98 montero VS 97

[newworld2004]

if you have to have Montero which one would you choose? 97 Montero or 98?

I know 98 above are newer wider body, what as far as mechanically goes is there any major differences?

thx

 

[off-roader]

4.6:1 r&p in 97 & 4.2:1 in 98 and up. 3.5l DOHC in 97 & SOHC in 98 and up. Then theres the plastic vs steel fenders. Otherwise that's about it IIRC

 

[GrassCat]

You're mix up Ray. The 97 had the new SOHC 200hp engine and the plastic fenders went away. The 98 got the new gears and fenders updated with the same engine.

I change the gears in my 98 to the 4.6x and saw very little if any difference in performance. The choice is yours, but why do you have to have one as you stated?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Why have I come across two 1998 SR's that look completely different? One has the regular arched fenders and the other has what I refer to as the fish gill fenders. See links for reference http://pueblo.craigslist.org/cto/3835862860.html and http://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/3896681513.html

 

[GrassCat]

Your first post does not work. There are no SR's after 1997. The truck may have been from another country, they are one year ahead of us. So their 98 would be a 97 for us.

I have no idea what a fish gill fender looks like. Maybe you can post a picture of one.

 

[Clem]

As GrassCat said the first link didn't work, but it is probably a foreign import.

I would go for the blue 98 as long as the test drive went as expected (appears to be "winter" package with locker, heated seats, leather, etc.) with the locker and the running boards are already removed. I didn't see the adjustable shocks listed in the options, but that would one more thing.

HTH,

Clem

 

[off-roader]

Mike, you're right about the engine but here are some 97 SR pic's I found with the plastic fenders...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3844882/1997-mitsubishi-montero-sr-sport-utility-4d/
http://www.thecarconnection.com/photos/mitsubishi_montero_1997#100026792
http://newark-nj.americanlisted.com/cars/1997-mitsubishi-montero-sr_17406567.html

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I refer to these as the "fish gill" fenders http://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/3896681513.html when compared to the rounder fenders of the 97 and older body with the factory plastic flares that were part of the SR package.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

4.6:1 r&p in 97 & 4.2:1 in 98 and up. 3.5l DOHC in 97 & SOHC in 98 and up. Then theres the plastic vs steel fenders. Otherwise that's about it IIRC

Which models had plastic fenders, are you referring to the factory flares and not the fender itself?

 

[off-roader]

I refer to these as the "fish gill" fenders http://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/3896681513.html when compared to the rounder fenders of the 97 and older body with the factory plastic flares that were part of the SR package.

Sorry, that craigslist listing is no longer valid/active.

Which models had plastic fenders, are you referring to the factory flares and not the fender itself?

Yes the fender flares. Sorry about the confusion. I thought it was clear that Mitsu never offered the entire fender in plastic but I could see how that might be misinterpreted.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Sorry, that craigslist listing is no longer valid/active.

Yes the fender flares. Sorry about the confusion. I thought it was clear that Mitsu never offered the entire fender in plastic but I could see how that might be misinterpreted.

Try this again, the 98's look like fish gill fenders to me http://ventura.craigslist.org/ctd/3899372411.html

Were the axles any wider on the 98-99 or just the body?

 

[Clem]

AFAIK, just the fenders were different. Axles are the same. (FYI: The Monty linked does not appear to have a locker).

HTH,

Clem

 

[jeep-N-montero]

AFAIK, just the fenders were different. Axles are the same. (FYI: The Monty linked does not appear to have a locker).

HTH,

Clem

It was just used as an example picture, we are leaning toward a 96 or 97 SR.

 

[GrassCat]

Mike, you're right about the engine but here are some 97 SR pic's I found with the plastic fenders...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3844882/1997-mitsubishi-montero-sr-sport-utility-4d/
http://www.thecarconnection.com/photos/mitsubishi_montero_1997#100026792
http://newark-nj.americanlisted.com/cars/1997-mitsubishi-montero-sr_17406567.html

Learn something new everyday.

 

[Clem]

It was just used as an example picture, we are leaning toward a 96 or 97 SR.

I've never seen a 97 in person, but you might want to check the plate under the hood to make sure it has the 4.6XX gears and not the 4.2XX gears like the 98-00 (wide fenders). I think most Montero's with rear factory locker - SR's (94-96) & winter package (98-99) - had leather.

YMMV,

Clem