My first Montero (2003 3rd Gen Limited) Build Thread

[jasonsuperb]

So I just got back from a 5 hour drive down to Virginia and back to pick up a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Limited with 89k. The truck is beautiful inside and out, really nice condition. Has a few issues to iron out but mostly maintenance stuff. This is what I have so far on the list.

ASAP:

Replace Belt and idler pulley (DONE)
Replace air filter (DONE)
Replace broken rattling subwoofer (DONE)
Fix Coolant leak at the back of the truck (just found that when I got home) was surprised there were coolant lines all the way back there (DONE - HOPEFULLY )

In the near future:

replace valve cover gaskets
Timing belt
replace all fluids
Shocks

My goal with this truck is to keep it as stock as possible while also being a fun off road tripping mobile.
I already have an over the top landcruiser fj60 for tough trails so I want to keep this one very simple and stock looking.

The car drove great on the way back from Virginia but I had a few impressions that maybe some other montero owners will have some insight into.

The suspension is not as plush as I was expecting, its not bad by any means just not as smooth and plush as people say. I am assuming it is the stock shocks that need to be replaced. So that is on the list. However that leaves the question to just get stock replacements or something better. From what I could find Bilstein makes 4600 stock replacements. OME makes a 1.5 lift kit and RADFLO makes a coil over adjustable front from 1" to 2.5" lift but with just replacement shocks in the back. Seems like the RADFLO would be the best option but then the rear might be a bit lower than the front. I would be happy with as little lift as possible. My landcruiser is wayyy to high.

The rpms were a little higher than I was expecting on the highway making the engine a little bit noisier than ideal. at 70 they were at around 2800rpm. Would be awesome if it was a 2200 at 70 but I guess that isn't going to happen. A larger tire would help a bit but not much, and then it might drop down in the 4th more often. Any one fit 33s with stock suspension? Or do you need a small lift for them. Thinking 285/75/16 or 255/85/16 would prefer the 255, but they seem to be only available in an MT tread and I really want an AT tread for this truck.

Well more to come, really excited about this truck. Coming from driving only 30 year old land cruisers for years it is a huge change.

 

[IncorpoRatedX]

"Build Thread"
"My goal with this truck is to keep it as stock as possible"

Does not compute.

 

[jasonsuperb]

@incorporatedx I don't think it's that confusing. I want to build the truck for overland type use in the most minimal way possible.
It is way too easy to get excited and start modifying everything whether it is needed or not, then you end up with a truck that is off road capable but sucks on the road so getting across the country for such trips is not a pleasurable experience. ie: my fj60.
There will definitely be mods and upgrades but I want to keep them to the minimum to reach my goal.


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[Michael Brown]

I have never found the 3rd Gen ride plush as say an Escalade or my parent's expedition, but it is way better than any solid axle 4x4. These will fit either 285/75/16 or 255/85/16 without lift or trimming depending on tread. Some aggressive treads are slightly larger than advertised, but any AT tire will work. I currently run 32" 265/70/17 on my 2005 and am around 2400rpm @70mph. That is the same oem tire size as a JK wrangler so I know I will always have options.

Best suspension setup anyone has reported is the OME kit. Some have used Ironman 4x4 kits with the same success. I know many have bought KYB Gas-A-Just shocks as stock replacements. Usually the rear goes out somewhere past 100k miles. My 2001 started sagging around 150k.

The traction control on the 3.8L models is very impressive. I gladly welcome it over the old 4WD in my 2001 XLS. It made several obstacles seem trivial while the Jeeps had a rough time. Just move slowly and carefully while applying throttle. Traction control behaves like LSDs on both axles. I also added a Hybrid LSD to the rear from a 2001 Limited.

 

[The Viper]

Great looking vehicle! I just got my 20th anniversary back in September

Why are you replacing the idler pulley? Is it making noise?

 

[jasonsuperb]

Great info Michael, thanks!

Thanks Viper, yeah the idler pulley is making a ton of noise and it wobbles while it spins and rattles back and forth if you push on it.

I also forgot to mention I would really love to get a winch on the front but would rather do a hidden mount which I have seen photos of but not sure if they were custom jobs or if anyone knows of a bolt on hidden winch mount?

Anyone have any experience with the RADFLO Suspension system? Looks nice but haven't seen anyone with it installed. I've heard the OME suspension is much stiffer than stock and I am hoping to have a really smooth ride, planning to do more fast fire road type trails instead of rock crawling in this rig.

Michael, when you mentioned your rear started to sag i'm assuming you had to replace the springs and the shocks to bring it back up, correct?

 

[earljuic3]

We have three of the gen 3's in the immediate family. Two of them have replacement bilsteins and mine has the OME HD setup. The handling and responsiveness of the OME really makes the truck feel "right" to me but to each his own. With that being said the other two trucks drive great..


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[Swank Force One]

We have the OME HD on ours as well. I prefer the ride and firm-ness on road, and it seems to do nicely on gravel/washboards, but i'm not sure how i'd like it on trail work. Seems a little stiff to me.

 

[jasonsuperb]

Hey @earljuic3 and @swankforceone when you say OME HD do you mean the heavy springs instead of the medium springs? Earl are there any other comparisons you can make between the stock set up with bilsteins vrs the OME.


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[All-Terrain]

Great purchase!

Post some details when you replace the subwoofer... mine is broken and rattling also.

 

[Inyo_man]

Great looking Montero!
I hope it brings you many years of adventure.

The OME HD suspension comes with a constant load spring and shocks valved to match. This will cause the rig to ride stiff when unladen or unmodified.
The HD front setup is designed for a vehicle with an aftermarket bull bar and winch, and the rear HD needs about 200 lbs. to engage the constant load springs.

If you plan on keeping your Montero as stock as possible and not taking it fully laden into the backcountry, I would not recommend the OME HD suspension.

 

[jasonsuperb]

@inyo_man is the HD the heavy spring? I know they offer different spring sets. Would love a progressive spring. But don't think that exists.


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[earljuic3]

INYO_MAN gave a good explanation of the HD setup and its purpose. I got the HD because I plan to install winch and bull bar in Spring 2016 and I wanted it mostly for that. The ride is stiff and responsive not floaty (I call it boat suspension) like the stock or stock replacement shocks. It can be really "bouncy" sometimes....thats a complaint from my wife LOL. Cornering for things like interstate on/off ramps is greatly improved with the OME setup. If you plan to tow anything I also recommend it. I prefer the stiffer more responsive ride but that's ME, even just around town with no gear. The OME also opens up a whole new range of tire sizes for you...that's something to think about I suppose. I run Cooper ST Maxx 285/75's and I love them..but I do a fair amount of back-woods and fire trail riding which is why I wanted the more aggressive tire.

 

[Swank Force One]

Worth mentioning i did tow about 5000lbs with ours last weekend and it was great. Almost no squat in the back.

We dont plan on doing trail work with it outside of long loaded up trips.

 

[jasonsuperb]

Another question about the OME lift springs, on the ARB PDF it says estimated lift height 35mm. Does this end up giving you 35mm extra suspension travel, or the same amount of suspension travel just sitting 35mm higher? And on that note does anyone know what the stock suspension travel is front and rear on the 3rd gen?

More research found that KING also makes a full suspension kit for the 3rd gen. However the site I found doesn't have a ton of info.







Its a good bit more $ than the RADFLO Set.