Advice on which Montero to purchase

[jgraphix73]

Hi All....I'm the FNG (or new guy) and truly excited to start my adventure travels soon.
I just recently sold my car and now I am in the search for a capable and reliable 4x4. Being a former owner of a 84' FJ60 and a 92' FJ80, I have been a Toyota fan for a while. I have been searching for an FJ62 or a nice FZJ80, but after looking at the costs of the yota's lately and being on a budget ($5k), I realized the yota way is not something I can afford at the moment.
I plan on using the Montero for light expeditions, meaning, soft off-road for now, but with intentions in the future to take it more out of the beaten path. Reliability, value and size is what prompted me to not look at the yotas and to be open-minded about the Montero (Trooper also I am looking into). But I wanted to get a owner's perspective on the Montero's they own and some feedback (hopefully, un-biased) as to what they think about their Montero's.

So my questions in regards to the Monetero's....
a) I've read about some having a rear diff lock. Which years are they and where/how do I know if they have it?
b) I've read different statements that they are pricey to repair to being cheap...can I get some personal opinions on that? (maintenance wise)
c) Reliability. It's very important as I will have my 3yr old daughter with me. Would you consider the Montero as reliable as the Nissan and Toyota's?
d) What years of the Montero is considered great considering my questions above?

I have read some threads here in regards in finding a 4x4 with the 5k budget which is why I am considering the Montero and the Trooper.
Any info will greatly help me as I am planning on purchasing either in the next week (I am without transportation at the moment).
Thanks!! and happy exploring!

-Richard
SEMPER FIDELIS
"PEACE, LOVE AND LIBERTY!"

 

[Inyo_man]

I would recommend any of the Monteros for reliability and off road manners.
The rear diff. lock came in the earlier generations (on some models), and others came with an LSD.
The Gen. III came with a LSD in the rear as well. If it's not worn off, you can sometimes find a sticker on the diff. indicating if it's LSD (check the driver's side door jam as well).
Repairs are comparable to other rigs I've owned. If you choose OEM parts, they're more (although they are very stout).
I'm a firm believer in maintaining a rig in order to keep it reliable. Stay on top of all scheduled service for the most reliable rig.

I'm partial to the Gen. III- comfort (less driver fatigue on long trips), newer vehicle (lower miles), IRS (great for high speed desert runs/well mannered for a daily driver), very roomy (space for our family of four, dog, and overlanding gear), super select transmission (easy of an auto. box with gear choice when desired).
Good Luck
Hope this helps.

 

[jgraphix73]

Thanks Inyo man.
I have been looking at a Gen II.5 and a III. The III does seem to fit what I will need it for (no rock crawling or hardcore wheeling).
How does your Gen III handle the mild off road?

Agree on the maintenance. Do you have a website where I can buy aftermarket parts for the Montero?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my ?.

 

[geocrasher]

I have an 87 Raider (Montero, sold by Dodge, 2 door) with 340K miles on it. I do not hesitate to drive it anywhere. Its built as solidly as any Toyota I've owned (a '90 x-cab v6 5spd pickup 4wd and a '69 FJ-55 wagon) and despite its age has only actually broken down on me once (corroded battery terminals due to neglect of the PO mostly). It's stout, reliable, and incredibly capable in stock form. I stopped getting nervous about taking it off road. I just lock it into 4wd and go. They aren't without their problems (just like any other car really) but overall I think they're a *fantastic* value. Plus, you can buy one and build it for the price of buying a FZJ80.

 

[GrassCat]

(hopefully, un-biased) as to what they think about their Montero's.

Ha!
You come to a Mitsubishi Montero site and ask us not to be biased?

Every question you've asked has been answered many time on the forum and on the 4x4 wire forum. Search will be your best friend.

I think the Gen 2.5 is the best. Why you say? Because I own one.

If I were to buy another I would most likely get a Gen 3 Limit. It will Have the locker that I like in my truck.

By the way, all 1994-1996 Sr's will have lockers some of the 1997's and the 1998-2000 with the winter package will have a locker also. Look for the orange sticker in the foot well stuck to the console.

After market parts are hard to come by, but there some.

 

[jgraphix73]

Ha!
You come to a Mitsubishi Montero site and ask us not to be biased?

Haha....yeah, I am hoping to get un-biased opinions on the Montero.
Thanks for the heads up on the locker location for the Gen 2.5. I have one to look at tomorrow and crossing fingers that it has a locker.
Yeah, I figured the aftermarket parts are hard to come by.
Thanks for your input btw!

 

[off-roader]

I've owned several Montero's so no unbiased opinions from me sorry.

Pro's:
Well built & reliable rigs for off road use.
Well equipped for their era.
Decent gas mileage (unlike a similarly equipped FJ60-80).

Con's:
what are those?:ylsmoke:

 

[Inyo_man]

Thanks Inyo man.
How does your Gen III handle the mild off road? Do you have a website where I can buy aftermarket parts for the Montero?

Glad to help.
The rig is great off road- handles like a dream! I've had it in snow, mud, rocks (mild), and brutal desert and I have zero complaints.
Sourcing aftermarket parts is challenging in the states. Although there are some products that can be found here. The majority of aftermarket parts are found in Australia, where the Gen. III is a very popular back country rig (however the shipping is a killer).
Try searching for Old Man Emu and/or ARB (source for suspensions and bull bars).

 

[cap510]

Rubicon Trail!

 

[jgraphix73]

Rubicon Trail!

Very nice!
Have a build thread on your Montero by any chance?
What size tires/wheels? What kind of lift and what kind of rack is that?

 

[jgraphix73]

I've owned several Montero's so no unbiased opinions from me sorry.

Pro's:
Well built & reliable rigs for off road use.
Well equipped for their era.
Decent gas mileage (unlike a similarly equipped FJ60-80).

Con's:
what are those?:ylsmoke:

Just checked out your build thread...very very nice. Gonna read it again so if or when I do get a Montero (Gen II.5), I'll resource your build.
Thanks off-roader

 

[kchristian]

My limited experience has been positive thus far. I picked my 3rd gen limited model up about a month ago. I was looking for a 80 or 100 series for my build as well. I was preparing to spend 3-4 times what I ended up spending on the Montero. Honestly I hadn't ever really considered a Montero until I saw the one which would become mine. Sure the Land Cruiser is better, (the more I drive the Montero, the less I believe that) but there is no way it is 3-4 times as good.

I just took mine in for a Post Purchase Inspection (Whoops, I think I did that wrong) and it passed with flying colors. There was a bit of oil seeping out from the rear right side of the engine but nothing to be terribly alarmed about. I'm currently waiting for them to finish the timing belt and a coolant flush and I should be 100% road worthy.

Aftermarket support is limited. However everything I plan to do is available. If you are looking to do an intense build and don't do any of your own fab work, maybe the Montero isn't for you. But a small lift, arb bumpers and sliders are available.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jgraphix73]

Im feeling better about my decision on a Montero after reading some post from fellow former/current LC fans.
A 98' which I intended to buy just got sold, so I am now looking at either a 2000 Montero with 118k miles or a 97' SR with 188k miles with timing/water pump/head gasket/front bearings and seals (all records from past 9 years) changed in the past 10-20k miles ago. Both want about $4800. Decisions...decisions.

 

[KarmannMarco]

My experience is limited as well since I've only had my Montero for 3 weeks but so far I've been nothing but pleased.
I wasn't even looking for a Montero until I foind mine as well.
I was between a Land Rover Discovery , a 4Runner and a First Gen Trooper. As I was about to take the plunge with the Discovery until someone posted my 97 Montero SL on craigslist and I decided to give it a shot. Keep in mind I was already extremely impressed by the capability and comfort of the Disco and though nothing could top it but once I got in and drove that Montero I knew it was the right vehicle for me. It felt just as capable as the Discovery but now I don't have to be concerned by the reliability of the Disco.
My 97 SL does not have a rear locker but for the trails I will take it into I doubt I will need it. It has 135K miles , runs like a dream and I got it for $3000. Amazing value to me.
Good luck with whatever you may chose.

 

[cap510]

Very nice!
Have a build thread on your Montero by any chance?
What size tires/wheels? What kind of lift and what kind of rack is that?

I had this particular Montero for awhile now but had own multiple Monteros since 2001. I also have own MULTIPLE Toyota Vehicles/trucks inluding FJ80 (dual lockers) (to show you something in common) FJ40 and 4runners.
To me me it was simple to stay with Monteros due to the fact that it was A LOT cheaper to modify and it came pretty well set up from factory.
Some of my Mods include:
3" BL (cheap)
2" longer rear springs (cheap)
37" MTRs (not cheap if buy new)
4.90 R&P gears (can be cheap if buy used)
3.15 TC gears (similar in price as other gears)
Rock sliders (standard price)
custom front and rear bumpers (cheap)
winch, ligths, recovery gears, etc, etc.
I have done a lot more Mods to my black montero over the years as I saw the need based on the trails I was running.

You can run 33s on a stock Montero all day on the freeway and offroad, no modifications needed.
or you could run 35s with a 2" BL but you will need at least 4.90s offroad.

I took my Montero thru the Rubicon trail on 33s, 2"BL and rock sliders to give you some idea of how capable they are.