SOFpirate's 1996 Montero LS buildthread.

[SOFpirate]

Alright, here we go.

I FINALLY got the approval to begin the build of the rig.

I'll post pics come Saturday of the start. It should be fun.

 

[scrubber3]

Always ready for a new build thread! :lurk:

 

[SOFpirate]

Here's a few of those standard "before" bone stock pictures.

Currently on it are a set of 31x10.5x15 Firestone Destination A/Ts. They haven't let me down yet, I'm actually fairly impressed with their performance.

This is actually the true incline. How we didn't flip, I will never know.

A little Montero flex. Not.

A little water fording.

Up next on the presidential agenda:

Custom Titanium Basket Rack
Paint the wheels black

Stay tuned!

 

[scrubber3]

I had a set of those on my 2002 xterra and yes they were a very capable tire especially in the sand. Are you considering taking off the side steps to add a little clearance?

 

[SOFpirate]

I had a set of those on my 2002 xterra and yes they were a very capable tire especially in the sand. Are you considering taking off the side steps to add a little clearance?

Am I considering taking off the side steps? Yes.

Am I allowed to yet? No.

The wife wants to still be able to take the youngins out trailing with us. So I'm either stuck with the stock ones, or if I can find some rock sliders that can take their places. She claims it's pretty difficult to get them in and out of the truck. This technically is still our family vehicle. It's okay, because when I do 2" and 35's ... I'm buying her a new one.

 

[off-roader]

...if I can find some rock sliders that can take their places

www.trail-gear.com has sliders that are inexpensive & fit (67" for $175).

If you do a 2" BL so you can run 35's later you can always simply remount the sliders 2" higher then.

 

[SOFpirate]

www.trail-gear.com has sliders that are inexpensive & fit (67" for $175).

Now that's a tempting deal. It says they're made for a Tacoma, my question is are the mounting points compatible? Or do I just need to pull a Montero owner and fab up some mounting plates?

Speaking of fabrication work. My basket rack will be ready come Wednesday or Thursday-ish. I got luck because I have a buddy that did it for me. Titanium ain't cheap.

 

[off-roader]

Now that's a tempting deal. It says they're made for a Tacoma, my question is are the mounting points compatible? Or do I just need to pull a Montero owner and fab up some mounting plates?

No need for plates unless you want to use them (although I did). I just used the one they make for the Taco. The plates are a little bigger but still work fine. Look for my build thread on 4x4 wire dot com's mitsu tech forum. I go by the same name there.

Speaking of fabrication work. My basket rack will be ready come Wednesday or Thursday-ish. I got luck because I have a buddy that did it for me. Titanium ain't cheap.

Titanium?:Wow1:

 

[scrubber3]

No need for plates unless you want to use them (although I did). I just used the one they make for the Taco. The plates are a little bigger but still work fine. Look for my build thread on 4x4 wire dot com's mitsu tech forum. I go by the same name there.


Titanium?:Wow1:

That's what I said....

 

[off-roader]

That's what I said....

Well hey, if you've got it may as well use it.:ylsmoke:

Myself, I don't have easy access to Titanium so I'd want mine to be made with Aluminum but most likely it will end up being steel since even with good availability of materials, very few people I know can weld aluminum (either don't know how or don't have access to the right welding gear).

 

[SOFpirate]

Yeah this dude is one of those "shady" friends that you are always kind of weary of. He just "happened" to come across some Titanium. Hell if I know where he got it. I cracked a joke about using Titanium for my rack. He said he'll do it.

I'm a little scared, but it would be cool.

 

[SOFpirate]

Alright. Here's pictures of the tire painting operation today. It came out pretty good. And we have some ideas with for the little plastic hub caps as well. I'll get pics of those up later.

The Michelin in the picture is my flat spare that I need to replace. We naturally did the test run on that rim first. Then continued to the rest.

Buffed

Primer stage

Finished product

With the front tires done.

I'll get more tomorrow when it's daylight out. Unfortunately, all our friends saw us with the tools out so we ended up working on about three other cars at the same time. Yeah.

 

[Inyo_man]

if I can find some rock sliders that can take their places.

Although these sliders are priced higher than the items mentioned earlier, they seem sweet with a lifetime warranty against dents or bends. The superslider model would work well as a step, perhaps adding some skateboard grip tape.

http://www.rocky-road.com/monterorockrail.html

 

[zukrider]

Rocky-road is garbage! do not waste your time!

 

[zukrider]

This is actually the true incline. How we didn't flip, I will never know.

you have at least another 10* before you get light. no worries!