Newbie First Montero Purchase!

[ZachTN]

Hello all,

I have been lurking the forums for a month looking for advice on building an expedition rig. I fell in love with 2nd gen and 2.5 gen Monteros and I'm on the hunt to find one. It will be a weekend vehicle until I have her sound condition then she will become my daily driver. I found one that looks like a winter package 1999 in white. Has 179k miles which is a little higher than what I want but for the price it isn't bad. The seller said he has only needed to put new shocks on since he has owned it and is unsure of the previous owner's maintenance history. I am skeptical about that but will try to get more information before I buy.
Can't post the link, but here are pictures from CL.

Now for a little about myself; I live in Nashville, Tennessee and have always had an interest in the outdoors and exploration. I'm new to wheeling and overlanding, but don't see myself doing more than a weeklong trip next summer. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person as the most I've done is change my oil and engine air filter. However, I have some friends who work on cars a lot and are willing to help me get her in the best mechanical shape. My plans include a 2in body lift, Yakima Mega Warrior, 33 x 10.5 mud terrain tires, aftermarket radio and sub/amp combo, homemade trunk drawers, and maybe an ARB bumper if I can find one cheaply. Any help and input would great as I start my build!

This forum has been a wealth of useful information and I cannot wait to start building my rig.

Cheers,
Zach

 

[BOPOH]

Welcome to the forum! Hope you find a good one, the biggest things you have to worry about is rust otherwise everything is easy to work on. If you decide on the truck about, check what type of shocks are installed - regular versus adjustable

 

[brad2274]

Going by the picture it looks like front tires are larger than rear, just make sure the two fronts and two rears are matching pairs because if not it can damage gears. Also check and smell for smoke on startup, as its likely with that mileage, if so its just valve stem seals but you can use that to your advantage when negotiating as its an expensive repair(at a shop, but easy diy). Dont forget to check if sunroof works, and look at all the boots and joint underneath for tears or any leaks. I bought my 95 with zero history, its sketchy but these trucks are pretty hardy even when not maintained.

Radio, amp, and sub install was cake on my montero, took like an hour or 2, amp fits nicely under the middle row seat.

 

[ZachTN]

Thanks for the welcome! Here's an update on my search:

This seller quit talking to me after I asked for more pictures and the Vin number..not a good sign. However, I found a black 96 SR closer to me!

It is not letting me post the link to CL and I'm on my phone so I can't get pictures sorry


After contacting the seller he tells me: "I've only had it a few months. I bought I for my wife and she say's its to big and can't see out the back. I've change the oil &replaced a coil pack on cylinder 3. 4x4 works and runs good. Needs some exhaust work. Has surface rust on on undercarriage due to being a Michigan truck none on body. Paint is good. Interior fair. Let me know if you want to look at it."

Not sure what he means by needing exhaust work. Should I be concerned? I'm going to look at it this weekend.

 

[brad2274]

well if theres surface rust on frame i imagine the exhaust rusted out first and is making noise, or there could be cracks in the headers which is very common on these trucks

 

[PirateMcGee]

Thanks for the welcome! Here's an update on my search:

This seller quit talking to me after I asked for more pictures and the Vin number..not a good sign. However, I found a black 96 SR closer to me!

It is not letting me post the link to CL and I'm on my phone so I can't get pictures sorry


After contacting the seller he tells me: "I've only had it a few months. I bought I for my wife and she say's its to big and can't see out the back. I've change the oil &replaced a coil pack on cylinder 3. 4x4 works and runs good. Needs some exhaust work. Has surface rust on on undercarriage due to being a Michigan truck none on body. Paint is good. Interior fair. Let me know if you want to look at it."

Not sure what he means by needing exhaust work. Should I be concerned? I'm going to look at it this weekend.

Skip it. Rust makes everything more difficult and it will continue to spread with the humidity here. Plenty out there without rust. Take your time with it. I'm in Knoxville ish. I'll keep a look around for one.

 

[brad2274]

im always checking florida craigslist for parts trucks, ive yet to see any sr or winter editions though, saw an endeavor once lol. But any vehicles i do find have ZERO rust, thats the big plus on my 95 ls