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[Silverwulf]

Hi everyone. Im new here. Been trollin' since june. Finally got another Montero. Had an 89-ls for a spell. I used to be a parts guy at a mitsubishi dealer from 96-99. I recently wanted to get a off-road vehicle. Almost bought a Nissan titan pro4x. Then I thought "Why spend $40k on something that is going to get all scrached up offroading and hauling my dog around"? Since I worked at mitsu I remembered there was a montero that came with ctr and rear lockers. Found your site and refreshed my memory.
I found a 1999 3.5 dohc v6 160k leather all pwr with winter package and OE grill gaurds.

I love it! I see there is wealth of knowlage here and am happy to be here!

[scrubber3]

Welcome aboard!!!

[fangars]

Welcome aboard!
I have a 1989 LWB Montero, love it.

[speedtre]

I found a 1999 3.5 dohc v6 160k leather all pwr with winter package and OE grill gaurds.




I'm looking for something just like this, maybe a few less miles, out of curiosity, what did you pay for it?

Cheers

[tdesanto]

Welcome. Would love to see pictures of the truck. Sounds like you've found a great truck.

[mires]

Pics...please?

[Silverwulf]

Hmmm. I posted a pic in the mont/paj pic thread. I am at work and the pic showes up every other thime I look at it.??? I'll try again:smilies27

[speedtre]

Hmmm. I posted a pic in the mont/paj pic thread. I am at work and the pic showes up every other thime I look at it.??? I'll try again:smilies27

Keep trying....

[off-roader]

Wait... I thought the gen 2 was the last years for the DOHC 3.5's and the gen 2.5's came with a 3.5L SOHC engine?

Oh, and welcome... ;)

[Silverwulf]

Here whe go again with the pic...http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=526&pictureid=2305

[off-roader]

Nice looking rig. Lots of mitsu 4x4 wheelers in the greater bay area. I regularly wheel with at least half a dozen who have rigs in various levels of modification.

Also, just did some checking with others who are more knowledgeable about the gen 2.5's. The '99 with the 3.5l SOHC engine not the dohc engine. They believe it was selected over the DOHC design because of it simplicity. Your gain is it's 'easier' to maintain & the only downside was a slight loss in horse power. Also yours has a gear ratio that's better for road driving/mileage (4.2x:1) than the earlier Gen 2's (4.6x:1) but you can put either 4.6x:1 or 4.9x:1 gear sets in.

Seat heaters, and a nicer stereo (component speakers up front) are other upgrades the gen 2.5's had over the earlier gen 2's.

So what kind of trails are you hoping to run with it?

[Silverwulf]

So, being almost 12 years old and 160k on the clock, there are some fiddley things I'm dealing with. Thats to be expedted. I really love the truck! Where can I get a ladder for the back and a snorkle that fits this style fender?

Needs tires and shocks....bummer:wings:. Gives me reason to upgrade.
My plans are for OME suspension. Any recomendations on tiers and size? I was going to do a 2" body lift. From what I have read on this site, I can go to a 35" tire?? Is 33" a more sensible choice? ( was thinking 33"x 12.5", is that too wide?) I don't really feel like re-gearing it right now.

My other question is should I stick with the 15" oe wheels or move up to a 16" rim? How wide and what offset? should be used on the montero?

I have a ton more questions, but thats all for now, Thanks!

[RogerH]

Welcome aboard! All similiar questions I had with mine (2000 Montero). I went with 33 x15 instead of spending extra on 16" wheels. Also I only did a shock upgrade to OME Heavys, no body lift. I have plenty of space in the wheel wells and absolutely no rubbing. If you go to 35" tires you will definately need a re-gearing. I did do regearing in lower transfer case and really like the low range when needed and the 4.2 higher range when in 2wd for the highways.

I try not to do too drastic of changes unless I am willing to start the chain reaction of changing other stuff. Enjoy! Nice rig! Like the color too.

[off-roader]

My plans are for OME suspension. Any recomendations on tiers and size? I was going to do a 2" body lift. From what I have read on this site, I can go to a 35" tire?? Is 33" a more sensible choice? ( was thinking 33"x 12.5", is that too wide?) I don't really feel like re-gearing it right now.

My other question is should I stick with the 15" oe wheels or move up to a 16" rim? How wide and what offset? should be used on the montero?

I have a ton more questions, but thats all for now, Thanks!

Yes a 2" bl will be enough for 35's but I also recommend either 2" taller coils for the back along with torquing or re-indexing the torsion bars up front to also raise it up for 35's.

For 33s just the bl is sufficient.

As for max tire size... With the same setup and a 3" bl (will also have to mod the case shifter) 37's will also fit..:Wow1:

You do want to upgrade to 4.90 r&p's though and the 3.15:1 xcase gears are highly recommended.

In terms of wheel size 16s are more $$$ but it may be easier to find 16" tires.

As for offset/backspacing, I run 35x12.5x15 tires on a 15x8" rim with a neutral offset (aka 4" backspacing). With 33x12.5's I'd probably be fine. With 35s I still rub in front on the driver side inside wheel well. Perhaps I need to trim off the plastic liner a bit there.

Oh, you may need to trim your bumper end caps up front. Also you may want to upgrade to the 4:6x ring and pinion gears as well since it may be geared VERY poorly with the 4.2x gears, especially off road but like Roger that depends on your taste & trails more than anything else.

Also I recommend removing the side steps because the will become a hindrance off road unless you HEAVILY reinforce them to be able to support the weight of a packed montero.

I replaced mine with armor from trail-gear.com. The 68" rock sliders are designed for a Tacoma but will also fit a montero.

As for a ladder, LR discovery ladders have been modified to fit.

As for a snorkel, either ARB (>$350) or a fiberglass knock off of the arb unit (~$175 on ebay) are available.

As for shocks... Kyb is the original shock makers and their basic version aftermarket shocks are very good an far less expensive than the arb units. They also offer an even higher performance model but most who run their shocks are happy with their basic model and the best part is they're inexpensive.

Neither Rancho's rs5000, nor any of the Monroes are recommended.

By most accounts Arbs are good but also $$.

[Silverwulf]

I went with 33 x15 instead of spending extra on 16" wheels.

Did you fit those on the OE monty wheels?

[Silverwulf]

Thanks Off-roader. all the snorkles I have seen are for the regular style fender, not the box flare style. Any othe suggestions? TJM maybe?

[Silverwulf]

Thanks a lot to everyone and all the good info provided. I feel like I'm getting somewhere now. I have a 3rd car I'm going to sell to get some $ to put into the Monty.

1) Need a new muffler as mine is broken and clunks. Any suggestions? Magnaflow? I have those on my BMW e38 and they sound good. Flowmaster, dynomax??? I have used those before too. My question is what suits the v6 in the Monty best?

2. Shocks. Word is KGB is just fine. Ok, gas a just or monomax?

(OT) I just got buzzed by the blue angles lol!

If I crank up the torsion springs and put the spacers in the rear to raised it 2" is it ok to use the standard length shocks?

What's the word on leaving the swaybars connected?

Thanks, Chris

[sneakyninja]

I have magna flow on mine and it's really nice, as for sway bars just throw them away and don't drive like it's a race car. Snorkels... Uh maybe if enough people want them again I can possibly do another group buy... Maybe... you'll want to circle the wagons on 4x4wire though, more of these trucks there. This round will be more expensive though.

[scrubber3]

KYB monotubes sir.... Monotubes are better IMHO.

FYI, the gas a just are monotube and that's what is on my rig. They have been through the gaunlet more than once and they are still perfect. other than the tires, they are probably the best thing I have done to it. Be warned!! If you do them yourself, take the tires off. (in the front) they are a booger because they expand so fast.

[Silverwulf]

I have magna flow on mine and it's really nice, as for sway bars just throw them away and don't drive like it's a race car. Snorkels... Uh maybe if enough people want them again I can possibly do another group buy... Maybe... you'll want to circle the wagons on 4x4wire though, more of these trucks there. This round will be more expensive though.

How much wheel travel can be gained by removing the swaybars? Is it worth the reduced stability on road? In other words how much different is it?

[sneakyninja]

It makes a huge differance, It´s something you get used to on road but at first if you´re used to driving cars it will be really weird. The truck will lean around turns but it´s still plenty stabil, you really have to be trying or really stupid to tip one over and don´t believe those montero tip over consumer alert videos they are setup. I have handled my rigs fine for the last 10 years which has included some evasive manuvers and my wife driving them (never driven trucks before we met) so they are still safe. Off road ability will increase by 75% no joke and it is actually unsafe to 4 wheel with them on because they will make you tippy when the truck gets crossed up. If you are still on the fence or are still getting used to driving the truck remove the rear (cutting the center is easiest) and keep the front on and just remove it before you go 4 wheeling. The front is easy enough to remove and install regularly until you get tired of doing it and just leave it off.

I will admit bad shocks and no sway bars sucks, sway bars will definitely hide a bad shock or two. Hope all this helps

[off-roader]

How much wheel travel can be gained by removing the swaybars? Is it worth the reduced stability on road? In other words how much different is it?

Never measured it but it's enough to make it worth it IMHO but you should try it yourself (rear antisway bars first) to see if you feel comfortable driving it. As sneaky ninja said it takes some getting used to. How much depends on the individual. Personally I find it fine.

Bear in mind though that the worst will occur when you perform an evasive maneuver which you can't easily practice to get a feel for.

[off-roader]

Thanks Off-roader. all the snorkles I have seen are for the regular style fender, not the box flare style. Any othe suggestions? TJM maybe?

Not sure if anyone makes them for the gen 2.5's like yours. A good friend of mine (grasscat on this forum) used a modified gen 3 safari snorkel for his gen 2.5.

[Silverwulf]

I saw that and wondered how he did it.

I got my stock fog light working finally. It was just a case of automotive archiology.

This next weekend plans are to fit a new muffler, remove running boards and crank up t-bars.

Where can I find some 2" longer springs? I'm not sure I want to use the spacers.

Off-roader, you used spacers for a Toyota sequoia, there work alright?.