ifixpc
Observer
Hi Guys!
Finally want to introduce myself.
I've been a silent reader for quite some time while researching and trying to figure out what I wan't to drive for fun.
I've been debating between FJ80 Landcruiser and a 3rd Gen Montero.
Finally one of my customer's helped me with this decision.
He was about to trade in his 2001 Montero XLS with 159K for a new car for $1700 and I grabbed it.
Picked it up late February, but it sat parked for a month until I got it serviced.
Here's how I got it:
I knew it was due for timing job (cam seals, timing belt, water pump and tensioners) as the belt has jumped and fortunately hasn't caused any severe damage.
Car had loud knocking noise when I looked at it and it turned out timing jumped by 4 teeth on crank, cams were still aligned.
I've also changed all fluids (oil, diff/transfer case oil, trans oil) and tried it out at The Cliffs in Marseilles, IL.
Trails were very muddy and even the easiest trail (#1) was in very bad shape. I got stuck in some deep mud and had to be winched out by some helpful guys in a wrangler.
Apparently the #1 trail is cleared and groomed now. I'll be going there tomorrow again.
Some pics from The Cliffs:
And a short vid:
What I learned after the first offroading trip is that I'm in desperate need of mud or good all terrain tires and a winch.
I might also be looking at a lift as I already lost some plastic trim pcs of the front bumper.
I've already met a guy who is willing to weld in a plate to hold a winch to the frame. I'll attempt a hidden winch project.
As for tires I'm debating between all terrain 235/85/16's or 265/75/16 mud terrains.
Some other things I've done to the car right now are just cosmetics:
Replaced all interior bulbs with LED bulbs (that includes the cluster).
Old radio had shut display. I've picked up a Sony unit with bluetooth phone support, microphone, pandora and some other goodies.
I've drilled a hole in the console to install the microphone.
At the same I've pulled out the clock and tray from upper center console and permanently installed a touchscreen 7" GPS unit that was just sitting around in my garage. It's a cheap cobra unit, but anything 7" would be a perfect fit. I hardwired it to the radio power signal cables and took the battery out of GPS so now it turns on/off together with the radio.
Tomorrow I'm heading out for the cliffs again.
Plan for next week is to order the winch and get the winch plate welded in.
I'm also working on repairing an Edgestar 63Qt fridge to get it installed in the back. Once I get it running my plan is to get it installed with a 100W solar panel and battery pack. Have way too many projects going to share full details at once.
Will try to keep you posted from time to time!
Thanks
Les
Finally want to introduce myself.
I've been a silent reader for quite some time while researching and trying to figure out what I wan't to drive for fun.
I've been debating between FJ80 Landcruiser and a 3rd Gen Montero.
Finally one of my customer's helped me with this decision.
He was about to trade in his 2001 Montero XLS with 159K for a new car for $1700 and I grabbed it.
Picked it up late February, but it sat parked for a month until I got it serviced.
Here's how I got it:
I knew it was due for timing job (cam seals, timing belt, water pump and tensioners) as the belt has jumped and fortunately hasn't caused any severe damage.
Car had loud knocking noise when I looked at it and it turned out timing jumped by 4 teeth on crank, cams were still aligned.
I've also changed all fluids (oil, diff/transfer case oil, trans oil) and tried it out at The Cliffs in Marseilles, IL.
Trails were very muddy and even the easiest trail (#1) was in very bad shape. I got stuck in some deep mud and had to be winched out by some helpful guys in a wrangler.
Apparently the #1 trail is cleared and groomed now. I'll be going there tomorrow again.
Some pics from The Cliffs:
And a short vid:
What I learned after the first offroading trip is that I'm in desperate need of mud or good all terrain tires and a winch.
I might also be looking at a lift as I already lost some plastic trim pcs of the front bumper.
I've already met a guy who is willing to weld in a plate to hold a winch to the frame. I'll attempt a hidden winch project.
As for tires I'm debating between all terrain 235/85/16's or 265/75/16 mud terrains.
Some other things I've done to the car right now are just cosmetics:
Replaced all interior bulbs with LED bulbs (that includes the cluster).
Old radio had shut display. I've picked up a Sony unit with bluetooth phone support, microphone, pandora and some other goodies.
I've drilled a hole in the console to install the microphone.
At the same I've pulled out the clock and tray from upper center console and permanently installed a touchscreen 7" GPS unit that was just sitting around in my garage. It's a cheap cobra unit, but anything 7" would be a perfect fit. I hardwired it to the radio power signal cables and took the battery out of GPS so now it turns on/off together with the radio.
Tomorrow I'm heading out for the cliffs again.
Plan for next week is to order the winch and get the winch plate welded in.
I'm also working on repairing an Edgestar 63Qt fridge to get it installed in the back. Once I get it running my plan is to get it installed with a 100W solar panel and battery pack. Have way too many projects going to share full details at once.
Will try to keep you posted from time to time!
Thanks
Les
