SoCalMonty's 1995 SR semi-build thread!

[SoCalMonty]

This thread is going to be a compilation and running "build" thread for my Montero.

Here's the backstory, and how she looked when I bought her:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...y-Montero-is-SOOOO-lucky-I-love-him-so-much!)


How she looked when I picked her up and brought her home (Oct/Nov '12):




The frame swap process:








Back home in the driveway, sporting the 1993 frame, with the Ironman suspension kit on 31's (March '13):

 

[jlocster]

Alright SoCal, I've been waiting for you to make a build thread! Especially after all that work you went through!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

For some reason I thought you already had a build thread?

 

[eurosonic]

dang a frame swap!
how long did that take you?

 

[SoCalMonty]

For some reason I thought you already had a build thread?

Nah, not yet. I was hesitant because I'm not really building anything crazy, but I figured maybe some of these random musings might come in handy for someone.

dang a frame swap!
how long did that take you?

All in all, the work itself was done over 4 weekends...probably about 50 hours or so total. And then another 4-6 days that I spent driving around checking junkyards for parts. But once I had everything I needed, it wasn't that bad. A frame shop estimated me ~$2,000 to $3,000 labor, which clearly wasn't an option! The frame itself was about $220 from Pick Your Part.

I had paid $1,200 for the truck, with 143k miles...and other than the minor damage, it looked almost like new. It ran smooth as silk and I figured for that price, I could have it running and driving for a total of around $2,000, which I thought wasn't bad at all.

I spent about $500 to get the frame swapped in, so technically, it was running for about $1,700 total with the cost of the truck included.

Then I spent $1,100 on tires...$420 on the suspension... $100 in the lift blocks...$100 on the wheel spacers...another few hundred in maintenance stuff and the bumpers...and that's pretty close to where I'm at now investment-wise.

 

[eurosonic]

..and you know your truck inside and out.

Well done

 

[SoCalMonty]

Not long after I got it together and running, warmer months were in the forecast. While I hadn't experienced any sort of cooling issues, I know that cooler is better as far as the engine and transmission life are concerned, so I did a few cheap & easy mods to help keep temps in check: installed a large hood vent, and a second OEM trans cooler.












I don't have a current pic yet, but I temporarily mounted the extra cooler via zip ties to my bumper and used it this way for about a week, before mounting it directly underneath the existing cooler...

 

[Raul B]

nice build.......

 

[SoCalMonty]

Nothing major to report, but some plans in the works pending finances.

Recent stuff added: all new inner and outer tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, pitman and idler arms.

Soon to come will be down-travel bump stop modification, to match the up-travel increase that came from the low-pro stops. For the down travel, I'll be cutting the bump stop's striker on the frame down a little.

And then, there's the expedition trailer project that I just dragged home. For $125 with good tags and a pink slip, how could I say no?!



The trailer is a 1976 Toyota Hilux Long Bed (5' wide, 6' long). It's on a trailer axle and 15" steel wheels off a Jeep XJ (5x114.3 I think). It needs a spot weld here and there, but it's very lightweight and it will be a perfect platform for a low budget trailer. More to come!

 

[off-roader]

Nothing major to report, but some plans in the works pending finances.

Recent stuff added: all new inner and outer tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, pitman and idler arms.

Soon to come will be down-travel bump stop modification, to match the up-travel increase that came from the low-pro stops. For the down travel, I'll be cutting the bump stop's striker on the frame down a little.

And then, there's the expedition trailer project that I just dragged home. For $125 with good tags and a pink slip, how could I say no?!

View attachment 217372

The trailer is a 1976 Toyota Hilux Long Bed (5' wide, 6' long). It's on a trailer axle and 15" steel wheels off a Jeep XJ (5x114.3 I think). It needs a spot weld here and there, but it's very lightweight and it will be a perfect platform for a low budget trailer. More to come!

May want to consider upgrading the trailer axles to 6x5.5 lug pattern so you can interchange wheels with ur rig.

 

[SoCalMonty]

I'm gonna keep the trailer wheels what they are for now. Reason being, I'm gonna carry 2 spares anyway...one for the truck, and one for the trailer.

33 (current) or 35 inch tires (next set) are seriously overkill for the trailer. Adds unnecessary weight and the sidewall rigidity will be a bit too stiff causing it to bounce more. It will have plenty of ground clearance with lighter duty 29 or 30's or so, it will weigh less, and I should be able to find those wheels very easily and cheaply on Craig's. Probably under $100 for a pair of wheels with tires.

I was reassured I made the right trailer choice when researching trailer weight. I can't believe the behemoths some guys are towing behind them!!!

M101s are 1340 lbs empty. And the M105? Nearly 2700 lbs!!!

The M416 (or Canadian M101) is the small 5x5 version, and that one weighs in at about 610 lbs. It's a cool trailer... but I don't want military wheels/tires, and good luck finding one for under $500. It happens, but they are often more than that.

I estimate my trailer to weigh 550 lbs or so, with a super common wheel/tire which is a huge bonus.

 

[Styyy]

Which Ironman suspension kit did you use?

 

[SoCalMonty]

Which Ironman suspension kit did you use?

I wasn't aware there was more than one! When I ordered, it wasn't a kit; I ordered the torsion bars and springs separately. The only options were for year and/or wheelbase...but there weren't different "levels" of parts when I ordered mine. Do they exist now?

 

[Styyy]

Not that I'm aware of. That's why I asked. Where did you purchase them and how's the ride?
Thanks

 

[SoCalMonty]

Camel 4x4...though I recently heard they may no longer be around? The ride is about what you'd expect.

The front seems a little more supple/OEM when cranked, compared to cranking the stock t-bars (which in my experience felt like a pogo stick).

The rear are a bit stiffer when unloaded, but normalize once you've got your gear packed in the back and there's some weight on them.

I'm also on KYBs and 33x12.5s, as those also play in to the suspension feel. Hth!