My new 1 gen Montero (lots of pics)

[Wiretie]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, and new to my Montero, so I thought I'd post a couple pics of it in action.



and some from yesterday...









I've been looking around for a brush guard (already bent my bumper), but I figure that it's basically left up to each man's welding skills, of which I don't have any. Also, what simple enhancements would you guys recommend? Just put brand new KYB gas-adjust shcoks in it, cleaned the cooling system, new crossover tires, ignition switch. It only has 115k, all original. The gentleman I bought it from said he used the 4x4 twice, around town in the snow. I'm not planning to drive trans continental with this, but I'd like it to be as relaible as possible. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

-Sam

[off-roader]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, and new to my Montero, so I thought I'd post a couple pics of it in action.

I've been looking around for a brush guard (already bent my bumper), but I figure that it's basically left up to each man's welding skills, of which I don't have any. Also, what simple enhancements would you guys recommend? Just put brand new KYB gas-adjust shcoks in it, cleaned the cooling system, new crossover tires, ignition switch. It only has 115k, all original. The gentleman I bought it from said he used the 4x4 twice, around town in the snow. I'm not planning to drive trans continental with this, but I'd like it to be as relaible as possible. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

-Sam

Check the radiator for calcification deposits. Reduces cooling ability. Rod it if necessary (don't replace it).

Brush guards are purely cosmetic and create more damage in a minor fender bender than if you simply had the stock bumper because they bend inwards very easily. My suggestion... get a real bumper instead. Justice Romero is actively making bumpers for gen I's (www.wstoffroad.com)

Alternatively ARB made a bumper for the gen I used ones can be found for sale (they no longer make them).

Additionally other bumpers can be made to fit but you will need to hire a welder to fabricate and modify things to make it fit.

KYB gas adjusts were a good call. It's what I would have recommended. A bit stiffer than the original shocks but not bad and perform very well over the long term.

I'd also have the transmission fluid flushed out and replaced not just drained and refilled.

Have fun and feel free to ask more questions as I've owned several gen I's myself.

[speedtre]

I'd also have the transmission fluid flushed out and replaced not just drained and refilled.

I would recommend against a transmission FLUSH....new fluid, yes, a FLUSH, no.

http://www.suite101.com/content/tran...lushing-a39896


"Flushing can prolong the life of a transmission, provided it is done fairly regularly, say every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. But if the transmission on a high mileage vehicle (say over 100,000 miles) has never been flushed, it is probably best to NOT flush the fluid. Here's why: The detergents in new ATF may loosen up accumulated crud inside the transmission, which could cause some problems within a few thousand miles or so after the flush. So if your fluid has never been changed and your vehicle has a lot of miles on it, it is probably best to just leave the fluid alone and top off the fluid level as needed if it is low."

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/bf100456.htm

[off-roader]

"...The detergents in new ATF may loosen up accumulated crud inside the transmission, which could cause some problems within a few thousand miles or so after the flush. So if your fluid has never been changed and your vehicle has a lot of miles on it, it is probably best to just leave the fluid alone and top off the fluid level as needed if it is low."

I disagree and here's why. The Aisin Auto transmission found in these mitsu's are fairly stout and you rarely hear of one breaking down. With 100k miles the tranny is far from old. I had over 200k in my old 90 and it never had a single hiccup. I had 138k on the red one when I bought it and it didn't have a hiccup after the flush. It's now at +160k. My brown 91 Monty had over 200k before it met it's untimely demise (rolled off road). My 96SR had ~200k when I bought it and flushed the tranny. It's now at 230k without tranny issues.

If you buy a used montero and it hasn't been flushed before or you're unsure, then I recommend flushing it twice, the second time after a few days of driving (enough for the new fluid detergents to loosen the grime/sludge). I along with many other gen I mitsu montero owners have done this time and time again with out problems so I doubt you'll encounter issues.

HTH.

[Wiretie]

Thanks guys. Although it's exactly what I'm looking for, I don't have the funds for an ARB bumper right now, so I'll keep that on the backburner. I'll look into getting the trans. flushed too.

Also, this is my first 4x4, and I'm loving it, but as I find myself going deeper and deeper into the woods, and on extended trips, I'm a bit clueless on what to bring for my truck. I love backpacking and survival stuff, so all that gear is covered. What would you guys recommend for repairs and unexpected occurences away from home?

So far I have:

Jerry can of extra gas
Patch kit/Fix-a-Flat
Tow ropes
Inflator

[High Center]

Beautiful truck man. Congratulations.
I'm a fan of the Gen 1 Montys.
They always remind me of a UN convoy in some far flung part of Africa.
-Cool-

Best,
DB

[tanglefoot]

Great find on the Monty. If it were me, I would keep it as stock as possible and just focus on maintenance items. The factory knew what they were doing when they built it, and relics like yours are becomming few are far between. It looks like it's straight out of the magazine ad!

I suggest wearing an 80's hairstyle and clothes, just to complete the image. You might also put on some Duran duran.

Enjoy it!

Eric

[off-roader]

Gen I v6 models are notorious for breaking trailing arms. I'd look to either reinforce them or replace them with thicker gen II trailing arms (direct fit).

Other than that, I'd say bigger tires (up to 33" w/ a 2" body lift and a little front bumper trimming).

If you can fabricate or have a friend who can fabricate, then I suggest also adding/upgrading your armor (add rocker panel armor and reinforcing the skid plates underneath using at least 1/8" steel or thicker, preferably 1/4" steel plate).

Other than that, go out and wheel the heck out of it!

Oh, for greater articulation you can pretty safely remove the rear anti sway bars but be prepared for the added roll on road and stay aware of that especially if you have to do an accident avoidance maneuver.

[GrassCat]

Gen I v6 models are notorious for breaking trailing arms. I'd look to either reinforce them or replace them with thicker gen II trailing arms (direct fit).

An easy fix using Gen II arms and the stock Gen I rubber bushing.


Other than that, I'd say bigger tires (up to 33" w/ a 2" body lift and a little front bumper trimming).

I've had there Montero's and never lifted any of them, but I do run 31" all terrain tires and change out the speedometer gear on the transmission.

If you can fabricate or have a friend who can fabricate, then I suggest also adding/upgrading your armor (add rocker panel armor and reinforcing the skid plates underneath using at least 1/8" steel or thicker, preferably 1/4" steel plate). Other than that, go out and wheel the heck out of it!


Rocker slider are good to protect the side of your vehicle, I use them. Reinforcing you skid plates is for rock crawling, pick a good line on your trails and you will be fine with your stock plates.


Oh, for greater articulation you can pretty safely remove the rear anti sway bars but be prepared for the added roll on road and stay aware of that especially if you have to do an accident avoidance maneuver.


Don't do it. Get familiar with your truck and what it can do stock before you mod any suspension parts. That include lifting it. You did say you were new to 4 wheeling, right?

There is nothing wrong with what Ray has suggested, but I thought you might want to hear another take on things.

By the way, I took a stock 87 Montero and pulled it behind my motor home on a 27,000 miles trip though Mexico, lower USA, Alaska and Canada without a problem and we had it in some bad place on off road excursions.

Good luck with your new truck, you've come to a good place to gleam information of all kind of off highway fun. Search is your best friend on what gear to take along with you.

[Wiretie]

Much thanks for all the help guys. This place is awesome