2000 Montero Project

[MontyMcV]

2000 Montero Project



Full truck, all its original parts, plus a lot more to get it back on the road and better equipped than original.

For those in the Montero community, I have been less active on the web but around for a long time now. I go by MontyMcV on the forums. If you are in the community but don’t recognize the screen name, you likely know of the simple but useful website MitsubishiLinks.com. That site is my contribution to the community of enthusiasts who are so attached to one of THE BEST 4x4 vehicles ever produced!

Originally my daily driver and weekend camping, it was sidelined 10 years ago with a coolant leak. I had recently done the timing belt service. Back then the name brand aftermarket products were considered viable vs more expensive OEM parts. Note it was not my first time doing the t-belt and related work. In the more recent past, people have avoided the aftermarket brands. I have always suspected that I was an early buyer of the lowered-in-quality product sets.

Being a long-time Montero owner, I knew not to push the overheat due to the aluminum heads and I limped it the <15 miles home with a topped off radiator. I pulled the heads and had them checked. They were fine and they were refreshed while off by a long-term old school local shop- tanked, cleaned, new VS seals, etc. (It was the same guy that rebuilt my 2.6T SWB swap way back.) The rig and all I have to go with it is too much too scrap and I don’t want to part it out. And the rig itself is still very solid. I really wanted it back on the road. But as the saying goes, life gets in the way. I am at a chapter of life (translated- age!) where I have to be more diligent about the projects I am setting myself up for. The Montero isn’t going to fit into the mix at this point. IT NEEDS A NEW HOME AND SOMEONE TO TURN IT INTO WHAT I WANTED IT TO BE (or more)!

Here are the details in full (not trying to hide anything):

The Rig Itself

• 2000 Montero with Winter Package (no rear locker of course)
• 3.5L SOHC with 4-spd AT, showing 126k on the clock.
• Engine is down to the short block from taking the heads off.
• Mounted with set of four (no spare) Gen 1 chrome wheels (in very nice shape) and 265/70-15 Bridgestone Dueler H/L tires (also in nice shape).
  [For those who have been in the community for a while, I picked them up from Mic Cimperman, RIP.]
• I have a set of five Gen 2 SR wheels painted in 95 Montero black that I could swap over (forget the code / name, Mystic Black?). These wheels are mounted with 32/11.5 tires that are a bit old. Nice shape on the wheels though.
• I am the second owner, having bought it ~13 years ago from the estate of the original owner. Prior to me (in OH), it spent its time bouncing between NC and FL.
• Body is super solid as a whole and looks good, even from a short distance. But it does have some small rust spots starting to form.
• Underneath looks solid to me, though there is some scaling now after sitting for a while.
• There are a few wires hanging underneath that some critters got to. I think all is there and clear for what needs to get spliced up.
• Interior is in decent shape. Front seats have usual wear, especially the drivers. Rest are very good. Third row is removed but included.
• Have all the parts that were taken off. Exhaust will need to be redone. Some parts were cleaned up and painted before I lost momentum (battery tray, brackets, etc.). It will of course need things like brake work. Pads were knocked out so it could roll easier.

What Comes With It and the Opportunity That Awaits

• Endeavour 3.8L engine with only 45k miles. Trying to find paperwork, but it was from a mid-late year model, 2008 I think. It is stripped to the long block with VCs still on and all ports taped over. Have all the removed parts still, including main harness.
  • Car-Part.com search has a 67k for $1500, a 72k for $1400, and 80k for $1500.
• Have a second Montero oil pan to facilitate the swap.
• 1998 Montero rear locking axle. I would rehab it for seals, etc. It also needs some of the thin-metal brake line brackets.
  • I definitely have a switch and air pump, and should have the control box too.
  • Car-Part.com only has one page of listings and few are priced. I paid $350 from a local yard.
• Full set of Montero Sport 4.90 axle parts. Bought from another Montero enthusiast a few years ago. Includes rear R&P and full non-disconnect front (housing, no half-shafts).
  • Car-Part.com has no rear R&Ps listed.
  • Car-Part.com has some carriers starting at $125 and trending more to $300.
  • Car-Part.com has no front axle assemblies listed.
  • I paid $500.
• The full-time MS front axle necessitates locking hubs. I have a used set that will be included.
• A very large assortment of gaskets and hoses. Also a used non-cracked DS exhaust manifold.
• I do have a 2000 FSM in hard copy. It has not been spine-cut and scanned. I will get this done and provide a PDF to the buyer.

Looking at the extra parts alone, and giving consideration to any range of prices, there is over $2,000 in parts. And the pretty solid, lower miles rig to build from. As I have said, this Montero needs to be put back on the road, in its next incarnation. If I was ten years younger, I would hang on to it myself and make plans. All the parts are inside, except the 3.8L which is strapped to a pallet.

I am happier with it going to a new home sooner, versus me trying to get as much for it as I can and it taking longer to sell. I think $1500 is a decent buyer price for all that is included.

It will be posted in the following places:

• Mitsubishi Montero USA Parts Exchange Facebook Group
• Expedition Portal
• Facebook Marketplace
• Cleveland.Craigslist.org

If this listing is up, it is still available.

Thanks for Looking and Ride On,

Bill