Barbie Car | 1995 ls 3.0

[spacecowboy7777]

My girlfriend, mom and sister (all diffferent people) affectionately call my my monty the Barbie Car because of the toylike features like transforming into a bed or the little flashlight in the back or the sun roof or the grab bar on the dash instead of an airbag. I figure I don’t have a choice in the matter, it’s Barbie Car.

1995 3.0 24 valve, factory 4.636 gearing, 5 SPEED, ls trim package


Welcome to Barbie Cars thread. She’s a weekend driver for me, and been working overtime now that covid restrictions are lifting. For now I’ll leave you with some pictures form the past few weekends

I’ll Slowly update with the work I’ve put in so far and hopefully you all can help me with future work

 

[brad2274]

Clean start! i had the same spec 95 LS for several years, i miss that grab bar so much hahah. plus no airbag recall

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Clean start! i had the same spec 95 LS for several years, i miss that grab bar so much hahah. plus no airbag recall

That grab bar is one of the reasons I was drawn to the Montero, such a cool dash!

 

[spacecowboy7777]

About 700 mile road trip this weekend. Spent a few days exploring cactus flats, then went on to mammoth for Sunday night. Drove home Monday. 17 mpg on the way up and 18 on the way home. 11 mpg when off roading, but that’s dependent on so many more variables than the vehicle itself. Involuntarily disconnected the rear sway bar and drove all 350 miles home no problem. Home made cabin air filter helped tremendously but let in some fine dust. I may have to swap the filter for a HEPA unit. Overheated really quickly when I was slipping the clutch on a few obstacles, but as soon as it cooled and I stopped slipping the clutch at all, then didn’t even get close to overheating. Went with a friend that just got a forerunner. He was constantly impressed by Barbie car’s capability.

 

[SlimPickins]

Great rig. I recently pulled the same wheels off of a Sport at LKQ in Sun Valley. Haven't seen too many other full size Monteros with them but I've been happy, particularly at $40 a pop! Mine is a dirtbike hauler as well. I use the MXHauler to tote around my WR450. Problem is, said truck, wheels and bike are entirely too clean right now, NEED to get out... Thanks for the pics.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Great rig. I recently pulled the same wheels off of a Sport at LKQ in Sun Valley. Haven't seen too many other full size Monteros with them but I've been happy, particularly at $40 a pop! Mine is a dirtbike hauler as well. I use the MXHauler to tote around my WR450. Problem is, said truck, wheels and bike are entirely too clean right now, NEED to get out... Thanks for the pics.

I haven’t seen any other rigs with these wheels besides the sports that are all over. I like that they’re 16in but I think the offset is messing with my steering. My steering box is worn and has too much play, and I think the different offset wheels makes them less likely to return to center. These two issues leaves me constantly correcting the steering wheel while driving down the highway. Thinking of going back to stock wheels to see if it helps. Ultimately I’d like to replace the steering box.

The Yamaha is a fun bike. I had a wr400 and yz450 and enjoyed the power and handling characteristics more than my current ktm. Gearing spread is nicer on the ktm and it’s Easier to ride because it’s light with softer power, but just not as much fun as the Yamaha. I’d like to end up with Yamaha again.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Fixed the broken sway bar end in the rear. Been driving around like this for a few weeks and wow, new sway bar ends + bushings Are really noticeable on the road. So noticeable that I just ordered parts to do the front.

 

[brad2274]

I haven’t seen any other rigs with these wheels besides the sports that are all over. I like that they’re 16in but I think the offset is messing with my steering. My steering box is worn and has too much play, and I think the different offset wheels makes them less likely to return to center. These two issues leaves me constantly correcting the steering wheel while driving down the highway. Thinking of going back to stock wheels to see if it helps. Ultimately I’d like to replace the steering box.

The Yamaha is a fun bike. I had a wr400 and yz450 and enjoyed the power and handling characteristics more than my current ktm. Gearing spread is nicer on the ktm and it’s Easier to ride because it’s light with softer power, but just not as much fun as the Yamaha. I’d like to end up with Yamaha again.

Have you adjusted the steering box play screw already?

 

[B-Line Performance]

Welcome and Barbie looks like a nice rig! Keep up those upgrades. She will only get better.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Have you adjusted the steering box play screw already?

Yes. This is where I messed up. Overtightened. It won’t back out. My mechanic got it to back out a little but it’s still does not return to center. Swapping in a used box tomorrow. We’ll see.

New: ball joints, wheel bearings, idler arm. All tie rods are tight according to the alignment shop.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Confirmed!

steering boxes from a parts truck and from mine side by side, mine has MUCH more resistance when turning the shaft at the center of the range ( going straight).

the parts truck box Input shaft is easily turned with finger and thumb throughout it’s range.

I hope to have it all back together tomorrow. Stay tuned

Edit: Drives crazy easy. Small steering inputs on the highway are much easier and more precise. Transformed the drive.

 

[spacecowboy7777]

Sneak peek