Jarhead74
Observer
Greetings,
Been lurking on here for a while as we rebuild a 2001 trooper engine for my soon to be driving son. Anyways, I travel for work and some of it is by car. I prefer using my own vehicle vs rental plus I get mileage reimbursement. Now I know my current vehicle (2003 camry 4cyl) is a good commuter, its boring and I'm a big guy so pain to get in and out. We have had few Gen 3 monteros (02, 05) before getting a minivan when the nose pickers came (3). Those were great vehicles.
To the point, been looking to get out of the camry. Found a 98 trooper 5 speed with a 17k mile engine installed. Thought that would be fun. Been also looking for some 96-98 Cherokees. I also searched for Monteros, but they have slim picking in the south East. At least for a sub 5k price.
This weekend I found a 97 LS with 150k miles. Blue/gray. The ad says the engine rebuilt along with lots of other work. I called the guy and he rebuilds these on the side. Said when he purchased, the original owner did not change timing belt. It damaged the timing pulleys along with bending valves. So here is the work done:
Rebuilt heads with new parts
New timing belt
New water pump
New factory radiator
tensioner
New tires
New KYB shocks
New Brakes
New piston rings
He is asking 3200, but the ad has been out for a month or so. I believe will take 2900. Interior is clean, seats not ripped. Paint really good shape. Some fading on roof, but cmon its a 19 year old vehicle.
So, I will be putting many miles on this. I know 19/20 MPG on hwy. Will redo the hubs to manual along with all synthetic fluids, that is for just piece of mind.
Can I expect another 100K+ miles out of this montero? I would have liked a 99 or 2000 endeavor but do like this one along with a top end engine refurb. Welcome feedback. Thanks Gents.
Been lurking on here for a while as we rebuild a 2001 trooper engine for my soon to be driving son. Anyways, I travel for work and some of it is by car. I prefer using my own vehicle vs rental plus I get mileage reimbursement. Now I know my current vehicle (2003 camry 4cyl) is a good commuter, its boring and I'm a big guy so pain to get in and out. We have had few Gen 3 monteros (02, 05) before getting a minivan when the nose pickers came (3). Those were great vehicles.
To the point, been looking to get out of the camry. Found a 98 trooper 5 speed with a 17k mile engine installed. Thought that would be fun. Been also looking for some 96-98 Cherokees. I also searched for Monteros, but they have slim picking in the south East. At least for a sub 5k price.
This weekend I found a 97 LS with 150k miles. Blue/gray. The ad says the engine rebuilt along with lots of other work. I called the guy and he rebuilds these on the side. Said when he purchased, the original owner did not change timing belt. It damaged the timing pulleys along with bending valves. So here is the work done:
Rebuilt heads with new parts
New timing belt
New water pump
New factory radiator
tensioner
New tires
New KYB shocks
New Brakes
New piston rings
He is asking 3200, but the ad has been out for a month or so. I believe will take 2900. Interior is clean, seats not ripped. Paint really good shape. Some fading on roof, but cmon its a 19 year old vehicle.
So, I will be putting many miles on this. I know 19/20 MPG on hwy. Will redo the hubs to manual along with all synthetic fluids, that is for just piece of mind.
Can I expect another 100K+ miles out of this montero? I would have liked a 99 or 2000 endeavor but do like this one along with a top end engine refurb. Welcome feedback. Thanks Gents.