2nd Generation Montero - Educate Me

[pint]

I was/am looking into vehicles for a friend...decent DD and Expo vehicle. The Montero keeps coming up. Stupid me, I've never really paid much attention to them! I am happy with my Landcruiser, but ready for a change. After lots of research on the Montero for my buddy, my interest is sparked as well! Now I might start looking for myself! I'm thinking 2nd generation (92-99 I think), 3rd seat, rear locker, etc. What are the pluses and minuses to the Montero? If maintained properly, how long will the engine go? Any problem areas to watch out for? I'm thinking a solid DD for myself, that can do medium level trails...No Rubicon, but more than a gravel road! Mild lift, 33" tires, rock sliders, snorkel, etc. Any insight is appreciated. They seem like fantastic rigs from what I have read so far.

 

[off-roader]

I was/am looking into vehicles for a friend...decent DD and Expo vehicle. The Montero keeps coming up. Stupid me, I've never really paid much attention to them! I am happy with my Landcruiser, but ready for a change. After lots of research on the Montero for my buddy, my interest is sparked as well! Now I might start looking for myself! I'm thinking 2nd generation (92-99 I think), 3rd seat, rear locker, etc. What are the pluses and minuses to the Montero? If maintained properly, how long will the engine go? Any problem areas to watch out for? I'm thinking a solid DD for myself, that can do medium level trails...No Rubicon, but more than a gravel road! Mild lift, 33" tires, rock sliders, snorkel, etc. Any insight is appreciated. They seem like fantastic rigs from what I have read so far.

With the mods you're mentioning a 94-96SR or a 97-99 with the winter package can do the Rubicon in style!:Wow1::smiley_drive:

92-99 are the years IIRC but it could have gone to 2000. I always get confused on the cutoff date but heck edmunds or kbb or any of those sites can give you the exact years of the gen II.

Anyhow, some came with the 3.0L SOHC/DOHC combo (LS/RS). Others came with the 3.5L SOHC/DOHC (SR, & 97-99 w/ the winter package). These 2 models include a larger locking rear differential, body raised 1" over LS/RS models & a larger more powerful engine, 3 way adjustable KYB made shocks (very $$$$$).

As for options, you can go from mild to wild here. Depends on what you're looking for... for example...
- Bumpers: ARB, TJM, ECB make them. Some may need to be modified to fit.
- Lockers: ARB Front and Rear for the models I'm noting above.
- Roof Rack: Any built for rain gutters will work.

Mine is a 96SR w/ the locking rear diff. I torqued the torsion bars, added a 2" body lift, modified the frame ends to fit Jeep TJ bumpers and I was able to easily put 35x12.5 BFG MT KM2's underneath her. I do want to install a 2" coil spring spacer in back but 33's with that setup will be fine. After I install that spacer I'll add rocker panel protection, re-enforced skid plates, & mount the winch on the bumper. Then I'll be ready for almost anything.

Here's a picture of it.


You can even go more extreme than that should you change your mind about 33's. My buddy for example is running 37's with a 3" BL, 3" longer rear coils, a torsion bar crank and he's also chopped & raised the rear frame up 3-4" and raised his gas tank above the frame rails. You can see it in the picture below from a recent 4x4 trip. Yes, his truck definite get's drools from many other crawler owners.:drool:


But you don't need to go to that extreme if you don't want to. For regular expedition use, a near stock 94-96SR or 97-99 w/ the winter package is what you want.

Here's a picture of another friend's on 31's with rock skids. He's adding an ARB bumper & winch so I don't have a picture of it yet.

The white cloth was something he put on to minimize water intrusion during a stream crossing during a recent the Mojave Road trip.

HTH.:smiley_drive:

 

[OneTime]

I just sold a Land Cruiser and bought a Montero, so I might be able to shed some light.

This is my second Montero. I had always wanted the iconic Land Cruiser. But it turned out to be the wrong platform for my uses. It was a DD and too heavy and too little MPG. The Montero is much more comfortable. The seats far surpase that of the 80 LC. Maybe a 100 series seats might compare, but not the 80 LC. The IFS is much better for all the highway miles I do. Plus I only run light trails and fire roads, so again the IFS is a plus. I have the winter package with a CDL and locking rear diff. My LC did not have a locker, so I would argue my Montero could go where the LC couldnt. The best I could get with the LC was 13 MPG and that was staying under 65 on the highway. I'm getting about 19 mpg doing 75 with the Montero. With a tune up and manual locking hubs, I plan to get even better MPG. I use the back of my truck everyday and had a rear tire carrier on the LC, that I had to swing out every time I wanted in the back of the truck. With the Montero I have the rear tire mounted on the door and its much easier to get in and out of the rear cargo area. The rear seats recline in the Montero and have nice arm rests. Even the third row fold down seats recline in the Montero. Not in the LC. THe driver's seat reclines all the way back and makes it nice for road side naps. The LC seats only went half way back. The Montero is very nimble and feels like driving a car around town, compared to the LC.


Edit: Im an idiot. I didnt read your sig line and see you have a 100 series. I have to be honest, and may get flamed for this. I dont cant see any advantage the Gen II Montero has over the 100 Series LC. Both have IFS and the comfort of the 100 series interior is on par to the Montero. In stock form the only advantage I would see is the increased MPG, but when you add the mods you want, its a wash. Plus you loose the power of the V8. Maybe the locker if your LC doesnt have one. All the things I cited above apply to the 80 series LC. Then again you could sell the 100 LC and buy two Monteros.

Edit. My LC had 220,000 miles on it and had no doubt I could get another 200,000 miles out of the drive train. But I had the older 3FE engine in my 80. I have 120,000 on the Montero and am hoping for 200,000 out of it, but dont expect to get more with out a rebuild.
What I miss about the LC: I miss the tank feeling of the LC, and the solid heavy feel of the truck. The finish was superior. Everything felt sturdier and heavy duty in the LC Cabin noise was far quieter than the Montero. Which I guess are all a trade of for the increased power and MPG from the Montero. I'll take the power and MPG any day. The Montero by no means feels cheap, just not as sturdy as the LC. I miss the rear tail gate. I miss sitting on the back of it after my mountain bike rides while changing shoes etc. The LC was wider and longer in the rear. I could lay down flat at an angle and sleep in the back of the LC with no sleeping platform. Not so in the Montero, its thinner and shorter. I have quite a few electrical glitches with the Montero: power windows, antenna, power seats, instrument panel all seems to go out from time to time. All issues Im sure can be fixed, but are things I didnt have to worry about with the LC.

All and all for a DD, the Montero wins out. If it was a dedicated trail rig, I would say the LC takes top bill. Others can comment on mechanical issues, I have no knowledge in that area. I will say that it appears parts are cheaper for the Montero.

 

[pint]

GREAT info guys! Keep it coming! I do have a 100 Series LC, and I'm selling it due to financial reasons...need money for my business right now. I thought a Montero might be a great lower priced alternative. It would be a daily driver that sees 20K plus per year, so increased mpg's would be great! I get 12-14 with my LC running 295's, 2" lift, heavy rock sliders, front bumper, etc. My LC has been very reliable, but parts and labor are expensive! I do most of my own work at this point. The locking rear diff would be an advantage on the Monetro for sure. Can you get rear heat and A/C? Am I correct in that the Montero Sport is an entirely different vehicle?

 

[mauricio_28]

I drove a 2.5 gen TDI Pajero in East Timor for about two years. I loved that thing. Everything you want, nothing you don't. It took a lickin', and kept on tickin' asking for more.

 

[datrupr]

The Montero Sport is an entirely different vehicle. If you want the rear air and heat I would suggest a Gen III Montero Limited model. Still better MPG, much nicer ride, no locker but LSD (very good LSD I might add), a bit bigger than the Gen II's, and would run you less than $10K for a later model ('06 was the last year) low mileage option. Just a suggestion. Plus, you get the wicked cool HUGE sunroof. Might be an option you might want to look into.

 

[mauricio_28]

Mechanically I think the Pajero's high point, as an expedition platform, was the 2.5 generation (with turbo intercooled diesel, of course).

 

[pint]

Mechanically I think the Pajero's high point, as an expedition platform, was the 2.5 generation (with turbo intercooled diesel, of course).

I appreciate that, but you guys with your diesels just piss me off! Just kidding...I am jealous!!!

 

[Monterorider]

Hybrid LSD is extremly nice but was only available on Limited 2001-02 circa (and rare XLS with touring package). In 03 all models went to traction control (very good as well) but nowadays you can get ARBs for front and rear. I'd loose sunroof for more headroom. I always felt claustrophobic in Limited after my deseased LS. That one had huge headroom and I tested it quite destructively as well as appreciated that extra. See pictures thread.
You can also source 4.9 gears out of 01-02 XLS for Limited or 03+ models to help turning bigger meats. I've had 285/75R16s.

 

[datrupr]

You can get the '01-'02 XLS with the sunroof. If it comes with the sunroof it will have the LSD as well, and 4.9 gears. But I don't think you can get rear air and heat with the XLS package in those years.

 

[off-roader]

I'd loose sunroof for more headroom. I always felt claustrophobic in Limited after my deseased LS.

Do you mean the sunroof in a gen III?? Gen II and I LWB sun roofs only impact rear 3rd row headroom from what I can recall.

 

[tdesanto]

Do you mean the sunroof in a gen III?? Gen II and I LWB sun roofs only impact rear 3rd row headroom from what I can recall.

He must be, as I noticed quite difference going from my gen II to my gen III Limited. The moment I opened the sunroof and enjoyed the view, I forgot about the loss in headroom though. I just lowered my seat a little bit.

 

[Monterorider]

Each their own. You know. It's kind of gadget that definately has wow factor to it first time. Grows old on you eventually. View doesn't change much. Kids complain (and I always have kids with me) that son is too bright. I have one in Gen 2 it just as huge but ends up closed pretty much all the time. But Like I said earlier when I rolled my Gen III at least 3 times going 65 mph left front pillar caved-in but I still had enough headroom (just about same amount as on Gen3 with sunroof) to sit up-right. So I pretty much walked away with just good size scrape on my head. No concussion, no other injuries. Its a bit graphical pick so I'll just add a link to instead of posting it scrape pic (everything grew back by the way). If I didn't have that 1 1/2 or so extra head room could it be worse? I don't know but likelihood increases I think.