Jason's Monty Sport Build Thread

[jcboal]

I have been wanting to do a build thread for a while on different forums with the numerous projects (BMW E30's, GMC Typhoon, Isuzu Trooper, Chev diesel k1500, '69 Firebird.....) that have gone through my garage, but i think this Montero Sport will be the one.

Currently i work full time and go to grad school part time, so my time & funds are limited, but ideas and a lot of mods are free.

So here is the rig. It is a 1998 Montero Sport LS with 120k on it. I was hoping to find one with the factory rear locker and the off-road package, but they are hard to come by. This one has the off-road package (extra gauges, rear heater, running boards) but no rear locker (it is lsd). I bought it sight un-seen (i did have someone else look at it for me), and knowing it needed a transmission. Had it delivered to my dad's shop and put it on the hoist only to find out that the didn't need a new trans....

 

[jcboal]

So the first matter of repair was to take out the transfer case and replace the adapter plate between it and the trans. I am assuming the previous owner hit something because the driveline was dented, adapter was busted and the skid bumper on the back of the transfer case was gone. I located a new adapter plate for $25, a driveline for $90, plus oil, oil filter, air filter, trans fluid, transfer case gear oil and i was on the road. I also was able to get some nice Toyo Open Countries for $250.

I drove the Monty Jr. 12 hrs from Utah to northern Idaho that weekend without a hiccup and got 20-22 mpg with it. So far i am really pleased. I loved my trooper, but i would only get 13-17mpg with it. I was willing to sacrifice a little space for some mpg's.

 

[off-roader]

Very nice! How much did you end up paying for it? Nice that it was only a minor problem! So what are the build plans for it?

 

[jcboal]

I paid $1300 for it (including towing).

So i want to keep the Montero Sport as drive-able as possible (no extreme gearing that kills drive-ablilty), but have it be a useable expedition vehicle too. I have been inspired by the look of the Dakar Challengers. I would like to keep the outside as clean as possible, keep weight down (center of gravity low), and most important fun to get in and drive.


My plans include:
-Tokico Trail-master shocks -ORDERED
-OME Springs
-Torsion bar twist
-Upper Ball joint flip (not needed, but extra travel is nice)
-WB radio
-CB install (i know not the most popular, but here in northern idaho it is a good idea)
-Front push bar ( i really want to locate the OE style ones that were availible in other markets (see pic below)
-Exterior lighting
-Air Compressor
-wheels and tires (the OE wheels and toyo's i have now will be great for everyday driving. I want to locate some Ralliart wheels as seen below)
-Seats (i picked up some Cypher racing seats for a different project, but i may end up using them in this)
-Roof Rack - must be low profile & painted white
-Rear swing tire carrier (i may add one for fuel cans as opposed to moving the tire from underneath. I like the tire on the bottom to keep the weight low)

undecided or long term up grades:
-lockers (i have not needed lockers in the past with my jeep, trooper, and chev trucks, so not a pressing concern)
-SUPER PIPE DREAM....Swap the 3.0 for a 3.0 DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo out 300gt

 

[shmabs]

Seems like you got a great deal! I will be following this build up for sure, those ralliart wheels are gorgeous!

For the rear swing away, there was a factory swing out tire carrier available in the us. I have seen a few pre-2000's with it in northern CA/southern OR, so they are out there and might provide a good base for your jerry can carrier.

Mike

 

[off-roader]

Im pretty sure the us version of that ralliart rim is made of unobtanium.

 

[jcboal]

Im pretty sure the us version of that ralliart rim is made of unobtanium.

I do like the unobtanium US ones, but i am looking at sourcing a set from Asia. It is too bad Mitsu didn't bring a lot of the options to the US market.

 

[jcboal]

I realized i didn't have any "today" pics of the Montero Sport. So here is how it looks with the 31/10.50r15's on it. (camrea phone so not the greatest pics...)

 

[off-roader]

I do like the unobtanium US ones, but i am looking at sourcing a set from Asia. It is too bad Mitsu didn't bring a lot of the options to the US market.

If you can source them, let me know. I might be interested in a set myself.

 

[jcboal]

Tinkering Saturday

I didn't have much time today so i figured i would tackle a few quick jobs:

#1- Trailer hitch receiver. Well this went off like a dud. I pulled out the class v receiver i picked up for $25 and went to measure out the bolt sizes i needed....In order to put the receiver on i have to lose my spare. I am not wanting to move my spare to the cargo area or the roof, so it looks like i will be trying to locate a swing out tire carrier, bumber and center trim piece sooner than latter.

#2- I love to have a flashlight handy. In my dad's trucks they were always under the seat. But they were always rolling around which bugged me. So i have been mounting them on the b-pillar between the front and rear seat. this way you can get at it from either seat. (i find i usually grab it from the back seat anyway) this is the 3rd vehicle i have done this to and in all of them it seems to work great.



#3-CB. I have a had this cheap little cb lying around the garage for a while, so i decided to see if i could get it to fit nicely in the MS. There was a remote CD player in this thing, but it didn't work. no use having something if it doesn't work. so i pulled out the CD player and mounted the CB there. I need to get a map pocket for the spot to fill the empty area, but i thought it looked pretty good there. I didn't power it up due to the fact i don't have an antenna yet, but i figured i would experiment with the mounting spots.



#4- Light switch. I am still debating on where to mount some of the lights i am planning on, but i figured i could at least get started on the switches. I like to use guarded toggle switches for several reasons. 1) Preventing accidental switching on 2) they ensure the switch is turned off 3) they have a nice spot to label them. The best spot i found where i could mount several switches together was above my right leg. I think this spot will work just fine.