Montero Gen 3 XLS opinions?

[Jo_Kami]

Hello all! I'm new to the forums!
Just picked up a 2002 Montero XLS on an impulse buy.

The body has some dings and the cladding was replaced by some random material (looking to get that fixed, or take off all the cladding). Came with brand new Pathfinder A/T 31" as well.
Timing belt, water pump, fluids etc was replaced by previous owner. 155k miles for $3500
Not quite sure if I overpaid, or if I should've waited a bit and got a limited...so far my questions are...

1) Any big differences in 4 speed vs 5 speed besides better mpg on highways?
2) Does the early 01-02 XLS come with the LSD?
3) Would adding 33"s later down the road be too anemic with the 4 speed 3.5l engine? I know it already has the 4.9 gears
4) Whats the deal with the manual 2 speed parttime t-case vs fulltime in the limited? Is the tiptronic feature even useful?

When coasting from higher speeds to slower, I do get a slight jerk when it shifts from 2nd to 1st gear, is this a commonality due to the 4 speed?

I do kind of wish I had a sunroof ... mostly to stick my camera out and record while moving
Not sure if its worth it to resell it, wait a bit, and spend a little bit more for a limited

Are there any other differences that are a deal breaker? Or am I just over my head on this one?

Many thanks!

 

[clmrt]

This is a helpful thread -

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/53206-Need-gearing-and-locker-info-3rg-gen-montero

I dislike the tiptronic. I also have a Montero Sport and I like dropping to 3rd for engine braking. With the tip I have to move the stick over, bump it back once or twice, and then remember that I have it in tiptronic or it locks itself in 1st and I redline it when pulling away from a stop. And it feels cheap and wiggly, not solid.

Your transfer case engagement mechanicals are rugged and reliable vs. tweaky and tempermental vac/electronic. Anyone with an 03-up has had blinking lights. When these indicators sense a fault, you are locked into 4HI. At least with yours, you get to dictate what the truck does vs the other way around.

Hindsight being what it is, I'd rather have a cloth interior 2002 XLS than the 2005 LTD I have now, if miles and condition were equal.

 

[Jo_Kami]

Wow really? I would've thought it was a no braider to take the 05 limited!

Looks like the LSD doesn't come with the XLS unless it had the extended/touring/towing package. Is the hybrid LSD crucial for expeditions in baja or anza borrego?
Or just save up and get the lockers?

 

[Mrknowitall]

Anemic on 33's? Depends on what you think is anemic and what you expect. Drive and OD ratios are the same in the 4 and 5 speed trucks, so the truck w/ 4.9 gears will do better up highway grades.
LSD... the Montero articulates very little. That means it would greatly benefit from an LSD. The factory one is actually very good. I would keep an eye out for one. Seem to recall the parts places have them for a few hundred. Contrast that to over a grand for an air locker. Plus compressor, which admittedly is nice to have. The limited slip actually works very well.

 

[Jo_Kami]

Thanks for all the info guys,

I didn't realize that the earlier 90's SR's were actually 4 speed as well..I guess they only introduced the 5 speed in the Gen 3 limited.

I'll keep an eye out at the local junkyards and scoop one up! Looks like ill just keep this XLS and mod it from there!

 

[Eric M]

Thanks for all the info guys,

I didn't realize that the earlier 90's SR's were actually 4 speed as well..I guess they only introduced the 5 speed in the Gen 3 limited.

I'll keep an eye out at the local junkyards and scoop one up! Looks like ill just keep this XLS and mod it from there!

Gen 3 got the 5 speed in 2003. I think that 4 speed actually goes back to the 1st generation Montero.

 

[clmrt]

You can get the 5 speed in a limited 01-02, but not the XLS. It would also drop the super select in favor of the old school mechanically-engaged 4wd.

 

[Jo_Kami]

What else would I need to get an LSD into the xls? I found the differential assembly off car-part.com for about $350. There's a limited at the local junkyard that I'll check out in the next few days as well...

 

[Mrknowitall]

What else would I need to get an LSD into the xls? I found the differential assembly off car-part.com for about $350. There's a limited at the local junkyard that I'll check out in the next few days as well...

If you get an XLS LSD assembly, its a straight swap- no controls involved. If you get one from a LTD, you need to swap the carrier into your diff housing and have the bearing lash and tooth pattern checked.

 

[Jo_Kami]

Nice, the junkyard said they will charge $500 for the LSD and installation.

Anyone know what kind of oil it needs? I don't have the manual and want to make sure the junkyard does a good job

 

[clmrt]

API GL5 or higher, 80w90