's pretty gross on the dipstick. It's been a while since I've had a diesel with a working EGR (on purpose) but I never remember it being that bad on the Jetta I had.