irish44j
Well-known member
Figured I might as well start up a build thread here (which I'm carbon-copying over on Grassroots Motorsports, where I also spend a lot of time). Anyhow, I was recently looking for a new project to work on, as I recently finished my $1000 Porsche 924S rebuild and don't have much going on with my stage rally car (1985 BMW 318 w/M50 swap). I tinker here and there with my Sequioa (tow rig/rally service vehicle) but with no real overlanding anywhere near here I don't want to go too crazy on it, since I need it to tow trailers and stuff.
Anyhow, got to thinking it's time for a new project vehicle. Space is always an issue for me, as those of you who follow my other build thread know. So the next project has to be small enough to be worked on in the garage during the winter. Back to the Raider, compared to my little Porsche 924S:
Length: 157" (Porsche: 165")
Width: 66" (Porsche: 66")
Height: 72" (Porsche: 50" - though seems less than that, really)
So, determining a Raider/SWB (short wheelbase/2-door) Montero would fit my purposes (literally), I started looking around on CL (none there anywhere) and Marketplace. A number of them popped up for $1000-5000 depending on condition, etc. The Raiders listed were generally ratty and rusty, and the Monteros were mostly nice but nice enough to be expensive and not much of a "project." My only real requirement was NO or VERY LITTLE RUST. I hate rust, I hate fixing it. I don't want to do that. That's part of what killed my XJ Cherokee project a decade ago.
Other factors:
Engine: Prefer the V6
Transmission: Would love a manual, but they seem to be few and far between, so I'm ok with an automatic.
Other: Not required, but I really wanted the off-road package, which includes a factory rear LSD.
Interior: Wanted mostly complete interior in decent shape
After talking to a number of sellers over a couple months I pretty much shelved the idea, not really finding what I wanted in my price range. Then the other day one pops up in North Carolina - a V6 automatic, complete in almost every way, in decent cosmetic shape and no signs of body or frame rust. And it has the washers, so it has the off-road package. Only thing: Engine is shot. The engine/trans are actually out of the vehicle and stashed in the trunk (apparently a spun bearing). Something to deal with later, this is going to be a long project.
So, I grab the Sequioa and trailer, and boogie 330 miles south to the Atlantic shoreline, being assured he will not sell it while I'm on the way. Long story short, loading it sucked without a winch (I keep meaning to get one), but it was as-expected and i handed over a small amount of cash (3 digits) and got it loaded up.
Got it home and did some cleanup. No rust, transmission sitting in the back as well as the remains of a very rusty, disassembled engine that sat on the ground through a saltwater flood during a hurricane after the owner pulled it due to a spun bearing. Total loss...or at least more work than I'm willing to do on it. I'll find another one.
But otherwise, clean up the truck and it's in pretty nice shape and almost totally complete otherwise.
Tucked away in the garage so I can slowly start cleaning things up, searching for drivetrain options, etc.
The goal? Not sure yet, just wanted something different. Well aware of the Pajero's Dakar history, so that may be the direction I go to some degree. Not much for trails or overland near here (a few hours away), but would love to set this thing up to do reconnaissance runs for our stage rally team and to do some general adventure trips. Something like "rally raid" setup, so to say. IDK, we'll see where the project goes. I change my mind a lot when it comes to automotive projects, so what I think today I may totally change a year from now.
My other mostly-complete but always ongoing projects, for anyone who cares. As you can see, I like to get things dirty......
Anyhow, got to thinking it's time for a new project vehicle. Space is always an issue for me, as those of you who follow my other build thread know. So the next project has to be small enough to be worked on in the garage during the winter. Back to the Raider, compared to my little Porsche 924S:
Length: 157" (Porsche: 165")
Width: 66" (Porsche: 66")
Height: 72" (Porsche: 50" - though seems less than that, really)
So, determining a Raider/SWB (short wheelbase/2-door) Montero would fit my purposes (literally), I started looking around on CL (none there anywhere) and Marketplace. A number of them popped up for $1000-5000 depending on condition, etc. The Raiders listed were generally ratty and rusty, and the Monteros were mostly nice but nice enough to be expensive and not much of a "project." My only real requirement was NO or VERY LITTLE RUST. I hate rust, I hate fixing it. I don't want to do that. That's part of what killed my XJ Cherokee project a decade ago.
Other factors:
Engine: Prefer the V6
Transmission: Would love a manual, but they seem to be few and far between, so I'm ok with an automatic.
Other: Not required, but I really wanted the off-road package, which includes a factory rear LSD.
Interior: Wanted mostly complete interior in decent shape
After talking to a number of sellers over a couple months I pretty much shelved the idea, not really finding what I wanted in my price range. Then the other day one pops up in North Carolina - a V6 automatic, complete in almost every way, in decent cosmetic shape and no signs of body or frame rust. And it has the washers, so it has the off-road package. Only thing: Engine is shot. The engine/trans are actually out of the vehicle and stashed in the trunk (apparently a spun bearing). Something to deal with later, this is going to be a long project.
So, I grab the Sequioa and trailer, and boogie 330 miles south to the Atlantic shoreline, being assured he will not sell it while I'm on the way. Long story short, loading it sucked without a winch (I keep meaning to get one), but it was as-expected and i handed over a small amount of cash (3 digits) and got it loaded up.
Got it home and did some cleanup. No rust, transmission sitting in the back as well as the remains of a very rusty, disassembled engine that sat on the ground through a saltwater flood during a hurricane after the owner pulled it due to a spun bearing. Total loss...or at least more work than I'm willing to do on it. I'll find another one.
But otherwise, clean up the truck and it's in pretty nice shape and almost totally complete otherwise.
Tucked away in the garage so I can slowly start cleaning things up, searching for drivetrain options, etc.
The goal? Not sure yet, just wanted something different. Well aware of the Pajero's Dakar history, so that may be the direction I go to some degree. Not much for trails or overland near here (a few hours away), but would love to set this thing up to do reconnaissance runs for our stage rally team and to do some general adventure trips. Something like "rally raid" setup, so to say. IDK, we'll see where the project goes. I change my mind a lot when it comes to automotive projects, so what I think today I may totally change a year from now.
My other mostly-complete but always ongoing projects, for anyone who cares. As you can see, I like to get things dirty......
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