Four-wheel Drive, Diesel, And Not A Truck?

In America?

Posted October 5 2010 12:05 PM by Mike McGlothlin
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Diesel Suvs

Remember the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty’s?...

They came with the common-rail 2.8L VM Motori 4-cylinder engine, made 160 hp, 295 lb-ft, and helped them achieve as much as 27 mpg on the highway. They were killed off after the ’06 model year due to the emissions crunch of 2007 (Tier 2)…which means no DPF to worry about (just EGR).

I came across a low-mileage one for $12,000 the other day and have given it more thought than I normally would—mainly due to the lack of diesel-powered automobiles here in North America. I like the fact that it is four-wheel drive, too. I’m a big believer in four-wheel drive. The only two-wheel drive vehicle I’ve ever owned was a 5.0L Mustang, and that was only for a summer.

If I end up with one of these, what types of stories would you like to see? If any…

Reader Comments:

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1. I always liked these little diesel jeeps!

I think it would make a great project! I like reading about the diesel Grand Cherokee.

I would like a build up where you add more power to the VM Motori diesel, remove the EGR if possible, and make it a very capable off-road rig.

Edge makes a module for them. I thought TS Performance did to, but maybe not.

What tranny does it have?

SmokenGun - Posted October 5 2010 01:59 PM

2. 545RE, same as what's behind the Hemi's.

Skip the modules, check out www.greendieselengineering.com for a full tune and http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=5, there's all the info you'll need to know to get a CRD project going.....

clday25 - Posted October 6 2010 12:46 PM

3. Sweet! Thanks for posting up.

Mike McGlothlin - Posted October 6 2010 01:25 PM

4. Fantastic idea! I own a 2005 Liberty CRD. I'd like to see the tranny upgraded with new torque converter, shift kit, cooler etc. An upgraded turbo and tuned. Then get out and wheel it.

you can find lots of good info on the CRD at www.lostjeeps.com

bugnout - Posted October 6 2010 01:53 PM

5. Thanks for the info Jason!

SmokenGun - Posted October 6 2010 03:22 PM

6. Scratch that last comment. For some reason I thought this was Thompsons blog. Sorry Mike.

SmokenGun - Posted October 6 2010 03:49 PM

7. I have an 05 Liberty CRD, and I have been purchasing DP since I bought the Jeep. Would I like to see articles about it? HELL YES! Do I have material that can help you with one? ALSO YES! I have been LOOKING for things that would apply to my diesel. While I have found DP to be a great magazine and a fantastic value for the price, I have been left wanting on the primary reason I purchase it - Stuff for my Jeep diesel. Yes, we do exist!

I have upgraded the engine for both longevity and performance, fixing the designed-in flaws from DCX, one of which caused me to need to replace the entire engine.

I'm not an off-road wheeling type, but I ask my diesel to work hard for me. Pulling HEAVY and BIG trailers, the CRD has never failed to deliver the load, AND get 20mpg while doing it! These amazing motors deserve to be highlighted, considering that they offer surprising abilities out of a "mere" 4 cylinder. Who needs 8 cylinders to pull 6 tons GCWR? Not me!

I would be happy to talk with you, Mr McGlothlin about any of these... So that DP can finally showcase a GREAT diesel that as you said - Isn't in a "truck" shape. Contact me, either on here or on the previously mentioned LOSTJEEPS.com site, same username.

--Jim

geordi - Posted October 6 2010 05:57 PM

8. I think I should give you a quick list of what I have upgraded on my CRD for both performance and longevity:

Engine ECM tune
Transmission TCM Tune
Upgraded torque converter
Taller commercial-grade tires
Upgraded thermostat system
Auxiliary fuel lift pump
EGT gauge in the turbo inlet
Boost gauge
Upgraded free-flow exhaust system
Class III hitch with pintle
Upgraded stereo
Satellite radio
CB radio

I'm sure there is more I'm forgetting, like I said - This was just a quick list off the top of my head.

--Jim

geordi - Posted October 6 2010 06:08 PM

9. Pull the trigger Mike!

jason.thompson - Posted October 7 2010 07:57 AM

10. Wow! I think I've pretty much made up my mind.

Thanks for the input guys.

Jim, I will definitely be in touch with you. Now the hunt for one will continue...

Mike McGlothlin - Posted October 7 2010 09:11 AM

11. Just be sure to put some fat MT's on it Mike :)

SmokenGun - Posted October 7 2010 09:50 AM

12. Mike,

You're gonna love the CRD! No other vehicle in America can you:
-Competently Offroad
-Tow 5,000+ lbs (7,000 overseas)
and
-Average over 20 MPG.
(I have averaged 23.9 mpg measured over the last 9,400+ miles)

They aren't perfectly engineered, but we at LOST jeeps have figured out how to re-engineer any shortcomings.

My little Tractor will do everything I ask of it...efficiently, too.

Rixram - Posted October 7 2010 10:40 AM

13. My mods to my 2006 Pearl Green CRD are:
Magnaflow 2 1/2" Cat Back
KJ Extra Leg Room Brackets, Carter Lift Pump, V6 Airbox, ORM
Fuel cooler, Oil Separator, Progard 7 air filter
Gauges EGT Boost Trans Temp,Cooper ATR 215 85 R16
7,000# Draw Tight hitch, PML 11039 X Deep Trans Pan
Centrifuge, SunCoast, Transgo, EXP TCM, InMotion Stage 2

I set up my CRD doing the work myself to travel the urban expressways, rural back roads, and construction sites I drive to. When I want to tow I want the capability to do so. Like any STOCK vehicle the CRD suffered from Bean Counter Engineering which I have done my best to undo.
Mods left to do are: SEGR, Bolier's 3/8" front strut shims, double set of upper rear spring spacers, Trans cooler, Oil pressure, and fuel pressure gauge.
Jeep needs to get the Diesels back into the US and the Acid Head Hippies need to be run out of the EPA & CARB.

warp2diesel - Posted October 7 2010 06:11 PM

14. Mike, for about 3 grand in upgrades, you can have a bulletproof vehicle that will never let you down.

Transmission - Suncoast billet TC, second gen oil pump, and Transgo shift kit. Stock and/or F37 replacement TC from Chrysler is JUNK - so-called "Euro" TC is little better - Suncoast is purpose-built and top of the line.

Fuel - add a lift pump - I used a Kennedy Diesel centrifugal - fuel module from 04 and later Cummmins with an in-tank pump is a drop in replacement, wiring already run under rear seat - get rid of the crappy OEM fuel filter setup, 10 to 15 micron at best - a Racor or Stanadyne setup with 2 micron filter, Omega Engineering makes a temp probe that can be adapted to these - preferably a 150 micron strainer before the lift pump. Highly recommend a fuel cooler in the return line

Intake - lower airbox and intake from an 02 or 03 gasser version, that sucks from under the hood - stock intake behind the grille sucks up rainwater.

Suspension - Moog lower ball joints and Ranchero shocks.

Exhaust - ditch the factory gasser muffler - personally use a Aeroturbine 2525 straight-thru muffler - stock muffler is for a 2.4 L gasser!!!

Provent CCV filter to keep oil out of the intake, Samco intercooler hoses. OHM mod (unplug MAF sensor) or SEGR to disable EGR and it's soot.

DO NOT ADD AN AFTERMARKET TUNE UNTIL YOU'VE AT LEAST UPGRADED THE TRANNY AND FUEL SYSTEMS!!! Personally use InMotion Stage II tune, Rocket Chip also has had good results - reputable companies with a good track record. InMotion Stage II - 185 HP/330 ftlbs at the rear wheels on dyno. IMHO, avoid a GDE tune - for reasons best explained in private - their tunes have caused problems that even Chrysler eliminated in their factory tunes long ago - they understand software but not diesels.

If your vehicle has been F37'd, Suncoast Diesel Transmissions can reflash your TCM to restore the original tranny software and shift points.

Present configuration, I've seen as high as 34 mpg interstate cruising.

retmil46 - Posted October 7 2010 06:48 PM

15. This just keeps getting better and better......

That's over half a dozen upgrade items/stories right there...

Mike McGlothlin - Posted October 7 2010 08:42 PM

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