Guide a potential Monty buyer?

[Schattenjager]

I have just about exhausted myself in the quest for a presentable 99-00 4Runner. People can't seem to tell the truth about what they have or else they are hoping I don't notice the rust, missing drivers seat, and oil dripping from the tail pipe.

So, a to-be-nameless authority on ExPo suggested I look into a Monty, but was not savvy in the models and gens (2.5 - really?!?) and neither am I. I understand the Sport is undesirable, but have no idea why, and have read that the 95-00 are robust and can be had with a locker. I'm looking for something dependable, capable off road yet wont be doing any major rock crawling.

Budget is $5K or less

Suggestions are welcome!

 

[nwoods]

1991-1997 is the Gen 2 Montero
1998-2000 is the Gen 2.5 Montero
2001-onward is the Gen3

I'm not sure if it was first launched in 1998 with the Gen2.5, but the 3.5L V6 is much stronger than the 3.0L in the earlier Gen 2's. all of them are available with a rear locker that seems to be part of the Cold Weather package. The Monty's came in two trim levels, the LS (cloth seats, lower spec stereo, etc...) and the SR, leather seats, headlight washers, Infinity stereo, etc...

Besides the 3.5L motor, the Gen 2.5 is very distinctive with squarish buldges over the wheels, compared to the slab sided Gen2's. the Gen3's are quite different and have a much softer, rounded appearance. Almost looks like a Gen 2.5 that had the paint baked on a little too long

Opinions vary, but in my research a late Gen 2 or Gen 2.5 SR with the locker is the way to go.

The trucks are true body on frame, made of very stout components ( the front A-arms have slider plates welded on them from the factory!), they are easy to work on, the service manuals are available free from MitsubishiLinks.com, and they can fit 33" tires with no mod's, and 35" tires with a simple body lift. ARB makes front & rear lockers, bumpers and a lift, as do several other companies, and they are cheap lifts, though they only net 2-3" in height. The Sport has the same frame and drivetrain as a Gen2.5, except that it has a lower gearing ratio in the Diff's, so some folks swap the Diff's from a Sport to the Monty.

The weak point in the Monty is articulation, of which there is very little. However, with the 33's and a rear locker, you can motor through most obstacles, but it is very stiff, even with the sway bars removed.

However, the seating position is stellar, tons of cargo space, and the rear hatch tire mount will fit 33's unmodified.

In short, they are capable and durable, easy to work on, comfortable to drive, and dirt cheap.

 

[Schattenjager]

Thank you for that. What is up with the Sport option?

 

[nwoods]

Sport is a different car, not an option. Has same engine, similar frame and drivetrain, but its a different beast, and more of a softroader in build from what I understand. Not designed to take the "Outback" abuse of the Pajero/Montero.

 

[Mudrunner]

When it comes to the Montero and Sport difference think Land Cruiser and 4 Runner. Also 2000 Gen 2.5 did not have the option of a rear locker at all. Gen 3 is uni body with full Independent suspension. However they are proving just as tough, if you don't plan on Rock crawling they are a good option since they have better on road manners. The limited trim level of the Gen 3 has a limited slip stock, which is nice. The Full Size Montero does have a much nicer appeal than the Sport, but if you go with Sport they seem to be around more, and a limited trim level has the big 3.5L and can tow just as much as the big Monty at 5000LB.

 

[shov3lbum]

I'll vouch for the Montero Sport. Capable truck, I have 33x10.5 bfg m/ts right now, fit perfectly with no lift, fit even better, however, with a 1.5 inch body lift. The Sport comes in many different flavors. The 97-99 years are what we have considered to be the "first" gen and the 2000-04 (last year of import to US) to be the "second" gen although further research will prove that the second gen came around after 2004 in other countries, BUT for the sake of argument there are technically two generations available to find.

The first gen sport have leaf sprung rear axles, double wishbone front, part time 4wd.
Options:
Wide body, which come with aluminum wheels and a wider wheel-to-wheel stance than the standard. Standard 'narrow' design ommonly only seen on the ES model
Rear locker came in either the LS with winter package or XLS.
The ES sometimes has a wimpy 2.4 L 4 banger engine (avoid!) and 2wd.
There is a very nice edition out there only 99 model though that is a 'limited' it has a rear locker, cluster gauge and some other nifty features.
Engines available were 2.4 L and 3.0 L (6g72)
Also available were rear tire carrier swing gates on the 97 and 98 models. I just added one from a 97 to my 98 no problem, just a few holes, and voila! tire swing gate!
Some also have limited slips too, so watch out for those!

2000-2004 models:

LS and XLS models, no rear lockers, coil sprung rear axle, full time AWD with option to lock center diff only. The 3.5 L (6g74) engine is available. Also there was a redesign of the front headlights to plastic from glass and different design taillights.

I have a 1998 LS model, no lockers, manual transmission, 3.0L engine, added manual hubs and have added one leaf to my leaf pack. The leafs are better for carrying more especially folk like us who often have quite a bit of gear sometimes. Solid boxed in frame, I've pulled the dual axle 6x12 uhaul trailer fully loaded more than once, had no issues keeping speed or accelerating. Overall been quite pleased with my purchase. Tow capacity like mentioned already is at 5,000LB simply because of similar frame and axle designs to the fullsize montero I'm guessing.


Post back with more questions, I'd be glad to answer anything else.

 

[SoCalMonty]

My brother has a 98 or 99 Sport "Limited XLS." It's got the rear locker, 3.0L and cluster gauges on the top center dash. It's plenty capable. Main differences are that it's got rear leafs instead of coils, and it's a tad smaller than the standard Montero. It's also a little better on fuel (better aerodynamics; fuel tank is nearly 20% smaller than the standard Montero as a result). Interior seems a little "cheaper" to me, but that's subjective...just my opinion. It's laid out more like a typical passenger car.

 

[shov3lbum]

My brother has a 98 or 99 Sport "Limited XLS." It's got the rear locker, 3.0L and cluster gauges on the top center dash. It's plenty capable. Main differences are that it's got rear leafs instead of coils, and it's a tad smaller than the standard Montero. It's also a little better on fuel (better aerodynamics; fuel tank is nearly 20% smaller than the standard Montero as a result). Interior seems a little "cheaper" to me, but that's subjective...just my opinion. It's laid out more like a typical passenger car.

Sounds like it would be a 99 sport then, IIRC the 'limited' part was only offered for one year strangely enough. And the coils are added to the sports after 99 and stay with the sports until they stop importing them in 2004.

 

[off-roader]

I simply prefer the full sized Montero because it's bigger.

 

[SoCalMonty]

I simply prefer the full sized Montero because it's bigger.

I hear you on that one. My (110 lb dog) and I just spent the weekend in Death Valley, and we slept in the Montero. Granted, I do have all of the seats removed. Right now, I normally just have the 2 front seats installed, and the passenger seat is quick and easy to put in and take out (4 bolts). This meant enough space for a full sized cooler, big toolbox, and all of our gear inside the vehicle while wheeling (no roof rack, no cargo box). At night, I took out the cooler and toolbox, locked them to the truck, and we had ample room for sleeping inside.

One of the reasons I don't miss my XJ...not enough room.

 

[bpgt]

I'm jumping on to this thread...
I found a local Gen 2.5 with 195,000 miles and just viewed it last night. The body and interior looks clean. At the time I viewed the truck after work it was getting dark and I couldn't inspect the engine for leaks (will probably have to go back when there's better lighting). The owner does not have service records, and upon starting the truck and letting it idle, white smoke (not blue) came from the exhaust. I'm guessing its a valve guide seal problem, but from what I remember, blue smoke=oil, white smoke=coolant in the combustion chamber. The seller does not want to budge from $2500. My heart is telling me to walk away, but my mind is saying go for it and rebuild the engine...any thoughts?

 

[SoCalMonty]

That's a tough call.

If it doesn't need anything urgently, you may be able to drive it for a year or two before the smoke gets bad enough to where you need to rebuild it. If you're paying a shop to rebuild it, it's probably going to cost you around $1000+, so that brings the $2500 to $3500 - which is basically KBB value for the truck (not exactly a bargain, but maybe not a ripoff either, depending on overall condition).

Tires? Brakes? Belts? Hoses? If you can gently point out that these things all need to be replaced soon and gently point out that's easily $500 in parts if you're doing all the work yourself (and a lot more if you were taking it to a mechanic), maybe he'll budge?

I'd go for $2k. $2500...meh...depends on my mood I guess. lol.

 

[bpgt]

Haha... Thanks for the input!