Hello all. I've been reading this forum for a while, but rarely post.
I just messed up the front of my Montero and am looking for a replacement. My uses are mostly taking my kids and scouts camping, exploring, off roading, and daily driving when the other car is down. I'm not into rock crawling or deep mudding, but if there is something cool to be seen "down the road" I'd like to be able to get there. I always like to say "If it IS, or WAS, a road - I'd like to be able to go down it.
I had a '95 Montero SR. It was suited to the purpose really good. Decent power, good room inside, comfortable. Seats seven if asked, or tons of gear if not asked for the passengers. Factory rear locker. 2wd, AWD, 4wd and low range modes. Tons of rear articulation. Will take 32"-33" without a lift. The main downsides are the front IFS, a timing belt instead of chain, and a tendency to pop a head gasket if overheated. Other than that, a really solid and reliable truck.
The frame was not damaged in my incedent and it still seems to run fine, but all the sheetmetal forward of the firewall needs to be replaced. With current gas prices pushing good examples down to $2500-$5000, I'm better off replacing it.
Then I notice that (some) Discoveries (or RRCs) can be had for that money too. I like the idea of upgrading to a front solid axle and the "world platform". I do all my own wrenching, so a truck with a few problems doesn't scare me off - as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel...no chronic, or unsolveable, problems. Is a $3000 Disco even worth looking at? For "entry level overlanding" is it a step up from the Monty? I will likely never leave North America, but running things like the Mojave Road interest me greatly. I have a few friends with rock Jeeps and it would be nice to head out with them, even if it means using a few of the bypasses on hard stuff.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
I just messed up the front of my Montero and am looking for a replacement. My uses are mostly taking my kids and scouts camping, exploring, off roading, and daily driving when the other car is down. I'm not into rock crawling or deep mudding, but if there is something cool to be seen "down the road" I'd like to be able to get there. I always like to say "If it IS, or WAS, a road - I'd like to be able to go down it.
I had a '95 Montero SR. It was suited to the purpose really good. Decent power, good room inside, comfortable. Seats seven if asked, or tons of gear if not asked for the passengers. Factory rear locker. 2wd, AWD, 4wd and low range modes. Tons of rear articulation. Will take 32"-33" without a lift. The main downsides are the front IFS, a timing belt instead of chain, and a tendency to pop a head gasket if overheated. Other than that, a really solid and reliable truck.
The frame was not damaged in my incedent and it still seems to run fine, but all the sheetmetal forward of the firewall needs to be replaced. With current gas prices pushing good examples down to $2500-$5000, I'm better off replacing it.
Then I notice that (some) Discoveries (or RRCs) can be had for that money too. I like the idea of upgrading to a front solid axle and the "world platform". I do all my own wrenching, so a truck with a few problems doesn't scare me off - as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel...no chronic, or unsolveable, problems. Is a $3000 Disco even worth looking at? For "entry level overlanding" is it a step up from the Monty? I will likely never leave North America, but running things like the Mojave Road interest me greatly. I have a few friends with rock Jeeps and it would be nice to head out with them, even if it means using a few of the bypasses on hard stuff.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.