Grandpa Builds A 2000 Montero

[grandpa]

With the 4.90 gears my RPMs at 70mph (GPS corrected) are about 3,000. The speedometer is a bit fast now where it was slow before.

 

[PacS14]

Here's some data for 70mph.

With 31" tires:
4.272 = 2444
4.636 = 2652
4.90 = 2803

With 33" tires:
4.272 = 2296
4.636 = 2491
4.90 = 2633

With 35" tires:
4.272 = 2165
4.636 = 2349
4.90 = 2483


Personally as long as i'm keeping the 6g74, i'd maybe want something even higher than the 4.90s, but that starts to get a bit more expensive i'd imagine.

With the 4.90 gears my RPMs at 70mph (GPS corrected) are about 3,000. The speedometer is a bit fast now where it was slow before.

Thanks for the update Grandpa! I still say there are more missing factors to the math Swank Force One used for the data he provided and this proves it. The only other thing I can think of is that 98-99 monteros with rear locker have different gearing in the transmission than the 95-97 sr monteros that would also explain why the Sr were equipped with 4.636 gears and the 98-99 with 4.272 gears, unless your tach and mine are both wrong... good info either way.

 

[SONICMASD]

The only other thing I can think of is that 98-99 monteros with rear locker have different gearing in the transmission than the 95-97 sr monteros that would also explain why the Sr were equipped with 4.636 gears and the 98-99 with 4.272 gears, unless your tach and mine are both wrong... good info either way.

What's weird is that my 97 SR has 4.272 gears.

 

[jlocster]

97-00 all had 4.27 gearing

 

[grandpa]

I mounted the 63" Rocky Road SuperSliders. You will need to drill four holes in the frame and four holes in the rocker pinch weld.

 

[Swank Force One]

Thanks for the update Grandpa! I still say there are more missing factors to the math Swank Force One used for the data he provided and this proves it. The only other thing I can think of is that 98-99 monteros with rear locker have different gearing in the transmission than the 95-97 sr monteros that would also explain why the Sr were equipped with 4.636 gears and the 98-99 with 4.272 gears, unless your tach and mine are both wrong... good info either way.

If diameter of tire, transmission ratio, and diff ratio are correct, there is literally nothing on the planet that can change the answer. The tach doesn't change gearing, but it sure can report it inaccurately.

FWIW, i've never seen an 80s-early 2000s Japanese tach to be correct. All of my Miatas have been off by 400rpm+ to redline.

Either way, it doesn't really matter, and the only way to tell would be to hook a scangauge to it, which sounds like more work than it's worth. I'd be ecstatic for 3000rpm at 70mph with the 3.5.

 

[Swank Force One]

I mounted the 63" Rocky Road SuperSliders. You will need to drill four holes in the frame and four holes in the rocker pinch weld.

Oh very nice.

 

[grandpa]

I decided to try the universal fit seat covers from Cabelas. The fit is good and the material seems to be a good weight and quality. There are some handy pockets in the back. I had to open a seam for the seat belt latch. I should have ordered the gray but I got the tan by mistake.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_catalog_command.cmd?fromProductSearch=true&item1=wwt525061

 

[vanatee2000]

I have a 99 with the 3.5 and 33" tires and at 70 mph I'm at 2750 rpms. I also live in flatland houston, maybe that math is lab math (perfect scenario) meaning they did not take wind resistance and aerodynamics into account. I'm looking into moving up to 4.90 gears in the distant future as I'm attending school and I also have a full time job.

Yeah same with me...

 

[SONICMASD]

I mounted the 63" Rocky Road SuperSliders. You will need to drill four holes in the frame and four holes in the rocker pinch weld.

Those look great in the pics - how do they look up close, good build quality? I plan on ordering them for my Montero as well if your report is positive.

Also, regarding the seat covers - are you able to use the arm rests with them on?

 

[nwoods]

regarding the seat covers - are you able to use the arm rests with them on?

I can answer this one: yes.
I have the same seat covers. More photos here: https://nwoods.smugmug.com/Vehicles/Montero/mods/Seat-Covers/

 

[grandpa]

Those look great in the pics - how do they look up close, good build quality? I plan on ordering them for my Montero as well if your report is positive.

Also, regarding the seat covers - are you able to use the arm rests with them on?

The sliders are very heavy duty and well made. I think you would be happy with them.

The seat cover has a Velcro opening on the side for the arm rest.

 

[SONICMASD]

The sliders are very heavy duty and well made. I think you would be happy with them.

The seat cover has a Velcro opening on the side for the arm rest.

You're a legend, thanks for the info!

 

[SONICMASD]

Hey grandpa, have you noticed any change in fuel economy with the new gears? Also, will running at the higher RPMS cause any long term issues/items to wear out faster?

Thx

 

[grandpa]

Hey grandpa, have you noticed any change in fuel economy with the new gears? Also, will running at the higher RPMS cause any long term issues/items to wear out faster?

Thx

I haven't noticed a big difference in the gas mileage. I'll be leaving on a long trip in a few weeks and I'll have more information then. I believe higher RPMs will cause more wear but I think it is so small in this case that I will not notice any long term issues. These engines seem to like the extra RPMs but we are not talking about winding it out to the red line all the time. Overall I'm liking the new gears.