97 Montero LS Build

[Tero97acb]

Hey all,

Fairly new to EP but I wanted to start a thread for my build. I've used the forums for lots of how-tos and information gathering as I got ready to buy my first Montero. So now that I have one I thought I might help add to the knowledge base with my build.

I bought her Nov 2020 after pouncing on an OfferUp ad. My wife likes to call our Montero "The Beast," but I've generally named my vehicles with tough-sounding female names. Terry would be this one's name, so I'm not sure which will stick. My plans are to make her off-road worthy, just enough for getting to campsites that are a little off the grid and hauling my dirt bike to riding spots. I plan to fix the heavily oxidized clear coat on the roof and hood, do some tires, lighting and suspension upgrades. The wife doesn't think we should try taking our 45 lb dogs up a ladder to a roof top tent, so I will probably build out a platform like The Nomad or Gon Dirtin have done. Here are photos of her the day I got her before and after a good wash.

 

[Tero97acb]

First things first, I got a major service done on her before throwing on some new tires.

I took her to Miyaki Motorsports and had to wait about a month for an appointment. Got the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, cam/crank seals & position sensors, crank bolt, plugs, wires and valve cover gasket all done. They did a great job from what I've been able to tell and the price was not too bad for all that work.

I drove her straight from there to my local tire shop that's been doing all of my cars for the past few years and he gave me the best deal I could find on some Falken Wildpeak AT3s, 31 10.5 15s for my stock wheels. I decided just to keep the wheels stock so I didn't have to bother with re-gearing at this point for bigger tires and I liked the size as that was what had come on the truck when I bought it. Here she is right before the maiden voyage to Arizona. I drove up to Elephant Hill in LA which has like one trail, but it was just enough to try out her abilities.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Clean truck! I too use my ls for dirt bikes and camping. no hard core off roading though I’m constantly surprised/impressed by this truck’s ability. I’ve got a sleeping platform too, lmk if you want pics.

Recent trip to big bear:

Keep us updated!

 

[Tero97acb]

Clean truck! I too use my ls for dirt bikes and camping. no hard core off roading though I’m constantly surprised/impressed by this truck’s ability. I’ve got a sleeping platform too, lmk if you want pics.

Recent trip to big bear:View attachment 643618

Keep us updated!

Let's definitely see some pics! I found another couple of threads on here where people made some good ones. I have some wood working tools, so I might tackle that project just before summer camping season.

 

[Tero97acb]

After getting that initial maintenance done, I guess I was feeling confident because I drove the Monty out to Arizona for the holidays. My brother in law who's a career mechanic, took a look at everything and helped me find some coolant hoses that needed to be replaced. Then we drove it up to Sedona for a couple of days. Didn't do any wheeling as I was a little weary of a clanking noise coming from somewhere in the suspension (turns out its the rear sway bar linkage). But we had an awesome time seeing the sites and we even went out to where the off road trails start but just stayed on the dirt road. We had some of the best views of the trip out there.

 

[Tero97acb]

After the holidays when CA got some snow, I took the Monty up to Angeles Crest to see if I could test out the Falkens driving in some powder. I managed to find maybe 500 ft of road that hadn't been plowed yet almost all the way up to Newcomb's Ranch and drove it there and she did great. Haven't done too much to it yet this year, just put new oil in the transfer case and the diffs. I ordered some new speakers and got some CDs from the thrift store so I can actually listen to some decent music in there. I got a Husky Air compressor, but the thing died on me the first time I used it, time to find a better option. Soon I'm planning to try to find some better headlights for it (junkyard 2.5s) and start working on the surface rust on the frame.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

I put a masterflow compressor in mine over 5 years ago and it's still working fine.

 

[Tero97acb]

I put a masterflow compressor in mine over 5 years ago and it's still working fine.

Awesome, I'm going to pick one of these up. Beats the $300 on an ARB.

 

[Tero97acb]

I finally got around to some rust abatement this weekend. Did all the cleaning the past couple days, and I'll apply the POR15 tomorrow after work. Not the most fun I've had, laying under the truck holding the wire wheel to the frame and trailing arm, but it feels good to get this stuff off.

 

[Tero97acb]

I also replaced the rear sway bar linkage that had been rattling around since I bought the truck. So nice to go over bumps and not hear anything a second afterwards.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Easy, nice. Did you notice the new links help your handling? Had an old way bar link let go on the trail and after I replaced the links the handling felt much more planted

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Let's definitely see some pics! I found another couple of threads on here where people made some good ones. I have some wood working tools, so I might tackle that project just before summer camping season.

Been meaning to clear out the Monty and do a write up, but until then, I’ll leave you with the pics I already have:

 

[Salonika]

I finally got around to some rust abatement this weekend. Did all the cleaning the past couple days, and I'll apply the POR15 tomorrow after work. Not the most fun I've had, laying under the truck holding the wire wheel to the frame and trailing arm, but it feels good to get this stuff off.

That’s not rust.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

That’s not rust.

My thoughts exactly, what rust.

 

[B-Line Performance]

Fine looking rig. Nice pictures as well. Keep up the maintenance and you will continue to love her.