1998 (Gen II) Montero Suspension Lift Kit

[CJ3B]

Hello All!

Been lurking for about a month here... nice community! Found it by chance researching for rooftent reviews.

Brief overview. Live in PR, so I have both offroading available for beach or mountain camping.

I have a 1998 Montero with 114k miles, and was wondering if there was someone out there with a suspension lift kit that could send (or post) pics, as well as info where you got it. ï'd love to meke this my "expedition" truck, since I already have 2 Jeeps, but they do not have the space or comforts of the MOntero.

My Jeeps are:

- CJ3B, 1965, Bone-stock Hurricane engine, 3 speed tranny with a Warn Overdrive, Koenig PTO winch
- M38, 1950, Bone-stock military Jeep (currently in my 3rd year restoring it frame-up, all alone... man, do I get bored sometimes working on it alone...)

Anyway, good to see Monteros being used off-road. Same as in the US, there's not that many followers using them for off-road.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jorge

 

[datrupr]

If you want a mild lift, go with OME (up to 2.5" I think). Check with Wil or Wen at Sierra Expeditions, they carry all the OME stuff, and if they don't have it in stock, they'll get it for you. They are great people to work with. You will not be disappointed. I would love to see pics of your adventures in Puerto Rico, what a beautiful place you live in. I am envious of you.

 

[CJ3B]

Thanks Aaron... already sent them a note.

Will keep you posted.

Jorge

 

[off-roader]

...Brief overview. Live in PR, so I have both offroading available for beach or mountain camping...

Sounds like an ideal camping wheeling area.

I have a 1998 Montero with 114k miles, and was wondering if there was someone out there with a suspension lift kit that could send (or post) pics, as well as info where you got it. ï'd love to meke this my "expedition" truck, since I already have 2 Jeeps, but they do not have the space or comforts of the MOntero.

My lift is about as simple as you can imagine...
Torque the torsion springs in the front to raise it up higher.
2" coil spring spacers in back (made for a Toyota Sequoia SUV but fits a Montero spring).

With this setup, I have fit 35x12.5" tires on 15x8" rims w/ 4" back spacing (aka neutral offset).

Here are 2 pics w/out the rear spring spacers...

First the Montero/Pajero (96 SR = 97 Pajero) SR option includes locking rear differential and 24v dohc 3.5Lv6

Checking the roof of my mom's Mercedes Benz ML-320

 

[CJ3B]

Sounds like an ideal camping wheeling area.

My lift is about as simple as you can imagine...
Torque the torsion springs in the front to raise it up higher.
2" coil spring spacers in back (made for a Toyota Sequoia SUV but fits a Montero spring).

With this setup, I have fit 35x12.5" tires on 15x8" rims w/ 4" back spacing (aka neutral offset).

Here are 2 pics w/out the rear spring spacers...

First the Montero/Pajero (96 SR = 97 Pajero) SR option includes locking rear differential and 24v dohc 3.5Lv6

Hello Off-Roader!

Thanks for the reply; that's a HELL of a nice rig you have there.

IS there any particular setting you recommend for the torsion bar crank? Any shaving performed to the rubber a-arm bumper stops?

Also, any particular brand for the 2" spacers for the rear springs and the lift kit you installed?

You have a real nice set-up for the bumpers... I'm gussing custom-fab adapters for the bumper, right? Or are they Montero-specific?

You have any pics of your build process?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for your reply.

Best regards,

Jorge

 

[tdesanto]

I found these.

Off-Roader, do you happen to have the ID and OD of those spacers or your springs?

I'm curious to measure if these would fit my gen III model.

 

[CJ3B]

How do you torque the springs? I was looking the bottom of the truck, and saw that there's two bolts next to the rear monunts of the torsion bars... the bolts are installed in the frame crossmember.

Are these the bolts used to lower and raise the truck, or do you have to clock the torsion bars tweaking the torsion bar mounts?

Thanks!

Jorge

 

[CJ3B]

Never mind, guys!

Found what I'm looking for... the bolts have a nut atop the crosmember... these are the ones to use for the adjustment.

Thanks!

Jorge

 

[off-roader]

Never mind, guys!

Found what I'm looking for... the bolts have a nut atop the crosmember... these are the ones to use for the adjustment.

Thanks!

Jorge

Yes that's the one...

It's best to adjust the torsion bars with a air wrench but it can be done w/ some grunt using a regular socket wrench & open end or box end wrench. IIRC, it's a 17 or maybe 19mm nut but I might be off there.

How to do it.
(1) With the vehicle on the ground measure from the top of the wheel opening in the fender to the top of the side of the wheel.
(2) Loosen the two top lock nuts on the torsion bar bolt (you may want to apply a rust penetrant or other similar lubricant in case the nuts are seized on.
(3) Apply the emergency brake, chock the rear wheels & raise the front end using a jack (floor jack is best).
(4) Tighten the L & R torsion bar bolts and be sure you count the number of turns keeping both equal so you raise the left and right side the same.
(5) Drop the vehicle back down and check the height between both sides. There should be more height now & driver side should be just a bit higher (compensates for driver weight).
(6) Once you get it to a height you like, be sure to re-tighten the lock nut.

That's it!

 

[CJ3B]

Thanks!

Seems like a piece of cake, with the proper tools and time, that is.

Any recommended maximum height? I think these trucks should not exceed the 1.75" to 2.0", since I find them top heavy, due to height and narrowness of the unit (12 years driving it makes me think of it this way).

Again, many thanks... that's a mighty fine truck you have there. What bumpers you have on it? You fab the mounts?... Do you have any nice off road or camping pics?

I have a neighbor that has a early LWB Montero doing NOTHING outside his house... thinking of leaving him a note asking him if he would sell it...

Jorge

 

[off-roader]

Yes it's easy. Takes maybe 30 minutes and that includes going on a quick ride to let the suspension settle. I've gone up ~2" in front because I have 35" tires.

Lifting more than 2" is not possible w/ front torsion bars/ifs because you start to wear the CV Joints too quickly.

No real off roading pics yet. Other than a 1 day 'break in' run, she's still an off road virgin. Need to add rock skids and reinforced skid plates before I will take her anywhere worthy.

As for max lift, I also did a 2" Body Lift (BL). I had to in order to fit the 35's.

Also with 12" wide tires, 10" wide rims, & 4" backspacing, you can go even higher because your tires will be much wider than stock (+4" on each side totaling +8" wider).

 

[tdesanto]

Do you happen to know the ID and OD of those rear coil spacers?

 

[off-roader]

Do you happen to know the ID and OD of those rear coil spacers?

Nope, not off the top of my head but I do know alternative spacers don't really exist as the ID/OD are different from most other rigs.

FWIW, you can probably find the ID/OD for the sequoia faster online than you can for a Gen II Montero. If you do find them somewhere, let me know. Having been involved with mitsu 4x4's off road for nearly a decade, it's always good to learn new stuff.

Last but not least since I still need to install them, I can grab them from the box at home and measure it for you. Should have that in a day or two.