Help with Montero Buy!!!

[ahmetclayton]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and I am in need of help. I recently got rear ended and totaled my Montero Sport. Now I am looking to buy another Montero but I am thinking of buying the Limited instead of the Sport. I have been looking at the Gen 3 and I'm looking for something around the $10.000-$11.000 range. I was wondering if it would be more wise to go with the 3.5L or the 3.8L? Is it worth paying the extra $1000-$2000 for the 3.8L? Would the 3.8L be more reliable? Any opinion will be appreciated...Thanks..

 

[tdesanto]

I have the 3.5 and find it's just fine. Never had any issues with it, but I also only have approx. 90K miles on it too.

Only comment I can make, don't plan on adding larger tires and towing something without regearing. It was okay before I started towing a trailer.

If you get the limited, it should come with the 5-speed transmission and 4.3 gears in the diffs. I believe this is true for all gen III years available to us yanks.

The 4.9 gears are available from Mitsubishi and definitely make towing with 33" tires much better than before the swap. In fact, it's now slightly better than stock tires and gears.

The gen 2.5 trucks are also a nice truck if you can find one with the rear locker.

One final thougth on the 3.5 vs. 3.8, I belive that traction control started being offered at the same time the 3.8 did, starting in 2003. I'm only about 90% certain of this, since I have a 2001, but if it's something you care to have, that might be another reason to go with an '03 or newer.

 

[ahmetclayton]

Thank you very much for your advice. I have to say you have my dream vehicle. I love everything you have done. Your Montero looks just like the Gen3 Pajero's I saw in Australia. I know I will definitely not be towing anything. But I will do the OME lift and wish to add 33" BFG All-Terrains. I really don't want to have to deal with re-gearing. But If you are happy with the 3.5L then I will probably buy a low mileage 3.5L and have some extra money left for some goodies Thanks a lot for your advice.

 

[tdesanto]

No worries.

Just get the Limited now so regearing is a possibility if you ever want to. You won't be dissapointed. Mitsubishi sells a whole shim kit too to make it easy if you ever want to add an ARB in either or both diffs when you regear. Sure, mucho dinero, but if you save up for it...it will be really worth it in the long run. But, I went many places with just my LSD and smart use of the hand brake or slightly pumping the brakes when needed.

Thank you for the compliments. If you've got any pictures of the Aussie Pajeros, I'd love to see them.

Let us know if you've got any more questions. There's a pool of talent and knoweldge here that's great.

 

[datrupr]

I agree with what Tony is saying. His truck is the inspiration for my build as well. I have an '01 Gen III XLS. Mine came from the factory with the 4.9 gears but only a 4 speed transmission. I would rather have the 5-speed as I think it would help with fuel economy. The only thing that really swayed me from getting a limited is all of the faux wood in the interior, but that is just personal preference. I love my Gen III and has pretty much gone where I've pointed it. I have no issues with the 3.5. It could stand to have a bit more power on the freeway, but it is not a hinderance by any means. '01-'03s can be had for less than $10K in great shape and usually with fairly low miles. I have the OME Heavy suspension, and after a few trips it has softened up quite a bit in the road feel. It was pretty harsh when first installed. Loaded with gear the suspension doesn't give a bit. I love my Montero and I don't think you will be disappointed. OK, I've rambled on enough for now.

*disclaimer* I am not one of the pool of knowledge that Tony mentioned.

 

[scrubber3]

Just get you a gen II and put in the money for mucho mods! You will still have some left over at the end too! I'm a little biased I know. Just imagine what you could do with it with that much extra cash. :victory:

 

[tdesanto]

I agree with what Tony is saying. His truck is the inspiration for my build as well. I have an '01 Gen III XLS. Mine came from the factory with the 4.9 gears but only a 4 speed transmission. I would rather have the 5-speed as I think it would help with fuel economy. The only thing that really swayed me from getting a limited is all of the faux wood in the interior, but that is just personal preference. I love my Gen III and has pretty much gone where I've pointed it. I have no issues with the 3.5. It could stand to have a bit more power on the freeway, but it is not a hinderance by any means. '01-'03s can be had for less than $10K in great shape and usually with fairly low miles. I have the OME Heavy suspension, and after a few trips it has softened up quite a bit in the road feel. It was pretty harsh when first installed. Loaded with gear the suspension doesn't give a bit. I love my Montero and I don't think you will be disappointed. OK, I've rambled on enough for now.

*disclaimer* I am not one of the pool of knowledge that Tony mentioned.

Aaron, I meant to ask, since your OME setup was recently purchase. Were the Nitrocharger Sport shocks available for our Monty's yet?

 

[ahmetclayton]

Thanks for your help Aaron. It seems like there isn't a major difference in power between the 3.8 and the 3.5. So probably the 3.5 will be the wise choice. After looking at Tony's pictures there is no way I can keep the Montero stock. He has managed to create a true expedition vehicle. I'm currently overseas so I wont be able to purchase my Montero until mid January. But I will definitely post some pics and I will probably have further questions. Thanks again for the advice. I wish I knew about this forum when I had my Montero Sport. Better late then never I suppose...

 

[datrupr]

Aaron, I meant to ask, since your OME setup was recently purchase. Were the Nitrocharger Sport shocks available for our Monty's yet?

Tony, I didn't think to ask Wil when I ordered. I have no idea if they are available. They didn't come with my set-up. That might be a question better asked to Wil or Wendy. Since we are on a hijack, I have to say it took 4 trips off-road to get the suspension to soften up a bit. It was a super stiff ride until I got it to loosen up a bit.

OK, hijack off. When you purchase please post up some pics. If you're going to order an ARB BullBar please do so from Sierra Expeditions (as you should with all of your kit) and get ready to wait. ARB didn't have any in stock in the USA and they had to have them shipped from Australia. I ordered mine in September and am still waiting. Not the fault of Sierra Expeditions by the way. They are great with customer service and if they don't have it they can probably get it for you.

 

[datrupr]

Just get you a gen II and put in the money for mucho mods! You will still have some left over at the end too! I'm a little biased I know. Just imagine what you could do with it with that much extra cash. :victory:

J.W., I love the Gen II's and 2.5's. The price of the Gen III's is coming down so much now though. If his budget is $10-11K he will still do pretty well. I had a budget of $10K when I bought mine almost a year ago. I still had enough left over for 5 new tires and some other goodies, including a professional baselining of the whole vehicle. What I'm looking for now is some steel wheels from the Asian or European market Pajero's/Shogun's. Then it'll look super sweet.

 

[scrubber3]

J.W., I love the Gen II's and 2.5's. The price of the Gen III's is coming down so much now though. If his budget is $10-11K he will still do pretty well. I had a budget of $10K when I bought mine almost a year ago. I still had enough left over for 5 new tires and some other goodies, including a professional baselining of the whole vehicle. What I'm looking for now is some steel wheels from the Asian or European market Pajero's/Shogun's. Then it'll look super sweet.

True, but I got my 95 for 1500, bfg ats for 650, new alternator for 150, 4 kyb monoshocks for 140, uniden cb set up for 80, and a few other odds and ends. Just imagine what I could done with 10 grand! Although a newer one is a bit nicer seeing as how much I like yours. Tons of potential either way. Post up some pics with the new wheels when you get em! AND.... for the thread starter--- POST UP SOME PICS OF YOUR NEW RIDE! Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to all! :elkgrin: