Need assistance choosing a Montero

[ApocBane]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for your advice when trying to pick a montero. I know im looking for the RS for the locking differential. Do all RS's have that or only some?

One's I've found close-ish to me.

Looked really nice but im in California

http://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/2271685192.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/2295544459.html

In california

http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/2223410108.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ctd/2295588248.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/2292359907.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2295390831.html - said it dripped a few drops of oil a week, has 150k miles.


Any advice is appreciated. Thank you so much!:victory:

[off-roader]

You want the SR, not the RS. Fortunately the RS is not a model option in the Gen II. It was in the Gen I so that may cause some confusion.

92-93SR's: 3.0L sohc v6, 4.6x:1 r&p gears & a ~8.5" locking rear diff. Cons: smaller engine, lower hp/torque, & smaller rear diff.

94-96SR's: 3.5L dohc v6, 4.6x:1 r&p gears & a 9.5" locking rear diff.
Pros: Most powerful 3.5 engine offered by mitsu & a large rear differential & axles.
Cons: 3.5 dohc is considered by many to be a complex engine to work on.

97-00SR's: 3.5L sohc v6, 4.2x:1 r&p gears & when optioned with the "Winter Package" a 9.5" locking rear diff. Non-winter packaged vehicles would have come with either open or LSD rear end.
Pros: Less complicated engine w/ SOHC's, nicer interior amenities (heated seats, etc.)
Cons: Slightly less hp/torque. R&P ratio is not as low as the 4.6x gears in the earlier SR (4.2x:1) making it not as easy to upgrade tire sizes and still have adequate power.

Things to check on any of these...

ENGINE
Timing Belt: When was timing belt done last? They're supposed to be done every 60K but one can hold off until 100K if not abused. Cost when I did my 96SR was +$800 (Fremont CA) in mid 2010.

Compression: Check the engine condition via leak down test, not just a compression check.

Oil Consumption: Mitsu v6's are known for oil consumption but not because of poor rings or valves but because of their Valve Guide Seals.

If there is a cloud of smoke from the tail pipe after a cold start up or when you rev the engine after idling for ~5 minutes then it likely needs either new valve guide seals or possibly a valve job done. Cost for just the seals will be $600-800 (assuming they know how to without doing a full valve job). Not sure what the cost for a full valve job is, but it won't be cheaper.

DRIVETRAIN
Transmission: The tranny's are pretty reliable but if it's not shifting right, run away. They aren't cheap to fix if it's a major problem. Rebuilds will be over $2k.

Transfer Case: The xcase is also very reliable however the 4wd actuator for the front Central Axle Disconnect is a vacuum actuated solenoid system. Without regular use, the grease can gum up and it won't work properly.

As for the ones you found in California...
Sounds like that 94 is missing the rear seats. May be a deal breaker if you want to carry more than 2 people. 200K is ok so long as it was well maintained.

The 95 in Rosemead looks a little rough in the Interior but that's really personal choice. Again, check the same things I suggest above.

The 96 in Chula Vista is NOT an SR and likely won't have a Locking diff. I would not recommend this one due to the limitations in upgrade-ability.

The 95SR in the Portola District does not show the mileage or pics. I'd check that as well as how it looks before checking it out further.

The 96SR in Goldenvale looks ok but I'd bet the driver seat leather is worn out (hence the seat cover). It is a mirror of my rig when I bought it though.

The 94SR in Portland looks ok too but it doesn't have leather seats. Most if not All SR's came with Leather so I'd doublecheck it has a locker. For that matter, doublecheck that they ALL have a "RD Lock" locker switch at the bottom left of the center console.

Also for any of these, I highly recommend you get a 1 month subscription to Carfax and check all VIN numbers for inconsistencies in service, mileage, etc.

HTH.

[Silverwulf]

Is the SOHC 3.5l engine a interference engine?

[ApocBane]

Off-Roader - Thank you so much for taking the time to respond in such detail. I really appreciate your help in narrowing down my search.

I didn't know what to look for to make sure it had locking differentials.
"doublecheck that they ALL have a "RD Lock" locker switch at the bottom left of the center console"

It is also good to know that they should mostly all have leather.

Is there a way to check for the electronic shocks?

I'll also have to look into getting the carfax for a month, good suggestion.


This one is listed as a sport and pricey, but I think it's a standard montero not sport.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/2295948494.html

[ApocBane]

Is the SOHC 3.5l engine a interference engine?

It looks like all of Mitsubishi's motors are interference engine's

http://www.lambsauto.com/belts.htm

*next to engine denotes interference.

[off-roader]

It looks like all of Mitsubishi's motors are interference engine's
What?!?! You need to take a closer look. :Wow1:
The 3.0L sohc is not an interference engine. :ylsmoke:

[off-roader]

Off-Roader - Thank you so much for taking the time to respond in such detail. I really appreciate your help in narrowing down my search...

...Is there a way to check for the electronic shocks?...

This one is listed as a sport and pricey, but I think it's a standard montero not sport.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/2295948494.html
No problem.

The 3 position Adjustable shocks are very good units made by KYB and are unfortunately only available through Mitsubishi (KYB will not sell them directly or via any resellers) although you may be able to buy them from auto parts places that sell Mitsu dealer parts. You can tell if it has it by looking for the 3 position rocker switch just forward of the center glove box.

And you're right. That's a Montero not a Montero Sport. Dealerships are stupid and have misprints like that all the time.

It looks like this one does have a locker. Being a Gen 2.5, it should have heated seats & outside mirrors as they came as part of the 'Winter Package' that the locker is part of (also according to his description) and 4.2x:1 R&P gears.

[ApocBane]

What?!?! You need to take a closer look. :Wow1:
The 3.0L sohc is not an interference engine. :ylsmoke:

Yes you're right, the 3.0L sohc is a zero-interference engine. That list must be wrong.

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/3.html

[off-roader]

Yes you're right, the 3.0L sohc is a zero-interference engine. That list must be wrong.

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/3.html

LOL... No, I think that list was correct. You probably just missed the 3.0L SOHC engine did not have an asterisk next to it.:)

[ApocBane]

Might be the winner

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2295782736.html

Has the locker had him check.
Timing belt changed and maintenance done 10k miles ago.
No leaks, not burning oil.

"Yes the Montero is still for sale. It's the SR model 6 cylinder 3.5L engine and the timing belt was replaced about a year ago from the dealer around 186,000 miles. It was completely tuned up with spark plugs and wires and a few other things replaced. There are no leaks and everything is in great condition. Im not sure about the locker switch but I will look for it when I get to the car later today. "


haha then my brother threw this in my face
http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/2226279240.html

[off-roader]

That SR in LA does have the driver side seat base leather replaced but it's not a perfect match if that matters to you.

As for that Subaru, not my style but hey, to each their own... I just like that to run 35" tires, I've simply done a 2" body lift, a mild torsion bar crank and a mounted 4 tires up. No fuss, no muss. :smiley_drive:

[ApocBane]

Yeah I feel ya, the closer to stock the better =)
The interior isn't big on my worry list.

Where'd you get your lift kit from? Your mileage much worse with he 35's?

[off-roader]

Body Lift was from 4crawler.com.

Mileage is @ 13-15mpg depending on my driving. I could probably get it close to 16mpg if I drove like a member of the silver hair club but I've got too much 'Andretti' in my right foot.:smiley_drive:

[ApocBane]

Haha I'm 28 with a 68 dodge with a 318 and a M1009 cucv with a 6.2 diesel. They both drink the gas, so I had to join the silver hair club early!

[red87]

A real good indicator of whether or not one of these has a locker is that big ol orange sticker on the driver's side of the console. That's the warning sticker for locker usage.

[ApocBane]

Anyone here have crankshaft failures?

http://www.mitsubishisucks.com/cars/complaints/usa/models/montero/1994.html

[off-roader]

Anyone here have crankshaft failures?

http://www.mitsubishisucks.com/cars/complaints/usa/models/montero/1994.html

It's not the crankshaft that fails. It's the older crankshaft pulley bolts that have frequently failed. Mitsu has released a redesigned bolt and it's pretty inexpensive at the dealerships so you can replace it when you do your timing belt service.

It's been out for a while but many owners who don't keep in touch with their dealerships don't know it's a failure point so they don't ever replace it.

Also have you read some of these complaints on that site? Hmmm, talk about bias...

here's a classic example of the kinds of customer 'complaints' I saw...


ODI ID: 757386 NHTSA Complaint ID: 350457,350458 Make: Mitsubishi Model: 1991 MONTERO 91
Component/Parts: Gas Engine,Tires
Failure Date: December 27, 2001 Complaint Date: January 26, 2002
City/State: FORT IRWIN, CA (California)
Crash: NA Fire: No Injured: 0 Deaths: 0

Complaint Description: i had two tires blow out on me on the way home from north hollywood on 9/19/01. my car is presently at a repair shop, so i don't know the name of the tires. also my thermostat went out on me and my radiator had to be flushed. my engine through a rod or is about to. i'v had problems startin up my vehicle, because the battery keeps moving and has no battery box or post to keep it stablized. i've only had the car 6 months, we just bought it. we got it checked out by winston tires in barstow before we bought it and only minor problems show up. upon winston tires assessment, we bought the suv. also we we not allowed to get a warranty through the dealer, because his loan company wouldn't allow it. instead of letting us know before we drove off with the vehicles, marine corp west wouldn't give us a warranty for this suv. we were already obligated to go through with buying this vehicle without the warranty after we drove off the lot. but it's their fault for not letting us know ahead of time. thank you .


He bought a '91 Montero in 2001 and it had obvious issues (cooling system, tires, etc.) but it certainly didn't come that way from the factory. Also without any indication of mileage or condition, it's tough to consider this a valid example of poor quality from Mitsu Motors. More likely poor user maintenance/dealer repairs.


Now if he/she had complained of valve guide seal issues, etc. then I'd believe them a little more.

[4D55 Performance]

97-00SR's: 3.5L sohc v6, 4.2x:1 r&p gears & when optioned with the "Winter Package" a 9.5" locking rear diff. Non-winter packaged vehicles would have come with either open or LSD rear end.
Pros: Less complicated engine w/ SOHC's, nicer interior amenities (heated seats, etc.)
Cons: Slightly less hp/torque. R&P ratio is not as low as the 4.6x gears in the earlier SR (4.2x:1) making it not as easy to upgrade tire sizes and still have adequate power.



The 97-2000 actually produced the same torque as the 1994-96 models and torques the number that really matters. The reason the gen 2..5 feels a little lower on power has to do with there higher gear ratio even though they put out more torque.

1994-96 214hp, 228ft lbs torque and 4.64 ring & pinion
1997-00 200hp, 228ft lbs torque and 4.27 ring & pinion

Just a simple gear upgrade and you should be good to go. Hope this helps.