Thread: My 92 Montero build

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Fort Collins, Colorado and Donglan, Guangxi, China
    Posts
    63

    Default My 92 Montero build

    So, I recently got this 92 Montero, 3.0L Auto with a spun rod bearing. I took it on as a project because it was a great price and the rest of the truck is very clean and nice, worthy of a rebuild on the engine.
    I won't bore you with the engine rebuild details, there are a few excellent threads here already that cover it well. My rebuild went without any drama, just pulled the engine, disassembled it and sent it all out, put it back together and put it back in. It's running pretty well now, apart from a couple things I am working through.

    Here is a shot of the truck as I got it (basically).


    Pretty used up 235/75/15's, stock, stock, stock.

    My plans:
    Tires! Most likely some 31's that I already have, from a previous project.

    Probably just crank the t-bars to level it out. I'm not a huge fan of lifting a truck with just 31's, but maybe I'll go with some small spacers or the like to lift it a bit.

    Protection- probably a front bumper/winch combo, maybe a rear bumper as well, down the line somewhere.

    Communication- A CB, maybe another radio of one kind or another.

    Rack- I'm thinking a full length rack, but low and tight against the roofline.

    I've always wanted some limb lifter/brush wires on a truck. To me it's one of the things that really makes the look of a cool adventure truck. I may never need them for any real use, but I dig the way they look.
    Same with a snorkel. Maybe not required for my use, but I've always wanted one, so.....


    I started a thread over on 4x4wire as well, as that's a much more heavily trafficked site for Mitsu stuff, but here at the portal is much more expedition-y, so I think I'll do them both.

    More updates as they happen.

    Thanks!
    Brian

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    NorCal
    Posts
    3,292
    Welcome. Nice looking rig. Looking forward to seeing the build progress.

    1989 SWB Montero (3.0L v6, rear LSD), 33" mudders
    1996 Montero SR (3.5L v6, rear Locker), 35" mudders, 3.15:1 xcase crawler gears
    Build Thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...su-build-up...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Fort Collins, Colorado and Donglan, Guangxi, China
    Posts
    63
    More progress in the last couple days.
    After seeing Alex Cogan's install of an ARB from a Jeep Grand Cherokee over on 4x4Wire, and then finding the same bumper near me for a great deal- on it went.

    Some mods to the original mounting brackets from ARB, a couple custom spacers, some drilling and a handful of grade 8 bolts later.....

    the bumper


    first test fit- needs trimming!



    measure lots of times, cut twice!



    installed.



    Oh, and I got some new tires. Much needed, much better.

    Now, I need to find a winch and some other stuff.

    Brian

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Posts
    1,787
    Hey that looks pretty good! I will watch with interest.
    Michael Slade

  5. #5
    Nice work on the bumper. Do youhave any better shots of the bracket modifications you made?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Fort Collins, Colorado and Donglan, Guangxi, China
    Posts
    63
    I don't think I took any pics of the brackets. The Montero frame horns are about 1.5 inches narrower than the mounts on the bumper. So, basically I made a bracket that was a total of 3/4" on each side to bolt it together. The brackets themselves were pretty simple, just flat plate with some holes drilled in it. Those plus some more 1/2 plate as spacers and it all went together. I was surprised how easy it was, overall. The truck itself is unchanged, other than a few new holes in the end of the frame horns. The stock bumper would go right back on without drama.
    Last edited by barnstormer; 08-02-2009 at 02:42 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    176

    Default bumper

    Nice job on the bumper. Looks like it was meant to go there!
    -Justice R

    99 Montero Cold Weather Package (building)

    91 Montero LWB Mitsu locker in rear, 33's, Snork, Winch (sold)

    89 Montero SWB Locked F/R in rear, Crawler Gears, 33's (For Sale)

    2002 Montero XLS Wife's rig(sold)
    www.wstoffroad.com

  8. #8
    Yeah, It really does look like it was meant for the montero.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    81
    Looks great with the ARB

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