New Gen 2 Montero SR Owner

[meelaud]

Hello all,

I've been eying a second vehicle for a few months now. I wanted something "offroadable" but also bigger than my DD for hauling things. I had a Land Rover Discovery way back when and much to my surprise - it never left me stranded. But from reading horror stories online, that is rare. There is a certain charm about Land Rover's that's hard to describe.

So I had it narrowed down to either a Land Rover Discovery II, Toyota Land Cruiser 80 series or a Gen 2-2.5 Montero. My only requirements were: the Land Rover had to have the CDL nipple, the 80 series had to have F+L lockers (rare) and the Montero had to either be the 94+SR or the 98+ with the winter package.

After finding examples of all 3, the Montero seemed to fit the bill perfectly - the price was right and it got much better gas mileage than my other two options. I picked up a 1995 Montero SR with a full service history and 159,000 miles on the clock a few days ago. I am baffled that everything on it works. Heck, the windows roll up and down faster than my 2011 WRX! I was also pleasantly surprised to find an AUX port hook up. It needs new tires soon - the owner did put 31x10.5's on there that look the part. But from what i've read on here, i can do a 32x11.5 or 33x10.5 (if i keep it at the stock height). It also needs some new fluids in the tranny, diffs and xfer case.

I live in Austin, TX and am not too familiar with any places to take it off road. I've read that most places in Texas are now parks I have to pay to use. If anyone knows of any hidden gems - let me know!

Anyways, glad to have found a good community here!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Nice find, you will find tons of great info on here covering the needed fluids and tire suggestions with pictures showing how they look. I myself am holding out until I find the perfect 1996 SR.

 

[off-roader]

You can probably get 33x12.5's on there if you can find a shop willing to mount them since 7" rims are a bit narrow for 12.5" wide tires per the manufacturer's recommendation.

Only downside with that setup is the tires will wear in the middle more unless you reduce the tire pressure which is also not really recommended on road.

Alternatively you can upgrade to 8" wide rims and fit the 12.5" wide tires without issues.

As for as locales in TX for wheeling, I hear Big Bend and the beaches (south Padre I think?) are the two most common places to go.

HTH.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

You can probably get 33x12.5's on there if you can find a shop willing to mount them since 7" rims are a bit narrow for 12.5" wide tires per the manufacturer's recommendation.

Only downside with that setup is the tires will wear in the middle more unless you reduce the tire pressure which is also not really recommended on road.

Alternatively you can upgrade to 8" wide rims and fit the 12.5" wide tires without issues.

As for as locales in TX for wheeling, I hear Big Bend and the beaches (south Padre I think?) are the two most common places to go.

HTH.

He made no mention of a 12.50 wide tire....

 

[jlocster]

Nice find, polished rims, too. Welcome to the portal!

 

[SoCalMonty]

He made no mention of a 12.50 wide tire....

No, but he did mention 31, 32, 33, 10.5, and 11.5. I think OffRoader was just pointing out he can take the next step up in width if he so desired.

Personally, I run 33x12.5 on stock wheels. No issues ever.

Anywho, welcome to the fold! Looks like a well maintained truck!

 

[eurosonic]

Here Oakland Raiders fans would kill for this color truck. Welcome on board!

33's up to 12.5 should be ok w/o any issues.

 

[meelaud]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I feel like my Montero is already struggling to maintain speed here in hill country with 31's, which is why 32's will be the biggest I go (for now). Picking up some 32x11.5 kenda klever m/t's later this week for <$600 mounted and balanced. There are not many reviews out there for these tires, but I swear by their MTB tires.

http://www.kendatire.com/en/automotive/suv-light-truck/klever-mt/

A few questions that I can't seem to find answers to:

-Do these trucks have a cabin air filter? if so, is it behind the glove box?
-What would you recommend for differential fluid? How many quarts?
-I can't seem to find any ATF dexron 2 fluid, can I use dexron 3 for the transmission?

 

[off-roader]

On bigger mountain passes it may have issues but on lower ones it shouldn't. Now that said, I normally shift out of overdrive on these passes so keep that in mind with my statement.

I wonder if your speed comparison is to a car or lighter weight SUV? Bear in mind the Montero is not like a lot of other SUV's (Pathfinder, Xterra, etc.) that have tons of horse power and therefore have good power to weight ratios. The Monty is a much heavier rig with a fully boxed frame and heavier duty running gear so it won't move as quickly as other SUV's. That said though the mid 90's SR is the most powerful of the gen I/II Montero's and is easily capable of turning 35's or 37's as are evident in mine and CAP510's rigs.

To answer your questions...
No there is no cabin air filter.
Standard 90 weight is fine. Volume should be in the owners manual which I don't have access to right now.
IIRC Dexron 3 replaces Dexron 2. I do recommend Mitsu or Hyundai fluid if you can find/afford it over the generic fluids.

HTH.

 

[meelaud]

On bigger mountain passes it may have issues but on lower ones it shouldn't. Now that said, I normally shift out of overdrive on these passes so keep that in mind with my statement.

I wonder if your speed comparison is to a car or lighter weight SUV? Bear in mind the Montero is not like a lot of other SUV's (Pathfinder, Xterra, etc.) that have tons of horse power and therefore have good power to weight ratios. The Monty is a much heavier rig with a fully boxed frame and heavier duty running gear so it won't move as quickly as other SUV's. That said though the mid 90's SR is the most powerful of the gen I/II Montero's and is easily capable of turning 35's or 37's as are evident in mine and CAP510's rigs.

To answer your questions...
No there is no cabin air filter.
Standard 90 weight is fine. Volume should be in the owners manual which I don't have access to right now.
IIRC Dexron 3 replaces Dexron 2. I do recommend Mitsu or Hyundai fluid if you can find/afford it over the generic fluids.

HTH.

I do think my DD spoils me with power (stage 2 WRX) - it's been awhile since I've owned a true body-on-frame SUV, let alone a vehicle with an automatic transmission. I have been quite gingerly with the throttle to be honest - but i'll definitely try the overdrive.

Thanks for answering my questions.

 

[off-roader]

I do think my DD spoils me with power (stage 2 WRX) - it's been awhile since I've owned a true body-on-frame SUV, let alone a vehicle with an automatic transmission. I have been quite gingerly with the throttle to be honest - but i'll definitely try the overdrive.

Thanks for answering my questions.

Yeah, my B5 Audi S4 does that too so i try not to let it taint my judgement.

 

[MontyMcV]

No HL washers... Does it still have a rear locker? Leather or cloth?

 

[off-roader]

No HL washers... Does it still have a rear locker? Leather or cloth?

I see HL washers on his bumper. Maybe your monitor is not showing it?

 

[SoCalMonty]

For the trans fluid, this meets the required spec:




The lack of power is due to the fact that it's an automatic 4,650 lb N/A with 218hp, as opposed to your manual 3,200 lb turbo with ~325hp. Thankfully (sort of?!), my current DD is slow and very sluggish, so the Montero actually feels *quicker* when I tap the gas. LOL! Can you imagine?!

Though...compared to the (450hp) Volvo or the (175hp) Bug, it's a pedestrian.

It really is a great truck. You made a good choice! Though...will you have to sell the WRX and get an Evo now?!

 

[meelaud]

Haha I've made peace with the fact that I will be passed by everything off the line and on the freeway, life isn't too bad in the slow lane more time to observe the sights around me

It has the leather interior - iwith some tears and cracks (seems to be typical)
It also has the rear locker - previous owner said he only used the 4wd 4 times ever (when i engaged it, it worked, but took some time to disengage)

So far I have done the following:
-installed 32x11.5 kenda klevers - not any louder than the worn out mismatched 31" tires
-seafoamed the crank, breather and gas tank - so much smoother now!
-oil change (within 20 miles of the sea foam)
-power steering flush
-new engine air filter
-the previous owner did the valves, timing, spark plugs, radiator flush and transmission fluid at 115,000 miles (6 years ago), he recently did the brakes, belts, a/c re charge and cv boots

to do:
-diff fluid x2
-install better speakers (coming by this weekend)
-install new seat covers (coming by this weekend)
-radiator flush
-xfer case fluid & tranny fluid
-maybe a slight crank for the front torsion bars (followed by an alignment)
-there's some slight oxidation on the hood - i'll buff it out with a good quality rubbing compound