redraif
The uphill battle begins
Hello everyone.
We are now, by default, the owners of a 2001 Montero Sport XLS 4x4 with 238,000 on the original motor.
Short version:
My step-daughter wanted it and bought it. We helped her fix it so it was reliable and safe. She drove it for about a year. Then decided it was too big and wanted a car instead. My spouse agreed since the insurance on the Montero for a 17 year old was ridiculous. The spouse's plan: buy her out of it for what she invested and sell it ourselves. Famous last words.... lol. Just before she decided she did not want the rig, she let her x-boyfriend drive the SUV into 3 feet of mud. It got stuck and had to be pulled out with a wrecker. Of course they never cleaned off the mud either. She also left us with a check engine light for the transmission (aka won't pass emissions). It can't be tagged or sold till it's fixed.
We decided to let it sit till we could gather up the funds to chase the issue with the code and the dreaded 4x4 light. In the interim, we changed insurance companies. The new company split our policies so my daughter was compartmentalized. A quote revealed the insurance for us with the Montero was very reasonable. Then factor in that we have so much in it in past repairs that we could never get our money back out, so I suggested we just fix it and keep it. My step son just had a little boy, so an SUV would be a great addition to the corral.
So its current issues need opinions from the folks who know.
1. 4x4 flashing light: We are chasing the common solenoid issue with the vacuum controlled 4x4 system. It has been an uphill battle. We had a guy familiar with these rigs check the vacuum system prior to the swim in the mud and he felt vacuum was not the issue. That maybe a sensor was damaged on the top of the transmission? Anyone had this happen? So we decided that was best left to a shop with a lift and airtools. The shop it is currently at is looking into it. I gave him the article regarding the vacuum system, so he had a good knowledge of the system and what to test. He found that thanks to the mud bath, now both solenoids are defective. They have ordered replacements after trying for a day to clean out and fix the old ones. Geez!
2. Previous Check engine light for the transmission. Once we got it to the shop, the code for the transmission was not there, but instead we had a code for the TPS. Another gift from the mud bath! The battery had died while the truck sat, so it wiped the previous codes. All we can do is replace the TPS and see if the check engine light stays off. Anyone know the drive cycle for these vehicles? It would be nice to know how quick we can get the emissions done if we get no codes. What type of tranny codes are common in these?
3. The PO had rigged the oil pan with some type of drainage valve. They stripped out the pan bolt and this was their solution. After reading the 4x4 take quite a lot of work to remove and replace the pan, I wonder about using a timsert as a repair option? Basically use a heilicoil to replace the threads? Do we have an Aluminum pan?
On to the upgrades: Yes I have searched everything, but have just gotten more confused.
4. Bald tires: PO had 235/70 r16 on it. From what I have read it comes with 255/70 r16s. If I have to replace the tires, I want to take it wider and taller. At stock ride height and with the stock rims, how tall and wide can you go without rubbing. In searching, I have gotten more confused then not. The general consensus is 265/75r16? I have seen some folks mention 285/75r16s? So can anyone say if the 285 or larger will work?
5. I have considered a 2 inch body lift. Everyone recommends the OME kit, but the price tag is a bit steep right now. $810.00. Yipes! It's just with all the repairs and needing new tires, the budget is not there for it now. In searching, I read someone said it could be done for $150? Torque the torsion bars and put a plate in the rear springs? Is this so? $150 is more doable. Then in time I can get the OME kit. Anyone have experience and advice?
I have a few more simple body mods in plan, but these are the important things right now.
We are now, by default, the owners of a 2001 Montero Sport XLS 4x4 with 238,000 on the original motor.
Short version:
My step-daughter wanted it and bought it. We helped her fix it so it was reliable and safe. She drove it for about a year. Then decided it was too big and wanted a car instead. My spouse agreed since the insurance on the Montero for a 17 year old was ridiculous. The spouse's plan: buy her out of it for what she invested and sell it ourselves. Famous last words.... lol. Just before she decided she did not want the rig, she let her x-boyfriend drive the SUV into 3 feet of mud. It got stuck and had to be pulled out with a wrecker. Of course they never cleaned off the mud either. She also left us with a check engine light for the transmission (aka won't pass emissions). It can't be tagged or sold till it's fixed.
We decided to let it sit till we could gather up the funds to chase the issue with the code and the dreaded 4x4 light. In the interim, we changed insurance companies. The new company split our policies so my daughter was compartmentalized. A quote revealed the insurance for us with the Montero was very reasonable. Then factor in that we have so much in it in past repairs that we could never get our money back out, so I suggested we just fix it and keep it. My step son just had a little boy, so an SUV would be a great addition to the corral.
So its current issues need opinions from the folks who know.
1. 4x4 flashing light: We are chasing the common solenoid issue with the vacuum controlled 4x4 system. It has been an uphill battle. We had a guy familiar with these rigs check the vacuum system prior to the swim in the mud and he felt vacuum was not the issue. That maybe a sensor was damaged on the top of the transmission? Anyone had this happen? So we decided that was best left to a shop with a lift and airtools. The shop it is currently at is looking into it. I gave him the article regarding the vacuum system, so he had a good knowledge of the system and what to test. He found that thanks to the mud bath, now both solenoids are defective. They have ordered replacements after trying for a day to clean out and fix the old ones. Geez!
2. Previous Check engine light for the transmission. Once we got it to the shop, the code for the transmission was not there, but instead we had a code for the TPS. Another gift from the mud bath! The battery had died while the truck sat, so it wiped the previous codes. All we can do is replace the TPS and see if the check engine light stays off. Anyone know the drive cycle for these vehicles? It would be nice to know how quick we can get the emissions done if we get no codes. What type of tranny codes are common in these?
3. The PO had rigged the oil pan with some type of drainage valve. They stripped out the pan bolt and this was their solution. After reading the 4x4 take quite a lot of work to remove and replace the pan, I wonder about using a timsert as a repair option? Basically use a heilicoil to replace the threads? Do we have an Aluminum pan?
On to the upgrades: Yes I have searched everything, but have just gotten more confused.
4. Bald tires: PO had 235/70 r16 on it. From what I have read it comes with 255/70 r16s. If I have to replace the tires, I want to take it wider and taller. At stock ride height and with the stock rims, how tall and wide can you go without rubbing. In searching, I have gotten more confused then not. The general consensus is 265/75r16? I have seen some folks mention 285/75r16s? So can anyone say if the 285 or larger will work?
5. I have considered a 2 inch body lift. Everyone recommends the OME kit, but the price tag is a bit steep right now. $810.00. Yipes! It's just with all the repairs and needing new tires, the budget is not there for it now. In searching, I read someone said it could be done for $150? Torque the torsion bars and put a plate in the rear springs? Is this so? $150 is more doable. Then in time I can get the OME kit. Anyone have experience and advice?
I have a few more simple body mods in plan, but these are the important things right now.
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