Advice on buying a Montero

[midknightryder]

Hi all,
Don't post here much but really enjoy reading build reports and travel reports.
I am looking at a 1997 Montero with 158,000 miles. Any thing that I shoud look out for on these vehicles? Any advice on what to check before buying?
Thanks for your help.
MKR

 

[nckwltn]

make sure it's an SR and not an LS.


If you have emissions to pass, let the car idle for 60 seconds, and then goose the throttle and look to the exhaust for a puff of white smoke. If so, you'll need to to valve seals. Not expensive to do yourself, but time consuming and really requires a special $80-$100 tool.

find out about timing belt and water pump. Again, not expensive if you do yourself ($200-$300), but if you have to take it somewhere, will easily be over a $1,000


There are a lot of things to look out for, but they are mostly things that just need to be repaired with time. Fluids, timing belt/water pump, will render the vehicle unusable if ignored. Do a few searches, and read up on some build threads... you'll find that common problems get talked about frequently or have threads with a lot of discussion.

 

[midknightryder]

Thanks for the reply, nckwltn.
I don't know a whole lot about these cars, other than to not get a sport.
Why do I want a SR instead of an LS? I think the one I am looking at is an LS.
Thanks
MKR

 

[nckwltn]

LS = no rear locker, smaller axles... possibly 3.0 engine and not 3.5

SR = locker, larger axles, 3.5L engine

 

[Eric M]

Only the rear axle is different. Every Montero since the later 1st gens have the 8" 28 spline IFS. The rear axle differentiates based on powertrain. All 3.0L Monteros have a 9" rear axle (in the 92-93 SR the locker was optional) and all 3.5L Monteros have the 9.5".

 

[midknightryder]

OK thanks for the info. The one I was looking at got sold out from under me, unfortunately. But now I am better prepared for the next one I find.

MKR

 

[Clem]

LS = no rear locker, smaller axles... possibly 3.0 engine and not 3.5

SR = locker, larger axles, 3.5L engine

You forgot the SR has leather, heated seats and the all important headlight washers...:sombrero:

 

[nwoods]

On test drive, be sure to test the 4wd system. It's likely that it may not fully engage (blinking lights). This is likely just cludge and build up from lack of use. Not a big deal, but good for negotiating down the price!

 

[Toasty]

No matter what Montero you get (or any old car for that matter) just plan on doing all services unless they have a well documented service history at a reputable shop or dealer that warranties their workmanship. These trucks are better quality than the equivelant Toyota, Landrover, Mercedes, Nissan BUT they are also very undervalued and don't carry the return on investment the others have so people tend to neglect them and cheap out on repairs/services. If you're not looking to make money building and flipping a Montero you will get the most truck for your money even after you invest in getting the services up to date.

Like mentioned above, use things like 4WD won't engage and needs valve stem seals to negotiate a lower price. These issues are minor.

 

[midknightryder]

Thanks for all the info. The truck I was looking at didn't get sold after all. It may be an SR if leather seats are an indication. The guy has no maint. records, so I had planned on base lining everything anyway. I'll go see if I can make a deal on it this weekend.

MKR

 

[All-Terrain]

Post a photo or two and we can help. You said it's a '97.... '97 SR's have big rounded plastic fender flares, whereas an LS has basically flat fenders.

 

[nckwltn]

If it has a locker, it's also an SR. The orange locker operation instruction sticker is easy to spot from outside looking in the drivers window.... Usually easy to spot from online photos as well.

 

[All-Terrain]

This is a '97 SR. See the flares and black headlight washers on the bumper.

 

[The Viper]

I'm not sure where your located but I have a decent SR for sale in the for sale section

 

[mr_ed]

97 LS had the 3.5L SOHC...SR's have the 3.5L DOHC. A little more power and a little more complexity. If you get a 97 LS (or any 98-00 without a locker) you can find a SR thats getting parted out, and grab the whole rear axle, all the other locker stuff like switch, air pump, and the front 3rd member, and swap it all under your LS. Rear axle is plug and play, just gotta plumb in the locker air lines. You need the front 3rd to match up the axle ratios (4.2 in the LS, 4.6 in the SR, IIRC)

One ofthe guys on here has a gen 2.5 that is epic, i believe his screen name is off-roader. Check out his build...he does the axle stuff to get a better ratio. Gives you an idea of whats involved.

I was going to do that to my wife's 97 LS, but then I found a 98 with the locker...so now we both rock Monteros


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