Gen III ?'s

[Silverwulf]

Been toying with the idea of getting a genIII. What was the last year they came to the USA? 2006,7? Anyway, are there any year/modles that are more desirable/prefrable than others? Ones to avoid? Things to look for or be aware of. You know, all the junk we want to know about the genII's.

How does LSD and unibody fare offroading?

Thanks guys!

 

[agerb]

I would look for a 2003 XLS, I regret selling both (BOTH!) of mine. The only real change from 03-06 was the change from 16" to 17" wheels for 05 and 06, and dropping the XLS from the line up after 03 and only offering the limited from 04-06. The 2003 XLS has the same drive train as the 2003-2006 limiteds, but with out all the interior fluff. I never owned an 2001 or 2002 so I do not know all the details, but in 2003 you got the 3.8L motor, the 5 speed auto with all the traction and stability aids, and unfortunately lame running boards.

 

[Clem]

Hey Silverwulf,

I've never driven a Gen III but the one in the video in the post below seems to keep up pretty well with the Gen II's the group.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/70114-Montero-s-on-the-trail-in-north-western-NV

Clem

 

[4D55 Performance]

It's interesting you should ask. I spoke with Bruno at length today about how well the Gen III did on there most recent outing. From what I have seen, if you could get a Gen III with a 2" lift and some 33" offroad tires you would have a very capable offroad machine. I think the Gen III is a very deceiving rig because if you see it on paper you would say it is a soccer mom SUV. But if you crawl under it you will see that it is a very beefy rig. I think the best indicator that these rigs can take punishment is the Montero won the Paris to Dakar Rally in 2001, 2002, 20003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. So it basically won every year that the Gen III were produced, making the Gen III the most decorated off-road vehicle in racing history.

 

[off-roader]

As much as I love my Monteros, I will have to note that my understanding is that it wasn't an actual Gen III that won but a highly modified racing vehicle designed to look like a Montero that won.

 

[Jeff@QuadShop]

As much as I love my Monteros, I will have to note that my understanding is that it wasn't an actual Gen III that won but a highly modified racing vehicle designed to look like a Montero that won.

I saw one of the actual Montero's that won Dakar at a show in Germany and it was a full blown race vehicle sharing almost nothing with the floor model. I do believe that ones based on floor models did well in the production class.

 

[mike5]

Keep in mind that the GENIII is unibody (if I'm not mistaken). So really rough terrain will result in more body flex which obviously is not good. But you'd really have to work it to make that an issue.

 

[off-roader]

Keep in mind that the GENIII is unibody (if I'm not mistaken).

That's right it is however the suspension front and rear each sit on their own subframe so you can in fact do a body lift on a Gen III but I don't recommend using typical body lift pucks to do it.

 

[4D55 Performance]

Keep in mind that the GENIII is unibody (if I'm not mistaken). So really rough terrain will result in more body flex which obviously is not good. But you'd really have to work it to make that an issue.

Unibody vehicles actually have more torsional rigidity than there body on frame counterparts.

 

[Inyo_man]

I only have great things to say about my Gen III.
The LSD has worked very well is all conditions: sand, snow, mud, and rock.
It's fantastic on high speed desert runs!
I must also say that when I chain up all four shoes, the rig is amazing in deep snow!
The only issue has occasionally been clearance, although with a good spotter I've always gotten through all the trails we've done without damage.
I will say that the one-wheel salute took a bit of getting used to when I first got the rig- the suspension droop isn't what you get from a floating axle.
I do a lot of trips with a Tacoma and a full sized Ram and have always been able to pick my way through...
I can't think of anything to "look out for" other than the service of the vehicle and how it was driven.
If you are looking for an all around rig that can carry the whole family into the back-country, I would recommend the Gen III with out reservation.
Good Luck

 

[SOFpirate]

There is nothing bad at all to say about the GenIII Montero. My family has owned Monteros of every generation for the past 15 years. My first rig was a Gen I and I currently own a Gen II. My parents had a Gen II.5 (our absolute favorite by far), and currently own a Gen III. With regular oil changes and preventative maintenance, we have really gone through that thing pretty hard in literally every weather condition. From hurricanes to blizzards, that truck has never let us down, delivered us to our destination in safety, is one of the most comfortable vehicles we've ever owned, and has a kickin' sound system stock!

 

[4D55 Performance]

There is nothing bad at all to say about the GenIII Montero. My family has owned Monteros of every generation for the past 15 years. My first rig was a Gen I and I currently own a Gen II. My parents had a Gen II.5 (our absolute favorite by far), and currently own a Gen III. With regular oil changes and preventative maintenance, we have really gone through that thing pretty hard in literally every weather condition. From hurricanes to blizzards, that truck has never let us down, delivered us to our destination in safety, is one of the most comfortable vehicles we've ever owned, and has a kickin' sound system stock!

I have to agree about the Gen II.5, they are great rigs. I don't have a lead foot so I am perfectly satisfied with Gen II.5 Montero. I am most impressed with the fuel economy, I am averaging 21-22 mpg with 50-50 driving. I was really close to buying a Gen III because they are such great vehicles, but I could not pass on a Gen II.5 with just 26K miles. While it's really difficult to find a low mileage Gen II.5, I saw a lot of low mileage Gen III Montero's and I am guessing most, if not all, have never been offroad. They are just soccer mom rides. I would look to find a well maintained vehicle with a very well maintained interior. Even though I bought a Gen II.5, I still plan to buy a low mileage Gen III in the future and lift so i can fit some 35's. I think this is the coolest Gen III I have ever seen.

 

[SOFpirate]

YES! :Wow1:

There's tons of Gen III's out there for on the cheap now. They were treated like the Land Rover Disco II's, lux trucks. What's the aftermarket support for them? Is there much? I only ask that because the Gen II/II.5 are the more popular choices. I would also love to build up a Gen III. I wonder if anybody makes diff lockers for them ...

 

[plh]

I bought a Gen III about mid summer and absolutely love it. Very comfortable and capable on and off road. I also own a Gen 1 SWB

 

[4D55 Performance]

YES! :Wow1:

There's tons of Gen III's out there for on the cheap now. They were treated like the Land Rover Disco II's, lux trucks. What's the aftermarket support for them? Is there much? I only ask that because the Gen II/II.5 are the more popular choices. I would also love to build up a Gen III. I wonder if anybody makes diff lockers for them ...

Front and rear lockers are available from ARB.