Half Monti-V6 Build

ChargerX3

Observer
No more lurking. Time to make it official. Spent the last several years looking for a good candidate semi-locally. I did get sidetracked with several V6 Mighty Max's, but I vaguely remember these being much easier to find not too long ago.

I ended up purchasing a high mileage 1989 Montero SWB V6 locally out of Reno. It has what appears to be a bad head gasket, destroyed muffler and its fair share of leaks, but all in all it the body and frame are in better than average condition. Notable missing features: No LSD, No bouncy seats. :( I do have a 5 speed though.

The day I picked her up. All tucked away in a garage for 5 years.
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Loaded up on the dolly
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Took some time to clean her up at bit last weekend. She was dirty and full of webs.
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Rear end got a little oxidized, but i hear 2nd gens share the same bumper mounts? If so I have an SR bumper I can fit to it.
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The stock 3.0L with many miles on it. Got a little surface rust on a few things, but nothing that cant be sanded and resprayed. I got the truck to run for a minute with blowing white smoke out the pipe. Truck ran good and shifted through all the gears just fine. Im really hoping that its just and easy headgasket fix.
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The in tact, but really dirty interior. I really just need a new carpet kit. Yuk! Also, is this interior Blue or Gray? Im having a hard time telling.
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So that is the starting point of this project. Goal, for this unit is to make a capable 4x4 rig. I would like to do a body and suspension lift, run 33' or 35's. Install rear and maybe front LSD. Then install either a 3.5 or 3.8L motor in it. The hardest part of that equation will likely be the lift.

I could use some pointers on all the upgrades available for this model year. I've seen a couple posts elsewhere on what gen 2 components are interchangeable, but I would like to discuss those here if any of you have some knowledge to share.
 

GrantC

Observer
A Gen1 SWB V6 with a 5-speed...that's not exactly a common combination. (And no headlight washers? How uncivilized! ;))

Seriously, though, nice find.
 

ChargerX3

Observer
A Gen1 SWB V6 with a 5-speed...that's not exactly a common combination. (And no headlight washers? How uncivilized! ;))

Seriously, though, nice find.
Thanks bud. Yea, i was holding out for the v6 as thats the power-plant I want to build around. Not sure I would ever use headlight washers either. lol!
 

CraftsmanCollaborative

Well-known member
Subscribed. Just talked to a good overland buddy that was looking into these. Not normally a fan of Mitsubishi but these retro ones are an eye catcher
 

ChargerX3

Observer
Installed the new wheels this weekend. I thought I would have more "poke". Thankfully its not too bad. Here you can see the side by side comparison to the stock wheels.

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Clearance seems to be good except the front bumperettes. They rub at like a 25deg turn. Ill need to trim, remove them, or the whole bumper. Cant decide on which at the moment. The rear suspension seems to be sitting real nice. The front however is a bit low and spongy. I may try to tighten the torsion bars and then install the SR upper A arms for more clearance.
 

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