Mrgalantguys 1998 Montero Winter package aka "Groot" Build & Adventure thread.

[MrGalantguy]

Meaning to post this a couple weeks ago but I got a lot of things going on with work and family recently I haven't had any time to really do things I do to "relax". Several weeks ago me and my son took a trip to check out Lake Apopka which is the 4th largest lake in Florida. It has some very interesting history especially how humans can cause sooo much destruction but also can do amazing things if we do the right thing. We were hoping to see more of the northern migration birds that come down during the winter but we will have to make another visit in another month or so...but none the less it was a great experience seeing some native florida wildlife in their natural habitat and some we never seen before.

Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr

This is the biggest pump "house" they used to pump water back into the land that used to have water originally. Years ago Farmers pumped out water to use for farming which through time ruined the area with the chemicals they used while farming. As part of the revitalization project after the state of Florida bought up majority of the land back from the farmers...they started pumping water back into the areas where water was originally and introducing native species to help recover the natural ecosystem that once thrived before humans destroyed the land.


Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr

 

[MrGalantguy]

One lonely gator
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr
Lake Apopka WMA by grimgs, on Flickr

 

[MrGalantguy]

I haven't posted anything here for a LONG time, been busy enjoying the Montero and well just life as a family man. There has been some progress since the last post of my rig so I am going to try to play catch up where I last left off and try to play catch up.

 

[MrGalantguy]

I was able to snag a Jaos half bull bar from a buddy in the Philippines. Not sure if I really need to go full out on a aftermarket "off road" bumper yet, but maybe in the near future I will but for now the stock front end will do.
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

I also went ahead and removed the factory back up lens on the rear bumper and swapped them out for flush mounted LED's and wired them independently to a switch. Since I swapped from the USDM rear tailights which have the back up lends integrated unlike the USDM which aren't I used this opportunity to add some rear lighting.
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

I didn't care for the chrome finish on the Jaos bars so I plastidipped it black and also the chrome sections of the rear bumper.
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

 

[MrGalantguy]

I haven't been on here for a bit. Like probably most of you...Life stuff just happened.

Working my butt off, family things, a personal health scare and just getting healthy again and like alot of people these days....finances are just a bit tighter these days.

I still have the Montero and still enjoying it when we can. I haven't been able to really go out mostly because of life stuff and well the hot weather we get most of the year here in Florida kinda makes doing some outdoor stuff miserable. We have been able to go on a few trips off road, but just not as much we would liked to. Either or still making upgrades here and there to our Montero.

In 2021 I finally did a overhaul and upgrade on the suspension on Groot. I gathered all the parts and did everything pretty myself other than getting the Siberian bushings pressed into a couple of the suspension pieces.

Here is the list of suspension upgrades that Groot received as of September 2021.

1. Adventure Driven Designs adjustable panhard bar
2. B-Line performance SS complete brake line kit
3. Dobinsons rear coil springs 30mm lift / 100kg constant (GS43-788)
4. Dobinsons rear Big bore shocks (GS43-788)
5. Dobinsons Front shocks (GS43-082S)
6. Sway Away Torsion bars (1737)
7. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi Front upper control arms
8. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi Upper and Lower ball joints
9. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi front sway bar links
10. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi torsion bar dust boots
11. Siberian Bushings
    1. Front Sway bar bushings
    2. Rear Sway bar bushings
    3. Rear sway bar end link bushings
    4. Front lower control arm bushings
    5. Rear trailing arm bushings
    6. Rear trailing arm to frame bushings
    7. Toasty Fab modified Siberian bushings to transmission mount

After this upgrade / overhaul my Montero feels completely like a different vehicle and rides like new. Minor issues like alignment, steering, and overall drivability issues I was having prior were ALL resolved. Extremely happy how everything turned out.

Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr

 

[Imnosaint]

I haven't been on here for a bit. Like probably most of you...Life stuff just happened.

Working my butt off, family things, a personal health scare and just getting healthy again and like alot of people these days....finances are just a bit tighter these days.

I still have the Montero and still enjoying it when we can. I haven't been able to really go out mostly because of life stuff and well the hot weather we get most of the year here in Florida kinda makes doing some outdoor stuff miserable. We have been able to go on a few trips off road, but just not as much we would liked to. Either or still making upgrades here and there to our Montero.

In 2021 I finally did a overhaul and upgrade on the suspension on Groot. I gathered all the parts and did everything pretty myself other than getting the Siberian bushings pressed into a couple of the suspension pieces.

Here is the list of suspension upgrades that Groot received as of September 2021.

1. Adventure Driven Designs adjustable panhard bar
2. B-Line performance SS complete brake line kit
3. Dobinsons rear coil springs 30mm lift / 100kg constant (GS43-788)
4. Dobinsons rear Big bore shocks (GS43-788)
5. Dobinsons Front shocks (GS43-082S)
6. Sway Away Torsion bars (1737)
7. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi Front upper control arms
8. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi Upper and Lower ball joints
9. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi front sway bar links
10. Brand new OEM Mitsubishi torsion bar dust boots
11. Siberian Bushings
    1. Front Sway bar bushings
    2. Rear Sway bar bushings
    3. Rear sway bar end link bushings
    4. Front lower control arm bushings
    5. Rear trailing arm bushings
    6. Rear trailing arm to frame bushings
    7. Toasty Fab modified Siberian bushings to transmission mount

After this upgrade / overhaul my Montero feels completely like a different vehicle and rides like new. Minor issues like alignment, steering, and overall drivability issues I was having prior were ALL resolved. Extremely happy how everything turned out.

Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot Suspension overhaul by grimgs, on Flickr

Great to see you back.

 

[MrGalantguy]

Its been a year since my last post saying I was going to update this thread more often.....i guess I lied. 😅

Last year was a eventful and busy mixed with family stuff and some health issues/scares but it looks like things are settling down. We weren't able to enjoy the outdoors or hit the trails as much as we wanted to last year because of those things but hope to turn that around this year in 2024.

Other than that, I haven't done much to the Montero other than just some very minor maintenance stuff and was able to hit a few trails on the tail end of last year.

Solo gloom by grimgs, on Flickr

I will put more of an effort to update this thread as I have had a few people reach out to me here about questions. I also have more effort to put more content on our Youtube channel which I will post on here if anyone is interested. I got some planned upgrades for the Montero this year and actually enjoy it more.

 

[F.V.K.]

I saw you replaced Injector seals, but did you just clean and test the stock Injectors and reinstall? About to do a bunch of top end work to the exact same year and model as what you have and want to cover all my bases before getting into it.

Side note, me and my fam routinely make it down to FL from NC, so would be dope to get Groot and Istacuauthli(White Eagle) on a trail together.

 

[Toasty]

I saw you replaced Injector seals, but did you just clean and test the stock Injectors and reinstall? About to do a bunch of top end work to the exact same year and model as what you have and want to cover all my bases before getting into it.

Side note, me and my fam routinely make it down to FL from NC, so would be dope to get Groot and Istacuauthli(White Eagle) on a trail together.

Fearless Vampire Killer?

 

[F.V.K.]

Fearless Vampire Killer?

Yea, baby! Good one

 

[MrGalantguy]

I saw you replaced Injector seals, but did you just clean and test the stock Injectors and reinstall? About to do a bunch of top end work to the exact same year and model as what you have and want to cover all my bases before getting into it.

Side note, me and my fam routinely make it down to FL from NC, so would be dope to get Groot and Istacuauthli(White Eagle) on a trail together.

I did not get the injectors flow tested or cleaned when I initially did the maintenance when I 1st got it. Its been 7 years since that and I haven't had issues, but I also run fuel system cleaner every oil change (Techron and recently Amsoil P.I.).

I am planning a trip to N.C probably next year as a fellow Montero buddy and I have talked about meeting up and maybe riding Uwharrie when I do make the trip.

Where abouts Florida do you visit?

 

[F.V.K.]

I did not get the injectors flow tested or cleaned when I initially did the maintenance when I 1st got it. Its been 7 years since that and I haven't had issues, but I also run fuel system cleaner every oil change (Techron and recently Amsoil P.I.).

I am planning a trip to N.C probably next year as a fellow Montero buddy and I have talked about meeting up and maybe riding Uwharrie when I do make the trip.

Where abouts Florida do you visit?

Word, the Montero I just acquired is definitely in need of some love, and so when I pull the top end apart I'll assess if the injectors need replaced or not. My go-to is to usually replace replace parts during routine maintenance, and then shelf the old parts after servicing for later service. Pack rat style.

Never beeb to Uwharrie, but it looks beautiful. We are North of Asheville and live up against Big Ivy National Forest. Starting to explore some of those trails, so i'll report back what I find.

We used to live in Miami and head down to South Florida a couple times a year, stopping in Gainesville to stay with friends along the way.

 

[MontySquareo]

Word, the Montero I just acquired is definitely in need of some love, and so when I pull the top end apart I'll assess if the injectors need replaced or not. My go-to is to usually replace replace parts during routine maintenance, and then shelf the old parts after servicing for later service. Pack rat style.

Never beeb to Uwharrie, but it looks beautiful. We are North of Asheville and live up against Big Ivy National Forest. Starting to explore some of those trails, so i'll report back what I find.

We used to live in Miami and head down to South Florida a couple times a year, stopping in Gainesville to stay with friends along the way.

With a piece of hose, some carb cleaner, wire, and a 9v battery you can test injectors and see if they leak alot or spray poorly

 

[MrGalantguy]

A few months ago I built a rear table setup for the tailgate door of the Montero for camping and when we hit trails for meal prep and cooking.
Rear table done by grimgs, on Flickr

Link of me building it on our YouTube:

 

[F.V.K.]

With a piece of hose, some carb cleaner, wire, and a 9v battery you can test injectors and see if they leak alot or spray poorly

Where does the bubble gum come in?