2005 Gen 3 Montero (Pajero) Overland Build

EpicPlanet

Member
Yes, indeedy. I went with Wildcat headers from BestMufflers.com. They're made by Genie, so I tried to go through Genie directly. With shipping, they would have been about $200 cheaper, but there was a lot of run around trying to communicate with Genie, by the time someone who could help responded, I had already ordered them from BestMufflers. $641 USD landed at my door. (Or at a local post office in this case since I wasn't home.) Not cheap, but I have spent a lot more money on a lot more dumber things. Lol. If they improve the 15 mpg I've been getting, they'll pay for themselves pretty quick, then it'll be like I'm making money from having them, right?

Screenshot_20240609_223900_Gallery.jpg
 

nuworldman

New member
I have these headers on mine. You lose a little bit of low end torque but they rip. You'll need to weld in 02 bungs. I am going to put my butterfly valve's back on to attempt to regain some of the low end torque loss. I ran one cat behind the collector and a Dynamax Turboflow muffer (18") the vehicle sounds great while retaining the stock rear resonator.
 

Monty03

New member
Maintenance maintenance maintenance!!! I would ensure your fluids are up to date, timing belt, water pump and Valve cover gaskets are done. Diff fluids and transfer case are good, coolant flush, if uncertain when these items were addressed prior. And maybe plugs while you do the valve gaskets. 4Wd solenoids are properly working and engaging all modes.

Depending on your tire life it’s very capable with normal tires but if the budget allows and depending on your terrain or snow driving I loved my Falken Wildpeaks AT3. They were quiet, aggressive, road smooth and were great in moderate mud, snow, and off road.

If you don’t neee the 3rd row it’s easy to remove and you get great trunk storage. If you camp and cook off grid you can add a table on the rear tailgate and some storage.

You can look into underbody protection. The factory steel one is pretty decent though.

Bilstine Shocks and Lovell shocks are a great inexpensive upgrade and will make a huge different in ride quality. Don’t forget to look at away bar and links, control arm bushing or tie rods.

The parts for these trucks are reasonably priced yet you don’t need to change or fully build this thing out to have fun with it and get off grid.
 

Aviator025

New member
Yes, indeedy. I went with Wildcat headers from BestMufflers.com. They're made by Genie, so I tried to go through Genie directly. With shipping, they would have been about $200 cheaper, but there was a lot of run around trying to communicate with Genie, by the time someone who could help responded, I had already ordered them from BestMufflers. $641 USD landed at my door. (Or at a local post office in this case since I wasn't home.) Not cheap, but I have spent a lot more money on a lot more dumber things. Lol. If they improve the 15 mpg I've been getting, they'll pay for themselves pretty quick, then it'll be like I'm making money from having them, right?

View attachment 838579
I’m looking at a set of these. How did you address the EGR pipe? In the US market the EGR pipe is on the driver side of a LHD car. From talking to APS it sounds like the EGR Pipe connection is on the opposite side. Thanks for the help!
 

EpicPlanet

Member
I’m looking at a set of these. How did you address the EGR pipe? In the US market the EGR pipe is on the driver side of a LHD car. From talking to APS it sounds like the EGR Pipe connection is on the opposite side. Thanks for the help!
The EGR pipe is on the passenger side. The Wildcat headers came with the bung already welded on, but not drilled through. Easy enough to drill it, so I guess this is to give you the option of using it or not.
 

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EpicPlanet

Member
Hello, all! Apologies for the extended delay. My dad passed away in June, and it hit me pretty hard. Shut down a lot of extracurriculars for some time. Getting back to it finally.

Sending the Wildcat headers to Jet Hot for their 2500 exterior/1300 interior coating. Just had the exhaust fabricated today from the crossover pipe back. Dual exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers. I'll upload a pic after I get home.
 
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EpicPlanet

Member
Please try to ignore the rust. I know, I know. But I had been actively looking for a low-ish mileage Gen3 for two plus years. This was the least amount of rust I could find with exception of a couple with ~$15k asking prices. And I really wanted the dark blue color. Rust remediation is in progress, but the back plate of my muffler blew off, and I need to renew its registration. Gotta pass emissions testing. So I may as well just do the exhaust now.
 

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EpicPlanet

Member
Piping from the headers to that temporary y-pipe will be fabricated after the headers come back from coating. The exhaust outlets will be adjusted and dressed up at that time as well. I'll get some pics of the completed exhaust while it's on the lift.
 

EpicPlanet

Member
Oh yeah, I also bought a set of 285/70/17 KO2s, load range E. They measure 32.8" when new. These are used, but with about 90% tread. Got a set of four for $400, then a few weeks later, stumbled across two more while renewing the inspection on another car. The shop let me have them for $65 each. The set of four are mounted to ProComp rims that I can resell to offset the purchase price. So all together, $530 for six almost new tires, minus what I sell the rims for. Great deal!

Mounted one on the spare tire rim for test fitting. No clearance issues on the rear. The front only needs the lower plastic of the bumper cover trimmed so it will clear when turning.

Wanting to address other issues before installing them though. Namely, rust, 4.9 gears, various bushings, and some while-I'm-at-it parts.

The size difference is only about an inch all around, but it looks huge in this pic!
 

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EpicPlanet

Member
Maintenance maintenance maintenance!!! I would ensure your fluids are up to date, timing belt, water pump and Valve cover gaskets are done. Diff fluids and transfer case are good, coolant flush, if uncertain when these items were addressed prior. And maybe plugs while you do the valve gaskets. 4Wd solenoids are properly working and engaging all modes.

Depending on your tire life it’s very capable with normal tires but if the budget allows and depending on your terrain or snow driving I loved my Falken Wildpeaks AT3. They were quiet, aggressive, road smooth and were great in moderate mud, snow, and off road.

If you don’t neee the 3rd row it’s easy to remove and you get great trunk storage. If you camp and cook off grid you can add a table on the rear tailgate and some storage.

You can look into underbody protection. The factory steel one is pretty decent though.

Bilstine Shocks and Lovell shocks are a great inexpensive upgrade and will make a huge different in ride quality. Don’t forget to look at away bar and links, control arm bushing or tie rods.

The parts for these trucks are reasonably priced yet you don’t need to change or fully build this thing out to have fun with it and get off grid.
Definitely hear you on maintenance and fluids. I took care of all but the differentials since I'll be regearing. Since I don't know the maintenance history, I think I'll go ahead and do the timing belt and water pump. Probably should.
 

EpicPlanet

Member
Alright... I need some help. Got my headers back from Jet-Hot for ceramic coating. Here's the color ordered (2036 Red Copper)...Screenshot_20250417_141744_DuckDuckGo.jpgScreenshot_20250417_141813_DuckDuckGo.jpg


...and here is the product received...


20250416_181156.jpg


Jet-Hot is telling me the color in these pics looks the same to them. What about yall? Notice any difference? Like, I don't know, maybe it being a completely different color?

Seriously though, am I just not seeing this correctly?
 

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