Joinin' the Montero Club with a Gen 2.5

[jlocster]

Snorkel Installation

Decided to take a breather from the bumper build.

I had long been planning to use a Gen 3 snorkel for my rig, but a few weeks ago I came across a snorkel on eBay for a Gen 2.5, so I pulled the trigger. Chinese repro, yes, but beggars can't be choosers.

It arrived intact from Malaysia in about a week and mimics the AirTec body though with a Safari Snorkel intake head. The hardware is all stainless and good quality. I was very happy to find it even came with a snorkel to airbox adapter. The snorkel itself appeared well made, too.

**eBay link to snorkel here.

To the garage!

First I dropped the splash guard.

Next, I removed inner fender intake horn.

Virgin fender. Not for long, muahahaha!

The kit came with no template so I decided against using a hole saw lest I mis-drill. Using the snorkel adapter under the fender as a guide, I took it slow using the "Many Small Holes" technique.

Smoothed things out.

A good fit, whew!

The snorkel did not fit flush against the fender because it was interfering with the adapter, so I decided to shorten the adapter.

BAD MOVE, DO NOT DO THIS!!! CUT THE TAILPIECE ON THE SNORKEL, INSTEAD!!! The adapter is tapered and fits into the snorkel tailpiece (which is not tapered). After cutting the adapter, it would no longer fit into the tailpiece. I ended up having to first bevel, and then use a heat gut to soften the adapter, to make it fit. This trouble could have been avoided had I cut the tailpiece on the snorkel instead.

I made a stencil to lay out the mounting holes.

Test fit. The snorkel body didn't match the fender contours as precisely as I'd hoped, but close enough.

A-pillar bracket is a spitting image of the AirTec original.

Took the fender off for final assembly. Once tightened down the snorkel hugged the fender better.

Final result. Decent fit, not perfect, but pretty good.

Also installed these guys while I was messing with the fenders. Ordered them off eBay as well. They're from a Lancer. I'll wire them in in the future.

**eBay link to side marker lights here.

Before

After

 

[Clem]

Also installed these guys while I was messing with the fenders. Ordered them off eBay as well. They're from a Lancer. I'll wire them in in the future.
After

I really like this idea (looking forward to see how you wire it). I think KIRK! has similar lights in his fenders....Also, do you have a link to the ebay snorkel?

Nice work!

Clem

 

[Jay Ayala]

Super impressive upgrades and modifications. Great job jlocster!!!

 

[jlocster]

Clem, I added links to the eBay auctions for the snorkel and side marker lights above in post #196.

Jay, thanks man, I've been impressed by your rebuild, too!

 

[Jay Ayala]

Thanks for the compliment jlocster, I may have to pick your brain on some of the lighting upgrades. I think I want to get better interior lighting and cargo area lighting.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jlocster]

Bumper Build, VI

Well, I finally had a chance to get back to the bumper. When last I stopped I was second guessing the original design. Despite some great suggestions from some good folks here on the forum, I ultimately decided to stick to the original plan...partly because I'm lazy and partly because I just want to get this thing done.

I cut the holes for the oval tail lights. For the record, hole dimensions for oval tail lights are 2 5/8" x 6 3/4".

I then finished welding up the swing outs.

I went with this method for the DeStaCo latches.

I know I have an epic shin scrape in my future. So be it.

Not done yet, but getting there.

 

[eurosonic]

very nice!

 

[jlocster]

Thanks Eurosonic!

In other news, I picked up a replacement antenna. Originally I had a power antenna the motor of which was super irritating. Changed it to a non power from an LS, but it was taller than the roof line and would constantly ********** trees.


Behold THE RAPTOR!

Comparison.

Shorty pants. Seems to work OK.

Follow Up: After using the antenna for a week or so I would have to say the radio reception is noticeably weaker. I listen to a lot of radio, so it does bother me, but I'm gonna keep it because I prefer the length. To anyone else considering purchasing the above antenna, be warned.

Double Follow Up: Although the length was right, the reception wasn't. In fact, the reception with this antenna plain sucked. Forget "RAPTOR," it should be called "CRAPTOR." I put the stock antenna back on after about a month. What a difference!

 

[SoCalMonty]

She's coming along nicely!

 

[nckwltn]

Thanks Eurosonic!

In other news, I picked up a replacement antenna. Originally I had a power antenna the motor of which was super irritating. Changed it to a non power from an LS, but it was taller than the roof line and would constantly ********** trees.

If/when I replace the head unit, I was going to find the wire that makes the power antenna go up and put it on a switch. That way I could have the the radio on, but have the antenna down. Don't really need the antenna for music streaming from my iphone.

 

[off-roader]

Very nice! Is it just the angle/lens distortion or are the bottoms of the swing-outs not perfectly level? Like the antenna to. Was is a simple swap with the mast of the OE antenna or did you have to change the actual mount for the mast as well?

 

[jlocster]

Off-roader, not sure what pic you're referring to but I think its just the camera angle...the swing outs are pretty level. The antenna was just a simple swap, unscrew the old, screw in the new. As I mentioned in the edit to my post above...unfortunately the radio reception is definitely weaker.

 

[jlocster]

Bumper Build, VII

A bit more progress on the bumper.

I decided to use pull pins as part of a secondary latching mechanism should the primary latches fail.

They work like so.

This feature, in addition to supporting the load of the swing out opposite the hinge, will also allow me to lock the swing outs closed with a padlock if necessary.

Chopped up a cutting board and made some slides.

Made a mount for the Hi-Lift.

Hi-Lift clears the cargo door when opened.

 

[nwoods]

The antenna was just a simple swap, unscrew the old, screw in the new. As I mentioned in the edit to my post above...unfortunately the radio reception is definitely weaker.

I swapped out my antenna for a powered rubber stubby antenna. The install was a total PIA. I was unable to use the original antenna cable, and feeding the new one through the fender in through the dash behind/beside the glove box was one of the most unpleasant things I've ever done. I am NOT a small, delicate, mechanically inclined person with precision fingers and dexterity! I ran a positive lead to the battery, and my reception is the same if not better than previously. Oddly, AM reception is almost non-existent now, but FM is amazing. It was a cheap $10 antenna at AutoZone

 

[jlocster]

I hear you Nathan, I previously swapped out my power antenna base for a non-power one and had to pull the antenna cable, too. As you said, not fun. Glad to hear your new antenna is working well. I'd love to see a pic when you have a chance.