A couple 2000 Montero questions

[Gruni14]

Don't own a Montero yet, but there's a 2000 near me that looks pretty interesting, low mileage.
1) How can you tell if it has lockers? Is there a sticker, and if so, where is it located?
2) Do the seats on a 2000 go back and make a relatively flat surface, like on older Monteros?
3) What other options should I check if it has?
4) What particular weak areas for this year (gen) I should keep my eye open for when looking at a 2000?

Thanks,


Gruni14

 

[BOPOH]

from what i've read, 2000 doesn't have lockers

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Correct, there was no optional locker in 2000, but that is easily remedied with a few junkyard parts.

 

[jlocster]

The 2000 Gen 2.5 has the the same drivetrain as the 1997-99 (3.5L SOHC, 4 spd auto, 4.2:1 rear axle) and same body style as 1998-99 (flared fender aka Gen 2.5). Only difference between 98/99 and 2000 is the latter was not offered from the factory with a rear locker. Locking rears from earlier models (Gen 2: 4.6 ratio, Gen 2.5: 4.2 ratio) are a direct fit. The larger diameter 4.9:1 rear from a Montero Sport can also be fitted to the full size Monteros (see Eurosonic's build).

There are a few trim levels. Low trim has cloth seats no sunroof. Mid trim has headlight washers, leather seats/sunroof. "Endeavor" trim has mid trim plus wood interior accents, Infinity sound system--it's the equivalent to the 98/99 "Winter Package" minus the locker. The only option on the Endeavor Package was 3-way adjustable shock absorbers. I don't know if 3-way shocks were available on the low and mid trim year 2000s.

The seats do fold completely flat.

The 3.5L engine is notorious for leaky valve cover gaskets and front/rear cam seals, which drip onto the exhaust manifolds and produce a burnt oil smell in engine compartment. These leaks can also ruin the alternator if bad enough. Along with replacement of the previously mentioned gaskets/seals, the vehicle will need timing belt/tensioner/water pump and spark plug replacement if there's no documentation of it being done recently. If it's burning oil at the tail pipe, the valve stem seals will need replacement, another common issue with this engine. It will also need the crankshaft bolt updated to the 3rd revision, as the first two versions are frequently known to fail. Last, the valve train is known to be noisy, so don't be alarmed if you hear a lot of ticking from underneath the valve covers.

If the vehicle has not been shifted into 4wd often, its common that the 4wd dash indicators will flash vs. stay solid. Often, this problem will fix itself after the transfer case is shifted/excercised a bit.

The Aisin transmission is a solid piece and not known to fail.

None of the above issues are deal breakers, mostly just maintenance items on a 15 year old vehicle. Nonetheless, you should be aware of them when purchasing and definitely use them to negotiate price. Monteros are well built and a solid choice. Good luck!

 

[nckwltn]

The rear pumpkin from a 99 won't direct swap into an '00. It fits, but the axle shaft on the driver's side is just a little to long and won't allow for everything to come together correctly.

I upgraded my '99's gears from 4.29 (stock) to 4.63 (from a 95sr). The extra gears I then sold to someone in the area. We both thought it would be a direct swap but it isn't.

the '00 is wired for the locker, just needs pump, switch, ecu... there is a recent thread started by the guy hitting some of these points.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/137741-Gen2-5-2000-Montero-factory-rear-locker-install

 

[Gruni14]

Thanks guys for the informative replies. I would definitely want the lockers. So, can you tell me if I find a 98/99, is there a sticker, and where what does it look like? Where would it be located?

Are there any other improvements on the Gen 2.5 other than the larger motor and different body style, over the gen 2.0? What about the adjustable suspension? Is that available on the 2.5? If so, what do I look for to ID it?

Maybe I should stick to my original thoughts and keep looking for a 97 SR with all the goodies.

Thanks,


Gruni14

 

[BOPOH]

as far as i know DOHC is not as reliable as SOHC engine(maybe untrue), working on SOHC is easier anyway in my opinion. I can't find that post(somewhere here on Expo) but i took it to heart when i was looking for Montero - just pick one you like, make sure it's not trash and you will enjoy it. I mean no matter what it has, overall these trucks are great and if you missing something you can always add it.

I'm surely enjoying mine

 

[Eric M]

Thanks guys for the informative replies. I would definitely want the lockers. So, can you tell me if I find a 98/99, is there a sticker, and where what does it look like? Where would it be located?

It's an orange sticker on the side of the center console in the driver's footwell. An exterior clue is headlight washers.

Are there any other improvements on the Gen 2.5 other than the larger motor and different body style, over the gen 2.0? What about the adjustable suspension? Is that available on the 2.5? If so, what do I look for to ID it?

Yes, it was an option on the 98-2000. The only real way to tell if it's there is the switch underneath armrest/console cubby thing, or the suspension adjustment indicator in the tachometer. I don't know if there are any other improvements. There are some disadvantages, like how most of the 2.5 gens seem to have a broken tailgate hinge and a broken transfer case shifter bushing. These can be remedied by swapping in the older Gen 2 parts that appear to be less failure prone.

Maybe I should stick to my original thoughts and keep looking for a 97 SR with all the goodies.

Thanks,


Gruni14

But the 2.5 has those sexy curves :sombrero:

 

[Clem]

Thanks guys for the informative replies. I would definitely want the lockers. So, can you tell me if I find a 98/99, is there a sticker, and where what does it look like? Where would it be located?
Are there any other improvements on the Gen 2.5 other than the larger motor and different body style, over the gen 2.0? What about the adjustable suspension? Is that available on the 2.5? If so, what do I look for to ID it?

Here is the orange sticker indicating the locker.

Here is the tach showing the adjustable shocks. In my experience, the adjustable shocks are on Gen 2.5s with stock chrome wheels.

HTH,

Clem

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I love my 98, it stands out everywhere we go, plus they have slightly larger fender openings/wheel wells for those massive tires you will eventually install.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Not to mention the heated leather seats are divine in the winter.

 

[Gruni14]

Guys, thank you for all the good information. Clem, great pictures, thank you! It seems like the leather seats on even low mileage Montero's doesn't hold up very well. Are they still available from Mitsubishi, or are there aftermarked sources if I find one that has pretty beat up front seats? What can one expect to pay for replacements? Or is it a custom repair job?

Do they all come with inclinometers and compass or just SR's?

You guys are really helpful. I'm not new to off-roading and 4wd's, just Monteros. I have a 98 Land Rover Discovery that's a lot of fun for off-road trips and a couple Jeeps (including an 03 Overland with Fr/C/Rr varilock lockers. Have had solid axle Toyota trucks in the past as well. I've done a lot of work on all them, so working on rigs is not a problem. But a Mitsubishi is on the definite horizon (to be 'added' to the fleet) when the right one appears.

How well do the font end steering, suspension, 4wd hardware hold up under normal everyday driving? Doesn't sound like there are too many weaknesses in this area. From the number of units with bad motors I see on the internet, it almost sounds like the motors are the weakest areas. Is that because 2nd or 3rd owners just don't replace the tming belts? Or are they a 150k motor?


Thanks,

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Not to sound rude, but did you look up any of your questions via google before asking them? I ask because all of that has been answered before.

 

[jlocster]

The leather seats are pretty much all worn by this point. Its not often you see a Montero with pristine leather, especially the driver's seat. I doubt the factory still offers replacement leather...probably a job for an upholstery shop. That said there are a number of good seat cover options.

Gen 2.5s come with a compass/thermometer, voltmeter and oil pressure gauge in the cluster on the dash. Early Gen 2s had an inclinometer and altimeter fitted to the cluster instead of the voltmeter and oil pressure gauge. The early gauges can be fitted to the later model vehicles.

The front and rear suspensions are very solid. Most trucks will by now need new shocks and steering components replaced to cure looseness in the front end. The design however is solid and this is more related to vehicle age. Know that the front end, while robust enough to handle 35" tires, is very poor in terms of flex.

The only commonly referenced point of engine failure is the obsolete crank bolt, which is known to snap. That issue has been fixed by Mitsubishi with an revised part and is not an issue if the bolt is updated. All the other timing belt and oil leak issues are remedied by maintenance, like I mentioned in my previous post. The engine is a compact design, with components that are stacked, so it is not as convenient to work on as other engines that have a more open design. Its easily a 200K+ mile engine with regular maintenance.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

My 98 has pristine leather, but not usually the case as mentioned.