1996 Montero SR - Where can I purchase 4.9 or 5.29 gears?

[Cee-Jay]

Pretty please with sugar on top, where can I purchase 4.9 or 5.29 gears for a 1996 Montero SR? I've searched for a few hours now and I'm completely failing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

cee-jay

Related thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/51689-1999-Montero-Re-gear

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Make friends with an Australian chap.

 

[4D55 Performance]

I acquired my set of 5.29's from a member on 4x4 wire. He had them for about 5 years and never used them. He acquired them through a member on an Austalian 4x4 forum for about $1600. That seems to be the going rate for the 5.29 gears. The 5.29's need to be purchased from a dealer where they sold the Montero's with the 2.5L Diesel like Australia. They can be modified to fit an Gen II Montero. The 4.9 gears are easier to come by and can be acquired from a Montero Sport. If you are interested in the 5.29's I have a brand new set that I may be willing to part with for the right price.

 

[off-roader]

Note: Mitsu differential gears are NOT cross compatible with other non-mitsu diff's like Dana, etc. That said your gear options all come from Mitsu directly although I've heard there are Chinese knock-offs currently being produced however they are of far lesser quality based on actual user experiences (3rd hand info)

5.29's were never offered directly in the US. You have to buy them from overseas sources like Australia, etc. Unless you speak fluent Japanese or have a VERY good friend who does, don't even try contacting any companies in Japan.

4.90's are available from Mitsu directly. They were originally offered in Montero Sports. Make sure the front R&P gear matches the pinion location for your Montero.

Mitsu controls their parts sources and distribution channels very tightly. For example, the main gearing like the R&P and Transfer Case gears are all either made by mitsu or made for mitsu but not available from any other sources including the original manufacturer. Same goes for their shocks. Gen II adjustable shocks are made by KYB however KYB is not allowed to sell them, sell parts for them or support them.

That said I don't believe Mitsu sells their gears through any 3rd party parts suppliers (napa, oreiley, etc.) so you will be buying the gears from a dealership. Although most dealers are local parts sources only there are some dealers who have an online presence such as Korum Mitsu.

HTH.

 

[Cee-Jay]

Thanks everybody... so 5.29 front and rear gears will need to be purchased from somebody that already happens to have them and is willing to sell (like 4D55 Performance). 4.9 front and rear gears may be purchased directly from Mitsubishi, though there could be a compatibility issue using Montero Sport gears in a Montero if the pinion location is different. Is that about right?

I don't think I'd go beyond 33"s, so a change to 4.9 is probably sufficient.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I think you will be happy with 33's and the stock gearing.

 

[Cee-Jay]

I think you will be happy with 33's and the stock gearing.

Thanks for that comment... I was wondering it I'd even need to regear. The only real concern is crossing the Cascades via interstate 90. As long as I can keep going the speed limit up those long steep drives then I'll be fine. If the car slows to 45mh, well then I'd probably figure on re-gearing.

LaOutbackTrail, in an older post you showed a pic of your Montero with 33x12.5s after the 1" to 1.5" inch OME spring treatment. Did you experience any rubbing at all?

Thanks!

UPDATE: Never mind LaOutbackTrail, I see now that you previously reported "... honestly, the 33x12.50s fit nicely. They look right on the truck, especially on the stock wheels. They fit nicely into the wheel wells. Its also important to note that I have had no rubbing issues." in this post. And it looks like you made this comment BEFORE you'd gotten the 1" lift from the OME springs + torsion crank.

 

[Clem]

On a related topic, if you put the Montero Sport 4.90 gears in Gen II or II.5 would you need any other parts (like bearings, shims, etc.)?

To be a little helpful:

4.90 Rear Part # MR124858
4.90 Front Part # MR124860

(found on 4x4wire.com)
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1130768&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1

 

[off-roader]

Thanks for that comment... I was wondering it I'd even need to regear. The only real concern is crossing the Cascades via interstate 90. As long as I can keep going the speed limit up those long steep drives then I'll be fine. If the car slows to 45mh, well then I'd probably figure on re-gearing.

LaOutbackTrail, in an older post you showed a pic of your Montero with 33x12.5s after the 1" to 1.5" inch OME spring treatment. Was this before you'd done the body lift? Did you experience any rubbing at all? You were running 8" rims, correct?

Thanks!

33's you'll probably be fine. I have 35's with the stock gearing and I'm fine going over the smaller passes like the Grapevine, but for taller passes, if I get stuck behind someone slow, then I'll be suffering trying to accelerate back to cruising speed. If I start out fast to begin with and stay with a fast moving group, then it's no issue. I do have to downshift by turning off/shifting out of overdrive.

That said, w/out cars around I like to cruise at 70-75mph (indicated by speedo) which means I'm closer to 78-85mph. With cars, then it's easy enough to go with the traffic. Helps me avoid unnecessary tickets.

 

[Cee-Jay]

Came very close to buying a '96 Montero SR w/155,000 miles on it this morning. They wanted $3800 for it. I'd say it was in good shape inside and out... some wear and tear but really not bad at all. However, there was a very large crack across the windshield that likely wouldn't pass inspection, the AC wasn't working and it had an idle issue. Started strong but quickly deteriorated to a rough idle which persisted for a minute or so and then switched to a smooth, but somewhat high idle at a little above 1000 rpm. I know very little about this vehicles, but it seems that idle control unit issues are common, which could run me $800 if that's what the problem is. I offered $3400 and they countered with $3600... I decided not to budge. They've got a couple of other people looking at the car today so we'll see... I suspect they'll be successful in selling it. Part of me feels like I should have pulled the trigger but the other part of me feels like it's better to be patient. Am I being too picky?

 

[4D55 Performance]

Thanks for that comment... I was wondering it I'd even need to regear. The only real concern is crossing the Cascades via interstate 90. As long as I can keep going the speed limit up those long steep drives then I'll be fine. If the car slows to 45mh, well then I'd probably figure on re-gearing.

LaOutbackTrail, in an older post you showed a pic of your Montero with 33x12.5s after the 1" to 1.5" inch OME spring treatment. Did you experience any rubbing at all?

Thanks!

UPDATE: Never mind LaOutbackTrail, I see now that you previously reported "... honestly, the 33x12.50s fit nicely. They look right on the truck, especially on the stock wheels. They fit nicely into the wheel wells. Its also important to note that I have had no rubbing issues." in this post. And it looks like you made this comment BEFORE you'd gotten the 1" lift from the OME springs + torsion crank.

I had the Montero out for an adventure today. I was loaded down with 1500 lbs gear and a roof top tent. The 2000 Montero is in stock for with the original 29..5" Yokahoma Superdiggers and 4.27 gears. I climbed some mountain passes with 7-9% grade at 50-70mph. I personally would not attempt to go with larger tires with out regearing. I think 31's would be liveable but 33's would be a nightmare. I think the Montero with the 4.63 gears and 3.5L should be able to handle 33" tires just fine. I also have to consider that I drive mountain passes at 10K feet of elevation which means my 200 hp engine is actually on making 140 hp.

 

[off-roader]

Am I being too picky?

No, even 3k is too much for a 15 yo vehicle. You were lucky the seller didn't say yes. Most I'd pay for a rig that old in other than pristine condition is $2k.

Perhaps Im cheap but my 96SR with 188k 3 years ago was only $1350.

Engine had been recently replaced (good thing since th orig engine was pretty worn) and the hood paint was beginning to fade (i didnt care since it was gonna be a trail rig) and the clear coat finish on the hood was also beginning to come off. Idle Speed Controller (ISC) needed to be replaced, it had blue smoke from the valve guide seals, the windshield needed replacing among a few other minor problems.

I replaced the ISC for ~$125 (eBay) which fixed the low idle when cold issue; inspected the timing belt and other ancilliary belts (were ok for another year of driving); and now after performing normal scheduled maintenance @~3 years and 90k miles later it's still going strong. It still smokes even worse than before (will be doing the VGS's soon) but other than that she's fine.

 

[Cee-Jay]

Thanks very much for the feedback off-roader, I feel a bit better now. I regularly see LS' is that price range (low $2000s) but the SRs, even on craigslist, seem to be a lot more expensive than that... actually $3800 is the lowest I've seen (granted I've only been tracking Monty's for a few months). But perhaps I just need to be patient and find one that ain't real pretty but drives just fine.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback about gearing; I really appreciate your assistance.

 

[4D55 Performance]

Thanks very much for the feedback off-roader, I feel a bit better now. I regularly see LS' is that price range (low $2000s) but the SRs, even on craigslist, seem to be a lot more expensive than that... actually $3800 is the lowest I've seen (granted I've only been tracking Monty's for a few months). But perhaps I just need to be patient and find one that ain't real pretty but drives just fine.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback about gearing; I really appreciate your assistance.

With out seeing the vehicle I would still say $3800 is way to much. I patiently looked for a Gen II/II.5 for over four months last year and I have a pretty good idea of what a good deal is. I will admit I paid $10K but the 2000 Montero only had 26k miles on it. I came across many higher mileage SR's that could be had for $2000-3000. Just be as patient as you can and you will be well rewarded.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

And it looks like you made this comment BEFORE you'd gotten the 1" lift from the OME springs + torsion crank.

I still haven't cranked the torsions, but will after motor goes in. I thought about doing it while motor was out.... but I'm afraid I wont be able to get the motor back in if I lift it, lol.

But yes, in that configuration, I only found that I rub a little when turned full lock one way and fully compressed. Not bad at all.