Hi Mitchell,
I have a 2007 CRD and it is set up as a long range Tourer... quite a nice one IMHO.
Your first purchase should be a ScangaugeII (or similar). Less than $200 and they are absolutely fantastic. Absolute no brainer purchase for a CRD as they will monitor every engine parameter except EGT and will tell you fuel useage very accurately and remaining to within a litre or two. It will save you $200 in fuel useage alone.
Your second purchase should be an EGT if (I stress IF) you are going to be towing or intend to Chip or modify the engine with EGR blocks etc.
The CRD's to date have been very reliable with many in the 100 to low 200 thousand K's and do not require the so called "NADS mods" if you watch your fuel flows and temps. NADS is from a decade ago now.
For a tourer a good battery setup with at least dual batt's and ability to take solar panel charging for the batteries and to run the fridge is probably the next thing.
Every other post here is correct in that weight is the prime enemy and a stock truck will get 90% of the "touring" places a mod'd one will. (Mine is up 2 inches and 33" AT's and were that won't go then I don't want to either when it is just me and the missus)
EGR block made a slight difference to my performance but mine is also heavily mod'd. Remember the EGR block reasoning is to reduce soot in the oils and motor wear not a performance boost and it WILL screw with your boost. Any change in performance is a byproduct.
I would add long range fuel tankage to your list (Jerry's other than a couple as emergency fuel) are a PIA really).
Finally, one of the biggest bits of fun is in building the truck mate so enjoy... oh, one last thing, consider joining a 4WD Club even if only for a year or two... you will learn heaps.
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