Looking at an 06 model. Anyone know if these are good vehicles? Seems like the Diesel motor really ups the price over the gasser but I think it would be a cool little vehicle.


It's going to be a run around town car doing sales for my company. I need an SUV and I think it's big enough.

What kinda MPG could I expect and can I put a tuner on it easily?



Thanks in advance!

 

I bought one for my Dad three years ago and he says it's the best vehicle he has ever had. The engine runs great with lots of turbo whistle and good power. Very torquey down low like the Cummins. Definately a good road burner for trips or as a winter snow car. Not good for serious four wheeling with it's independent front, soft suspension and low ground clearance. But we have taken it into the desert and carefully explored old mining roads, within reason. His old Cherokee, which he also loved, was quite a bit more capable off road and we used it more for that.

Some have complained that the torque converter is too loose and I think so too, but it's not a deal breaker. I think there was a technical bulletin on those or maybe a new one if you complained. Can't remember. There was a recall on the front end. Ball joints I think. Check to see if that was done or not.

I think he averages about 24.5 MPG with his on road trips (hand calced for the whole trip) and reports back after every one. He is proud to tell me it will cruise along at 90 MPH just fine and that it creeps up there if he doesn't watch it. They ride along listening to books on tape or CDs and just love it.

It has a nice 4WD setup with full time or part time transfer case and low range, but no hubs.

They are not made anymore, as you probably know, but they seem like well made engines and went out of production because they could not meet the later emissions requirements. It's a Penske owned engine I think, and made in Italy. Parts might be a concern, years from now, who knows.

I say get it.

 

Great, I'm going to go look at it sunday.


We've quasi agreed to a purchase price and my bank approved me for 4.7% for 48 months .


I see there are a couple programmers out there that say you can get an additional 25hp and something like 50ft/lbs. Wonder if I'll need gauges?

 

You'll need a torque converter if you bomb it.

Try it before deciding to bomb it. You might like it the way it is. That sounds crazy, I know.

 

what's the warranty on 2006 Jeep vehicles? How long was your dad's warranty?

 

Honestly, I cringe every time one of these comes in for work. The common returning issues on the CRD's were the goofy torque converter recall, *constant* EGR issues, glow plug problems here and there.

Pros: they are VERY durable when people who put 87 Octane gas in them, and driven them for quite a distance. Just a quick drain of the tank, and a fresh fuel filter, then back on the road without a problem. Also, they are peppy indeed. No problems starting up in the winter.

And, yes. They are VM Motori Italian diesel engines.

 

Can I bypass the EGR?


What's the deal with the torque converter? I understand it uses a 5 speed, is it the same one that is behind the Hemi and 4.7?



Thank you very much for the info yall!

 

Honestly - if you don't *need* awd I would give much more thought a Jetta TDi wagon. Probably just as much interior space (riding high up DOES NOT increase space inside) and you'll get double the fuel mileage. It will probably also be a little better reliability wise. Most of the major car reviewers had little, if anything, positive to say about the Liberty, now, or when it was a new model.

Also - there is the '05 Passat wagon with the TDi as well - but they are rare. Either one would be a far better daily driver around town and on the freeway than the rather tall, narrow, ungainly Liberty.

 

I've really thought about those too because they are unique but honestly I need to carry some weight. I own a flooring company and I'm running around town hustling work so I don't have much time to go get my truck if something comes up. Sometimes I could see me putting 700lbs of tile or something in the back if we're in a pickle and I need to get dirty.

I plan to put at least 35K on it a year so I'm trying to find a cost effective MPG vehicle. The cummins isn't cost effective unless it's pulling a load.

I also want something I can ride down the beach with and not get salt on my truck.



My other choice was a Ranger, but that is so gutless and boring I think I'd just sleep in every morning

 

What vehicle you pick is a matter of personal preference.

I have a 2005 Passat TDI sedan. On a road trip I'm not sure the Passat is any nicer than the Liberty, but after installing Koni shocks and a rear sway bar it is WAY better than it was stock. It will out corner the Liberty, but the Liberty might be more comfortable and certainly is better in snow. Seems like it might not be a good idea to use the Liberty as a work truck to haul stuff because it doesn't have a lot of room and it's all carpeted and designed more as a passenger car. Great for runs to the store or to the mountains.

On road trips the TDI Passat gets about 38 MPG aveage and the Liberty about 24.5. Jettas do even better and the new '09s are so nice!

VWs are cool and the engines hold up well, but they are quirky in other ways and the computer that runs the tranny is really asleep at the switch. Good thing it's tiptronic or I would go crazy in the mountains. I keep getting an emissions light that then goes back out and the dealer thinks it's some big deal to figure out what it is. VWs require special oil and special batteries. And don't get me started on the dealers! Sheesh.

My Pop's Liberty has had zero problems so far.

I guess we all take a chance with whatever we get. I just have to have a diesel.

 

Man you guys got me thinking .


I think I can't pass up this deal on this liberty with the low miles and price but I may keep my eye open for a passat wagon for my business partner later on. I researched them last night and I think they will be around the same price as the liberty but the only low mile(under 100K) one I can find is in illinois.


I think if times get really bad I can dump off my cummins and use the liberty. Its rated to tow 5000lbs and I can get by with that especially since they didn't up the rating for the diesel over the gasser . I bet it will pull my 5,500 car/trailer/cargo combination just fine with a brake controller.

 

THEY ARE JUNK. I bought my wife an 06 CRD. I lemon lawed it. It was in the shop for over 120 days straight. You won't need a torque converter if you bomb it. You WILL need a torque converter for the stock output. Put it this way. Jeep sent a recall to reprogram the PCM to detune the torque output because the converters were taking a crap right out of the box. On top of that where the fuel filter screws in develops a crack and puts the Jeep in limp mode and it idles like a 2 cyl 1930's John Deere tractor. I took a video of the jeep not being able to go above 20 mph while floor. No check engine light and no codes thrown. I almost pulled the service manager over his desk the final time it went in. I wised up and got a lawyer. MANY, MANY people have had a bunch of issues. Do some research

 

BTW Yes the Jeep might tow 5000 pounds. (Before they did the recall to reduce your power b/c of the crap converter) . I tried to tow my 19' travel trailer with it. It had the power but that trailer would walk that Jeep all over. I couldn't go above 35 mph because the short wheelbase of the Jeep sucked for towing. It sounds like I'm anti Jeep but I"m not. The CRD was my 6th new Jeep purchase.

 

Thanks for the info. I will set aside the money for a suncoast converter and valvebody.

I'll take a look at the filter housing and keep that in mind.


How can you tell if the converter is on the verge of letting go? The jeep has 42K miles on it.

 

The wife has an '06 with 42K on it, so far, it's been great. Only issue so far other than the recalls being done was a window regulator replaced under warranty.

This site has a lot of good info.....

http://www.lostkjs.com/forum/phpBB2/

There's a new tune out made by GDE that's gotten decent reviews so far, plus they're planning on other upgrades for the Lib.