twisterad3
New member
Hi guys,
I've been working on building a trail rig for a while. My priority is usually "get the thing to factory specs for reliability BEFORE modding the crap out of it." This particular function has proven to be a huge money pit in my current 97 4 door Suzuki Sidekick. I spend a lot on initial investment, then a lot more in general repairs with the usuals... Timing belts, water pump, oil pump, cv axles, rear wheel bearings, etc... It was my plan to be my little wheeler and commuter car when I lived in the Bay Area... However, things have changed. I now live in Idaho, have 0 commute since I work from home, and as my family grew and friends want to visit and hit the trails... I'm cutting my losses (big losses btw) with the sidekick and checking out Montero's. (LS and SR's).
After a lot of consideration of what I need for my rig, the Sidekick just won't let me bring along my larger friends very comfortably... Plus, getting it "trail ready" for any reasonable trails here to keep up with all the Jeep-Sheep... will require a lot more work.
I've narrowed down that I'd like a 96+ Montero, preferably SR so I don't have to get ARB's right out of the gate for rear lockers. Longer story short, I've found a higher milage 97 SR for sale for a reasonable price. It needs some routine maintenance work... But providing that everything checks out, I'll likely be making a purchase this weekend. Which brings me to the main reason for my post:
Is there anything I should look for that's a clear "walk away" from indicator with these rigs? Is the 97 a decent year? I'd really like OBDII, which is the primary reason I'm not as interested in a 95...
Are LS's good options if this SR doesn't work out?
What other advice can you give a Montero Newb?
Thanks in advance
-David
I've been working on building a trail rig for a while. My priority is usually "get the thing to factory specs for reliability BEFORE modding the crap out of it." This particular function has proven to be a huge money pit in my current 97 4 door Suzuki Sidekick. I spend a lot on initial investment, then a lot more in general repairs with the usuals... Timing belts, water pump, oil pump, cv axles, rear wheel bearings, etc... It was my plan to be my little wheeler and commuter car when I lived in the Bay Area... However, things have changed. I now live in Idaho, have 0 commute since I work from home, and as my family grew and friends want to visit and hit the trails... I'm cutting my losses (big losses btw) with the sidekick and checking out Montero's. (LS and SR's).
After a lot of consideration of what I need for my rig, the Sidekick just won't let me bring along my larger friends very comfortably... Plus, getting it "trail ready" for any reasonable trails here to keep up with all the Jeep-Sheep... will require a lot more work.
I've narrowed down that I'd like a 96+ Montero, preferably SR so I don't have to get ARB's right out of the gate for rear lockers. Longer story short, I've found a higher milage 97 SR for sale for a reasonable price. It needs some routine maintenance work... But providing that everything checks out, I'll likely be making a purchase this weekend. Which brings me to the main reason for my post:
Is there anything I should look for that's a clear "walk away" from indicator with these rigs? Is the 97 a decent year? I'd really like OBDII, which is the primary reason I'm not as interested in a 95...
Are LS's good options if this SR doesn't work out?
What other advice can you give a Montero Newb?
Thanks in advance
-David