Benny's Gen 3 Montero

Djbenny

Adventurer
First off this light bar is a 42" curved dual beam. So Flood on the sides and Spot in the center. I utilized the stock mounting feet.
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Checking for placement and making sure it's sitting center.
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Tracing feet so I can mark the center drill point. Wish I had a wax pen for this. But I used a red marker.
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Labeled one leg so incase slight difference in manufacturing it would still sit where I wanted it. Also marked center as it sat flush to roof.
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Now the scary part... Drill holes in roof and make sure not to puncture headliner.
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Add a dab of silicon for water sealant.
My original plan was to use another fastener but it didn't work as the sheet metal kept cutting into the rubber as it got tighter. I would have drilled it smaller for the stock mounting hardware.
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So I didn't use the those. But the rest of the stock kit worked out just fine.
I ran the wire right into the "gutter" and down towards windshield. The gap down the molding was a perfect fit for the fat lightbar wire. I was worried where I was going to put it.
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Overall I am pleased with the way it looks and I will finishing wire today. I really wanted a larger light bar such as a 50" but my buddy has a smaller 24" on his car and I could not believe the light that put out. The fifty would have required me to make brackets or butcher some other factory brackets. Either way this was fast simple and looks just right on the Montero.



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Last edited:

jhill15

Explorer
Looks amazing!!! That's right, I still check in every once in a while to see what's going on lol.

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Djbenny

Adventurer
Benny,
When do you plan to use light like this?
During our trips we just make sure we arrive on time (say, before dark) in our campsites.

That's a good question. Sometimes my wife and I will leave Friday after work and go camping. By the time we load up and leave its about 7-730. So we normally set up in the dark. Also during hunting season we will leave early and get into the mountains before sunrise. So I'll have plenty of opportunities to use it.


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Djbenny

Adventurer
Well my switch finally came in and I finished the install. Looks great. Now one spot left for some more lights.
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Djbenny

Adventurer
Some pics from our hunting/scouting/sighting in crossbow adventure yesterday. Good times! I love how comfortable the GEN3 is off-roading.
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Djbenny

Adventurer
I average ~20mpg in my '03 Gen 3 (3.8l) with no special considerations taken while driving, and with mixed loads and driving conditions. Recently flushed and replaced front and rear diff oil with a semi synthetic blend, and transfer case got full synth. Will be going synth motor oil in the next week or so, and flushing the trans as well. New spark plugs going in when I change the VC gaskets. I've also recently changed the air filter as well.

Getting skinnier taller tires, but they will be a good bit heavier as well, and i just lifted the car 1.5" ...not sure which is worse. Hoping I can squeeze 25mpg out of it just once by refining driving techniques and tweaking tire pressure, etc.

I'm at ~5k-12k ft and normally run a blend of 85 and 91 octane.
What kind of transfluid and diff fluid did you use? I heard / read anything but Mitsubishi fluid is bad news bears..?
Thank you!


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Djbenny

Adventurer
Did some snow wheeling on Thanksgiving morning while searching for Turkey. Cam close but didn't score a bird.

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kdj

Observer
Benny, how did you route the wiring for the light bar after the picture that you posted. I just fitted one and am pondering if it's possible to route the wiring it without drilling holes. I mounted mine on my rack.
 

Djbenny

Adventurer
Benny, how did you route the wiring for the light bar after the picture that you posted. I just fitted one and am pondering if it's possible to route the wiring it without drilling holes. I mounted mine on my rack.

Well I routed mine down the seam between the roof and pillar. Once I got close to the windshield molding I gently lifted up and kept running it down the gap between glass and A-pillar all the way to bottom. I had to remove the plastic piece at the bottom by windshield wipers only the corner piece. Then I went with the wire to the engine bay. Connect to battery and on the passenger side I went into the car for the switch wires which actually connect to battery. I'll take some pics to show you.


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Djbenny

Adventurer
Ok here are a few picks a got this morning. Let me know if you need any more.

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Right into gutter or groove and into molding.

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Run right along glass under molding. Without any fastener or glue and holds fine.

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Tucks under nicely.

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Unscrewed that piece and ran it into engine bay.


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