Spare tire max size + Monty flex

[Bdiddy11]

First question: What's the max size tire you can put on the rear tire carrier of the hatch? I think we'd really only go 31", 265/75 max to retain decent mileage.

Second: Is it possible to get more flex out of the IFS? Anyone have pics of what kind of articulation can be expected on a near stock set up? I doubt we'll really lift the rig, seeing as how it can already take bigger tires w/out much lift and we're not into hardcore wheeling, but would like to know the flex limits before heading out on the trail. Along those lines, is feasable/possible to make front sway bar disconnects? I know it makes a world of difference on XJs, but I'm not familiar with IFS set ups.

My wife and I are looking at selling her XJ and getting a 97-99 Monty (prefer 98/99) for the blister flairs and get one with stock locker to build as our "expedition" rig for our slowly growing family. Been doing some looking over on the Pajero Club to get some ideas.

Mods would include: Front winch bumper of some sort, rear bumper for protection, roof rack, sliders, skid plates and some interior mods. 31/32" tires and maybe a small lift.

 

[off-roader]

First question: What's the max size tire you can put on the rear tire carrier of the hatch? I think we'd really only go 31", 265/75 max to retain decent mileage.

What year Montero are you asking about for your tire size questions?

29-30" is the stock tire size on the Montero. A 97-99 can easily fit 35" tires on back w/out issues. I run 35x12.5x15 on my 96 which is an equivalent in terms of the rear tire carrier capacity. As for fit in the wheel wells, the 98-99's (gen 2.5) have more fender room than the gen 2's (92-97).

For expedition travel, I'd lean towards 33x12.5 or 33x10.5" tires but if mileage is a major consideration then yes 31's will work but you'll just have less ground clearance.

Second: Is it possible to get more flex out of the IFS? Anyone have pics of what kind of articulation can be expected on a near stock set up? I doubt we'll really lift the rig, seeing as how it can already take bigger tires w/out much lift and we're not into hardcore wheeling, but would like to know the flex limits before heading out on the trail. Along those lines, is feasable/possible to make front sway bar disconnects? I know it makes a world of difference on XJs, but I'm not familiar with IFS set ups.

My wife and I are looking at selling her XJ and getting a 97-99 Monty (prefer 98/99) for the blister flairs and get one with stock locker to build as our "expedition" rig for our slowly growing family. Been doing some looking over on the Pajero Club to get some ideas.

Mods would include: Front winch bumper of some sort, rear bumper for protection, roof rack, sliders, skid plates and some interior mods. 31/32" tires and maybe a small lift.

For non-hard core wheeling the stock setup is usually not an issue as far as flex is concerned albeit it's not that great either (assuming you get one with the OE rear Locker).

Which Pajero Club are you referring to? The one from Victoria Australia?

For a winch bumper, ARB, TJM, ECB are nice options albeit $$$. I wanted to be different so I bought an inexpensive Smittybilt Jeep bumper (front and rear) and reinforced then modified my rig to match the Jeep bolt pattern up front. In back, I had an adapter made to match the jeep bumper. You can see pictures in my build thread.
For a roof rack, I chose an inexpensive rack mounted via Yakima bars since I don't intend to use it that frequently.
For Sliders trail gear sliders for a Tacoma (the medium length ones) fit.
For skid plates, I'm still working on a solution.
For a mild suspension lift, you can raise the rear using Toyota Sequoia Coil Spring Spacers and for the front simply torque the torsion bars.
You can see more details on what's possible via my build thread link in my Sig.

HTH!

 

[scrubber3]

Go through the sticky posted pajero pictures. A picture is worth 1000 words..... Also, like offroader said, there are several build threads to look through as you'll find it is best to get an idea and tweak it to your standards. The flex is acceptable for most things if you just tighten the tbars up just enough for where you need it. First thing to do is get that rig and drive it to see exactly what you will want from it. These are quite capable completely stock.

 

[Bdiddy11]

We really would want/like the 98/99.

Tire size I was referring to what size can fit in the spare tire location.

Any reason why the flex isn't as good with the OE rear locker?

(assuming you get one with the OE rear Locker).

And I was referring to the Aussie Pajero club.

I saw on one thread that someone removed their rear sway bar. How does it handle on Monties doing this? I have no rear sway bar on my XJ and don't notice it, just not sure how it would act on a monty.

And what about the front sway bar, is it possible to disconnect it while on the trail for extra flex? As I said earlier, I have no knowledge of how IFS works and if its even possible.

 

[off-roader]

These are quite capable completely stock.

YUP! Even with an LSD they're quite capable. I actually took a lifted Gen I (1990) 4 door through the rubicon w/ just an LSD. It made it through every obstacle with the exception of 2 which required 'assistance' from others.

For the later GEN 2.5 models, the 3.5 SOHC engine is a great power plant offering more than enough HP for most regular off road use.

Now I know your intentions are far milder but you should know that the Gen 2.5 with a rear locker (Winter Package w/ heated seats), bigger tires (necessitating a body/suspension lift) and armor can becomes capable for almost any trail up to the difficulty of the legendary Hammers (you really need a buggy or exocage for the Hammers).

On 4x4wire's mitsu forum, we've put together trips over the past 10+ years and successfully taken these rigs through some severe trails such as the Rubicon, Dusy Ersham, Fordyce Creek and they made it through without complaints.

All that said, if your intentions are for over landing... it won't be a problem.:smiley_drive:

 

[off-roader]

We really would want/like the 98/99.

Tire size I was referring to what size can fit in the spare tire location.

Any reason why the flex isn't as good with the OE rear locker?

I think you mis-understood me (or I miscommunicated). The articulation is the same w/ or w/out the locker.

I saw on one thread that someone removed their rear sway bar. How does it handle on Monties doing this? I have no rear sway bar on my XJ and don't notice it, just not sure how it would act on a monty.

You can tell slightly during normal driving. The possible issue is during an emergency manuever you may over correct. I my case, I dont rely on my memory to tell me how much to turn in an emergency situation. Rather I determine how far to turn based on how the vehicle feels. This usually means I'm usually well within the limits of the suspension design.

And what about the front sway bar, is it possible to disconnect it while on the trail for extra flex? As I said earlier, I have no knowledge of how IFS works and if its even possible.

The fronts can be disconnected (although it will take some time to remove at the trailhead) but most have found the performance fine w/out disconnecting them.

You mention initially you plan to do 'Expeditions' with it but most 'Expedition' travel (i.e. traditional overlanding) does not require this level of modification. The stock Montero can handle almost all the 1-3 and even 4 trails (scale of 1-5) with just a basic tire upgrade to 32x11.5" tires. What level or kind of trails do you mean?

 

[Bdiddy11]

Well, not sure on difficulty of trails as I'm not too familiar with the ones around Idaho or the PNW (where we'll mostly be going) but would rather have the rig slightly "overbuilt" just in case. I'll always be wheeling with my family so we wont be doing anything crazy. I am liking the looks of Silverwuf's with the coil spacers in the rear and torsioned up in the front... run some 32's and it'll look nice.

We'd like to be able to go off the beaten path, and if there happens to be some smallish rocks in the path or nasty ruts, to be able to get over it without having to turn back.

From what I have seen in photos, they are very capable in stock form, I'm just planning on future mods before I even have the Monty =)

With regards to the sway bar disconnect... I would of course have some kind of quick disconnect as to not make it such a long process each time. Mainly I was curious if there was an added benefit running disconnected, like there is on XJs.

 

[scrubber3]

A quick disconnect for the front would be an engineering feat in itself. Just getting it off is a workout.

 

[SOFpirate]

There's no real advantage of running any sort of disconnect up front.

I came from an XJ as well, and disconnecting an IFS doesn't get you the results you would think it would as a SFA would do. Think CV shafts popping out.

As for owning a Monty, welcome. But to be completely honest, flex in this community is a running joke. There's no such thing. These rigs just flatten or power through/over obstacles, which is nice. Eventually you'll be comfortable throwing a tire or two in the air going over obstacles, especially if you have a rear locker.

For what you're wanting to do with your rig, I suggest 33x10.50's because IMO when you run 12.50's on a Monty it kinda gives you false traction. (See Scott Brady's article/paper on tire sizes). Really in the end, I'd do a 2" budget boost consisting of the coil spacers and torsion crank, with 33's. Then drive it like you stole it.

But like any vehicle, take it out stock, and allow yourself to learn the rig. You'd be impressed, and might just decide on running 31's. I'm running 31x10.50's on mine, and I'm keeping up with a 6.5" Rough Country XJ with 33's, a 4" lifted YJ running 35's. No problem. These trucks come off the line ready to go. Enjoy it.

 

[off-roader]

A quick disconnect for the front would be an engineering feat in itself. Just getting it off is a workout.

Yup. It is. Frank Z (down under owner who used to frequent 4x4wire's Mitsu forums) designed, built, & used to sell an auto disconnect system that you cut the bar in the middle and it actually locked the bar when you wanted it and unlocked it with you didn't. Ultimately not too many people bought them since most determined the stock setup was good enough for like 90% of the wheeling most would do.

 

[4D55 Performance]

It just hard to describe how capable these rigs are right out of the box. The 1992-1999 Montero is arguably the greatest factory off road racing vehicle ever made. The Montero dominated the Dakar Challenge before they moved away from factory production rigs and shifted toward million dollar buggies. The 4wd system in the Montero is so refined. Believe it or not, not all 4wd systems are created equal. Sometime a vehicle will have a good 4wd system but the engine is to high strung to adequately put the power to the dirt. My dads 1994 4 cylinder Toyota drive me crazy because all of the power is at the top of the powerband. The Montero seems to have just the right amount of power in all the right places. It's very well balanced rig.

As far as flex is concerned, if you add an Old Man Emu lift and 31-33" tires I would expect to achieve 500 on the RTI which is more than adequate for overlanding. The OME lift will also help greatly at high speeds on rough roads. I am a huge fan of the OME heavy duty lift. Personally I think removing the sway bars is way over rated. I would be more inclined to lift a wheel and engaging the rear locker than removing the sway bars.

 

[SOFpirate]

Personally I think removing the sway bars is way over rated. I would be more inclined to lift a wheel and engaging the rear locker than removing the sway bars.

Hear hear! Plus ... lifting a wheel looks cooler. :smiley_drive: