1997 Montero SR build

[SRTracker]

Well folks here go.

New to the Expedition forums and new to the lifestyle. I've done a lot of hiking, including the Appalachian thru hike, figured I'd start doing some trailing too.

What I have, after a lot of forum stalking, is a 1997 Monty SR with the winter package. Picked it up for 1500 bucks. 239k miles but seeing as I'm lucky enough to be a mechanic, I found it to be very solid with only a few kinks here and there that are getting worked out.

Currently it's sitting on a set of cheap 15x10 steel wheels with 33x12.5 m/t's, the previous owner too the liberty of not lifting but cutting the fenders til it stopped scrubbing

So I am starting this thread to document my build but also GET SOME HELP!!! Haha

Here's the plans: (somewhat in order)
AC Condenser Fan (hardwiring it too)
Timing Belt
2" body lift
Upgrade to front and rear suspension
HAM set up
ARB Front bumper (with winch)
Roof rack
Self fabricated rear bumper
A full five set of wheels and tires
4.9 gears

I'm positive there will be a lot of things I do along the way but those are the major points, this build is gonna be a slow one but should be fun, looking forward to meeting and maybe riding with you guys!

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[jhill15]

Welcome to the forum Srtracker! Thats a nice looking rig! I would go ome lift and crank the torsion bars. There are several guys on here running 2-2.5 gens that have builds you could get alot of info from.
If you havent already check out the stickies for the builds thread.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[SRTracker]

Yeah I've seen them! They look really great, I'm just trying to get a better understanding of how it works with the Montys. I've lifted a lot of trucks but these little guys seem a little more complicated and very limited on selection of lifts.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

Great looking montero! I have a 97 as well, I believe we have the first year they put the 4.27 gears in, so yours must feel pretty bogged with 15x10 steel wheels and 33's. You should look into swapping the 4.6 or 4.9, I'm pretty sure there's a few guys on here who have some experience with it.

 

[SRTracker]

Actually, it doesn't feel too sluggish, granted I can tell a difference but not so bad that it's annoying. The 4.9s actually are on my list of to dos though!

 

[billygoats]

Correct on 97 to be first year of the 4.27 gears. Also first year of the sohc 3.5.

On my 99 I have 33x12.5x15 BFg km2, and went from the stock 4.27 to 4.636. The difference was quite noticeable. Pickup is a lot better, and put my speedo right back to stock. The truck is no means fast, but it is at least tolerable. I went with the 4.63 since the rear third and front diff are drop in. No changing ring and pinions / adjust backlash to keep the rear locker.

 

[SRTracker]

So after a little further inspection today, I can say I'm a little peeved at the sheer stupidity of some people. The previous owner, decided to put a aftermarket radio and speakers into the Monty, which is fine by me. What isn't fine, is he ran an amp and subs as well, so instead of wiring the normal speakers to the stereo, he ran them directly through the amp AND CUT THE ORIGINAL WIRING HARNESS OUT COMPLETELY!!!! Why on earth would you do that!?!? Also he said he couldn't find any mounting brackets for stereos for the Monty, any insight on that?

Also, the truck has obviously been sank. The interior is completely ruined. Thankfully, I have an extensive background in paint and body, and off-road vehicles. So my plan here is to strip it and rhino the interior. Has anyone done this to their Monty??? How did it go, any pointers to make it simpler?

Now onto the gearing, what exactly goes into dropping in 4.6 or 4.9 gears on this particular model? Is it a simple swap of the chunk or is it a ring and pinion change? Are there any available upgrades for the front??

Also, I can't seem to find info on it anywhere, but I actually despise body lifts. Are there and 3" suspension lifts for a Monty or bare minimum a lift that fits close enough to be safe when modified to fit?

 

[piercemontero]

Welcome to ExpoPortal! I have a 98 Gen 2.5 and ran into the same issue with finding a head unit mount. After a lot of searching and one mount that was "compatible" being completely useless, I ordered some sheet plastic and custom cut it with a Dremel to mount the head unit and keep it looking clean. I can post some pics if you are interested.

I also opted out of the body lift, as I don't have the funds to get a custom or custom fit front bumper and I hate the gap left with a BL. I added spacers in the rear springs and cranked my torsion bars for extra clearance. I'm currently running 31x10.5 but have plenty of clearance for 33's and think I could (and may) move up to 35's. Down side of the spacer/torsion is I do get some odd wear on the front tires as the toe in a bit (although its not particularly noticeable) and I was advised that trying to get a proper alignment would be a nightmare, by she tracks straight without issue.

 

[IncorpoRatedX]

Also, I can't seem to find info on it anywhere, but I actually despise body lifts. Are there and 3" suspension lifts for a Monty or bare minimum a lift that fits close enough to be safe when modified to fit?

You and me both buddy, but maybe your hatred came from the same place as mine; american 4x4's.

See, the japanese 4x4's made the body overhang the frame a decent amount. So a 2" body lift looks like a factory american truck, and a 2 inch body lift will get you 35" tires without trimming, 37" with a little trimming. The best part is that it wont even look like you have a body lift, here, take a look at my stock suspension 96 SR, 2" body lift and 37's on 17x10 weld wheels;

 

[SRTracker]

Welcome to ExpoPortal! I have a 98 Gen 2.5 and ran into the same issue with finding a head unit mount. After a lot of searching and one mount that was "compatible" being completely useless, I ordered some sheet plastic and custom cut it with a Dremel to mount the head unit and keep it looking clean. I can post some pics if you are interested.

I would love to see pics of that, thanks so much for the insight!

You and me both buddy, but maybe your hatred came from the same place as mine; american 4x4's.

You are exactly right. Thats a great looking set up. The guy I bought mine from actually sent the same exact pics of yours to show it could ride 37s. You wouldnt happen to live in Ga would you?? ha ha

 

[TheMole]

Are the factory metal brackets for the stereo still there? If so you don't really need an aftermarket mount. I got a bottom cubby out of a montero sport and installed it using the factory brackets. Although, I had to remove the wood grain trim so that the stereo surround would fit flush.

 

[SRTracker]

Are the factory metal brackets for the stereo still there? If so you don't really need an aftermarket mount. I got a bottom cubby out of a montero sport and installed it using the factory brackets. Although, I had to remove the wood grain trim so that the stereo surround would fit flush.

No, unfortunately the metal mounts appear to be gone

 

[TheMole]

Part number for the bracket is below, but please verify first.

Left/Right bracket same part #: MR115528

http://www.oemmitsubishiparts.com/p...number=MR115528&vehicleid=71565&siteid=214331

 

[SRTracker]

Part number for the bracket is below, but please verify first.

Left/Right bracket same part #: MR115528

http://www.oemmitsubishiparts.com/p...number=MR115528&vehicleid=71565&siteid=214331

Looks perfect! Thanks a ton. I was considering trying to mount my 2m/70cm right beneath that. Thought twice about it though, I would hate for one to over heat the other. I am looking around at a few options for something to fill the hole beneath it. I am definitely going to order those brackets first. Thanks again Mole.

 

[TheMole]

No problem man. You can probably find some used cubbys from other mitsubishi models on ebay that will fit the hole underneath.