Gem in the rough?

[XpoNoobie]

Originally posted @ http://www.overlandcanada.com/forum/showthread.php?p=32320#post32320
To the mods, if the link to the other forums is not allowed, sorry in advance...


Well I think I finally found something worthy of posting in here and not just the usual lurking that I do...

Here is the first teaser...


I found this beast by accident. Ive bin looking for about a year now to replace my DD ( 93G Cherokee) she is dying and beyond repair, even when I bought it. So when I saw this I did some fast googling, and found out about the Montero. I decided when I got to see it in person to buy it, even if not running.



Its a 2.6l 5spd with lsd! :wings: Now its a hit miss with the 2.6 it seems some love and others hate it. Im willing to take a chance cause my dad had a 2.6l back in the day and it was a champ for 20+ years. Anyways the bad part of not running. When i Did my call to the owner he was telling me the cam or crank wasnt working, not turning over. Im like okay dont worry about that, more googling involved for engine problems and cures (engine swaps)

When i first saw it, the owner had a battery hooked up to it, im thinking to myself why if it dont run... So I ask does it turn over or run some how since my phone call a few days ago. He goes here take a gander. He cranks it over and all I hear is a starter spinning and thats it. Bingo starter not engaging, but something else could be hiding. Ill find out soon enough. I look the rest over, rust in the lower front fenders, interior is semi apart but all there, underside is rusty but seems solid when tapping it(made thud sounds) rockers seemed solid also, some rust under the windows. Over all I thought it looks good, I made my deal and ill be picking it up in two weeks once I have room for it.



And my goals are get into the engine and get it running and hopefully I get really lucky. And start the fun process of fixing it up for some future vacations



More pictures coming.

 

[Cruisn]

A shorty with LSd.. have fun mate, she will take you everywhere. the lsd in these wagons is amazing.
the first gens are tough as nails and starters are cheap

 

[Toasty]

Nice! I swapped a 4d55 into mine, you shouldn't have to much trouble getting a 4d56 in there in Canada. It's a bolt in almost no wiring swap for you but i recommend getting the diesel transmission if you go the swap route.

 

[4D55 Performance]

Nice! I swapped a 4d55 into mine, you shouldn't have to much trouble getting a 4d56 in there in Canada. It's a bolt in almost no wiring swap for you but i recommend getting the diesel transmission if you go the swap route.

The Raiders came the the same transmission as the 4d55 so that should not be an issue. The Raider/Monteros came with the hydraulic version of KM145, but I am sure the non hydraulic version would work as well.

 

[XpoNoobie]

Well I did some phone calls, the local dodge and mitsu were really no help at all. NAPA had starter (170ish) and shocks(F 31 & R 38 each), but no springs. the local spring shops needs the measurements and other info. So I called up Rockyauto, the fellow I talked too didnt seem to happy but I kind of got the info I needed. I'll probably go with the Ole Man Emu complete kit next year for around 1100 shipped or I might get it shipped to a friend in Arizona and he can bring it back for me, saves a bit in shipping. Other then that nothing else exiting happening yet...

Has anyone mounted a RTT on a 2door, how does it handle with the load on top? If I dont go with a RTT, ill look into a smaller cargo trailer or even make a teardrop to pull and try to keep the weight down that way.

 

[rxinhed]

...but no springs...

What are you thinking about the springs? A load similar to RTT should be adequately supported by the stock springs.

A load in my Raider once consisted of 1400# of aggregate samples, 13 cans of asphalt emulsion, 4 concrete cylinders, 2 steel toolboxes, sundry soil density testing tools and a Troxler nuclear gauge fully compressed the rear springs but did not rub my 33" tires. The weight distribution also left me with about 1/8" clear space between the frame and the lower control arm bump stop in front. I also towed a water trailer extensively, for a short few years. My Raider was the best work vehicle I could have had way back then.


Given the choice, I would put the RTT on a trailer. For towing with a Raider, I strongly recommend upgrading the front disc brakes to later Gen I 4-door pieces...or the multi-piston Gen II parts...which all have larger rotor diameters.

 

[D4782]

I was just looking at this same raider on kijiji. I'm in Calgary, Gen2. Let me know when it's good and running and maybe we can head out for a drive. Looks like a great truck. Enjoy it!

 

[XpoNoobie]

rxinhed - i wasnt sure about the stock springs to carry a load to go camping. Im looking at the OME Suspension pre-91 rear leaf springs from Rocky Road, not sure if I need to get torsion bars though.

Delormea397 - One more week and it will be at its new home, ill finally have room in the garage. One thing that is nice it seems it dont need much room for the overall size of the raider. And first thing on the list is to change the starter and see if I get lucky. The current owner was thinking that the cam or crank is screwed up and that is why it wasnt turning over.

When I finally get to ordering the suspension kit from RRO should I look into getting Gen2 UCA also?

 

[GrassCat]

The first thing you need to do is get running. Put on some taller tire and take it off road and see if it lives up to your needs. Why spend money if you don't need to. These truck are great from the factory.

You don't need OME stuff to go camping and having fun off road. Spend your hard earn money on a good trailer with a RTT installed or a tent trailer so you can leave it behind when you go exploring.