My 1999 Montero mostly-adventure-but-build-when-necessary Thread

[jms_brns]

Alright, so I've been on this forum for a few years now, but mostly just learning from you guys and commenting VERY occasionally. Finally I'm starting my own thread.

I stumbled into the Montero world about 5 years ago while looking to replace my vehicle. My only requirement was that it be reliable and have 4WD. I had had a '94 2WD 4Runner before which I liked aside from the limitations of 2WD and the WAY under powered engine. So I was originally looking at 4Runners, but 4WD models in decent shape were way out of my low price range. So I started looking at Montero Sports because they seemed comparable to 4runners but much cheaper. Then My wife convinced me to test drive the full size Montero, which I thought was too big and ugly. After driving one at a used car lot, I narrowed my search to ONLY full size Monteros. Found a decent '99 on Craigslist and bought it. I knew nothing about 4WD, 4lo or locking differentials. Luckily my Montero happened to have the winter package, with a rear locker.

Within a few weeks I started searching the internet for info on Monteros and came across 4x4wire. Found tons of great info, but hated the interface (plus somehow my user account was deleted or blocked probably due to inactivity). Then I came across ExPo, with tons of great info and a decent interface. Took the Montero camping, road-tripping, and off-roading, and started to see the need to make some modifications...

And now for some pictures:

Decided to build a sleeping platform in the back for some easy camping (thanks to all those who posted detailed builds for this! I did mine in all 2X4 and plywood):

For those of you who are curious, I do sell this Foxwing Awning here https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rip-Stop-Tarp-8-x-10-Brown-Standard-Duty/40464924

Plenty of room for two...well maybe not plenty, but room anyways:

Picked up a safari rack for a H1 Hummer for free off CL. Decided it fit the Montero perfectly as is:

Serious hack-job to the rack, made the width into the length and some crazy amateur welding, then bolted on the brackets for my Rhino Rack awning:

 

[jms_brns]

From there we've just been enjoying the places the vehicle takes us:

Snow in the Superstitions:

Colorado Camping:

Four Peaks:

 

[Toasty]

Nice rig and photos! Good to have a face to go with the name as well.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Cool rig, that rack looks like it is about as strong as the frame of the truck!

 

[jms_brns]

Nice rig and photos! Good to have a face to go with the name as well.

Cool rig, that rack looks like it is about as strong as the frame of the truck!

Thanks guys! This site and all its members have been a great resource!

 

[jms_brns]

Recently I got a newer (used) 4Runner, originally with the intention of selling the Montero, but I just couldn't bring myself to sell it. The reason for the 4Runner was that the Montero broke down on me on a couple of trips, and I decided I needed to be more mechanically proficient if I was going to rely on an 18 year old vehicle for long trips. Now though, I have a spare vehicle, so if I need to work on something on the Montero, the full week that it takes me to do it is not an issue. So now the Montero is my slow project where I'll learn some mechanics skills and have a more capable and reliable vehicle.

On that note the Montero transmission has overheated on me a couple of times while wheeling, so I picked up a cheap trans cooler which I'll be putting in soon. List of other upgrades to come:

-trans cooler
-trans flush
-front ball joints
-front wheel bearings
-front cam seal (leaking oil)
-white ball transfer case shifter
-lift - not sure which direction I'll go here other than cheap...

Just last night replaced most of my dash lights with LED's based on jlocster's write-up. The led polarity issue was a pain. If I was to do it again I'd just buy incandescents. I had the dash in and out about 6 times trying to get all the lights to work. But now it does look good. And my rear wheel lights which had been out for a couple years are finally back!

 

[LibertyFLS]

nice rig!

 

['round n' back again]

as for trans cooler, cheap is not the way to go unless cheap is only the price on a good quality stack plate cooler mounted in the wind, away from the a/condenser.
if thats what u mean by cheap then u won the prize.
use good trans cooler line, and check clamps during service intervals.

 

[IncorpoRatedX]

On that note the Montero transmission has overheated on me a couple of times while wheeling, so I picked up a cheap trans cooler which I'll be putting in soon. List of other upgrades to come:

-trans cooler
-trans flush

Great looking truck man, the white Gen 2.5's are some of my favorite trucks.


Your truck should already have a nice trans cooler on it from the factory. Having no background on what you've done to remedy the trans overheating situation thus far im going to point out a couple of things:
99's were subject to the wrong diff gears, to make them pass emissions easier, 4.20's with 32's and using 4 high while climbing switch backs and other mountain grades will cause the trans to heat up. Most of that driving requires 4 low with a stock 99, this is a combination of two problems, mitsu's high tcase gearing (they like to travel across the desert flat out, low gears would slow them down) and the high (low numerical) gearing they put in the differentials to get around american protectionism (read up on the chicken tax of 1963 if you're not aware) - this results in the truck working too hard to carry a comfortable speeding climbing a lot of long slow hills, like we've got all over Arizona. You probably do not need a trans cooler, you probably need the right gears or, smaller tires.

 

[jms_brns]

Great looking truck man, the white Gen 2.5's are some of my favorite trucks.


Your truck should already have a nice trans cooler on it from the factory. Having no background on what you've done to remedy the trans overheating situation thus far im going to point out a couple of things:
99's were subject to the wrong diff gears, to make them pass emissions easier, 4.20's with 32's and using 4 high while climbing switch backs and other mountain grades will cause the trans to heat up. Most of that driving requires 4 low with a stock 99, this is a combination of two problems, mitsu's high tcase gearing (they like to travel across the desert flat out, low gears would slow them down) and the high (low numerical) gearing they put in the differentials to get around american protectionism (read up on the chicken tax of 1963 if you're not aware) - this results in the truck working too hard to carry a comfortable speeding climbing a lot of long slow hills, like we've got all over Arizona. You probably do not need a trans cooler, you probably need the right gears or, smaller tires.

Nooooo!!! Toasty was just telling me the same thing yesterday... So disappointing. You guys just had to dash to pieces my dreams of slapping on a trans cooler and being set! I guess informed decisions are better than hopes and dreams... sometimes.

Now I gotta start saving for new axles. Add that to the list.

Also my check engine light didn't clear after replacing the fuel tank pressure sensor, so I have another issue to chase down. Guess I'll just have to put more pin-stripes on the 4runner until this Montero decides to work with me, or my accountant lets me dump more money into it.

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[IncorpoRatedX]

31's get me just about everywhere i need to go, still pull 20mpg and the truck doesnt look odd. I just got a set of 4.90's though so that's going to change. just get a front axle housing with the gears you want and a rear pumpkin from an older SR. It'll likely run you under $500 and take a weekend to pull and a weekend to install if you're not the most skilled. It's not tough though... I'd suggest trying 'just truck and van' in the valley.

What check engine code are you getting? Can you elaborate?

 

[snare]

I plan on 4.90s after i get 33 x 10.5s.

In fact, I have a set of 80s-90s Toyota 4.88 diffs, 3rd member rear and front IFS axle housing assembly...anyone want to trade for some Mitsu 4.90s?

 

[jms_brns]

31's get me just about everywhere i need to go, still pull 20mpg and the truck doesnt look odd. I just got a set of 4.90's though so that's going to change. just get a front axle housing with the gears you want and a rear pumpkin from an older SR. It'll likely run you under $500 and take a weekend to pull and a weekend to install if you're not the most skilled. It's not tough though... I'd suggest trying 'just truck and van' in the valley.

What check engine code are you getting? Can you elaborate?

@IncorpoRatedX more on the fuel tank issue here: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166543

It's P0450, and I replaced the fuel tank pressure sensor, but that apparently didn't fix it. Well, assuming that disconnecting the battery resets the code.... Now I'll have to go through the actual trouble shooting process.

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[jms_brns]

So until I regear, should I just use 4lo for ALL wheeling. In the past I've only used it when absolutely necessary, but it sounds like the higher rpms might keep the transmission cooler...? If so what is the max speed I should be driving in 4lo?

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[SONICMASD]

So until I regear, should I just use 4lo for ALL wheeling. In the past I've only used it when absolutely necessary, but it sounds like the higher rpms might keep the transmission cooler...? If so what is the max speed I should be driving in 4lo?

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I wouldn't say for all wheeling, but rather when you are climbing slowly (lets say under around 20ish) I keep the tranny in "2" or "L". All new Montero owners get the trans warning light on their first time out or two and this is usually the reason why. It came on my first time out, and never again after I asked the same question.

A tranny fluid and filter change is a good idea though depending on how your fluid looks. You can get the SPIII from either Mitsu dealer in the valley.

Very cool rig, what part of town you in?


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