Les's '01 XLS

[montypower]

There isn't a good way to "weld in" a plate for a winch. The truck is using a subframe/unibody design. I'd highly, highly recommend purchasing an engineered bumper for this truck. ARB obviously makes one. You could easily damage the unibody if not attached properly and or serious injury from it breaking. The mounting system used by ARB is elaborate and hooks into several sections of the subframe.

Why can't people invest money in Monteros?? Jeeper and Toyota guys spend tons of money on their rigs. Mitsu guys want everything cheap or free then wonder why it sucks. Yes, they are "cheap" to purchase but modify them properly or keep it stock.

 

[ifixpc]

ARB bumper is mounted to the frame.
My winch mount will be mounted to the frame as well.
I really don't see the difference.

I don't like the way ARB looks, I'd like to keep stock look to the front end. Unfortunately there's no other option, but a DIY.
The metal shop I'm using has installed many winch mounts on different cars, including jeeps and yotas.

Not everything that's well done has to have an ARB or other manufacturer's sticker on it. As far as I'm concerned many shops manufacture custom parts for offroad vehicles.

 

[montypower]

The Montero does NOT have a frame. That is the difference. It is unibody. Welding to unibody is not nearly as strong as an engineered mounting system.

Fabrication shops are not engineers... they are great for things like skids, sliders, rear bumper... that don't experience high load levels and low risk if they fail.

Winches can be extremely dangerous if the vehicle mounting breaks. YouTube it.

The level of engineering involved in the ARB mounts is impressive. Maybe ARB would sell just the mounting kit?? A fabrication shop duplicating the ARB design would easily cost double or triple the cost. It is extremely well designed. I've built many trucks and have experience with custom bumpers and numerous aftermarket bumpers.

One example... I had a custom winch bumper fabricated used 1/4" plate for the winch mount box. It was like most with the winch mounting feet facing down. After only a few heavy pulls, I had twisted the entire mounting plate and nearly broke the winch. Winch is only as strong as the mounting surface. ARB engineers are brilliant. They mount the winch feet forward. This means the winch is turning and twisting in the direction it is pulling rather than working against the mounting system. By far the best concept and strongest.

Buying a bumper for looks is a bad idea! My truck is only modified for function. Heck, who owns a Montero for looks? Gotta be crazy... Just sayin'

 

[earljuic3]

Montypower is on the money with the ST MAXX vs BGF debate...I have experienced roughly the same thing on my rig with these tires. I am still running the ST MAXX though bc I only drive about 5 miles a day to and from work and prefer the look of the coopers by far. If I had a longer daily commute I would probably be rethinking these tires.

 

[Michael Brown]

I don't want to start an argument here, but the 3rd/4th Gen Montero/Pajeros use a monocoque construction with a built-in ladder frame. The subframes are bolted to the ladder frame and the body panels are welded to the ladder frame. The uni-body design makes support structures out of only the body panel materials, the embedded frame monocoque does not use the body panels for support. This is how the Montero/Pajero maintains the towing/load rating of a standard body-on-frame while having subframe based suspension for better handling performance.
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/showroom/pajero/safety/

There is a way to mount the winch to the stock ladder frame in a gen 3. I believe someone has done it on here. ASFIR 4x4 also makes a plate for the hidden winch setup.
Monstero mounted on a custom plate
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/32781-Just-another-Gen-3-Monty

ASFIR 4x4 Hidden Mount
http://www.asfir.com/international/index.php?route=product/category&path=679_832_838


The ARB Bumper is a great design, but too heavy for my needs. I am looking into remaking Monstero's plate.

 

[Michael Brown]

Found Monstero's winch mount build. It is mounted to the front arms of the ladder frame and has substantial support and gusseting.
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=919169&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1

 

[ifixpc]

Found Monstero's winch mount build. It is mounted to the front arms of the ladder frame and has substantial support and gusseting.
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=919169&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1

I've actually looked at his post several times and decided to go the same route.
I'll take the bumper off this Sunday and stop by my shop on Monday to get the measurements.

 

[ifixpc]

I was looking on front bumper removal hints (as with my luck there's always a clip that I don't see and then break) and I came upon this exterior manual:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/87628500/MONTEROEXTERIOR.pdf

 

[montypower]

It is not a typical frame. It is unibody frame comprised of several thin layers of metal bonded together. When you weld to it, it can burn through the thin material. And even if you don't burn through it... you are only bonding to the outter layer of metal which has extremely low structural strength. Just because someone has done this doesn't mean it is correct. Get educated, internet information is a crap shoot.

Proper brackets bolted to the correct sections of the frame will provide needed strength. But do as you will... I won't be anywhere near your truck when winching.

In regards to weight... you'll easily be adding 30-50lbs in addition to your stock bumper. Compared to 110lb ARB minus 25-30lb stock bumper minus 30-50lb winch mount... so only talking 30-55lb difference which isn't significant especially considering added protection.

 

[ifixpc]

Little bit off topic for a while:
I remember my offroading dreams begun when I was a kid watching Camel Trophy on TV every year.
The video below is just a sum up of Land Rover History in Camel Trophy:

What was your "source" of leaning towards this type of "sport" ?

 

[ifixpc]

Short update.
I was really busy with different type of projects of my own including new camper that we bought.
We used our Odyssey to haul it everywhere this summer as I had no time at all to put the Monty back together.

But finally found some time this weekend and I'm very happy about it!
I managed to chop the plastic trim around the wheels, wired the winch and put the front end back together.
I also experienced an oil leak that forced all oil out of the engine within seconds. Oil line to the cooler cracked in once place and snapped by the coupling.
Engine is making a lot of ticking after repairing the line. I've added HD Lucas to see if it helps, but I'm also looking for a way to install an oil pressure gauge. Any advice?

If engine recovers from the noise than I'll order new suspension, if not then I'll have to think it over.

 

[montypower]

Get rid of the oil additives. Put proper weight, quality oil and filter in. Check level. Warm up engine at idle. Then rev frm 2-3,000 rpm for 10-15 min. Don't let rpm drop under 2k. It will force oil into hydrolic lash adjusters. Not unusual to have noise from sitting. Drive it, don't let it sit for extended periods.

 

[ifixpc]

I drove it to the dog park couple of times a week with both headlights held on a single lug 3 miles from home via back roads.
I never let my cars sit for more than 4-5 days.

Same with the lifter cycle.. tried it as soon as I added oil. I personally use Synthetic 5w40.
I drove for few miles, tried the cycle again and again and again.
Then drained QT of oil added same amount of HD Lucas - 1 more lifter cycle and voila! Noise is gone.

Finally will be making a move on the OME.

 

[ifixpc]

OK.
I'm thinking of ordering the suspension today.
I'm definitely going with OME HD 2" lift springs.
However pricing of OME shocks seems outrageous. ($507.30 + shipping)
Here's the specs I found on them:
OME
F: 12.99in closed /18.66in open
R: 13.93in closed /22.91in open

Here's what I'm considering:
KYB Gas-a-Just - monotubes
F: 13.68in closed /18.62in open
R: 14.13in closed/ 22.44in open
$218.76 including shipping

I was checking on different forums (toyota guys) and no one seems to complain with similar non-OME shock with OME spring setup as long as the lengths are similar.

What do you think?

 

[ifixpc]

Monroe has OESPECTRUM in offer for even less:
F: 12.92in closed /18.69in open
R: 14.00in closed/ 23.20in open