My 1st Montero

[mpwelsh]

here's a link to the guy who custom built a rear for the genIII:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...light=monstero

after reading through the details it doesn't seem like it would be that difficult to get someone to fabricate one. finding the right shop for the right price might be the tricky part. i just got my rig back from the shop friday. i got a full tune-up with plugs, wires, etc. etc. i had the timing belt service done as well as replacement of some gaskets and leaking seals. the rig runs much better. also, i'm not sure if it applies to your vehicle or not, but mine had a factory recall on the fuel displacement leveler. if this malfunctions on your vehicle then fuel may begin spilling out of your gas cap and down the side of the vehicle. if you haven't had it done yet it would be worth calling the dealership with your VIN to find out.

my OME lift will be shipped on monday. i'm super excited to get it in. i'm currently in search mode for tires. as of right now i think i'm going to go with the cooper s/t maxx in 235/85r16. my only contender to that would be the same tire in 255/85r16. i like the 235's because they seem to do the trick and they're cheaper. who knows, i'm pretty up and down about it right now.

my list runs like this:
lift - tires - bumper/winch - skid plates - cargo roof rack - custom rear bumper

short list, but i'm only planning on weekend offroad camping and the like. the vehicle isn't my DD necessarily. we have the montero and a new VW Tiguan. the montero is parked quite a bit. i commute on bike to work everyday, so that saves on $$$.

looking forward to seeing that heruliner on there. i was thinking about doing that myself.

[Kjell Sullivan]

Okay I've got the lift on. Now.....l did have it aligned, and it looks to me that the camber in the front is still a bit off(negatively). Has anyone else who has put a lift on a 3rd Gen experienced this? Will I not be able to get the same or close to the same degree of camber as factory? Or did the tire shop just not dial it in all the way???
Anyway, here are a couple pics, please excuse the lack of quality on these, they are taken with my phone, and the pics I was taking with my camera are 16.2 megs so I have to go through and resize them. I just wanted to get some pics up here for now.


IMG_1124.jpg
IMG_1121.JPG

[Kjell Sullivan]

Hey that is a pretty good job on that bumper. I wonder what it cost? Those corners are the tricky parts as far as the fabrication goes, the rest of it seems pretty straight forward.

[Inyo_man]

Will I not be able to get the same or close to the same degree of camber as factory? Or did the tire shop just not dial it in all the way???
IMG_1124.jpg
IMG_1121.JPG

The lift looks great, and I like the looks of the blacked-out plastic!

Regarding your alignment, be sure the set-up your shop is using will work for IRS.
Did the shop provide you with a before and after look at your alignment, including camber?
I've heard of some shops not adjusting the camber if the hardware is frozen, but they normally mention it to the customer.
Check your rig to see if they had to spray down the hardware with some PB Blaster (or whatever), if it looks like it hadn't been touched, call up the shop and tell the how your feelin'.
You should be able to get the whole alignment spot on.
Good Luck

[Kjell Sullivan]

Regarding your alignment, be sure the set-up your shop is using will work for IRS.
Did the shop provide you with a before and after look at your alignment, including camber?
I've heard of some shops not adjusting the camber if the hardware is frozen, but they normally mention it to the customer.
Check your rig to see if they had to spray down the hardware with some PB Blaster (or whatever), if it looks like it hadn't been touched, call up the shop and tell the how your feelin'.
You should be able to get the whole alignment spot on.
Good Luck

I looked over my data sheet, and it shows that the camber is within the factory specified range, but take a look at it from the front. Could this be an optical illusion? I think they come with some negative camber front and rear from factory, but mine is at .01 and .02 in the front and .14 and .03 in the rear.
I know that I do not want to prematurely wear the outside of the tires and I may just have them readjust this. .01 and .02 is pretty close to zero so I don't know how much of an issue this will be? Do you know what camber your rig is set up at? here are a couple of pics to show you what I see.
IMG_1126.JPG

[mpwelsh]

not sure about that. good catch. from the photo it does look like it is a bit out of whack.

http://mitsubishiforum.com/forum/mit...d-2002-a-6984/

here is a post in the mitsubishi forum discussing some camber issues. keep us posted

[mpwelsh]

INYO_MAN-

i see in your rig list you have 4mm skid plates mounted up. what plates do you have mounted under the vehicle? do you have a couple of photos you could post up? i'm curious to know b/c i'm trying to get some mocked up within the next couple of weekends.

also, do you have yakima crossbars to mount the bajarack? which rack do you have?
how do you like the duratracs? i'm in the decision making process now on tires/size.

good looking rig!

[skids]

Nice looking motor, keep the mods and updates coming.


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[Inyo_man]

Do you know what camber your rig is set up at? IMG_1126.JPG

The specs. that the shop provided you has the range of tolerance, so since it's within that it should be fine. Although, it does look a bit off from the front.

[Inyo_man]

INYO_MAN-
do you have yakima crossbars to mount the bajarack? which rack do you have?
how do you like the duratracs?

Yes, I have the Megamule Bajarack mounted on yakima crossbars. I'm not entirely satisfied because it's all sitting on top of the factory rails.
One of these days I plan to fabricate some mounts that will work in the factory mounting points on the roof to bring the rack tighter to the roof.

As far as strength of the rack, I've been very happy. It's been load for extended overlanding and has performed flawlessly.

I'm very happy with the Duratracs. Seems to be a great AT/MT hybrid, that work very well in rain, ice, snow, high speed desert runs, sand, and mud. I've had them on rocky trails, but nothing full-on. I'd recommend getting them in the E load.

I'll post a thread about the skid plates.