Family Expedition Vehicle

drfreema

AEV JK350
Hello. I'll be using this thread to document our family expedition vehicle updates and modifications, pictures, and trips we take.

Introduction: I do expedition motorcycle travel. My family (three daughters and a wife) was tired of hearing how great my trips were so they started bugging me to take them with me. Since I can't fit them all on my KLR650, I started looking for a suitable vehicle. I took them on a test trip by doing the Tennessee portion of the TransAmerica Trail and they loved it. My search began with looking at Land Cruisers, Tacomas, Frontiers, and Xterras. I was searching on Craigslist, Expedition Portal, IH8Mud, Pirate 4x4, TTORA and others for reliable trucks when I stumbled across LAOutback's Montero for sale. I started researching the Montero and decided that this truck would be added to the search. The hospitality and helpfulness of the members of the ExPo Montero sub-forum bumped the Montero to the top of the list. Seven months after beginning my search I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 1995 Montero SR. I flew to Portland, OR, bought the truck, then drove it back home to Indiana (4 days, 2,700+ miles, 20 cups of coffee, 0 speeding tickets, 0 breakdowns). My family is itching to go on a trip but there is a little work to do to the truck before I pack them all in and take off.
IMG_20141004_070400.jpg

Devil's Tower, WY on my way home from Portland

Truck: Here is the truck as I bought it:
1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 3.5L V6
Factory rear air locker, central differential locker
Ironman suspension
15" Black Rock rims with 33x10.50 BFG Goodrich Mud Terrains
Snorkel, K&N air filter, Journey Off Road roof rack with Hi-Lift jack

Future Modifications:
Rear storage box system (maybe too tight with the five of us but I'll see what I can come up with)
Roof Top Tent
ARB bumper with winch (came with truck, needs to be installed)
Fix all of the niggles (new speakers, fix the sunroof, fix the lock/unlock problem, install ARB,...)

We can't wait to start showing our daughters the country. My wife and I decided that we've been working hard all these years and not doing enough as a family. Our oldest will be in college in a few years so we need to start giving her some memories before she leaves. We think the Montero combined with some off-road travel and camping is just the thing. Maybe we'll start with the Kentucky Adventure Tour in the spring...
 

jhill15

Explorer
Sweet man! Welcome to the forum! I think I remember seeing that rig on the Monteros on Craigslist thread. Great looking truck cant wait to see some mods and Pics of your trips!
 

montypower

Adventure Time!
That was a great deal!!! Wish it would have stayed in the NW... Maybe you'll have to move out here!
 

Jay Ayala

Explorer
Hey drfreema, it seems I missed you while passing through Portland. Oh well. Nice truck, I'm excited for you.
 

nwoods

Expedition Leader
Nice looking Monty. I really like those rims, and the tires are perfect (`cause that's what I run too :)
 

bitoy

Observer
Welcome to the forums and good luck with your family adventures. That is really what we live and work for.
 

drfreema

AEV JK350
Hey drfreema, it seems I missed you while passing through Portland. Oh well. Nice truck, I'm excited for you.
Yeah, I got in late to Portland and started my drive over to the coast before sunrise. I booked my flight through O'Hare before some idiot set fire to the air traffic control center and tried to slit his throat. O'Hare was packed and all flights were delayed. Sorry to miss you.
 

Jay Ayala

Explorer
Yeah, I got in late to Portland and started my drive over to the coast before sunrise. I booked my flight through O'Hare before some idiot set fire to the air traffic control center and tried to slit his throat. O'Hare was packed and all flights were delayed. Sorry to miss you.

I remember that day. That was crazy.


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L
 

drfreema

AEV JK350
ARB Bumper, AVM Hubs, and Door Lock Actuator

I tried to install the ARB bumper that came with the truck this weekend. It did not go so well. It was made for a Cherokee and the mounts were about an inch and a half wider than I needed. Also, the sides of the bumper impinge into the wheel. I'll take it to a fabricator and see what they say.

On a good note, I was digging through a bag of stuff the PO put in the truck and found a used door lock actuator. I installed it and it worked. No more unlock/lock issue.

I also installed the AVM manual locking hubs and they are working great.

I'll post pics of everything once I get the bumper on.
 

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