1999 Montero Winter Package - Questions

[notthatintomusic]

Hi all,

I'm the new owner of a 99 Montero with the winter package. Mechanically it's in great shape (except for a valve cover gasket leak and a leaking front strut) and has been maintained very well but cosmetically it leaves something to be desired; it at least needs a deep cleaning. Aside: cosmetics don't really matter to me right now, I wanted something I can actually use without caring about getting it dirty as long as it remains mechanically sound. I plan to have it for many years but that being said, if someone is parting out a Montero I would be interested in grabbing some interior stuff!

In any case, I'm relatively new to 4x4 overlanding (brand new to the Montero) and I know there have been some upgrades to the vehicle that I'm hoping someone here can help me figure out. I'd like to have some sort of "master list" of upgrades that I can keep; the previous owner bought it like this a year ago and had some idea of the upgrades the previous-previous owner did. Here are some pics and comments/thoughts.

Front suspension





I can see that Monomax's are aftermarket; the drivers side one needs replacement. However, I'm somewhat concerned about the angle of the CV axle; is this something that should be remedied? I am considering getting the Aisin lockable hubs to allow free rotation to mitigate wear, as well.

Lift






Question: I'm about 99% certain this is a body lift; is there a way to tell if it also has a suspension lift? Which brings me to:



My understanding is that misalignment happens on the bumpers with a body lift and I figure this is fixed via welding. What is the procedure? Does anyone have details on how that is aligned?

Mystery Connectors

Lastly, these are in the back on the passenger side. I have no idea what they are, what they are supposed to connect to or even if they're stock or aftermarket. Any ideas?




Thanks in advance. I'm really looking forward to being part of this community!

 

[nwoods]

I’m answering this in my phone and have a short attention span so I might miss some of your questions.

Rear connectors. The factory 6-disc CD holder was in the passenger rear quarter panel. BTW, the factory amp is under a deck plate mounted into the floor under the passenger side. If you want to open that up, only undo the fasteners around the perimeter of the cover plate. The other fasteners actually hold the amp to the cover plate.

As for things you need to replace, the transfer case lever has a red plastic ball under the rubber shift boot that engages the “forks” that operate the transfer case. Those red balls disintegrate over time. The white ball shifters from the 91-97 Montero’s last forever and drop right in.

Yes, that’s a body lift. Monty’s can fit 33’s without any mods or lift, and 35’s if you do a very minor lift. Some folks put Tundra springs in the rear. Then you need to “crank the t-bars” meaning tightening up the torsion bars in the front suspension to lift the front up a bit. Some people trim their front bump stops to get a bit more travel, but ultimately, the IFS just doesn’t have a lot of articulation, making that rear locker super helpful when offroading.

I’ve had three Monty’s and all of them developed cracked exhaust manifolds. If you happen to find one as a spare, buy it. Hopefully that’s the side you will need. My last Monty hated alternators, and I must have replaced it 8 or 9 times. Finally got a high amperage after market Bosch unit that worked well.

 

[notthatintomusic]

Ah, that makes sense about the rear connectors. I'll open it up and take a peek as I clean it, I'm curious.

Thanks for the heads up about the transfer case ball. I have the console out to clean so I'll just replace it while I'm at it.

Re: lift. Ok, so the CV axle angle is ok? If it's a body lift then that should have remained consistent then, I figure. Also do you know the procedure for aligning the rear bumper?

The tires on right now are only +5 in the ratio over stock (265/75 16). I figure when I replace these I will go bigger; it looks kinda funny right now. What are the size tires you have on the Montero in your photo?

 

[nwoods]

Ah, that makes sense about the rear connectors. I'll open it up and take a peek as I clean it, I'm curious.

Thanks for the heads up about the transfer case ball. I have the console out to clean so I'll just replace it while I'm at it.

Re: lift. Ok, so the CV axle angle is ok? If it's a body lift then that should have remained consistent then, I figure. Also do you know the procedure for aligning the rear bumper?

The tires on right now are only +5 in the ratio over stock (265/75 16). I figure when I replace these I will go bigger; it looks kinda funny right now. What are the size tires you have on the Montero in your photo?

Should be fine on the CV’s, again, not very much flex is even possible out of the front.

33’s, or 285/75/16 I think

 

[notthatintomusic]

Thanks a bunch. New question:

The previous owner noted that the brakes (calipers/disc) on either the front or back have been upgraded to whatever was stock on a 2004 Montero Sport. Assuming I cannot tell without getting the wheels off (would be preferable to avoid of course), how do I tell which set are stock and which are upgraded? I need to change the brakes and want to just get the right parts off the bat.

 

[MortalMechanica]

Thanks a bunch. New question:

The previous owner noted that the brakes (calipers/disc) on either the front or back have been upgraded to whatever was stock on a 2004 Montero Sport. Assuming I cannot tell without getting the wheels off (would be preferable to avoid of course), how do I tell which set are stock and which are upgraded? I need to change the brakes and want to just get the right parts off the bat.

this might help

315mm Front brake upgrade

So with 37's armor and a winch I felt that I could use a little more stopping power and definitely more brake cooling so when the time finally came to rebuild the brakes on the 1999 Montero I went for an upgrade. Now this will apply to all Gen 2 Montero's 1992-2000 and is just as easily done on...

forum.expeditionportal.com

 

[notthatintomusic]

I'm now looking to replace the shocks all around since the front drivers is blown and who knows how long the others will hold up. As noted, the previous owner put in KYB Monomax and although I know these are good shocks I'm looking for some advice:

• I'm not sure I need such a heavy duty shock. The vehicle is primarily a means to get to remote trailheads irrespective of weather and I don't plan on doing a large overlanding build with a rooftop tent, drawers, kitchen, etc. When my wife and I sleep in it, we do it dirtbag style with some sleeping pads in the back. Max weight would be when my family and I car camp with climbing/skiing equipment so I'd venture 250lb of gear/supplies max, plus two adults and two children. ARB bumpers or some armor would be nice but they're down the list for me.
• I do mostly moderate offroading, no rock crawling but tight enough to occasionally warrant a spotter. Washboard roads are common and I like going fast.
• I have a 2in body lift and I don't know if I have a suspension lift (see pics, maybe there's a spacer on the rear spring? I don't know what stock looks like). I suspect so with the Monomax shocks and if I do have a suspension lift, I'd like to keep it and factor that into shock purchases. I was thinking this kit for quality and simplicity: https://rocky-road.com/shop/mitsubishi-montero-lift-kit-1991-99/
  • On the subject of suspension lift, I checked the stock ground clearance on Edmunds and it stated 7.5in. The lowest part of the vehicle is the rear diff at 9.5in but I'm not sure where measurements are taken. The measurements to the lowest part of the body and frame where the rear trailing arm attaches are 20in and 13in, respectively. Tires are 275/70/16 so maybe the difference in height of the diff is accounted for purely by the increase in tire size over stock.