Jaynen's Black Gen 3

[Jaynen]

Figured I would start a thread to post pics even if it's not a crazy build or anything yet.

Picked it up maybe a month ago (Nov 13) just under 90,000 miles recent timing belt absolutely immaculate. 2003 Mitsu Montero 20th Anniv Limited Black with Black interior. Thing feels tight as a drum no rattles or squeaks and the interior is really nice. Perfect for the family comfortable yet capable rig I was hoping for.

Here she is as I brought her home

She had Michelin All seasons on and came with a second set of wheels with studded snows. The NorthWest Overland group was going to do some light exploring in Pierce County WA the weekend after I got her so loaded up the family and decided to give it a go stock.

We had a great time and the rig did great even on some fairly gnarly rocks I would never have attempted before. We got a fair bit of trail pinstriping on my brand new rig thanks to the road tightening up until small trees were hitting the side like a car wash

 

[Jaynen]

Was some pretty scenery and a fun trip but I knew I could not leave her alone.

So on went the 235/85/16 Wrangler Duratracs

I ordered an OME lift at the same time but it took a bit to get it installed. We actually went to do it last weekend over at a nice volunteer from the Northwest Overland forum's garage. Took us a long time because we originally did not want to remove the upper A-arm in the front and did not know about the bolt to let the spring drop out in the rear.

Took it down to Corvallis for Thanksgiving to go off road with my cousin who just got a Jeep Wrangler.

Here is how she sits with the 235/85/16s and the OME lift

 

[Jaynen]

My cousins Jeep got stuck in neutral with the transfer case which meant some adventures to get his rig out of where we were outside of Alsea Oregon. Ended up bringing a tow dolly up on the road, then using a recovery strap to tow his injured rig back down to the tow dolley. The montero performed awesome even towing his jeep up over Mary's Peak which is pretty steep and twisty.

Right where the Jeep got stuck after I went through the mud that was ahead

 

[Jaynen]

I think up next is some recovery gear to keep in the rig, some camping equipment and maybe some real sliders. I have not bashed the stock running boards hard yet but I imagine they won't hold up.

I think I would like to get some sort of receiver mount on the front to put a winch on but I really don't want something that extends off the nose too much and dont want to do a full big heavy bumper.

Also I would not mind some rotopax mounts on the rear has anyone seen a decent setup on these monteros?

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

Nice rig. Seems like you were lucky with your find. Enjoy.

 

[All-Terrain]

Nice truck! Looking forward to seeing more photos!

 

[Mudrunner]

I think up next is some recovery gear to keep in the rig, some camping equipment and maybe some real sliders. I have not bashed the stock running boards hard yet but I imagine they won't hold up.

I think I would like to get some sort of receiver mount on the front to put a winch on but I really don't want something that extends off the nose too much and dont want to do a full big heavy bumper.

Also I would not mind some rotopax mounts on the rear has anyone seen a decent setup on these monteros?

There are a few links in the build sticky for the GEN 3 rigs, if you haven't already looked at those.

 

[Jaynen]

I did look at those. Shame there is not more reference. Usually end up digging around the pajero boards in australia

 

[jeep-N-montero]

You need these fender flares http://cars.oodle.com/view/mitsubishi-montero-icelandic-custom-off-road/3334336615-miami-fl/

 

[Jaynen]

Interesting. Those are cool and a nice way to fit wider 35"s

 

[Jaynen]

Checked my mileage today on the trip back after thanksgiving 22 almost 23 on the highway doing 65/70

On the way down I got like 15.5 so airing up the duratracs from the factory recommended 30 something to 45 really made a big difference

 

[mapper]

Whoa, Corvallis and Alsea...my old stomping grounds. Jealous. Nice truck and impressive mileage too!

 

[Jaynen]

Living up in Lynnwood now, with a lot more trails and places to go nearby. But mom's side of family is down that way. Going to head up to leavenworth for snow soon

 

[Fergie]

The 235/85s look just right on the Gen 3s. I put some BFG ATs in that size on my 2001 and love it.

 

[Jaynen]

My only complaint sorta is from the rear when the wheels are tucked in a bit. Practically I like the narrower width and less mud up the side of the vehicle but aesthetically if it was closer to the fender lip it would look better