ok, so what is the "best" year of the SR's

[jeep-N-montero]

I am going to be narrowing this down soon but wanted feedback from current owners, which year(s) were best for the SR package? I would prefer dual airbags and cloth seats, but that seems even harder to find. Did all of the 3.5's have valve seal issues or just certain years?

 

[off-roader]

96SR came with dual air bags. Not sure about earlier models.

In 97 they went from the DOHC 3.5l v6 in the 94-96 SR Montero to a SOHC version. Still has valve guide seal issues.

94 and up SR's all came with Leather for the most part although anything is possible.

 

[Toasty]

Sounds like you're looking for a '96 and then swapping out the leather, or 97+ LS and swapping in the SR axle and matching front R&P (these trucks had the highway gears 4.27) unless you find an axle out of an 97+ SR in which case it will have 4.27's already.

 

[KarmannMarco]

I've got a 97 LS which I love but I'd much rather swap out some seats then an axle.
If you were closer to me (and you had an SR) i'd gladly swap you my cloth seats for the leather ones.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

So which years had the best gearing for 33's?

 

[Clem]

So which years had the best gearing for 33's?

'94-'96 have the 4.6XX gears...They'll push the taller tires easier than '97-'00 with the 4.2XX gears

HTH,

Clem

 

[4D55 Performance]

Both Gen 2 and Gen 2.5 will push 33" tires just fine. You can't go wrong with a Montero as long as it is good condition. I would prefer the 1998-1999 because they have the blister fenders, the 3.5 SOHC and the 4.27 gears. My Gen 2.5 got 22-24mpg on the open road in stock configuration. From what I hear the Gen 2 with 4.63 gears and DOHC did not do near as well in the MPG department.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Both Gen 2 and Gen 2.5 will push 33" tires just fine. You can't go wrong with a Montero as long as it is good condition. I would prefer the 1998-1999 because they have the blister fenders, the 3.5 SOHC and the 4.27 gears. My Gen 2.5 got 22-24mpg on the open road in stock configuration. From what I hear the Gen 2 with 4.63 gears and DOHC did not do near as well in the MPG department.

What I need to do is just buy your TD pickup and get around 30mpg....I can dream can't I? I actually prefer the completely rounded fender openings with factory flares prior to 98, but not too picky as long as the engine is up to par. Would a 96 with 33's attain 20mpg?

 

[GrassCat]

Would a 96 with 33's attain 20mpg?

You bet, out of gear and going down a big hill.

No it won't, if someone says it will then their speedometer is lying.

 

[off-roader]

What I need to do is just buy your TD pickup and get around 30mpg....I can dream can't I? I actually prefer the completely rounded fender openings with factory flares prior to 98, but not too picky as long as the engine is up to par. Would a 96 with 33's attain 20mpg?

No it won't. I don't know of any capable mid to full sized SUV that can, not when running 33's anyway.

 

[4D55 Performance]

What I need to do is just buy your TD pickup and get around 30mpg....I can dream can't I? I actually prefer the completely rounded fender openings with factory flares prior to 98, but not too picky as long as the engine is up to par. Would a 96 with 33's attain 20mpg?

I would be willing to sell the TD Pickup for the right price, but that price is still pretty steep. The TD pickup actually gets much better than 30 mpg. I get about 42 on the freeway and 32 around town. The reason I would be willing sell it has to do with a purchase I made yesterday. I bought a fully restored 1983 Mitsubishi TD pickup from Mike Warme. The thing is immaculate and yesterday I just ordered a brand new 4d56 crate motor to drop into it. So selling my 1985 has been on my mind but the price would need to be right. If not I will just continue to enjoy it and pass it on to my kids.

As for the MPG I am the wrong person to ask, with the changes in gearing and hp changes it hard to say. I do know a local ExPortal member (rogerH) in Utah was getting well over 20mpg with oversized tires on his Gen II.5 and I think he was riding on 33's. The thin air here in the Rockies seems to help with MPG's.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...d-Vehicles-Do-you-agree?p=1122273#post1122273

 

[Toasty]

Best i've ever done in my Montero on 35's with 4.90's was 17mpg on the highway going very slightly down hill. but i get about 15 in town which isn't bad. My Diesel Montero on 31's gets 22 in town if i drive it hard, 22 on the highway if i drive it over 60mph, probably 23-24mpg in town if i drive it nice and 25mpg on the highway if i do 55mph. But that's a Montero so way worse aerodynamics and mich heavier than a Mighty Max plus i've got an automatic.

 

[4D55 Performance]

Best i've ever done in my Montero on 35's with 4.90's was 17mpg on the highway going very slightly down hill. but i get about 15 in town which isn't bad. My Diesel Montero on 31's gets 22 in town if i drive it hard, 22 on the highway if i drive it over 60mph, probably 23-24mpg in town if i drive it nice and 25mpg on the highway if i do 55mph. But that's a Montero so way worse aerodynamics and mich heavier than a Mighty Max plus i've got an automatic.

I drove my little pickup for 5 years and I never got better than about 27 hwy and 21 city. I upgraded from a 1985 to a 1983 injection pump as well as a few other mods like ported and polished head, egr delete, larger exhaust and intake etc. But it was the upgraded injection pump that made the huge mpg difference. I was hoping after all the improvements I would achieve 30-32 mpgs on the highway, but never did I think 40+ mpg was attainable with the 4d55 and 33" tires. If you get a hold of a 1983 injection pump I would highly recommend making the upgrade.

 

[Aaltuve]

For me, the 98 up are the best Gen2