New guy looking to replace his beloved Cherokee, focus on Montero
- Thread starter Swank Force One
- Start date
Swank Force One
Adventurer
I was planning on taking the Cherokee that just got totaled to Indiana Badlands after i replaced the suspension. But i'd love to mess around with whatever i end up with off road. 
Swank Force One
Adventurer
I have the Gen3 lined up, just waiting on insurance to play out then i fly to CA to get it.
The Gen2.5 i can take more time to find, don't want to rush into it, open to another trip to get it, too. There was one or two i saw in OH last night, but need to get everything else sorted first. I'll let you know if i need help!
The Gen2.5 i can take more time to find, don't want to rush into it, open to another trip to get it, too. There was one or two i saw in OH last night, but need to get everything else sorted first. I'll let you know if i need help!
Im glad I stayed with the 95 SR pre obd2. In NYS my montero is exempt from all emission testing due the fact it is not obd2...for me this is a big deal, not having to worry about passing emissions. And as we all know monteros are notorious for there crappy valve guide seals, although I remember passing emissions in Oregon with leaky valve guide seals, go figure
thankfully ive never had to deal with a check engine code, so im a little bias towards pre obd2
Swank Force One
Adventurer
I don't have emissions or inspection here. On something like this, i have no preference between OBD1 or OBD2. OBD2 is nice for troubleshooting, but i've done troubleshooting for years without OBD functionality and i still get to work every day so no big deal.
Swank Force One
Adventurer
A couple Gen1s with the turbodiesel 4 banger have popped up in the last week, to the point that i'm considering them.
Any input on how good that motor really is? Looking at the 2.5, not the 2.3. Highway speeds no problem? Reliable? Easy to turn up a little?
Will/can a slightly lifted Gen1 on 33s be comfortable enough to drive across the country? Or is it really just that much more of a tin can (not a bad thing) compared to the Gen2.5 that i'd have to be masochistic to drive from Indy to Alaska in one? Enough storage for gear for 2? Figure platform tent, stow all the gear in the back.
Any input on how good that motor really is? Looking at the 2.5, not the 2.3. Highway speeds no problem? Reliable? Easy to turn up a little?
Will/can a slightly lifted Gen1 on 33s be comfortable enough to drive across the country? Or is it really just that much more of a tin can (not a bad thing) compared to the Gen2.5 that i'd have to be masochistic to drive from Indy to Alaska in one? Enough storage for gear for 2? Figure platform tent, stow all the gear in the back.
2.5 is pretty agricultural. I bet if they were geared down they'd cruise on the highway ok. If it's an 89+ Gen 1 it will have coil springs and be about as comfortable as a Gen 2 and the Gen 2 9.5 locker rear is an easy swap. 89+ also had an intercooler, so it got a bump in power.
I've only seen the one 88 with the non-intercooled turbodiesel and leaf springs, what's the other?
I've only seen the one 88 with the non-intercooled turbodiesel and leaf springs, what's the other?
Swank Force One
Adventurer
There was an 89 up in Portland a week or two ago i think.
I thought the 88 was intercooled? I may have my sources wrong. But yeah right now the silver 88 in Kentucky. Adding intercooling isn't an issue, i've had a turbo car or 10.
So if a gen1 diesel, you suggest an 89+?
I thought the 88 was intercooled? I may have my sources wrong. But yeah right now the silver 88 in Kentucky. Adding intercooling isn't an issue, i've had a turbo car or 10.
So if a gen1 diesel, you suggest an 89+?
88 wasn't intercooled, you can tell because there's no hood scoop like there is on the 89+. I like the 89+ because of the intercooler and coil springs since that makes an 9.5 locker axle swap easy, otherwise they're pretty much the same. If you're looking for a diesel 1st gen, have you considered importation? As far as I know the UK still has a lot of gen 1 SWB diesels floating around, including Exceeds.
Swank Force One
Adventurer
I'm not really looking FOR one, i've just been noticing them pop up here or there. Right now i'm looking for insurance to settle me out so i can go get this Gen3 for my wife, then i can get to selling our other XJ Cherokee and getting a Monty for myself. I'm still somewhat stuck on the Gen2.5, but i've always liked the Gen1s, so if the right one came up, i'd have a hard time passing.
Swank Force One
Adventurer
SUPER stupid question: Would you tow a Gen2.5 across the country with a 3.8 Gen3?
plh
Explorer
On a trailer or flat towing? Gen 3 rated towing capacity is 5000 lbs. Flat towing (towbar) a Gen 2.5 would be just under that. ~4500 lbs aprox. Trailer? probably not.
Would I do it? Nope. Short distances sure. I've towbar towed my Gen 1 with my '93 maybe 30 miles at a crack. That is about enough.
Would I do it? Nope. Short distances sure. I've towbar towed my Gen 1 with my '93 maybe 30 miles at a crack. That is about enough.
Swank Force One
Adventurer
Trailer, i don't think i'd want to flat tow 2000 miles.
A 2.5 i REALLY want just popped up about 20 minutes away from the Gen3 i have lined up for my wife. Towing it home is substantially cheaper than two plane tickets and 4000 miles worth of Montero gas mileage.
Adult me is saying it might not be the smartest idea. Young adventuresome kid says "Hell yes." Twisted logic says: "If the Gen3 breaks down, you already have a backup tow vehicle on the trailer."
A 2.5 i REALLY want just popped up about 20 minutes away from the Gen3 i have lined up for my wife. Towing it home is substantially cheaper than two plane tickets and 4000 miles worth of Montero gas mileage.
Adult me is saying it might not be the smartest idea. Young adventuresome kid says "Hell yes." Twisted logic says: "If the Gen3 breaks down, you already have a backup tow vehicle on the trailer."