Intro: 1987 Dodge Raider for back country excursions
- Thread starter geocrasher
- Start date
geocrasher
Observer
I I didn't know that was an option! I'll check into that. Is it bolt in?
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Not the SR. That's a coil sprung rear end versus your leaf sprung suspension. You may be able to use the locker out of a Montero Sport (some of the 3.0L models had them).
Also it isn't an E locker. Its an Air Locker so you'll need to pull the compressor from the doner rig.
geocrasher
Observer
Ah. I thought it was an air locker. If I could get one cheap I'd think about it. I'd rather just get a used toyota rear end with 4.56's in it and throw a lock-rite in it.
fatrat
SE Expedition Society
My bad! So the 2-door has leaf springs? Interesting! At least off-roader knows what he's talking about.
geocrasher
Observer
Yep its got leaf springs in the rear. I'll probably not do much of anything with this thing and just leave it stock, but my mind keeps wanting to modify it! LOL
off-roader
Expedition Leader
At least off-roader knows what he's talking about.
Comes from over a decade of having Mitsu 4x4's (4th built montero). Initially I started with just 31" tires. Then 32's with an ARB locker. Then 33's w/ a 2" body lift. and now 35's with full armor front and back, rocker panel protection, gps navigation system (ipad w/ bluetooth gps puck & software, sleeping platform/storage system etc.
I especially love it when I pull up next to another built rig on the trail and they ask about my mods and ask what I had to do to run 35's and the shock on their face when I tell them just a 2" body lift.:ylsmoke:
That's exactly how it starts. Then you start reading how others are upgrading them then the next thing you know is you've swaped out xcase gears, r&p gears, are running 38" tires, etc.:Wow1::drool::smiley_drive:
Seriously I really try to only recommend what makes the most sense for the kind of wheeling you want to do whether you're upgrading for looks or planning to do the Hammers in Panamint Valley.
off-roader
Expedition Leader
ARB, TJM, & ECB all made bumpers for the Montero however being so old, I highly doubt you'll find too many new.
An alternative is to find an aftermarket bumper for another rig and modify it to fit. On my SR, I used a set of jeep smittybilt style 2.5" dia. tube bumpers. On my 89 2 door and previous 4 door, I bought a Lloyd bumper. Lloyd is another Mitsu fanatic who I've known since 1995/96 or so when I got my 1st Montero. He had someone local to him build up sets of bumpers for the Gen I's we were wheeling. However that person is no longer making them. An alternative is to check if Don's still making bumpers for them (http://donhuysmans.ca/4x4fun.html).
HTH
An alternative is to find an aftermarket bumper for another rig and modify it to fit. On my SR, I used a set of jeep smittybilt style 2.5" dia. tube bumpers. On my 89 2 door and previous 4 door, I bought a Lloyd bumper. Lloyd is another Mitsu fanatic who I've known since 1995/96 or so when I got my 1st Montero. He had someone local to him build up sets of bumpers for the Gen I's we were wheeling. However that person is no longer making them. An alternative is to check if Don's still making bumpers for them (http://donhuysmans.ca/4x4fun.html).
HTH
4D55 Performance
Explorer
These little racks are great for the Raiders. They bolt on to the gutters and you can mount a light bar on them too.
http://www.defenderracks.com/products.asp?id=30
http://www.defenderracks.com/products.asp?id=30