Has anyone converted the crd to CNG?

Not as I know, but I'd be interested in this. Went online a while ago and found various kits, from 5k+ for epa "approved" and from 800 bucks for non epa certified. I think it would increase mpg by 30-50%.

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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.

It would increase the "diesel" MPG, but those raw BTUs have to be made up somewhere. The benefit is when fuel A is cheaper than fuel B, if you can switch, then you can save money.

I don't know what the price point is for CNG, but you would want to break it out to a price per BTU (or group of BTUs, like say price-per-10k BTU) because the price for diesel is [insert local price] and it contains about 128k BTU according to the department of energy and this PDF:

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fuel_comparison_chart.pdf

According to that page, 6.38 pounds or 139.30 cu ft. of CNG has 100% of the energy content of one gallon of diesel - So how much will that cost then? I think CNG is sold by the BTU, right?

You would need to run the numbers for yourself to see if it will be worthwhile, but it takes at least 128k BTU to drive 30 miles on the highway at 30MPG... So that is what you would be shooting for if you wanted a total replacement. [edit - Somehow I confused myself royally, and posted the total BTU for driving 900 miles, not 30 miles. Oops. Its fixed now - 30MPG would be 30 miles and ONE gallon. I cannot brain anymore today, I have the dumb.]

I'm very interested to see how this might work out. I briefly looked into a propane system for my TDI, but couldn't make the numbers work.

Cng I think is cheaper than propane Geordi. I looked into this early last year, and not sure if the info I have is still accurate. I also believe it's the fact that cng/propane is liquefied which allows to expand its volume by a lot. Yea, you drive with a bomb in the car but supposedly the tank should be solid enough.

Many convert to "be green" which is nonsense as the pollution is about the same. Still, for a regular driver a gasoline engine is more convenient and easier to maintain. Electric cars seem to be the future, there is an e-golf available in new york and new Jersey in your area.

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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.

1. I ve converted a number of fixed and mobile high HP diesels to NG a few years ago. I had a 300T track crane that I put on a tether to manifold points on piers. Unhook, drive over to the next pier (150') on diesel and then hook up again. I converted a 3" trash pump on a raft float in a storm water pond that sometimes ran for a week without touching the rig. This was on a tether from a manifold. Never did one from a tank mount, Just tethers. Also a dredge machine with a 450HP turbo cat on a tether. Engines run so clean it is unbelievable.
2. There is LNG (liquid at -260F) There is CNG which is compressed to 3-5000 PSI. There is NG which is running at various pressures. Home presssure is around 2 PSI, I used 12-14 PSI to run over 50 cutting torches at the same time in a shipbreaking yard. That was supplied by a 6 inch main.
3. LNG is being produced and shipped around the world at this moment and the US can become a major source of same. Ferries and power plants in Norway have been using LNG since the 90's. It is very low in emissions, that's one reason the coal power plants are switching over. India has been using dual fuel and sole CNG for years. They have stations all over India for same. Scooters, cars, buses and haul trucks are all running CNG. Tata motors is now producing busses with LNG. Makes sense if available. Liquid, safe, and low emissions. It will not pollute as will will fuel oils and it does not explode as most think.
4. A home system with car mounted tanks can be done for between 5 and 10K. They make wall mount compressors, etc. Problem is tankage which takes up space and adds weight. Range will run about 100 to 150 miles, but the newer dual fuel computers allow easy transfer. I seriously looked into the install a few years ago when I was fooling with the yard systems, but since I have had, how shall I say it, negligent cost diesel, I just did not bother. To have it make economic sense you need to take your home NG and charge your own system for your daily local running. You avoid the tax and use reatively low cost NG that is generally clean. If you worry about regulatory things, then forget it. If you live in places like CA. It can be done, but it must done by a guy with a permit/license to do the conversion and the tankage systems. A number of CA greenies have done so in other vehicles. I personnaly would not go to this cost and effort strictly for the green approval rating!!!! THis from a guy that cut out his EGR system and cat and muffler.
5. I think these little CRD's would make an interesting project. NOt for everyone.

"negligent cost diesel"... Love it! That made me smile.

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05CRD: GDE Hot ECU & TCM tunes, Provent, Cat filter, Facet lift pump, TransGo kit, Florida TC, Samcos, stainless brake lines, HDS thermostat, Renegade light bar,
Bilstein adjustables, Al's Gen 4.5 Arms, 235/85-16 Duratracs, DTT rear, Elocker front, EVIC+TPMS, Turbo timer, McNally pillar gauges, Weeks Stage II kit.