Montero Love [Archive] - Expedition Portal

preacherman

12-28-2006, 03:56 AM

First post here and I already have a question. Any Montero lovers out there? My current build is a 94 Monty. They are great. Very similiar to a trooper (3.5 v6, 245hp, 4w disk, coil over rear etc) but come with a factory rear air locker, center diff lock and 3rd row jump seats. Also great web site, I am sure it will be my new faviorate past time.

Scott Brady

12-28-2006, 04:28 AM

Hola Preacherman :camping:

The Montero of your era is a fantastic platform and a "world" vehicle. Lots of room and a solid design. Rain gutters too.

Thanks for stopping in :jumping:

upcruiser

12-28-2006, 01:43 PM

I've always liked those rigs. My ex girlfriend had one for a long time, a 3 door short wheelbase version. She had the V6 but as I recall its bhp was rated around 170ish. The coil sprung rear axle allowed for a nice ride and it was great for getting around tight 2 track around here (pretty much all of the two tracks are very narrow). It started to lose the battle against rust though so she unloaded it for a T100. I know she really misses that truck though.

Post up some shots if you get a chance though.

preacherman

12-28-2006, 02:35 PM

I am traveling right now but will post up some shots of it when I get home on sat. I took it to moab this may and it did great. The only thing about it that is frustrating is the lack of aftermarket support. There is almost none whatso ever. BUt that makes it kinda fun as well.

datrupr

12-28-2006, 03:36 PM

Welcome to ExPo Preacherman! The Montero is a great platform! I was considering them when I was shopping for my Trooper a few years ago, but in sunny AZ they held thier value too well, and I could not a good one for the price I was looking.

bootzilla

01-02-2007, 08:36 PM

I am surprised there are not more Monteros around here - I had slimmed my choice down to the Montero, Land Cruiser, and Trooper... the LC was lots of $$ and I had trouble finding a Montero for some reason - I wanted the Limited with the trick transfer case, and had no luck chasing one down - so when a low-mileage Trooper crossed my path, I jumped on it.

Monters are great - got any pics of it to share?

preacherman

01-03-2007, 03:03 AM

I need to post some pics but have not had time. I will try to soon. It's a really cool truck. I had a FJ60 and was looking for a FJ80 when I stumbled across my monty for CHEAP. It had a check engine light that ended up being a egr sensor. The shady used car lot guy unloaded it on me thinking he had suckered me into a lemon...turns out it was a $65 sensor (which I suspected) That saved me $2,000. When I first bought it I kept thinking, "Why have I not heard about these before?" You get a lot of truck for a good price compaired to an FJ80. (at least where I am)

AZ_Husker

01-03-2007, 09:15 PM

Preacherman,

Go to 4x4wire.com and go into the forum section. There is a Mitsubishi forum there. I just started looking into the Montero myself and gathered lots of info there. Scottie2113 provided the info and I actually ended up meeting him yesterday. He invited me come over to his place and let me check out his two 1997 Montero's. Even took me for a drive in one that he swapped 4.90 gears into. Both have the factory rear air-lockers. One has lift and ARB locker in front also. I love the trucks. Sturdy build; roomy, boxy body; nice 4wd system. I'm going to direct him to this forum also.

Chris

preacherman

01-05-2007, 03:44 AM

Here are 2 pics of the monty one inside one out. In the middle of the dash is a inclometer (SP?)compas, outside temp, and altimeter. It comes standard on the SE package.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/Moab5.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/preacherman75/DSC_0079.jpg

tdesanto

01-24-2007, 04:51 AM

Preacherman,

To answer your question: there are a few of us out there. I've been a huge fan of these trucks ever since I bought my '94 Montero. After I finally ran that one into the ground, I looked around and couldn't find a better fit for my needs and pocketbook. So, in 2004, I purchased a well maintained 2001 (3rd generation).

I too miss the 3rd party vendor support that the land rovers and toyotas get by default. It's has made it harder to find what you need without having to either fabricate the items yourself or find someone who can do it for you and do it well.

So far I've added an ARB winch bumper, Warn XD9000, rear ladder, and an OME suspension. I couldn't find any custom roof racks, so I ended up with the Yakima load warrior and 2 18" extensions for it.

Your year model actually has a few more items you can get for it, including rock sliders and a custom roof rack that mounts to the rain gutters--very nice indeed.

Let me know if you've got any more Montero questions.

39Ronin

01-24-2007, 05:25 AM

Mine is your 2.5L Intercooled Turbo Diesel brother

http://groups.msn.com/J-cars/1991pajeroarrivingapril.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=27

But is Right Hand Drive!

Martinjmpr

02-17-2007, 05:57 PM

I had a 1990 Montero, it was a great vehicle. I owned it for 7 years and put almost 130,000 miles on it. Very reliable, even with high miles. I did have the valve guide problem that was common on the 3.0l V-6, but it never did leave me stranded and always went where I needed it to go. When I sold it at around 147,000 miles it was still running strong.

Photo of my driving my Monty over one of the obstacles at Hole-in-the-rock trail at the 1999 Montero Rally in Utah.

Monstero

03-21-2007, 04:03 AM

I love the Monteros. All the way from the Dodge raider style up on through to the 2006 Gen 3s. I didnt used to be that way though and used to hate the way they looked until a friend told me to come for a ride in his 01 Gen3. I just didnt like the looks of them, but after riding and test driving his stock one I was converted. Being 6'5" its hard to get a vehicle that you arent staring at the roof visor while looking out the windshield or looking directly through the tinted part in your line of sight at the top of the windshield. I sat in ALL the suvs and none of them fit me like the Montero did with the bigger viewing area out front. After that I ended up going out and buying an 03 XLS model and have fell in love ever since....hehe......

I have wheeled mine as hard as one can without getting stupid crazy and asking for body damage, and it has held up great with nothing more than "Normal routing maintenance". With the traction control that was put in them in the 03 year it gets me to places I wanna go quite easily. I was directed here by TDESANTO and its a great forum and good to see some more monty owners as well as other well built rigs on here as well.

Martinjmpr

03-21-2007, 03:01 PM

Oh yeah, they're great rigs as long as you're willing to pay the "Montero Tax." That is, the extra money, time and hassle of trying to find parts, accessories or service in the US. Outside the US Pajeros are as common as weeds. I've been all around the world and have yet to go to a country where I don't see more Pajeros than I see Monteros in the US.

Incidentally, does anybody know why they don't use the name "Pajero" in the US? I know it sounds foreign, but then again, so does Montero. The difference is that I think Pajero is an actual Spanish word, whereas Montero is a sort of made up word. :victory:

Ryanmb21

03-21-2007, 03:54 PM

I am interested in learning more about these......more pics please!

tdesanto

03-21-2007, 05:02 PM

I am interested in learning more about these......more pics please!

Here's a couple in the Ouachita National Forest this winter.

Also, check out my mod thread below.

64816480

preacherman

03-22-2007, 02:44 PM

tdesanto

03-22-2007, 03:58 PM

I saw a few pics of yours on the site awhile back. Looks like a great rig. Where are you in Texas? I just moved to the midland area and would love to wheel sometime. I hope to make a quick big bend trip next month and hopefully a copper canyon trip this fall.

Thanks for the compliments on the rig.

I'm in the Dallas area and would enjoy wheelin' with another Texan, and another Montero owner at that.

I just PM'd you with more details.

Cheers,

TD

offroadchef

03-27-2007, 01:59 AM

Check out some of the pics of Toys and G-wagens

Bilder = pics

Site is in german.

http://www.innovation-campers.de/d_main.html

sofar 364 rigs built or the inside built out.

DBS311

08-07-2007, 04:47 PM

tdesanto

08-07-2007, 05:09 PM

I've been looking at the '98-'00 Monteros and was wondering....how do you know if it came with the factory locker? When shopping for LC 80's, it is easy to look for the dial to the left of the steering wheel. Is there a switch I should be looking for in the Montero?

For those with lots of Montero experience, are there some problem areas I should be aware of when shopping/test driving? This is my first venture outside of the Land Cruiser world and I'm a newb to anything non-Toyota.

I believe this is an electronic lock. There should be a switch on the console near the shifter. At least that's how it was on the '94 model that I owned. Body really didn't change much though on the gen II trucks.

DBS311

08-08-2007, 09:38 PM

Is my red arrow pointing to the rear diff lock switch?

DBS311

08-08-2007, 09:42 PM

Or is it this switch?

tdesanto

08-08-2007, 10:05 PM

Is my red arrow pointing to the rear diff lock switch?

Sorry I cannot tell from the resolution of the photographs. My 94 didn't actually have one, but the spot was there for the switch (it just had a blank cover over it). I may be wrong, as it’s been several years since I owned my gen II model; however, I believe it’s the one in your first photo (in front of the 4WD selector). I also seem to remember that it was clearly marked as “Rear Diff Lock” or “RDL”. I’m basing this on the Mitsubishi service manual that I used to have for this truck.

It appears that Preacherman has the RDL on his model, based on his original note. I'll email him and ask him to reply.

preacherman

08-08-2007, 11:23 PM

It's the first one down below the radio. The one on the center console is for your auto tranny. The center one (auto tranny) is basically a switch mounted shift kit that lets you choose between shift settings like soft, firm, or sport. And in case you are wondering there is not a center diff lock "switch" on the dash any where like in the FJ80's. It must be in the transfer case because it locks in when you shift into 4wd. If there is a switch beside the 12v outlet just below the radio then you have a locker. The locker is an air locker (located in the compartment underneith the back seat) and can only be locked when in 4wd low.

DBS311

08-09-2007, 06:27 AM

Thanks for the help guys. I have been looking at '98-'00 Monteros and '01-'02 Troopers. The more I look at the Mitsubishi's, the more I like them. It's a hard call but hopefully within a month I will have made my decision. Are there common problems with the Gen 2 and 2.5 I should be looking for when test driving?

4Rescue

08-09-2007, 02:28 PM

I pretty much always thought that this was one fo the sexiest looking SUV's made in a long time. The Montero sport. Never see them out tho.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/4x4Rescue/98_mitsubishi_montero_sport_4wd2.jpg

This on the other hand might be the UGLIEST suv ever made (that wasn't a Ford or GM product). No offense to the guy who's got one, I like that yours is built up.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/4x4Rescue/2005_Mitsubishi_Montero_ext_1.jpg

preacherman

08-09-2007, 06:56 PM

try this page for montero information

http://www.4x4wire.com/mitsubishi/

The lower intake plemun on some 94/95 models sometimes has a small problem (see link) and sometimes with a big lift and the rear sway bar removed you have to sturdy up the rear control arms. Both of these are talked about on the link above. As far as the newer ones I don't know as much about them.

When you look at dollar for dollar and what you get (4 wheel disk brakes, rear locker, 245hp V6, lots of cargo room, lots of leg room, seating for 7, fits 33's with little or no lift) you get a lot of truck for the money. The after market does not support them very well but yesterday I saw 3 lifted FJ's in the parking lot of the mall...there is something to be said for being different...IMHO

Shovel

08-09-2007, 10:23 PM

They're not "Pajero" here because in certain Mexican dialects it's slang for a boy who spends most of his time shifting his transfer case lever.

Spikepretorius

08-10-2007, 07:05 AM

That Montero Sport in the photo isn't really a Montero/Pajero.
It's a station wagon version of the L200/Triton/Colt (depending on your country)

Martinjmpr

08-10-2007, 02:46 PM

That Montero Sport in the photo isn't really a Montero/Pajero.
It's a station wagon version of the L200/Triton/Colt (depending on your country)

No, I think you're thinking of the Endeavor or the Outlander. Both of those are car-based SUVs derived from FWD platforms with transverse-mounted engines, unibody construction, and no low range.

The Montero Sport uses the same chassis as the Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup, has a ladder frame (body-on-frame construction), an inline- mounted engine and a 2-speed transfer case. Like the pickup it has IFS and a solid-axle rear suspension with leaf springs.

Mitsubishi dropped the Montero Sport some time in the late 90's or early 00's in favor of the Endeavor/Outlander, so that may be where the confusion comes in.

Spikepretorius

08-10-2007, 03:19 PM

L200/Triton/Colt (depending on your country) = Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup, check my signature, I drive one.

The Montero/Pajero Sport is only called that in the States as far as I know.

The true Montero/Pajero is completely different.

Below is a pic of my truck when it was brand spanking new (Colt in SA) and hadn't had any redneck treatment yet

datrupr

08-10-2007, 03:37 PM

Spike, In N/A the Colt was a car, and I think that is where some of the confusion may be coming in. Thank you for helping to clear up the confusion. N/A spec SUV's were Montero's. They were in actuality the Pajero's, just renamed, while Mitsubishi still had the Montero model, it was a different truck in the world market than the Montero in North America......... I think.:)

Spikepretorius

08-10-2007, 03:52 PM

That previous pic was "Before"
This pic is "After"

tdesanto

08-10-2007, 07:00 PM

This on the other hand might be the UGLIEST suv ever made (that wasn't a Ford or GM product). No offense to the guy who's got one, I like that yours is built up.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/4x4Rescue/2005_Mitsubishi_Montero_ext_1.jpg

No offense taken. I thought the same thing too, at first, until I actually drove one. I too had the '94 model (gen II) version and then switched to the newer gen III truck a couple years ago after I drove the '94 model to its end.

For the price, ride quality, cargo space, power, sophisticated 4WD system, etc., it's a pretty good truck.

Martinjmpr

08-13-2007, 03:50 PM

Spike: Sorry for the confusion, as DATRUPER mentioned in the US the "Colt" was a car, not a truck. The Mitsubishi pickup was called the "P'up" in the US, I believe, but really wasn't sold much here after the early 90's. Even the current "Mitsubishi" pickups (sold as the "Raider") are actually just Dodge Dakotas with a different badge.

Your truck looks nice. What surprises me is that it's an extended cab - from my travels, the only place I've ever seen extended cab trucks like that has been in the US. In other countries, you see a lot of double-cabs (even back in the days when we had no double-cab mini trucks in the US) and a lot of single-cabs, but I don't recall seeing any extended cabs like yours, so that is interesting because it's the first confirmation I've seen that extended-cab trucks exist outside of the US/Canada market.

In Hungary or Croatia I saw a Mitsubishi truck that looked like a Montero with 4 doors, but with a pickup box section behind the 2nd row of seats. I can't remember what it was called, though.

Spikepretorius

08-13-2007, 05:30 PM

Extended cabs are very common here. I wouldn't be surprised if they originated here because it's a tax dodge. We can claim a VAT refund for business use whereas the double cab is considered a luxury.

They come with mounting points for seat belts so it's easy to adapt if you want to shoehorn passengers in the back.

Here's pics of a double cab version

Dolomiti

10-26-2007, 02:57 PM

I wish mine had the locking rear. Here are some before and after pics.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/223390100_0481083b1a_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/226771639_647e30bda8_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/425917008_d6c177d973_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/1718255374_d20bdc5f8b_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/1718243234_4a858bbdc0_b.jpg

tdesanto

10-26-2007, 07:50 PM