NEW Gen 2.5 OWNER - - I think I got a GOOD DEAL

[KIRK!]

Hey there!

About a year I started researching expedition-type vehicles and kept getting the answer that the Montero was the way to go. I looked for several months for a mid-90s SR or Gen 2.5 with the winter package with no luck and finally got impatient and bought a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I put brand new tires on it and a nice lift, but never drove it. I just never liked it and the Monteros continued to eat at the back of my brain.

So a couple days ago I sold my 1927 Nash hot rod and thought I'd take a peek on Craigslist for Monteros, even though I still have the Jeep - much to my wife's dismay. Right away I found this 1999 with the winter package. I was excited, but my wife wasn't. I told her I wanted to check out the Montero and she just rolled her eyes, but did go with me, as did my 7-year-old daughter.

The guy was asking $3500. It has 186,000 miles, but has recently had the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, drive belts and pulleys replaced. Also new plugs and wires along with KYB shocks, tie rod and idler arm bushings. It even has brand new tires and wheels. There are no leaks at all and the AC blows cold. The interior shows regular if not less-that-regular wear, but really only on the drivers seat and door panel. The passenger window sticks and the sun roof is SLOW. All in all I think I got a good deal, especially since I ended up getting it for only $3000.

I have a few questions. It has the flashing green wheel/light issue. Am I correct that that is usually just the sensor? It idles real low, around 300rpm. Where would you suggest I start to solve that? How much trouble is the sunroof motor to change? Is it worth doing?

I don't plan on cranking the bars any more as I think it sits good like it is, but I do want to paint the lower panels and wheels black to change it from soccer mom to a little more utilitarian. I want to add a roof rack, since the two dogs will get the way-back area, and a couple lights.

Also, there seems to be fewer aftermarket accessories available for the '99s. Is that true or am I not looking in the right places? I did get the stock alloy wheels and the removed running boards and mud guards, are they worth trying to sell?

Any other input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here are a couple pics and a mockup of what I want it to look like.

Thanks for any help!!!


p.s. Anyone want a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

montero1.jpg

montero3.jpg

montero2.jpg

[off-roader]

Always loved that color blue on the Montero's.

Yes, the flashing front lights are most likely the sensors that sit atop your transfer case.

The idle issue may simply be a worn out Idle Speed/Air Controller Servo. It's located on the intake manifold where the intake hose meets the engine. I suspect it's bad and needs to be replaced.

I'd check it before messing with anything else.

Not sure how tough the sunroof motor is to R&R. A lot of times dirt gets into the sunroof track &/or the lubrication there get's sticky which makes the motor work harder and wears it out quicker.

Availability of aftermarket items is limited but there are a number of sources such as ARB/TJM, etc. What are you looking for?

As for the wheels, you can sell them. As for the running boards, it may be worthwhile to re-enforce them internally using steel tube then reuse them to make the rig a real off road 'sleeper'.

The black paint looks good too.

HTH.

[geocrasher]

Congrats on your purchase! Sweet rig for $3k! 186K miles? Its just getting broken in (see my signature line ;-) )

[shmabs]

i was looking hard at that montero as well a few months ago....seems like you got a nice rig! I know there was at least one other person one here who looked at that particular rig too.

Mike

[eurosonic]

Congrats on the purchase, 3K is a heka of a deal. Great color combo, especially with the black lowers.

I think ive seen this truck on craiglist a few weeks back. Nice to have another 2.5gen on the site.

[zukrider]

very nice!

[KIRK!]

Thanks for the answers and comments.

Why did others here pass on the rig? Did I miss something about it? At any rate, a friend of mine is a Montero fanatic and mechanic, so I'll be taking it to him for a once-over to make sure everything is in order.

[Clem]

I gave that rig a drive about 10 months ago. I really liked the color and euro marker lights. I didn't get the impression the owner was going to drop his price that low. He was asking much more when I drove it.

I ended up with one with 96K miles for $5K and a properly functioning 4x system.

Welcome to the club!

Clem

[sneakyninja]

Awesome! mine was the same color originally, to fix the light problem with the 4WD indicators just use it and it will start working correctly as things start moving around. thats a good indication that the truck hasn't been in 4wd much or at all..

here's a link to my buld thread if you're in need of some inspiration or would like to know how something will look on your rig.

Link

Mine is a little sun baked but you get the idea
DSCF9886.jpg

[KIRK!]

Yeah, your rig is one of the ones that made me want a Montero in the first place. Obviously I like the color scheme too! I may steal the hood panel idea too.

Awesome! mine was the same color originally, to fix the light problem with the 4WD indicators just use it and it will start working correctly as things start moving around. thats a good indication that the truck hasn't been in 4wd much or at all..

here's a link to my buld thread if you're in need of some inspiration or would like to know how something will look on your rig.

Link

Mine is a little sun baked but you get the idea
DSCF9886.jpg