General question.... Gen 2 or Gen 3?

[br.roberts30]

In the next 5 years (yea I like to plan) I'm going to be buying a Montero or overland purposes. Long story short... When I was 16 I owned a 95 SR (the holy grail as someone called it). I wreaked it being a dumb teenager. I have always wanted another one for off-roading, so now that I have some money and time, I'm going to do it right.

My question is, based off your guys experience doing builds, what Gen should I look at? I know more than the average person about the merits of the Gen 2 SR, from the Central Diff to the Rear Locker, but as they get older and more miles, I become more hesitant to pull the trigger on something that I will be taking over long distances. I know the disadvantages of the Gen 3 suspension setup, but how big is that gap between the two? Will the Gen 3 do about 75-80% of what the Gen 2 is capable of? what would you guys consider the "holy grail" of the Gen 3 models for off-roading? Any of you have experience with fairly complicated builds with the Gen 3?

 

[bikerjosh]

gen 2/2.5 from a cost perspective IMO. Assuming this isn't a daily driver?

 

[br.roberts30]

Should have made it clear before. This will not be a daily driver. My bad. Could you help clarify the difference between the 2 and the 2.5 besides a few body style changes. Anything mechanical that is different?

 

[KyleT]

I owned a gen 2.5.
I now have two gen 3's.

The looks and "toughness" of the gen 2.5 wins out as well as off road but the gen 3 is extremely capable to yet more comfortable. Try Both and see which one you like better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Inyo_man]

I'm going to be buying a Montero or overland purposes.

If you are purchasing the rig for overlanding I'd suggest thinking about the Gen III.
If you are looking for a more serious wheeling (think crawling) I'd look at the 2/2.5 Gen.

The main selling point for me was the comfort of the Gen. III. Driver fatigue is can be a serious issue when overlanding. The Gen 2/2.5 are notably a bit harder on the driver.

If you're "young" it may not be as much of an issue for you, but just my 2 cents.

Cheers

 

[br.roberts30]

If you are purchasing the rig for overlanding I'd suggest thinking about the Gen III.
If you are looking for a more serious wheeling (think crawling) I'd look at the 2/2.5 Gen.

The main selling point for me was the comfort of the Gen. III. Driver fatigue is can be a serious issue when overlanding. The Gen 2/2.5 are notably a bit harder on the driver.

If you're "young" it may not be as much of an issue for you, but just my 2 cents.

Cheers

If I went with a Gen 3, what should I look for as far as 4x4 options or are all Gen 3s mechanically the same?

Your build may have helped my decision.
Your Montero looks nicely done. Cheers

 

[plh]

Gen 3, 2003 and newer, they have the 3.8l & traction control. After 2003 all the 4x4 stuff is the same in the good 'ol USA, and they will all be with the Limited options. Find the newest and lowest mileage sample you can and go from there.

 

[Inyo_man]

If I went with a Gen 3, what should I look for as far as 4x4 options or are all Gen 3s mechanically the same?

Your build may have helped my decision.
Your Montero looks nicely done. Cheers

Thanks.

The above advise from plh is spot on!
The 3.8 and traction control are very nice.

 

[earljuic3]

If you choose a Gen 3 you are going to have to be comfortable with the fact you have IFS/IRS and you cannot do a body lift (without spending serious money on a subframe lift). The parts market for the Gen 3 is more limited and the stuff that is available is more expensive than the parts available for 2/2.5. Between my father and myself we have owned 4 Gen 3 Montero's, 2 of which were/are lifted with OME suspension. The HD suspension I have on my truck is stiff and the handling and off road capability is really impressive. However, the truck isn't going to ride anything like it used to and be prepared to chase and address rattles. I have had to chase more rattles on this truck than any other lifted truck I have owned. With that said, I love mine...it has never left us stranded and has never not done anything we have asked it to do. You get the comfort and interior comparable to say a Lexus with a capable off road platform you can build and grow into. Both trucks are really fun to drive and capable off road stock.. If you are going to buy a Gen 3, go for the 3.8l unless you can find a killer deal on a rust free, low mileage 3.5 Limited with the LSD. Happy hunting!

 

[br.roberts30]

Thank you Earljuic3, that was what I needed to hear! And thank you everybody else who put their two cents in. Now it's time to find the perfect one!

 

[uncle]

I bought a Gen 2 as a DD. Is there reason not to?

Brian

 

[nwoods]

I bought a Gen 2 as a DD. Is there reason not to?

Brian

Nope. There's a genuine amount of pleasure derived from driving something as solid as a Gen 2 for the dirt cheap prices they are going for. It feels like you are getting away with something, it's an illicit pleasure. Sort of an embodiment of the old saying "Drive it like you stole it!" Or "Drive it like a rental"

 

[uncle]

I was hoping I wasn't doing something wrong. I bought it to drive. I'm getting close to being overjoyed. I couple rattles and the pesky 4x4 lights.
It's one of the best buys I ever made.

Brian

 

[br.roberts30]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the Gen 2. But for me if I went with a Gen 2 it has to be perfect for nostalgics sake. Like all the way down to the color perfect. I have more leniency for the Gen 3. The search begins in a few months once I get a list together of "things to do to the truck" and pool some money together.