Gen2.5 vs G3n3, Not Necessarily Logical Edition

[Swank Force One]

So here's the catch: We already have a Gen3, but my wife will be driving it daily.

Now shopping for me, and i'm looking to put together an overlanding/expedition rig. This will also serve as my main daily driver. That said, i tend to put less than 10k/yr on my daily drivers, so gas mileage not really a huge concern.

About me: I get pretty neurotic about vehicles that are "too nice." The 03 we just picked up would be way "too nice" for me to want to mess with for this. I want something that i won't get too sad about bouncing off a rock. I also like simple and strong. The Gen3 seems to be quite strong and reliable, but there's just... a lot of electronics in these things. I DO love the on-road manners, the comfort, the visibility, and the stereo, however.

Price can be an issue, as when i shop for older vehicles, i tend to aim for the "ultimate" versions of them. In this case, i'd be looking for a 98-99 Gen2.5 with locker, or a 3.8 Gen3.

So, let's hear Gen2.5 vs. Gen3 in the following categories:

1) On road/long distance comfort
2) Reliability
3) Power (The Gen3 has enough power, but it's not great)
4) Parts availability (oem and aftermarket, emphasis on aftermarket)
5) Off road capability
6) Total cost to build a nice overlanding rig


Bearing in mind all i know of Gen2.5 is what i've read on here, and that all i know of Gen3 is from driving one 2000 miles on the highway, i would answer them as:

1) Gen3
2) Gen2.5(?)
3) Gen3 (I don't think the Gen2.5 is much lighter, and has the smaller motor)
4) Gen2.5
5) Tie, though the Gen2.5 seems to be more "proven"
6) Probably Gen2.5, mostly because it seems like they're a couple grand cheaper to purchase, and a couple grand seems to go a long way in the Montero world.

Thoughts? "His 'n' Hers" Gen3s sounds fun, and that's what we did with the XJ Cherokees, but i just can't shake the feeling that the Gen3 might be too "nice" for me, and a ratty Gen3 is unlikely to be cared for. I don't mind ratty 20 year old vehicles, that's natural. Ratty 10 year old vehicles smacks of crappy owners.

Thanks for listening to me ramble.

 

[Eric M]

1) Gen 3 by a large margin, but that isn't to say the Gen 2 is punishing at all.
2) Same.
3) Gen 3, though the Gen 2 feels like it has plenty of power at sea level.
4) Gen 3.
5) The M-ASTC equipped Monteros win this, stock vs stock.
6) Gen 2, they're just cheaper to buy.

 

[Marutuk]

Having both a Gen 3 and Gen 2.5, I do have to say that what Eric listed seems to be the truth. That being said, I do feel that Gen 2.5's have more knowledge and such about making them strong off road/overland rigs, but as some others on this forum have shown, the Gen 3 is more than capable as well.

 

[KyleT]

Look tough gen 2.5, ride comfort gen 3.

That said we have taken my 98 on multi thousand mile trips and haven't had many complaints other than it doesn't like 85 very much....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[plh]

1) Gen 3, have driven ours on multi thousand mile road trips several times. Gen 2 - yea its OK - not comparable thou.
2) Same - except for age which can have a big factor for any plastic part as well as general condition, sun / weather exposure etc...
3) Gen 3 w/3.8l. I have never driven anything with a 3.5l thou.
4) Same - although gotta go with the age thing again. Not really any aftermarket accessories except ARB for any of them.
5) The M-ASTC equipped Monteros win this, stock vs stock.
6) Gen 3 in my opinion. Gen 2.5 and older are getting old. Initial purchase price might be a little lower on a Gen 2/2.5, but TCO after a year or 2 I'd lean to the Gen 3. I think the interior layout of the Gen 3 is better for hauling stuff too.

 

[Swank Force One]

Gotta say i'm surprised at the Gen3 bias.

As for #4, i'm including in suspension and such, as well as forum documentation on homebrew solutions. From what i've seen, the Gen2.5 would win this category, but i may also not be aware of some of the stuff that's out there for Gen3.

 

[plh]

#4 - ARB makes suspension for the Gen 3 also.

Issue with the Gen 2.5 and older is just that (old). Most vehicles are pretty much toast after 15 years (design criteria really) so you figure that the newest Gen 2.5 just turned 16 y.o. pickings of "good" ones really start to slim down.

I love my old trucks, but they all qualify here for collector license plates (only the '88 has one).

 

[montypower]

BTW... Lots of parts available for Gen3 if you import. Good local suspension options from King, RadFlo, OME.

 

[BOPOH]

although i can't contribute completely to this comparison as I only have Gen2.5, i think you should also consider a comparison option for maintenance - which one is easier to work on such as tight spaces or easy of swapping parts from other generations of trim levels. At least that's something i'm interested in

 

[Swank Force One]

What's the pros and cons to early gen3s to late gen3s? A decent looking 2002 Limited just popped up locally. This would have the old 3.5 motor and no traction control, right? Would have a rear locker?

Does it have the same Jatco trans and t-case our 2003 has?

Any other differences?

 

[The Viper]

i can answer a couple of those questions...

2001 and 2002 have the 3.5 motor, no traction control like the 03 and above, no rear locker...but some 01 and 02s do have a limited slip differential

 

[Eric M]

What's the pros and cons to early gen3s to late gen3s? A decent looking 2002 Limited just popped up locally. This would have the old 3.5 motor and no traction control, right? Would have a rear locker?

Does it have the same Jatco trans and t-case our 2003 has?

Any other differences?

Yep, the SOHC 6G74 and no traction control. Most other places it had a locker (South African models ALL had the locker as standard for 2001-2002), but in the US you had to deal with some having an LSD and some not.

The Limited has the same transmission and transfer case, the XLS has the V4AW3 like the Gen 2 and a manual transfer case.

 

[Swank Force One]

Is the LSD any good? Or plan on adding a locker in this case? How noticeable is the power difference, would i definitely want to regear with 33s?

 

[plh]

There is a rear gearing difference between the 4 speed trucks (LSD) vs. the auto 5 speed.

I think it is 4.9 in the 4 speeds and 4.3 in the 5 speed. Your 235/85R16 tires are already as close to 33" as most 33" tires. Maybe 1/2" difference.

 

[Swank Force One]

So the 5spd truck wouldnt have the lsd, then?

Re-gearing i was more wondering power-wise. The 3.8 seems to be fine with 33s and stock gear. 3.5 might not be as "happy?"