Looking forward to seeing how the build goes.
An EGR delete and PCV catch can are definitely good mods for any diesel, especially on the newer direct injected models.
On my Terrano, oil changes every 5000 km are required - might be slight overkill on a newer cleaner running diesel? In having said that, I change the oil, start it up and it's already black :-o
Looking forward to seeing where this goes. For a long distance tourer I hate to say that the ranger does make more sense.
I really hope that the Forester goes to a good home is all.