Liberty 2002 Wagon - Running Gear From Forester

[realluke]

Hi All
I have a 2002 Liberty Wagon - Build Date 06/2002 - that I have been told has a head issue. The car still starts and runs fine, maybe a little under powered, but I thought I would swap the engine as I like to do things myself and would be the cheaper option.
I found and bought a low km Forester - Build Date 08/2002(MY03?) - for the engine but considering it's got heaps less k's (and new brakes) than the Liberty I want to use as much of the running gear as I can from it. I've done a lot of searching but haven't been successful in finding anything specific to these two models and any compatible parts.
Here's what I would consider using(which is pretty much everything):
Entire Front Cradle and Rear Cradle - but if not then below as individual parts:

Engine, auto transmission, transfer case
Suspension - Springs and Shocks
Brakes - Discs and Calipers
Rear Diff
CV's and Shafts
Control Arms
I would be interested to hear about any ratio differences also or other pointers regarding the change over that you might have.
Thanks Heaps
Luke

[BillyCorgi]

Is your MY2002 Liberty a 2.0 or a 2.5?
Is it Manual or Auto?

[realluke]

Hi Billy

Thanks for making contact. The Liberty is 2.5 litre engine and is an Auto. The Forester is also a 2.5 and has an Auto.

Cheers.

Luke

[BillyCorgi]

The engine from the Forester can be dressed up to emulate the EJ251 of the Liberty so it will be controlled by the Liberty ECU.

To make this work trouble free, the following components need to be reused from the Liberty engine.

Intake manifld complete, with injectors and wiring hanress
CrankShaft Sprocket/Tone Wheel and Crank Shaft Position Sensor
Left Hand Bank Camshaft Sproket and Camshaft Position Sensor
Knock Sensor

If they worked before the swap, they will work after the swap and communicate with the ECU.

[realluke]

Thanks heaps Billy

That info's invaluable and a real eye opener at the same time. I'd just assumed replace one 2.5 with another 2.5 and drive off into the sunset...but not to be. If I take my time though I should be able to manage it. The Forester engine has not long had the timing belt changed, what precautions should I take so I don't mess anything up timing wise?

As for the transmission and rest of the running gear can I access your knowledge bank on those components. Ideally I would prefer to keep the transmission attached to the engine for the transfer.

Thanks again. Luke.