A Montero Was My First Car: A Love Affair

[EyeInTheSky]

Hey all,

Been lurking a few months and now need some help. I am planning to purchase a gen2 cheaply and make it my project rig.

My first car was a 1995 SR, but after rolling it while doing donuts in a field and later blowing a head gasket, we decided a car with 200k miles (8yrs ago) that I had rolled wasnt the best thing for a college student.

Fast forward to today and I want to get back behind the wheel of a montero. I found a 1997 LS on Craigslist asking $1,000 but the owner says it "won't go over 40mph" and when pressed said it doesn't seem to shift (don't think he knows cars at all). Pretty sure I can get him down to 600-700.

I'm thinking it's in limp mode due to a speed sensor on the transmission; I plan to run the codes when I go look at it.

A few questions bwcauae I've seen conflicting info on the 1997 and wanted some clarification:
Is the 3.5 in the 1997 LS SOHC or DOHC? Heard both.
What's the difference between LS and SR in this model year? In my 1995 it was engine and a few minor details. Since they aeem to have the same engine in thinking no adjustable shocks or heated seats.

Lastly, any WAGs regarding the not going over 40? It's two hours away so I don't have an opportunity to see it multiple times.

Thanks guys, really looking forward to sharing my build progress once I get the first step out of the way.

 

[Eric M]

1997 will be an SOHC 3.5L. The difference in 1997 is pretty much the same as it was before. You get heated leather, a rear locker, flares, a nicer stereo, etc. Only now both have the 9.5" axle and 3.5L V6. The adjustable shocks were an option as they were before and chrome wheels are the giveaway.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I thought the rear locker came on both LS and SR 96-onwards.

Is there a good place to get solid tech specs and part breakdowns without scouring forum posts for bits and pieces? I saw the gen 2.5 sticky, but nothing for gen2 so far.

 

[Eric M]

Service manuals at mitsubishilinks.com and the ASA program are the bibles. The rear locker in the US has only ever been available on the SR trim level (which includes the "winter package" 98 and 99 Monteros) from 1994 as standard and was optional prior.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Service manuals at mitsubishilinks.com and the ASA program are the bibles. The rear locker in the US has only ever been available on the SR trim level (which includes the "winter package" 98 and 99 Monteros) from 1994 as standard and was optional prior.

I have actually seen both 94 and 95 SR's WITHOUT a factory locker, weird but true.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

1997 will be an SOHC 3.5L. The difference in 1997 is pretty much the same as it was before. You get heated leather, a rear locker, flares, a nicer stereo, etc. Only now both have the 9.5" axle and 3.5L V6. The adjustable shocks were an option as they were before and chrome wheels are the giveaway.

The LS model in question didn't have heated seats, rear locker, nicer sound system, or flares.

 

[Eric M]

I have actually seen both 94 and 95 SR's WITHOUT a factory locker, weird but true.

Interesting, possibly an option to delete?

The LS model in question didn't have heated seats, rear locker, nicer sound system, or flares.

I was comparing the SR to the LS, not saying the LS had those things.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Unfortunately mitsubishilinks.com skips from 96 to 98 for FSMs. I'm pulling the 1998 one now. Thanks for the info everyone.

How hard would it be to add the locker from a donor? Drop in or more headache than it's worth?

EDIT: Search feature works wonders. Looks like quite a headache considering donors are hard to find and I would need to do the diff, third, and get the wiring handled.

Looks like I should hold out for a SR?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Unfortunately mitsubishilinks.com skips from 96 to 98 for FSMs. I'm pulling the 1998 one now. Thanks for the info everyone.

How hard would it be to add the locker from a donor? Drop in or more headache than it's worth?

EDIT: Search feature works wonders. Looks like quite a headache considering donors are hard to find and I would need to do the diff, third, and get the wiring handled.

Looks like I should hold out for a SR?

The search function works very well indeed.

 

[ManfromSnowyRiver]

Montero was not first, but very close. Bought a 1979 Datsun Pick Up when I was 14, but ditched it at 17 after a snow storm realizing 2wd trucks were just plain foolish. Picked up an 88 and gone on from there for 27 or so years.

 

[Eric M]

Unfortunately mitsubishilinks.com skips from 96 to 98 for FSMs. I'm pulling the 1998 one now. Thanks for the info everyone.

How hard would it be to add the locker from a donor? Drop in or more headache than it's worth?

EDIT: Search feature works wonders. Looks like quite a headache considering donors are hard to find and I would need to do the diff, third, and get the wiring handled.

Looks like I should hold out for a SR?

I personally don't think it's a huge deal to do the swap. Most of the pain is finding a donor. You can also add aftermarket air lockers or just deal without the locker.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I personally don't think it's a huge deal to do the swap. Most of the pain is finding a donor. You can also add aftermarket air lockers or just deal without the locker.

Thanks, I'll see what I can find. Wife isn't crazy about me picking up a project car, but I think I've talked her into it.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Thanks, I'll see what I can find. Wife isn't crazy about me picking up a project car, but I think I've talked her into it.

My wife was happy when I picked up the Montero because it would be less project and driven more than the Jeep.

 

[SaltStainedEyes]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/5263147516.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/5250773907.html - Orange sticker in picture 4 means rear locker

 

[EyeInTheSky]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/5263147516.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/5250773907.html - Orange sticker in picture 4 means rear locker

Those are nice looking but I'm looking for one under a grand to play with and build up. Got the guy down to $550 on the 1997 I'm looking at, going to check it out tomorrow.

Almost picked up a 96 LS a while back that the guy got halfway through the timing belt and said screw it, and was selling for $500 with 120k on it. Still kicking myself for that, even if I had just finished the timing belt and flipped it for 2k.