50short
New member
My first 4WD was a 1986 Montero (2dr here in the states). I remember being SOOO excited to have a real safari-style vehicle and making mods to it as my 16yo means allowed. Fog lights, CB radio, 31” BFGs. After my second year of college I sold it for to get something with more space, but I never forgot it. Over the years the Montero was followed by damned near every other 4x4 you can imagine. I had an FJ40,FJ60, FJ80, 2 L60 Patrols, Series 2 LR 88” and 109”, classic RR, 86 4Runner, 91 4Runner, CJ7, CJ5 (still have), 52 Power Wagon, the list goes on and on. The Montero was the one that stuck in my thoughts. So, now that I’m a little older, wiser, and have a little more money, I thought I’d try a proper overland build. What better rig to build on than a Gen2 Montero! Last year I started searching for my base. It had to meet the following criteria; 1) 3.0L V6 - non interference; 2) 5-speed; 3) cloth interior; 4) absolutely rust free. Living in Minnesota, I knew this would mean buying one down south and shipping/driving it back. As luck would have it, I found a junkyard in Sioux Falls SD (3 hours away) that had EXACTLY what I was looking for! A fella moved to Sioux Falls a few months before and drove his Montero LS up from Santa Fe. The truck started burning oil and wouldn’t go into 4WD, so he scrapped it. I ended up buying it virtually sight unseen for a few hundred bucks and trucking it to my house. Immaculate frame, body and interior. I dove right in and replaced the valve guides, seals and T-belt. While in there I replaced all fluids, tune up components and got everything running like a song. I replaced all suspension links and bushings. Installed OME heavy rear springs, cranked torsion bars and added Bilsteins. The truck ended up with 2” lift and 33x10 Cepek Extreme Countries. DVD player, CB radio, ARB winch bumper, 9500 winch, full roof rack, lights, manual lockouts, dual batteries with isolator, snorkel, AC inverter, rear locker and hood blackout.
Even at 245k miles, this truck is better than my Land Cruisers were. It is quiet and comfortable at 80MPH and gets reasonable mileage. The truck is very well thought out and serviceable. Won’t win any races, but I’d drive it anywhere in the world without a second thought.
Even at 245k miles, this truck is better than my Land Cruisers were. It is quiet and comfortable at 80MPH and gets reasonable mileage. The truck is very well thought out and serviceable. Won’t win any races, but I’d drive it anywhere in the world without a second thought.
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