kj engine question y ..03 more expensive then 04+??

[pbeatz]

hi guys i have a 03 liberty i need an engine for it.i found 03 engines from 2000 to 2500..and 04 up for like 1500 even a 08 for that much i as wondering why..
also if i could use an 04+ engine on a 03 kj???
thanks ahead

 

[martin_metal_88]

You have the 2.4 or the 3.7 engine? If it's the 3.7 I'm pretty sure a 2004+ would fit nicely, maybe with some minor mod. Anyway, wait for some more informed member to comment because my comment is just what I think and I'm not sure of the real answer

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

You can use an '04 with no mods - but an '05 and later will require you to change the right side cam sprocket and the reluctor wheel on the crankshaft in order to for the new motor play nice with the computer on your '03.

Now you CAN use an '05 and later if you're willing to take apart your current engine and pull the parts mentioned above and put them on the replacement. (You can also buy the mentioned parts from an engine builder.) You'll also have to craft a plate to cover the hole where the EGR valve was on the replacement motor.

Do a search here; a member recently put an '05 or '07 motor in his '03 doing what I mentioned above and it worked out fine.

Bob

 

[yellocoyote]

Because of the potential different transmissions between early and later '03s (45RFE vs 42RLE), do you think the engine also differs to accommodate? Maybe that's part of the price difference?

 

[dsherw00d]

One thing that caused me lots of aggravation was the rear pilot hole. I have an 02, bought a rebuilt 03 short block, swapped all the stuff over, motor went in nice, then the frustration of mating up the trans. After many hours fighting it thinking I must have alignment slight off, I measured the torque converter snout and the crank recess. The crank recess was much smaller on the 03 then the 02. The 03 actually has a spacer installed to make the hole smaller. It was a bear to get out of the crank, but once I did, ****** went in nice. If you are using a different year engine, check it all before installing and finding out something doesn't mate up. I was pretty fortunate with everything else during the swap though.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

One thing that caused me lots of aggravation was the rear pilot hole...

Forgot about that difference. I believe the rear pilot bearing is also different on the '03 compared to the '05 and later.

Good catch.

Bob