Not So Modest 2000 (Gen 2.5) Montero Build

Saint Nick

Active member
I too think that the gap to the window is too close for comfort. How about a removable brace from the top carrier to the receiver hitch in the middle of the spare wheel?

Nick
 

zerodrift

Adventurer
The rear tire cargo system is nearly ready for paint. Been doing some lightening by means of holes in some areas that aren't super critical for strength. Going to test the unit with a full capacity tank over the next few days.

I've started up a modular diesel heater project recently and made some progress today. Needs more bracketry work, but the argon for my tig welder ran out today and I'll have to get more tomorrow to finish things up. That said- I'm really happy with the progress.
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coffeegoat

Adventurer
That is a really slick idea, I like it.

I have a similar (yet totally different) approach with our salt water hot tub - a propane fired on demand water heater mounted with a pump on a dolly. Roll it out into the yard and prep the tank, roll it back in the garage when not in use.
 

Canyonero

New member
If you don't mind, where did you get your seats reupholstered? I'm in Denver as well and my '95 SR is in need of new leather. Your build looks amazing BTW!
 

zerodrift

Adventurer
If you don't mind, where did you get your seats reupholstered? I'm in Denver as well and my '95 SR is in need of new leather. Your build looks amazing BTW!

Thanks for the compliment! The seats are aftermarket replacement seats and replace the entire factory unit. I'm actually planning to sell my seats here sometime soon as I have my eyes on a different set of aftermarket seats with armrests.

There was an upholstery company called Katskinz that made new replacement covers- I bet they are still around. That could be a good option as anyone local would likely charge a fair bit. There is also an upholstery shop just east of I25 and Colorado Blvd that has done some work for me. Owner is Arthur if I recall- and the shop is an old white brick building next to Sherman Williams paints. I've used them for a few random tasks such as my sun visors. They stand behind their work-though you want to check on the end product carefully as they do make an occasional mistake.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk
 

zerodrift

Adventurer
Is that a 2 » receiver mount in the center of the spare?
Yes- I'm planning on making a bike rack that fits there or a bracket to hold other light accessories. Here is a pic with a basket attached. Something that won't ever be used as it's too much weight when loaded and much too far away from the mount. I'd wager that this basket likely would break things if used.
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zerodrift

Adventurer
Just finished up with a camping trip the other week. The rig did admirably but certainly needs a few more tweaks. Namely mud flaps and an air assist bag for a little more pay load capacity. I think the next major project will also be a roof rack and awning. Perhaps later this year...

This was the first real test of the drawer slide kitchen and the wife and I were really pleased with the project. Worked great and proved extremely helpful and convenient. Only issue was the corian countertop was likely a poor choice as you can't set anything hot on it. I'll likely swap that out for a stainless steel skinned plywood sheet in the near future. The sleeping platform and deisel heating system worked great, though proved a little cumbersome given our setup. Certainly ok if packing light- but we had to rely on the tent for storage space.

Anyways- onto a few pictures!
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zerodrift

Adventurer
Few more pictures. Also- I'll be making a few tweaks to the jerry can mount in the near future as well. It worked well- though we never filled it for this trip as we were close to town (Sedona).
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brad2274

Adventurer
love the new rear rack design! i might try something similar, id also love to see you attempt rear tail gaurds
 

zerodrift

Adventurer
love the new rear rack design! i might try something similar, id also love to see you attempt rear tail gaurds

Thanks! It has been a great addition so far and I'm very pleased with the additional functionality. At this point, I've only a few minor things that I'll likely change on it down the road.

Before the snow started up, I was able to tend to a few small projects this morning. First up was to install the AirLift air assist springs into the rear shocks. The install was simple and with a lunch break, took less than two hours. The schrader valves were mounted on a stainless steel plate that is sandwiched under the pintle hitch mount. I opted to keep the sides separated as it would simplify any future troubleshooting. Overall I'm pleased with how well this turned out and will report back on the system after it gets some actual use.

While the rear of the car was in the air, I installed a set of rear mud flaps. I picked up a cheap set of universal rubber mudflaps from Ebay. Link here: <<<LINK>>> For the price, I figured it'd be worth any potential fiddling. Using the factory mud flap mounting points, I installed M6 threaded nutserts after enlarging the holes slightly. With a fine point permanent marker I transferred the hole locations to the rubber flaps and after drilling the holes- simply bolted the mudflaps on. The passenger side was slightly different and I took another cheap plastic mudflap I had laying around and installed in a similar fashion. So far the rear setup was fairly easy and I'll have to install the front another day.

One other update to make regarding my LED hedlight retrofit. The lights most certainly do ice over and I've had to rely upon the headlight washers during the last few major snowstorms. Currently trying out some RainX water repellent spray to see if that helps any. As its currently snowing, perhaps I can report back on that in the next few days.
 

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brad2274

Adventurer
Are you able to swap halogen/HID bulbs into the projectors? i was going to use LEDs as well on my truck but then heard of others having ice issues, and i have no washers
 

zerodrift

Adventurer
Are you able to swap halogen/HID bulbs into the projectors? i was going to use LEDs as well on my truck but then heard of others having ice issues, and i have no washers

The units I picked up are strictly LED. Its a completed assembly from Koito and it is essentially a non-serviceable unit. It works ok for light to medium snowfall, but snow starts to stick when its wet and dense. Take a look at this post to see the entire light module: <<<Link 1 - My build thread>>> <<<Link 2 - LED at The Retrofit Source>>>
 

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