Got a lot done today...
For starters a question for the 95 SR guys, I've driven a 97 (leaf sprung rear) without sway bars, front or rear, I just ditched both front and rear on my 95 (coil rear) and I think it handles just fine, exactly how I would expect a vehicle lacking sways to handle. To those that warned "removing the front will make it too squirrely" I ask; have any of you ever driven without the front sway? I'm completely happy with how it handles on the road without either sway bar. To those that cut their rear sway bars to remove them... why? It comes right out with a touch of twisting (axle at full droop, no wheels on) It only took me 10 minutes and I'm really wondering if that's just how one person did it and most didnt put the effort in to see if it could come out without cutting?
New spark plugs - for those that haven't yet: in a 95 SR you CAN do the plugs without removing the intake manifold, I'm very happy with how they designed the valley covers, they slip out easily. Passenger side requires removing the throttle body, but NOT the EGR tube, it will slip past that. I'm not too happy about all the brackets in the way, but I made quick work of them and modified the ones I needed to modify so that I wont need to remove as much stuff in the future. The plugs I removed... looked old... very old and worn down.
Oil pressure gauge:
while changing the oil i noticed my SR only has a sending unit for the oil pressure dummy light, the wire for my gauge was hanging there, with no where to hook. So I pulled an oil pressure sending unit off a twin turbo 6G72 engine I had and installed that in place of the dummy light switch (is there a Y in here normally with both sensors on it?) and the damn gauge STILL isnt working, anyone have any problems with their oil pressure gauges? common failure? I'm about to replace it with a standalone auto meter, so I've got a clue.
Fixed my cruise control today... sort of, found that if i hold the 'on' switch on the dash down, while setting the cruise, it will engage and stay on, random 'fix' but as long as I have cruise for the long rides, I'm content.
I'm honestly feel like this is how all the Montero's should have came, the 95 is a great example of a real SUV
3.5 liter quad cam with variable ignition timing, large oil cooler, large external transmission cooler, awd and 4x4, locking rear diff, the ability to fit 33's on stock suspension and not lose a lot of power driving (needs a single turbo IMO)... My only regret is not owning an SR sooner!
