Looking at Monteros....where to start and what to look/look out for.

[Fergie]

We currently own a Pathy and an XJ, coming off of owning an FJ80, with a brief interlude of EJ22 powered Westy ownership.

The Pathy is just right, as Goldilocks would say. With close to 200K, and it still running strong, we arent selling it.

However, the XJ is too small, even for everday driving.

I've considered another Pathy, and Xterra, another Landcruiser, and now, a Montero.

The 3rd Gen Monteros are roughly the same size as an 80 or 100 series, and seem to be reliable as well, at a fraction of the cost.

As with any new vehicle search, there is a glut of info out there, and it can be a daunting task to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I'm looking at the 3rd Generation Monteros, but am open to the 2.5s or even good condition 2nd generation Monteros, but dont know what to look for and what to look out for.

I would greatly appreciate any info you all could provide as far as driveability, parts availabilty, aftermarket upgrades, reliability and overall impressions of the 3rd Gen Montero.

Also, what is better/worse/different about the generations that I should consider?

Thanks,
G

 

[Project510]

There is some decent info in a thread I started a wile back, was actually looking to decide between a 4runner and XJ and got sidetracked into looking at the Montero's

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91337-Searching-for-a-new-vehicle-Totally-lost

Go to the montero thread and look at the users who post photos.. they have build threads whic goes over pretty much what you need ot know

 

[off-roader]

What kind of off reading are you looking to do? That would define which you should consider and what features you might want which would determine which model / year would be best.

 

[Fergie]

I want the vehicle to do trips down to Bahia Gonzaga, trips to Saline Spring in DV, and be able to make long drives through the US with comfort.

Weekend trips on FS roads and things of that nature are a frequent activity for us too.

I'll want to throw a maximum 2.5" lift on the vehicle, witha bull-bar and winch.

No need for extreme rock-crawling, or long-term self-supported expeditions.

 

[Sabre]

You've just described the exact target of the Montero's prowess, especially the later (Gen III) models. They are certainly as comfortable for cross-country trips as anything out there, and much moreso than most. They can do a surprising amount of stuff with no mods at all, and mine did all sorts of crazy things with nothing more than larger tires. Add a lift and some recovery gear and you're going to be able to go pretty much where you want in extreme comfort and (VERY important for me) bombproof reliability.

They are widely considered among the strongest, most capable rigs out there.

 

[Inyo_man]

I purchased our Gen III with less than 30k on the clock and now have just clicked over 141k. This rig is very reliable! We have been wheeling in most of the western US without any issues. This is important to me because we do most of our overlanding and back country touring with the whole family. Whether it be desert driving, snow wheeling, or picking through rock gardens in the Sierra, the Monty has proven fantastic. It does lack power, so if you are looking for a vehicle that has amazing passing power on the highway- this is not the car for you, but if you like low end power- than you'll love it. So comfortable... and easy to drive.
Good Luck

 

[Michael Brown]

My 3rd Gen is over 160K. Driven almost everyday since 2006. Here is a thread of someone looking at 2.5 and 3 monteros.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/89281-Soooo-I-m-thinkin-hard-about-a-montero-purchase

 

[Fergie]

I purchased our Gen III with less than 30k on the clock and now have just clicked over 141k. This rig is very reliable! We have been wheeling in most of the western US without any issues. This is important to me because we do most of our overlanding and back country touring with the whole family. Whether it be desert driving, snow wheeling, or picking through rock gardens in the Sierra, the Monty has proven fantastic. It does lack power, so if you are looking for a vehicle that has amazing passing power on the highway- this is not the car for you, but if you like low end power- than you'll love it. So comfortable... and easy to drive.
Good Luck

Yeah, I came from driving a VW Westy, and a 3FE powered 80 series....passing is not a word I know too well.

I looked at 2003 LTD locally today, and I like the size and appointments, but the vehicle was rough, even for a pre-detailing, and had been heavily smoked in.

Where can I find model year info to compare things like cloth seat, rear locker, and things of that nature?

 

[Inyo_man]

Yeah, I came from driving a VW Westy, and a 3FE powered 80 series....passing is not a word I know too well.

I looked at 2003 LTD locally today, and I like the size and appointments, but the vehicle was rough, even for a pre-detailing, and had been heavily smoked in.

Where can I find model year info to compare things like cloth seat, rear locker, and things of that nature?

This site,

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23638&sid=54f397c0680ef414c0dfcc5d675706d2

has the tech. info. on the Gen. III, but it's a New Zealand forum. MM only sent the NM and NP to North America in two petrol models, the base and the limited. The NP came with a 3.8L instead of the 3.5L in the NM. It does provide a bit more power and also comes with traction control.
The limited model came with leather/heated seated, sun roof, etc...
A heavily smoked in car would kill the deal in a second for me.
Good Luck

 

[MontyMcV]

Outerlimits is actually in OZ, not NZ... Our (okay, the wife's) 03 20th Anniversary Edition is a nice rig. The 3.8L combined with its 5-spd AT sure does drive smooth.

One thing on the Gen IIIs, will you be using the third row seats with any frequency? They are a good four inches narrower than the ones in my Gen II/II.5. That, and they are farther from the side windows, making it tough to stuff a pillow in the gap for trying to sleep. If I/we were driving the 03 with pals for our two kids, I'd be looking for a way to mount the Gen II 3rd rows in it. That, or rig up something to fill the side space.

 

[tdesanto]

Gavin,

Lot's of info here: http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

Gen III didn't come with a factory locker in the US. The LSD is pretty good, especially if you feather the e-brake, but it's still an LSD. I believe '03 and later came with traction control which should help a lot. Mine has ARBs both front and rear and does very well with good tires.

OME suspension is good for this truck. I'd look to see if you can get the front coils they make for the diesel (not available here unfortunately). I suspect they'll give you a bit more lift in the front. They list the HD gas front springs as the medium duty for the diesels.

ARB makes a bumper for the front.

Rear bumper...no support there. But this truck carries a lot of weight over the rear axle (front axle is so far forward); so, I'm not sure you'd want to add the extra weight back there.

Good luck!

Sliders will have to be custom, but there's great mounting points underneath and it's pretty easy to do.

Also, 4.9 R&P gears are available from Mitsu. That's what I went with when I had the lockers installed. It's a good addition if you're going to a 33" tire. It'll give you about 5% better than stock.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Outerlimits is actually in OZ, not NZ... Our (okay, the wife's) 03 20th Anniversary Edition is a nice rig. The 3.8L combined with its 5-spd AT sure does drive smooth.

One thing on the Gen IIIs, will you be using the third row seats with any frequency? They are a good four inches narrower than the ones in my Gen II/II.5. That, and they are farther from the side windows, making it tough to stuff a pillow in the gap for trying to sleep. If I/we were driving the 03 with pals for our two kids, I'd be looking for a way to mount the Gen II 3rd rows in it. That, or rig up something to fill the side space.

interesting idea.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Sliders will have to be custom, but there's great mounting points underneath and it's pretty easy to do.

The sliders can come from Trailgear.com if you like their style. http://www.trail-gear.com/trail-armor

You just pick the length you prefer, and either have them welded to the uniframe, or have some simple brackets fabricated and bolt them on.

These kits have been used on FJ80's and have been proven to be up to the task on a bigger vehicle.

EDIT: If you scroll down, you can see that there are pre-made gusset/plate kits available from TG. That's a nice new option. Didn't see it the last time I looked at their website.

 

[Fergie]

I signed up there about a week ago and made my intoduction and have been browsing threads since! Talk about some great info.

Maybe it is just my area, but GenIII Montero are not very common. The local Honda dealer has abeat up one, but o Autotrader, there are only 7 within 200 miles and that includes the PHX Metro area.

Any vehicle age or mileage limit as far as wear and tear goes? I mean, on my 80 series, I bought it with 160K and everything was still serviceable just fine, with nothing really broken. On my Westy, it had 298K and needed a lot of little piddly thing done that added up quick. Granted, these were 20 and 30 year old vehicles.

Gavin,

Lot's of info here: http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

Gen III didn't come with a factory locker in the US. The LSD is pretty good, especially if you feather the e-brake, but it's still an LSD. I believe '03 and later came with traction control which should help a lot. Mine has ARBs both front and rear and does very well with good tires.

OME suspension is good for this truck. I'd look to see if you can get the front coils they make for the diesel (not available here unfortunately). I suspect they'll give you a bit more lift in the front. They list the HD gas front springs as the medium duty for the diesels.

ARB makes a bumper for the front.

Rear bumper...no support there. But this truck carries a lot of weight over the rear axle (front axle is so far forward); so, I'm not sure you'd want to add the extra weight back there.

Good luck!

Sliders will have to be custom, but there's great mounting points underneath and it's pretty easy to do.

Also, 4.9 R&P gears are available from Mitsu. That's what I went with when I had the lockers installed. It's a good addition if you're going to a 33" tire. It'll give you about 5% better than stock.

 

[Fergie]

And just another random thought....are there decent custom fit seat covers available for these? I'm not keen on leather to the point that it is deal killer with most vehicles. However, if good, canvas seat covers are available, this would alleviate some problems with that one aspect.

Anyone know?