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

[PacS14]

Nice find! And thanks for sharing! I never thought n Beck/Arnley for parts. I'll have to add this to the list of to do things...

 

[SONICMASD]

So, how's it drive now? My 98's steering is also pretty sloppy.

 

[MrGalantguy]

So, how's it drive now? My 98's steering is pretty also pretty sloppy.

Night and day.

No delay in turn in and steering is SOLID and tight. Compared to what I was having which was vague steering response, "clunking" noise on bumps and even worse in turns, steering wheel vibration (made even worse with tires cupped).

Anyone that is experiencing issues like I was...I strongly recommend checking out your steering linkage parts. Visually they may look fine but when I got the tie rods off the actual "ball" joints were pretty bad compared to the new ones.

 

[reversecaoboy]

Just added all these parts to my rock auto cart thanks to you.

I was worried Beck/Arnley parts would be taiwain/china made. Glad to see they're not.

 

[raysobi]

Thanks for the write up! Nice ride as well!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[SONICMASD]

The tie rods are just repackaged Senkei 555 units which are allegedly the 2nd best option after Genuine Mitsu for suspension stuff. Good find!

 

[MrGalantguy]

The tie rods are just repackaged Senkei 555 units which are allegedly the 2nd best option after Genuine Mitsu for suspension stuff. Good find!

If you look at the pic of the outer tie rod...the Senkie 555 is cast stamped

 

[MrGalantguy]

I decided to upgrade my turn signal bulbs to LED bulbs. Main reason is I wanted my turn signals to be brighter, less electrical draw and well...LED's flashing is visually satisfying. 8)

One of the biggest issues with replacing your standard incandescent factory bulbs to LED's is the "Hyper flashing" issue due to less resistance the LED bulbs have. After researching and reading and not wanting to install a inline resistor i found out that you can replace the turn signal relay and resolve the hyper flashing issue. No cutting wires...no splicing....just a simple replacement of a relay and you are good.

To get to the relay you will have to remove the lower cover of the steering column. You will have to pop the 2 square covers to access the 10mm nuts and the bottom edges are Philips head screws.
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

After you remove those you will have to remove x4 Philips head screws right where the hood release and fuel tank door release latches are at...there are x2 on each side.
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

Right behind the dash speaker area you will see another junction relay where the flasher relay sits. Its a 3 prong relay Mitsubishi part# MR252921 and to remove it you will have to press down on the top and bottom lock latches. If you have big hands its going to be PITA..but still doable.
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr


This is the relay I bought from Amazon that will replace the factory one and resolve the hyper flash issue.
iJDMTOY (1) 3-Pin CF-13 Electronic Flasher Relay Fix For LED Turn Signal Light Bulbs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008C9YJ6C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

Now to replacing the bulbs...I bought all my bulbs from Amazon and provided links and description for what I bought. ALL the turn signal bulbs are 1156 type of bulbs...the only thing I made sure is that the bulbs emitted a Amber/Yellow light obviously.

1156 LED Bulbs Amber Yellow, Super Bright 3030 Chips with Projector BA15S 7506 1141 1003 1073,12V-24V Replacement for RV Tail Lights Turn Signal Blinker Lights Reverse Lights- pack of 2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078PFWP7B/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

Now for my driving lights I used these bulbs (Remember this is if you have JDM corner lens...this won't apply for the USDM corner lens)
SiriusLED Backup Reverse Light Canbus error free LED Bulb Size 921 Super Bright 3030 SMD Xenon White 6000k Pack of 2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D9DFWGM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

My rear turn signal bulbs I decided to use these as the reviews on these were great and they were bright.
AMAZENAR 2-Pack 1156 BA15S 1141 1003 7506 1073 Extremely Bright Amber/Yellow LED Light 9-30V-DC, AK-3014 39 SMD Replacement Bulbs For Turn Signal Lights Tail BackUp Bulbs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYPL5HH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

Also those that are interested my headlight LED bulbs I used are these:
BEAMTECH H4 LED Headlight Bulb, 50W 6500K 8000Lumens Extremely Brigh (9003 Hi/Lo) CSP Chips Conversion Kit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XHD78DQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fog Lights I used:
Calais Extremely Bright LED H3 COB Chips 30W Golden Yellow Color LED Fog Light Bulbs Plug-n-Play(pack of 2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CTMT01G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Groot by grimgs, on Flickr

 

[PacS14]

Thanks for sharing the info MrGalant! I will have to add this to the list of future upgrades, I keep piling up parts just waiting for the time to be able to do this upgrades.

 

[roaminglost]

what fog bulbs did you use?

 

[coffeegoat]

I did this to my Gen 3 recently and was going to eventually get around to figuring out the relay, hopefully the one you found will work for the Gen 3 as well. According to the Amazon page it should.

One thing to watch, and I've noticed, is that the LED bulbs are much heavier, and they tend to wiggle out of the sockets, I haven't figured out a good fix yet, but something to keep and eye on.

 

[MrGalantguy]

what fog bulbs did you use?

I updated the post bud

 

[AZPAJERO]

Wow thats great detailed write up. Thanks man !!

 

[roaminglost]

I updated the post bud

rad thanks!

 

[MrGalantguy]

I made a quick video comparison and posted it on FB but am working on a better one with some instructions and I will link it on the post when I am done.