New Montero Sport Owner.
- Thread starter shmabs
- Start date
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Very nice work! How many actuation's are you expecting with the C02 tank (ARB could probably tell you)? Curious since it's not so simple to get it out... albeit is very secure which is always a good thing off road.
Off-roader,
Truth be told im not sure, i know ARB says that whatever you use should be capable of actuating the locker three times without the compressor kicking on. Im hoping for that.
To be clear, im not using CO2 to actuate the locker, that tank will function as the strorage for the on board air, powered by my underhood compressor. On board air for filling tires will come in the form of a 10 lb CO2 tank. I still need for figure out a clean mount for it.
Dsrtdcab,
Two months and counting!
Truth be told im not sure, i know ARB says that whatever you use should be capable of actuating the locker three times without the compressor kicking on. Im hoping for that.
To be clear, im not using CO2 to actuate the locker, that tank will function as the strorage for the on board air, powered by my underhood compressor. On board air for filling tires will come in the form of a 10 lb CO2 tank. I still need for figure out a clean mount for it.
Dsrtdcab,
Two months and counting!
Tires!
After closer evaluation of my needs and wants for the montero i sold the toyo open country's i had purchased. This was for a number of reasons
-i had found tires that better suited my needs
-i dont think i really needed 285's
-the toyos weighed 68 pounds each!
-i change my mind a lot.
Today i purchased some new 265/75/16 Falken Wild Peak AT's, i got them for a very good deal locally, and had spent a lot of time talking to the owner at the tire shop. Anyone up here in humboldt county i completely reccomend Gosselins Tire in Eureka, so far they have been aweseom to deal with. By the time i paid for mounting and balancing, there was no place cheaper than Gosselins. I picked these tires for several reasons
-they were cheap
-i was anxious to try one of the 'new' generations of all terrains, i have owned 3 sets of BFG AT's in the past.
-I have run falken tires on cars in the past and had great experiences
-im hoping not to lose to much power/mpg. Currently gas is 4.09 and rising here.
-I enjoy a relatively quiet ride
-i had read a few great reviews on this tire
-from my research they should be able to handle what i will be doing
-50,000 mile treadwear warranty, even if its pro-rated, its still more than most manufactures.
-when i called falken about differences between the high country and wildpeak, i spoke to a REAL person within 15 seconds of dialing the phone!!!:Wow1:
Things i'm not so sure about
-going back to an all terrain:and what seems like a mild 'looking' one at that. My last set was pro comp extreme MT's, and i really liked them, except for the noise.
-load range E: more than i need, but all thats available in that size.
-a somewhat 'off' brand tire: while still popular, not everyone has them.
Currently the montero is sitting in the garage without the rear third member, which is in the trunk of my car laughing at me. I was supposed to get my ARB installed, but the shop didn't have it done in time and now the owner is leaving for the rubicon. In the mean time the montero waits, and so do i, rather impatiently for his return. On a side note, be sure to source ring gear bolts before you pull your third member and bring it to the shop, I really figured i thought of everything.
But i did get the ARB switch mounted and wired, along with plumbing the airline from the solenoid all the way down to the diff. I sleeved the airline in one long peice of rubber hose from where it exits the quarter panel down to the diff, hoping to fend off an abrasion to the air line.
I have a question for those who have wired up the ARB switches. I used the diagram that ARB suggested and everything works good, well almost everything; the dimmer function of the switch. I didn't want to hack into the factory harness and tap into the dimmer wire, my solution was to tap into the unused dimmer wire on my stereo wiring adapter. When i installed my alpine head unit, the dimmer wire was not used, how convenient! I connected the dimmer wire from the stereo adapter harness to the ARB switch and now the ARB switch dims opposite of the rest of the lights. When i turn the interior lights down, it gets brighter and vice versa?!?! any ideas?
In other news, rocker gaurd progress has continued. I got the scab plates, all eight, TIG'd onto the frame, and have one side almost completely built, i just need to weld up the outer bar and gussets.
I still need to figure out a solution for my C02 tank, its proving more difficult to conveniently mount than i thought.
Super long, pointless post over.
Mike
After closer evaluation of my needs and wants for the montero i sold the toyo open country's i had purchased. This was for a number of reasons
-i had found tires that better suited my needs
-i dont think i really needed 285's
-the toyos weighed 68 pounds each!
-i change my mind a lot.
Today i purchased some new 265/75/16 Falken Wild Peak AT's, i got them for a very good deal locally, and had spent a lot of time talking to the owner at the tire shop. Anyone up here in humboldt county i completely reccomend Gosselins Tire in Eureka, so far they have been aweseom to deal with. By the time i paid for mounting and balancing, there was no place cheaper than Gosselins. I picked these tires for several reasons
-they were cheap
-i was anxious to try one of the 'new' generations of all terrains, i have owned 3 sets of BFG AT's in the past.
-I have run falken tires on cars in the past and had great experiences
-im hoping not to lose to much power/mpg. Currently gas is 4.09 and rising here.
-I enjoy a relatively quiet ride
-i had read a few great reviews on this tire
-from my research they should be able to handle what i will be doing
-50,000 mile treadwear warranty, even if its pro-rated, its still more than most manufactures.
-when i called falken about differences between the high country and wildpeak, i spoke to a REAL person within 15 seconds of dialing the phone!!!:Wow1:
Things i'm not so sure about
-going back to an all terrain:and what seems like a mild 'looking' one at that. My last set was pro comp extreme MT's, and i really liked them, except for the noise.
-load range E: more than i need, but all thats available in that size.
-a somewhat 'off' brand tire: while still popular, not everyone has them.
Currently the montero is sitting in the garage without the rear third member, which is in the trunk of my car laughing at me. I was supposed to get my ARB installed, but the shop didn't have it done in time and now the owner is leaving for the rubicon. In the mean time the montero waits, and so do i, rather impatiently for his return. On a side note, be sure to source ring gear bolts before you pull your third member and bring it to the shop, I really figured i thought of everything.
But i did get the ARB switch mounted and wired, along with plumbing the airline from the solenoid all the way down to the diff. I sleeved the airline in one long peice of rubber hose from where it exits the quarter panel down to the diff, hoping to fend off an abrasion to the air line.
I have a question for those who have wired up the ARB switches. I used the diagram that ARB suggested and everything works good, well almost everything; the dimmer function of the switch. I didn't want to hack into the factory harness and tap into the dimmer wire, my solution was to tap into the unused dimmer wire on my stereo wiring adapter. When i installed my alpine head unit, the dimmer wire was not used, how convenient! I connected the dimmer wire from the stereo adapter harness to the ARB switch and now the ARB switch dims opposite of the rest of the lights. When i turn the interior lights down, it gets brighter and vice versa?!?! any ideas?
In other news, rocker gaurd progress has continued. I got the scab plates, all eight, TIG'd onto the frame, and have one side almost completely built, i just need to weld up the outer bar and gussets.
I still need to figure out a solution for my C02 tank, its proving more difficult to conveniently mount than i thought.
Super long, pointless post over.
Mike
Fab Work
As time continues to tick by, my montero sits in my garage for the third week in a row while i wait for the shop to install my ARB. Because i lack all the cool tools in my own garage, progress has been minimal. But with some careful measuring i was able to finish building one of the rocker guards and my trans skid. Progress simply must happen faster, and im hoping it will. That pesky little thing called work keeps getting in the way. Pictures speak 1000 words:
Trans skid vehicle side:
Trans skid ground side
Close up of a bolt protector
Rocker guard getting ready from prime and paint.
Skid plate mounting bracket
Mike
As time continues to tick by, my montero sits in my garage for the third week in a row while i wait for the shop to install my ARB. Because i lack all the cool tools in my own garage, progress has been minimal. But with some careful measuring i was able to finish building one of the rocker guards and my trans skid. Progress simply must happen faster, and im hoping it will. That pesky little thing called work keeps getting in the way. Pictures speak 1000 words:
Trans skid vehicle side:
Trans skid ground side
Close up of a bolt protector
Rocker guard getting ready from prime and paint.
Skid plate mounting bracket
Mike
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Holy guacamole!! Did you do all that metal fabrication??
Nice!
Nice!
Metal Fab
off-roader,
That would be my handy work, its nice having access to a decently setup shop. I did just get done proving that once again, i can't vertically MIG very well, at all. I'm hoping the montero will be drivable soon so i can TIG the sliders on. I'm hoping for good news regarding the locker tomorrow.
Mike
off-roader,
That would be my handy work, its nice having access to a decently setup shop. I did just get done proving that once again, i can't vertically MIG very well, at all. I'm hoping the montero will be drivable soon so i can TIG the sliders on. I'm hoping for good news regarding the locker tomorrow.
Mike
It's Alive!
After a way too long stay in the garage due to some issues with my ARB install, the montero went for a quick spin tonight. I finished installing the ARB and checked everything over three times before venturing off to Oreilly for some paint. Initial impressions:
-i can feel a little added mass from the tires, but not nearly as bad as i expected.
-the falkens thus far seem very quiet, i will adjust the pressure on them accordingly and report back after a highway trip.
-the ARB works great. I did have one issue with it not unlocking right away in the driveway, but i imagine the gear oil had not even got the whole thing wet yet.
-with my current air setup including the re-purposed C02 tank it looks like i will get about 6 actuations out of the locker before the compressor kicks on.
I hope to make more progress on C02 tank storage, rocker guards and skids because i have to! Moab is a week away!!!:drool:
Some real tech for all the montero sport owners out there (and maybe regular montero's with the 9.5 inch ring gear):
The differential carrier side bearings are a little tough to come by. The parts store listing of a # : KC11445Y which is said to fit both the 8 inch ring gear and the 9.5, does not fit a 9.5 inch ring gear open carrier, at least not mine. So i looked to dealership bearings; on the west coast i know of two indivdual bearings, one in auburn WA and one in LA. And they are over $100 each, plus shipping. The east coast has a plethora of them but i needed them NOW. My solution was to give the dimension i needed to my bearing guy and hope for the best. Applied Industrial Technologies in Eureka CA is amazing. Once again Rich came through for me and was able to get me both bearings for less than half of what it would have cost me from the dealer. I will dig up the part number again and post it.
Edit: Timken PN 32011xm90km1
Mike
After a way too long stay in the garage due to some issues with my ARB install, the montero went for a quick spin tonight. I finished installing the ARB and checked everything over three times before venturing off to Oreilly for some paint. Initial impressions:
-i can feel a little added mass from the tires, but not nearly as bad as i expected.
-the falkens thus far seem very quiet, i will adjust the pressure on them accordingly and report back after a highway trip.
-the ARB works great. I did have one issue with it not unlocking right away in the driveway, but i imagine the gear oil had not even got the whole thing wet yet.
-with my current air setup including the re-purposed C02 tank it looks like i will get about 6 actuations out of the locker before the compressor kicks on.
I hope to make more progress on C02 tank storage, rocker guards and skids because i have to! Moab is a week away!!!:drool:
Some real tech for all the montero sport owners out there (and maybe regular montero's with the 9.5 inch ring gear):
The differential carrier side bearings are a little tough to come by. The parts store listing of a # : KC11445Y which is said to fit both the 8 inch ring gear and the 9.5, does not fit a 9.5 inch ring gear open carrier, at least not mine. So i looked to dealership bearings; on the west coast i know of two indivdual bearings, one in auburn WA and one in LA. And they are over $100 each, plus shipping. The east coast has a plethora of them but i needed them NOW. My solution was to give the dimension i needed to my bearing guy and hope for the best. Applied Industrial Technologies in Eureka CA is amazing. Once again Rich came through for me and was able to get me both bearings for less than half of what it would have cost me from the dealer. I will dig up the part number again and post it.
Edit: Timken PN 32011xm90km1
Mike
Last edited:
pic heavy update!
Well Moab was a success, and a trip for the ages to be sure. The montero performed quite well, its crazy how much traction is available on slickrock. My biggest shortcoming all week was a lack of wheel travel. I plan to work with the rear end and see what i can extract from it before turning my attention to the front end. I knew from the beginning there wasn't much travel to be had, i just didn't fully realize how much it would affect the rig.
It was a little crazy leading up to it trying to get all the mods finished on the montero, but i got what i needed done. So naturally there wasn't much time for thread updates.
I got the roof rack finished up. I wanted somewhere to stow the high-lift, plus a platform for extra gear storage, while keeping it as low profile as possible. Given my time and budget crunch i used what i already had. The yakima mounts were given to my by a friend, they don't fit perfect, but they work quite well. I bought some tube to replace the yakima crossbars that would serve as a foundation for the rest of the rack. Hold you laughs please.......the rest of the rack is made from conduit!!! Not an ideal material choice, but this rack was originally just supposed to be a proof of concept, it actually worked quite well.Two corner gussets with with nuts welded on the back side would provide the mounting points for the highlift. Some poly leaf spring bushings and some long "wing-bolts" that were previous project left-overs, and my highlift mount was complete. Four small rings were added to each corner to serve as tie down points. My friend and i both stood on top of it (looking for my brother on kane springs) and there wasn't any noticeable deflection. A wind fairing is in the works.
After building my trans skid, i looked at the front diff skid and realized it was almost entirely useless. Again on a time crunch i built a front skid, i dont think the paint was even dry on it before i hit the road. It mounts using the four large bolts that hold the factory tubular cross member just forward of the control arms, and the rear picks up the same mounts as my trans skid. I had to do it in two parts that got welded together. In hind sight on piece with three bends would be possible. I also don't like how it mounts above the trans skid, creating an extra lip. That was a failure of planning on my part.
The sliders got painted and welded onto the scab plates i had previously welded to the frame. My lack of a 220 MIG meant i had to do my best contortionist (sp?) impression to get them TIG welded on. After some gusseting on both sides and painting the rest of the legs, they were done. On several occasions in Moab they proved to be a valuable piece of armor, if it weren't for them i would not be able to open any of my doors. If i could do it over, i would have mounted them a little bit higher, even though i notched my pinch seam for clearance, i think i could have got them 1/2 inch higher or so. sorry for the dirty pictures
A secure C02 Tank mount was quite the problem for me, i went back and forth many times trying to figure out what is best. Ultimately my solution was satisfactory, and provided a good cooler/tool mounting area, but it came at the price of removing part of the rear seat. I built a rack that picked up all the seat and seat belt mounting bolts of the removed portion of rear seat. I welded in some "cross members" on the outer passenger side to pick up the mounting holes for a fire extinguisher bracket. There are also tie down points at the corners for the cooler/tools, on the plus side my new pelican case fits there almost perfect.
For now most of my must do projects are complete. I would however like to:
-Build a swing away rear bumper
-build some "crusher corners" to protect the rear quarters and cover up some moab lovin
-work out a system for sway bar disconnects for the rear
-study the front suspension and figure out how to extract the most travel i can
-new shocks
-front bumper
But most of all, i plan to use and enjoy the rig. Tillamook state forest is on the agenda for this month, along with as much local stuff as i can. The snow is here up in the hills, i was up there this morning as it was first starting for the season, hence my dirty, wet pictures!
Well Moab was a success, and a trip for the ages to be sure. The montero performed quite well, its crazy how much traction is available on slickrock. My biggest shortcoming all week was a lack of wheel travel. I plan to work with the rear end and see what i can extract from it before turning my attention to the front end. I knew from the beginning there wasn't much travel to be had, i just didn't fully realize how much it would affect the rig.
It was a little crazy leading up to it trying to get all the mods finished on the montero, but i got what i needed done. So naturally there wasn't much time for thread updates.
I got the roof rack finished up. I wanted somewhere to stow the high-lift, plus a platform for extra gear storage, while keeping it as low profile as possible. Given my time and budget crunch i used what i already had. The yakima mounts were given to my by a friend, they don't fit perfect, but they work quite well. I bought some tube to replace the yakima crossbars that would serve as a foundation for the rest of the rack. Hold you laughs please.......the rest of the rack is made from conduit!!! Not an ideal material choice, but this rack was originally just supposed to be a proof of concept, it actually worked quite well.Two corner gussets with with nuts welded on the back side would provide the mounting points for the highlift. Some poly leaf spring bushings and some long "wing-bolts" that were previous project left-overs, and my highlift mount was complete. Four small rings were added to each corner to serve as tie down points. My friend and i both stood on top of it (looking for my brother on kane springs) and there wasn't any noticeable deflection. A wind fairing is in the works.
After building my trans skid, i looked at the front diff skid and realized it was almost entirely useless. Again on a time crunch i built a front skid, i dont think the paint was even dry on it before i hit the road. It mounts using the four large bolts that hold the factory tubular cross member just forward of the control arms, and the rear picks up the same mounts as my trans skid. I had to do it in two parts that got welded together. In hind sight on piece with three bends would be possible. I also don't like how it mounts above the trans skid, creating an extra lip. That was a failure of planning on my part.
The sliders got painted and welded onto the scab plates i had previously welded to the frame. My lack of a 220 MIG meant i had to do my best contortionist (sp?) impression to get them TIG welded on. After some gusseting on both sides and painting the rest of the legs, they were done. On several occasions in Moab they proved to be a valuable piece of armor, if it weren't for them i would not be able to open any of my doors. If i could do it over, i would have mounted them a little bit higher, even though i notched my pinch seam for clearance, i think i could have got them 1/2 inch higher or so. sorry for the dirty pictures
A secure C02 Tank mount was quite the problem for me, i went back and forth many times trying to figure out what is best. Ultimately my solution was satisfactory, and provided a good cooler/tool mounting area, but it came at the price of removing part of the rear seat. I built a rack that picked up all the seat and seat belt mounting bolts of the removed portion of rear seat. I welded in some "cross members" on the outer passenger side to pick up the mounting holes for a fire extinguisher bracket. There are also tie down points at the corners for the cooler/tools, on the plus side my new pelican case fits there almost perfect.
For now most of my must do projects are complete. I would however like to:
-Build a swing away rear bumper
-build some "crusher corners" to protect the rear quarters and cover up some moab lovin
-work out a system for sway bar disconnects for the rear
-study the front suspension and figure out how to extract the most travel i can
-new shocks
-front bumper
But most of all, i plan to use and enjoy the rig. Tillamook state forest is on the agenda for this month, along with as much local stuff as i can. The snow is here up in the hills, i was up there this morning as it was first starting for the season, hence my dirty, wet pictures!
airmanwilliams
New member
Looks great. I grew up in tillamook but never took advantage of going 4x4 in the forest at all. No I live in utah and its a completely different scene with all the rock here and lack of so much mud that the northwest has.
Cleand: PM sent
Update:
Well i just got back from a week up in northwestern oregon for work, and was lucky enough to have some time out in Tillamook State Forest for a little exploring. Between it raining all week in astoria, some beach driving in southwestern washington (and northern CA) and about a foot of snow in the higher elevations of TSF and i am once again pleased with the Falkens. Their sand, snow, wet pavement, and rock performance has met or exceeded my expectations. About 5K on them now and not showing too much wear, other than some light outer tread block tearing on the leading edge due to some heavy abuse while in moab.
The ARB is truly an amazing piece of equipment! Having owned more than my fair share of aussie lockers and lock-rites; i really love a selectable locker, traction when you want it, and an open diff when you don't! I use it as my safety margin unless I'm trying something that i feel will push my limits.
Everyone loves pictures:
The montero looking "camo'd" after running a section of hoodraiser
First Tracks!
Update:
Well i just got back from a week up in northwestern oregon for work, and was lucky enough to have some time out in Tillamook State Forest for a little exploring. Between it raining all week in astoria, some beach driving in southwestern washington (and northern CA) and about a foot of snow in the higher elevations of TSF and i am once again pleased with the Falkens. Their sand, snow, wet pavement, and rock performance has met or exceeded my expectations. About 5K on them now and not showing too much wear, other than some light outer tread block tearing on the leading edge due to some heavy abuse while in moab.
The ARB is truly an amazing piece of equipment! Having owned more than my fair share of aussie lockers and lock-rites; i really love a selectable locker, traction when you want it, and an open diff when you don't! I use it as my safety margin unless I'm trying something that i feel will push my limits.
Everyone loves pictures:
The montero looking "camo'd" after running a section of hoodraiser
First Tracks!
jluck
Adventurer
Yea I have a guy trying to get money together right now. If I get down south I will shoot you a PM.