off-roader
Expedition Leader
Here's the nut of it w/ the mid 90's SR Montero's (94-97 & 98-00 w/ the 3.5L engines).
Want to run 33's? Just put them on. IT WILL HANDLE IT. Want to run 35's? A body lift and you can put them on. IT WILL HANDLE IT.
Locker Problems? Very, very rare. After a decade of being involved with them, the number of "Help! My locker doesn't work" post I've seen can be counted on one hand (only a couple that i can recall).
4x4 system problems? Almost all (95%) are simply related to the indicator servo not working. 4x4 still engages. The rig still runs fine off road.
In terms of their off road ranking... only reason they're not on most buyers list or supported online is because Mitsu rarely if ever advertised it as an off road vehicle. Maybe once or twice they've shown an ad with them off road. Otherwise they've primarily targeted the soccer mom segment of the market.
However step back and take a look at the ROW, there's a reason they're heavily used & very highly regarded. Because they're extremely capable and reliable... and most especially in countries where paved highways are optional.
100% agreed on your last point. Mitsu failed because they didn't understand the American market and as a result their marketing sucked balls. Even with LR's quality and reliability issues they knew how to use their camel trophy success and heritage to capture the hearts of prospective customers. Jeep has always enjoyed a similar mystique that comes with inventing the market. Lets face it... Until the Rubicon came out Jeeps were built, not bought. And I don't mean just throwing on a set of 35s the way you can with Montero's. Do that and you'll snap the wimply dana 35 axles that came with all the wranglers prior to the dawn of the Rubicon edition Wranglers.
Ultimately LR, Jeep, and Toyota have all found a way to engage & capture the American 4x4 owner's hearts. Mitsu Motors marketing has NEVER figured out how to do that with their 4x4's and as a result their sales have suffered. FWIW, they have been able to do it with their sports cars and it's obvious based on Lancer EVO numbers and following as illustrated at their annual MOD (Mitsu Owner Day) events.
Want to run 33's? Just put them on. IT WILL HANDLE IT. Want to run 35's? A body lift and you can put them on. IT WILL HANDLE IT.
Locker Problems? Very, very rare. After a decade of being involved with them, the number of "Help! My locker doesn't work" post I've seen can be counted on one hand (only a couple that i can recall).
4x4 system problems? Almost all (95%) are simply related to the indicator servo not working. 4x4 still engages. The rig still runs fine off road.
In terms of their off road ranking... only reason they're not on most buyers list or supported online is because Mitsu rarely if ever advertised it as an off road vehicle. Maybe once or twice they've shown an ad with them off road. Otherwise they've primarily targeted the soccer mom segment of the market.
However step back and take a look at the ROW, there's a reason they're heavily used & very highly regarded. Because they're extremely capable and reliable... and most especially in countries where paved highways are optional.
100% agreed on your last point. Mitsu failed because they didn't understand the American market and as a result their marketing sucked balls. Even with LR's quality and reliability issues they knew how to use their camel trophy success and heritage to capture the hearts of prospective customers. Jeep has always enjoyed a similar mystique that comes with inventing the market. Lets face it... Until the Rubicon came out Jeeps were built, not bought. And I don't mean just throwing on a set of 35s the way you can with Montero's. Do that and you'll snap the wimply dana 35 axles that came with all the wranglers prior to the dawn of the Rubicon edition Wranglers.
Ultimately LR, Jeep, and Toyota have all found a way to engage & capture the American 4x4 owner's hearts. Mitsu Motors marketing has NEVER figured out how to do that with their 4x4's and as a result their sales have suffered. FWIW, they have been able to do it with their sports cars and it's obvious based on Lancer EVO numbers and following as illustrated at their annual MOD (Mitsu Owner Day) events.