School me on 1 Gen Montero/Pajero

[tombodad]

Hey guys-

For a while now, I have been thinking of selling my motorcycle and investing the cash in something more practical, and that I would get more use out of. My wife and I both drive vehicles financed by the bank, and it would be very nice to have a third vehicle (owned outright) in case of financial hardship, and as a backup. Also, I drive my Frontier as a DD, and although it's not terrible on gas, it is deifnitely larger and more powerful than I need on a daily basis.

Enter my search for this third vehicle. Requirements are: inexpensive, 4x4, economical (both fuel and maintenance), and cool/fun. I don't mind tinkering, and I enjoy wrenching.

I think I've narrowed it down to 1 gen monteros and Samurais. I think the samurai would be a bit more economical (i hear 25-30) than the heavier, albeit better-built Montero.

I think the Montero is cooler, and has an old-school flair, as well as being more uncommon, which is a huge plus in my book.

I realize I am rambling, I tend to think with my fingertips at times. I guess what I am asking is... "how is the 1 gen montero for DD duty, both 4 and 7 cyl versions?" any other considerations?

 

[off-roader]

No 7 cylinder versions available at least in this universe.:Wow1::sombrero:

The v6 is far superior to the carburated i4 which is prone to head gasket failures and blown/warped/cracked heads.

Automatics are bullet proof easily lasting 250k+ miles if taken care of and not abused.

I'm on my 4th though so I may be a bit biased.:Wow1:

:smiley_drive:

 

[tombodad]

They make inline 5's, why not inline 7s?? Power of an 8, economy of a 6? lol. :sombrero:

You sound pretty knowledgable with these rigs. What kind of fuel mileage do you get out of them? I understand they are built stout, and are farily heavy for their size, esp. compared to a samurai, which is made from repurposed sardine cans I believe.

 

[off-roader]

I can't tell you the stock mileage. With my first two (both 90 4 door v6 auto's) I dont recall the mileage with stock sized tires. Iirc with 33x12.5 mudders I got 15mpg on average (comb. city/highway) and as much as 18mpg on the highway.

On my 89 v6 2 door auto running 33x12.5 mudders (non-lock up torque converter) I get 15mpg max on the highway.

On my 96 SR with 35x12.5 mudders I get 15 mpg avg combined and up to 18mpg on the freeway (w/ a tailwind) :sombrero:

I can't say I'm any kind of montero guru. I've just owned them continuously since 94

 

[Martinjmpr]

I owned a 1st gen 4 door (1990) Monty from 92 - 99. 7 years and ~130,000 miles. It's the vehicle I've owned for the longest period of time (by a wide margin) and also the only vehicle I've ever taken to both the East Coast (NC), the West Coast (SF), the Gulf Coast (FL) and the Great Lakes (Chicago.)

Mine was a 5 speed with no AC. MPG was typically 15 - 16 in the city and 16 - 18 on the highway. Nice thing about my 4 door was the whopping 24.5 gallon tank which gave me a comfortable cruising range of well over 400 miles. Mine had stock 15" wheels and stock 235/75/15 tires. I think you can go up to 31" tires without a lift but the other folks here would know better than me.

If you get a 2 door (sounds like that's what you're looking for) then definitely stay far, far away from the 4 cyl versions. Note that the 1st gen V6's are not perfect, either: The 3.0 engine is notorious for dropping valve guides. This typically happens around 100,000 miles and the key indicator is a dramatic increase in oil consumption augmented by noticeable burning (blue smoke.) The good news is that this is not a problem that will leave you stranded by the side of the road.

There is a pretty standard fix for this issue, when I had mine done in 1998 the cost was about $1400 at an independent Mitsu shop. No idea what it would be now. Also AFAIK it's a 1 - time fix, so if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time you won't have to worry about doing it again.

IIRC most 4 doors had an LSD in the rear, not sure about the 2 door versions.

If you are looking for a 2 door, also search for "Dodge Raider" which was a 2 door Monty sold with a Dodge nameplate.

 

[off-roader]

Yeah, I'd pay more credance to Martin's mileage figures since it was quite some time ago that I had my 90. Also when I state mileage with 33's or 32's I've already adjusted them appropriately for the larger tire diameters even though I may not have adjusted the speedo/odometer.

I think you can go up to 31" tires without a lift but the other folks here would know better than me.

Actually 32's fit with simply trimming 1/8-1/4" from the front bumper's rubber ends off. You don't have to either. The tires will simply rub them away nicely (no damage to your rig either). I let the tires do the work for me on my old rig before I got a custom bumper.

The 3.0 engine is notorious for dropping valve guides. This typically happens around 100,000 miles and the key indicator is a dramatic increase in oil consumption augmented by noticeable burning (blue smoke.) The good news is that this is not a problem that will leave you stranded by the side of the road.

There is a pretty standard fix for this issue, when I had mine done in 1998 the cost was about $1400 at an independent Mitsu shop. No idea what it would be now. Also AFAIK it's a 1 - time fix, so if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time you won't have to worry about doing it again.

It's the valve guide seals that go bad actually. They can be replaced without having to remove the valves by using either the LP air or rope tricks although many mechanics will not know how to do this or will refuse to. If they did do it, it would shave hours off the repair from what I've heard.

IIRC most 4 doors had an LSD in the rear, not sure about the 2 door versions.

LS models have an LSD although I'm sure the RS model buyers may have added an LSD. Most LS models also have headlamp washers. Can check for a plate on the diff recommending gear oil rated for an LSD or using LSD friction modifier additive. There is also sometimes a sticker on the driver's door area.

Last but not least, you can always lift the rear end up, release the EBrake and turn the rear tires. If they turn in opposite directions it's an Open diff. If they turn in the same direction then you have an LSD.

FWIW, with the v6 models you can very easily swap in the entire rear end (diff housing, & trailing arms) from a 94-96SR Montero to take advantage of a Mitsubishi OEM air locker & rear disk brakes. Very worthwhile mod. A rear end at a pick and pull yard is typically $250.:Wow1: Compared to a thousand dollar ARB locker setup (locker, compressor & install costs) a mitsu setup is far cheaper... but I digress...

 

[tombodad]

hmm... sounds like one of these would be a great little toy.

So, the reliability is pretty well on the v6? How is the power?

Really shopping this against a samurai at this point, the little 4 cyl in sammy's is a gutless wonder, but does well on gas.

Anyone ever done a VW tdi swap on a montero? Or a M-B 5 cyl diesel? I hear the diesels in other countries aren't the best.

 

[Cruisn]

hmm... sounds like one of these would be a great little toy.

So, the reliability is pretty well on the v6? How is the power?

Really shopping this against a samurai at this point, the little 4 cyl in sammy's is a gutless wonder, but does well on gas.

Anyone ever done a VW tdi swap on a montero? Or a M-B 5 cyl diesel? I hear the diesels in other countries aren't the best.

I have a 90 Pajero with the v6 with 272000km's on the clock and dont doubt it for a second when I head into the middle of nowhere. keep it maintained and it will bring you home always. I average 15l/100km in the city and about 12l/100km on the highway v6/auto

 

[tombodad]

Looks good man! Thanks for the info, that's not too shabby on fuel, although I am hoping for something better. I found a thread on a vw forum, and a guy was researching the use of an acme adapter (made for samurais) to use a vw tdi with the a44d auto trans in the montero. Would be a great rev range, torquey little diesel, me like!