Anybody drove one yet? What's the scoop?

has anybody seen one?

The salesman up at the dealer says that they will be very limited production for year 2005. He said 3000 are to be manufactured and we will not see any until spring. I also thought I read there was GREAT interest in the vehical. I think 3000 built is BS, just a salesman talk.

I heard the same thing up here - 2500 for the USA and 500 for Canada. DC doesn't expect an overwhelming response in North America.

What's it going to have in it? A baby Cummins?

What's it going to have in it? A baby Cummins?Mercedes turbo charged, intercooled 2.8 ltr. "I4" with common rail injection. I am not sure who's injection system it is though. 160 hp and 295 Pound feet of torque, gets a claimed 22 in the city and 27 on the highway.

On Edit: Not A Mercedes a "VM Motori" Italy "Detroit Diesel"

I wasn't impressed with the liberty's fuel mileage. I think the VW V10 gets slightly less than the I4 diesel liberty. Go figure?

i called jeep and they said this month i should see them...

Well then we are probably another 2 to 3 months behind - at least it seemed that way with the Dmax's in '01. Looking forward to driving one. :cool:

Saw lots of them a few weeks ago - in Austria.

DC assembles Chrysler vans and Jeeps there for the European market.

Haven't seen any mention of it on the Jeep website. Always thought a diesel mated to a Jeep would be awesome. Lots of torque at low rpms...just what you need when offroading.

Salesman called the other day says he has two of them on the lot. I have not gotten the chance to go look at them yet.

On Edit: This was incorrect, I received a brochure yesterday (12-18) with a letter that states that the dealer will have two of them in January.

The brochure gives a little more information about the motor but it looks to be mostly fluff & stuff about why diesels are so good. It uses two pilot pulses and one main power pulse. Cast iron block, aluminum head, duel overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, 17.5:1 compression, 24,000 PSI common rail - motor has EGR with with an EGR gas cooler and it has a variable Geometry Turbocharger

anybody seen one yet? or drove one?

anybody seen one yet? or drove one?A "very helpful and knowledgeable":rolleyes: dealer representative at the Indianapolis Auto Show told me that DC is officially launching the Liberty CRD at the Detroit Auto Show. He also confirmed what arguy said earlier that there won't be any on the lot until late January. In addition to this lovely bit of news, there are also reportedly only going to be 3000 built this (2005) model year:( .

Not that I am in the market for a Liberty CRD, but I am excited about seeing more and more diesel vehicles in the general population. According to all of the recent articles I have read, there is to be a substantial increase in the number of diesel variants of new and existing cars (and SUV's) over the next two years. That diesel SUV market is something that I will be watching very closely...:D

salesman called today and said they will have 1 tomorrow. might find the max a new home

I got one today. Going from a '99 c2500 crew to this will need some time to ajust. It has a trip computer, with 70 miles on it and 40 deg. temps I am getting 18 MPG. All the info above is correct but the one about EGR. The vacume diagram does not show an EGR and did not see one. But it might still be one there. Nice little SUV and since the truck had a 6.5 diesel in it, the noise is not bad.

Ken

This one was at the Philly Car show this week...

Popualar Mechanic's did a Diesel vs. Hybrid comparison this month and the Liberty was pitted against the Ford Hybrid Escape. I think the CRD did very well IMO. If it runs anything like my wife's VW TDI, it should be a hoot to drive.

i drove one ! it didnt have alot of power on the top end but it seemed to have lots of tg on the lower side.

The engine is VM Motori, made in Italy, division of Detroit Diesel.

anybody know if there working on a chip for liberty's yet?

VA may have one already as a version of this vehicle has been out in Europe for some time. I can't say for sure but if you go to VA's web site and click on the Europe Icon it lists power upgrades for a lot of vehicles that don't exist over here.

There are lots of Jeep Liberties 2.8CRDs here. They've been here for at least 3 years.

We love diesels in Panama :ro)


Any info of a chip for the Liberty? What is VA's website? :confused:

www.vanaaken.com

Here is some info on the module I ordered for my CRD, Now if my CRD would just get here I would be set.


Quote:




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www.dieseltuning.com/index_eng.html (http://www.dieseltuning.com/index_eng.html)

Here is a link to a company from Germany that has locations around the world including one in Canada and in the US. the price was 529.00. and the response to the E-mail I sent them was as follows

The Digi CR will work perfectly for you vehicle. The only thing I am unsure of is which harness you vehicle will require. There are two different harnesses so I could supply both for you. The installation is very easy and will not take more than one half hour. The price of the CR module and harness is $529.00 US


I ordered the module from joe today. it was in stock and shipping ups today. you can contact joe by e-mail joe@dieseltuning.ca (joe@dieseltuning.ca)

This is what the web page linked above showed for performance gains.

Stock #'s 120 kW 163 HP 400 Nm 294 lb-ft

Module #'s 144 kW 196 HP 480 Nm 353 lb-ft

I was lazzy, and just copied the post I made on another thread I am on, at another site thats for the KJ's. I still don't have the jeep yet but I will have the module in about 3-5 days. Just getting prepaired.(Ordered My CRD 2 weeks ago) http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif






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I'm looking forward to seeing some more reports on the Liberty CRD, especially one with a performance module.

How do the CRDs sound?

sounds pretty cool. loud when cold and quiet when warm but still got a rumble

I got my module today, I wish I could say the same for my Jeep. I checked yesterday and I am up to D- status and which means she is in production as we speek. I am guessing she will ship late next week and arrive here in about 3 weeks from now (I hope). It will take about a week to 2 weeks to get all my modds I am doing done. I should be able to let everyone no about the module performance in a little over a month from now.

I test drove a Liberty CRD Limited on Wednesday! My initial reaction is luke warm (that may be a "Jeep Thang").

The motor was slightly louder than I thought that it would be, although it was very respectable at idle. The engine has a definite (and slightly annoying in my book) 4 cylinder diesel growl, like a Kubota, under acceleration. I would have thought that DC could have tuned their NVH package to better tune out these frequencies. Unfortunately, they did a nice job tuning out the turbo whistle!

The Liberty was not nearly as peppy as I had imagined, either. This thing is supposed to have 170+HP, but the VW Passat TDI that I had driven would have smoked this Liberty! The Passat is only rated at (something like) 110HP. I would seriously look at some type of Van Aaken box as the first (upgrade). I believe that the tuning (read as "timing") had to be so altered to meet emissions on the US "dirty" diesel that this is where the feeling of power has gone. A box should take care of that minor detail.

The EPA reported mileage was 26 MPG highway (that's right only 26!). For reference, the 3.7L (?) V-6 equipped Liberties were rated at 22 MPG Highway. I am sure that someone could get better mileage on a long drive with the CC on (especially with additional timing from Van Aaken). Again, I am looking back at the Passat TDI that was rated 38 highway and I am thinking: What is wrong with DC?. I realize that these vehicles are apples and oranges in comparison, but I would guess that their curb weight difference is not significant enough to readily accept only 26 MPG from the Liberty versus the Passat's 38 MPG. I compare the 2 because I would like to buy a smaller diesel for the wife to drive and these two are the contenders...

I did like the ride and handling of the Liberty, as well as the feel and layout of the interior. I feel that they are also one of the more attractive looking small SUV's out there. The fact that it is available in a diesel is enough to make me buy one, if I go the way of a small SUV. (Come On diesel Yukon!!!!)

Regards,

P.S The Liberty CRD was test driven at McGonigals Jeep in Kokomo, IN. They had 5 CRD's allocated for the year and only have 2 left unclaimed!

The Liberty CRD, although it sounds like it's not a performer, is another stepping stone for fuel efficient turbo diesels. It's an exciting time for diesels, with rumors of almost every auto manufacturer putting diesel engines in their vehicles. I hope the Liberty CRD does well; hopefully it will quicken the placement of diesel powered vehicles on the market.

i am keeping my fingers crossed for a diesel rubicon !

va rep emailed me and said 750 bucks for a liberty chip and only 25hp and 45 tq. looks kinda high to me.

i am keeping my fingers crossed for a diesel rubicon !I read that the Wrangler is due for a revamp in 2007...keep the solid axles and drop in a diesel and give us a gas guzzlin' V8 option.

Stupid question here but what does CRD stand for?

C____ R_____ Diesel???

How 'bout Common Rail?

Or High Pressure Common Rail for some engines....

Not a stupid question;)

Common rail is much like port injection on gas engines. Instead of a separate fuel line coming from the pump for each injector, the pump pressurizes a rail that feeds all the injectors. The injectors are electrically fired instead of mechanically from the pump. It is also very high pressure, 23-26,000 psi instead of 2-3,000 like older diesel designs.

EAV volume is 15,000 a yr Left hand drive. 5000 RHD for export. I designed some stuff for it, and that is what they are ordereing.

The EPA reported mileage was 26 MPG highway (that's right only 26!). For reference, the 3.7L (?) V-6 equipped Liberties were rated at 22 MPG Highway. I am sure that someone could get better mileage on a long drive with the CC on (especially with additional timing from Van Aaken). Again, I am looking back at the Passat TDI that was rated 38 highway and I am thinking: What is wrong with DC?. I realize that these vehicles are apples and oranges in comparison, but I would guess that their curb weight difference is not significant enough to readily accept only 26 MPG from the Liberty versus the Passat's 38 MPG. I compare the 2 because I would like to buy a smaller diesel for the wife to drive and these two are the contenders...

My experience with chrysler is they are horrible for mileage. CTD pickups are an exception but when I owned my dakota, I just figured they intentionally tuned it for horrible mileage (deal with Exxon?). Wouldn't surprise me if a good programmer could boost the mileage significantly.

The EPA reported mileage was 26 MPG highway (that's right only 26!). For reference, the 3.7L (?) V-6 equipped Liberties were rated at 22 MPG Highway. I am sure that someone could get better mileage on a long drive with the CC on (especially with additional timing from Van Aaken). Again, I am looking back at the Passat TDI that was rated 38 highway and I am thinking: What is wrong with DC?. I realize that these vehicles are apples and oranges in comparison, but I would guess that their curb weight difference is not significant enough to readily accept only 26 MPG from the Liberty versus the Passat's 38 MPG. I compare the 2 because I would like to buy a smaller diesel for the wife to drive and these two are the contenders...
So I wonder how much can be made of the greater frontal area of the Liberty and its higher ground clearance.

I believe the Passat diesel is rated at 134hp. Passat will weigh in at just under 3500 pounds and the Liberty at a little more than 4000 pounds and they say the Liberty will tow 5000 pounds....Liberty 3.73 gears, 5-speed auto....geared to perform like a SUV----Passat not so.

Passat front wheel drive is more efficient than RWD or 4x4.

Looks to me like the Liberty has only slightly more power per pound, but greater rolling resistance in tires and the relative aerodynamics of a brick compared to the Passat...

Oh well... I wouldn't mind having either one in my garage. I'd probably go with the Passat 'cause I already have the big diesel swillin' Duramax with all of its capabilities. Although a hot-rod Liberty would be unique.

T-Rex -

Point well taken. My post (quoted) was to express my slight disappointment with the EPA mileage ratings verus its lackluster performance. I know that my truck (with an even larger frontal area, nearly twice the weight, built-in inertia of the 4WD components, and also being geared for performance) will get 20+ in the summer and BLOW THE DOORS off of that Liberty CRD I drove.

BTW - I forgot to mention that the salesperson told me that the reason why the quantity is so limited this year is because the Military is acquiring the other half of the Production Run...

Regards,

How 'bout Common Rail?

Or High Pressure Common Rail for some engines....

Not a stupid question;)

Thanks!

Don't let sales people fool you into paying extra for a limmited production CRD. They are not limmited production. The number DC put out were forcast numbers based on there initial thoughts on the US market demand. They will build as many as we want them to. That business about every dealer getting only one is really BS. My dealer has sold 3 not counting the one I ordered and has 8 more on order along with the 2 he has in stock. That being said the jeep dealers did have to get certified and puchases the required tools needed to service the CRD, in order to sell the CRDs. Not every dealer did that and will not be getting any CRDs until they do. I am paying 600.00 in back of invoice less what ever rebates are when it gets here next week. Sales people tend to dream up what ever they think will make you sign on the dootted line today and pay them the most they can get you to pay. Its the nature of the business.

I haven't been fooled...I didn't buy or order one!

Just relaying what one salesperson told me. Working in the automotive (OEM) industry, I know that quickly revising production forecasts upward is not an easy thing to do, but can be done. I had also read (independently) elsewhere that sales volume for initial production would only be about 8000 to 9000. My thought at the time is that DC is limiting their liability exposure should something major go wrong (injectors or other hard parts failures) the first year or the "forecasted" consumer demand does not materialize.

:Nothing_f

I don't know if you knew this or not, but they have been building the CRD version since 2002 for the european market. The original CRD was a 2.5 version of the VM motor and last year was bumped to the 2.8 for europe and this year they bumped the Hp up about 15 Hp over last years 2.8. I am just saying this is not a new product for jeep. Its just being introduced to a new market. Now since the 2005 build out is not far off now. The numbers that DC has forcast may not be all that far off since there is such a small portion of 2005 production year left to go. I am in hopes they go ahead and start offering the Grand Cheroke version here as well since the new comander is to be based on the grand cherokee platform it would be likely that the Comander would then get the Diesel as well. I hope to see the Comander with a Diesel by 2007 when I plan to replace my Diesel Excursion. ):h ):h ):h

Yes, I did know that.

But as you stated it is a new "application" for the CRD. With any new "application" aka North American market, the usage (and abusage!) can never be predicted. One needs to only look at the fuel differences between Europe and N.A. and the resulting issues that Bosch has had with their injectors in our DMax's.

IIRC the Bosch HPCR injector had "been around" the European market for several years (5+?), but when it came to N.A (in the DMax) the sh!t hit the fan. "New" failure modes were discovered...

Anyhow, logic dictates that one should never buy the first year production run of anything...

Regards,

My neighbor just bought one and wants to know if anyone is making a programmer for them. I drove it and was impressed. It's quiet with a 5spd auto and the torque is obvious.

There is a module or two out for them but have not run across any programers. I bought the Digi-cr module for mine. My jeep finally came in today. I signed the papers on it just a few hours ago however it had not been through cleanup and prep yet so I won't get to pickit up untill tomorrow on my lunch hour. I will let you know how the Digi module works after I put at least a couple tanks of fuel through it in stock form.

va has got one

This may be a dumb question but who is VA and what is that they have, a module or a programer

VA stands for Van Aaken, they are a tuning company from Europe, but many vendors here sell their products. Seems from the feedback from users that they have some pretty good products.

cc199, how about a update on the performance of the liberty.

I picked it up last thursday and put about 250 miles on by friday night. I stopped and filled the tank to check the milage manualy since the computor was showing 19mpg. The computer was off a little I sat there and squeezed every drop I could in it and the real average was 23.6 mpg. The second tank I had installed my K&N and pulled a trailer for about 250 miles of the 2nd tank, I also estimated about 35minutes of idle time and still average 20.3 mpg with the computer showing 21.6 this time it was off the other direction. You just cant count on a good reading from those things my PSD powered trucks are always off a little too. The K&N drop in filter made a very nice addition to the power department. Its in the shop getting its lift kit ,light bar , roof basket, ect.ect.ect. installed yesterday and today. I should get it back tomorrow where I then have to take it and have the front end realigned to allow for the new larger tires and lift. Thursday if it has not started to crack I have to have a big chip in my windshield fixed from stray flying rock on the hyway last sunday that tagged me. Oh I almost forgot I had the windows tinted friday and installed some ventvisors saturday. So far the only thing I don't care for is the drivers seat has a lack of padding over what seems to be a part of the seat frame on the lower cushion right hand side bolster. I find myself sitting sideways in it on long trips. Since I plan to use it on long trips quite a bit will have to take in to an appolstry shop and have them cut out part of that bracket or bend it down so its not poking me all the time. It seems to be just the way its made since the passenger seat is the same way.

if i remember correctly the v/a guy mailed me and said the chip was around 6 or 7 hundred. 25hp and 45tq. numbers might be a little off

man, i was just about to stroll over to the jeep dealership to pick one up but thought i would build one on the net to see how much it would be. YOU CAN ONLY GET THEM WITH AN AUTOMATIC? wtf?!? forget it. sorry if it's been posted that you cant get them with a handshaker but i dont feel like reading 50someodd pages. :blahblah: :joke:


may pick up an 05 liberty 3.7 v6 6spd today though.......