Toyota LC vs Mits Montero?

DBS311

Adventurer
Have you searched on Mud to see if anyone got mileage improvement by intalling the part time kit?
 

OneTime

Adventurer
I recall reading about a kit you can import from Down Under for about 500.00 bucks. Ill have to go back and see if I can find it. I think you might get about a 20% increase in milage and power.
 

eleblanc

Adventurer
I was reading your thread on mud. Yes regearing would help, how much, hard to say. But you would still be with the less powerfull motor. If you plan on evolving on a good trail rig, i mean by that (not a road), i would probably get a FZJ80. I'm from Canada so i cannot get 80 here.

BUT i own a 2003 Gen III mitsubishi Montero Ltd. And love it, unfortunately i cannot compare to a 80. Even if the gen III is fully IFS. Have you ever look under? they are build very strong. And the down travel of the wheels are mind blowing. I don't have a locker on mine but i have the equivalent of the FJcruiser a-trac. It works really really good. Tip tronic Tranny, 2H-4H-4H with TC locked and 4 low TC locked (TC=transfer case). And the electronic traction system

My Mistu LTD being with all the trim, i couldn't get 1" bigger tires.

I love the 3rd row seat that hide under the floor, very small but perfect for the kids. Huge leg room for the 2 row.

Only problem i had was a faulty transfer case switch. And the cons is the shock, there seem to be stiff or there is something wrong if the valving. a OME eventually should fix that.

Oh, and gotta love that huge sun roof.

Cons, aftermarket add on part for it is nothing compared to the 80.

But when it is time for serious trail, i use my Landcruiser BJ42 ;-)

I bought a Montero because here in Canada the 80 wasn't available but i would have bought a 80 if i could have. But still i am very happy with the Montreo

BTW, my best buddy has a FJcruiser, my truck consummes less, hauls better, i think it is due to the wheelbase of the monty vs the fjcruiser. And more comfortable, no doubt the FJ has better feature for serious wheeling, but you feel the solid axle when you drive a FJ ( my dad own one) not in my monty.

The only thing that would make me trade my monty, is if toyota would start selling diesel FJcruiser.

Lots of plastic tho :-(
montero%20001.jpg
 
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89s rule

Adventurer
I just dont see why so many people are willing to take a loss and sell a vehicle that gets low MPG to buy somethign with 5 mpg more. Look at the overall cost and how much it would take to make that much $ back.

You can do what you want (I saw your thread on mud 1st) but I wouldnt say I am a die hard LC owner, although I am almost certain I will always have at least 1. But if it makes sense for you to buy somethign else do it. Be sure to look at the overall costs of the trucks. If you wrench on it yourself, etc.

In the end how long you keep a vehicle is usually the key, drive it until it dies is the bast way to do it. Thats not easy to do. But I personally woudl rather have overbuilt than having to get major repairs under 200K miles.

(I own a fj62 that gets about 10mpg and just bought a '93 FZJ with 31K original miles, picking it up in a few weeks.) Or main driver is a 3rd gen 4runner that gets about 17mpg.
 

Monstero

Adventurer
I have an 03 Monty XLS and cant complain a bit about it. They are overbuilt in the drivetrain and everywhere else mechanically I have found for the size of the vehicle. Other than normal maint I havent done a thing to it. Nothing has failed on it "mechanically" that was Mitsu's fault. No bugs that I have found and have 110k on mine and still going strong. It goes everwhere I need mine to go and is still my DD when I get home. The space is awesome to have. I have beat on mine hard in some areas and if they are armoured up you wont have a bit of probs. The ******** end is a little big but when I rip the rear bumper off I will be building a "Slimmed up" version out of some stout metal. If.......IF I did get another vehicle I would be considering Toyotas before other manufact. but I cant knock anything about the LC cause it is a capable rig as well if not more so than the Monty. Both are World Proven Rigs. Anyhow, here are a few pics of mine.

Monty.jpg

Monty1.jpg

Monty2.jpg



DSCN0214.jpg



Going up this took a little finnessing for about 10 minutes to find the right line....The isuzu tried for about that long and ended up giving up.
DSCN1021.jpg


DSCN1049.jpg
 

4ePajero

New member
It's a small world!

I just joined,but found a few familiar names on this forum!

Being a Mitsu fan, I started off by searching for Pajero/Montero related threads.

I am from South Africa (same as spikepretorius) where the Monteros are sold as Pajeros.

I have a 1989 Gen1 LWB Pajero, with a few mods:
  • 2003 Di-D 3.2 Turbo diesel engine
  • 5spd transmission from the 2800 TD Pajero
  • 33" Bridgestone tyres
  • Frontrunner full length roof rack
  • Bilstein shock absorbers
  • 2" body lift

I find the Mitsus to be built like tanks, reliable, comfortable as DD, very economical (especially the TD engines) and they go where most others go.

Attached find a few pics of the Pajero
20071211_0077b.jpg

Engine11.jpg
 

4ePajero

New member
Spikepretorius said:
Howdy Gerhard. :beer:

Greetings to you! Why did you not tell me earlier about this forum?
Where am I going to get time to go through all he wonderful stuff?
:hehe:
 

Gurkha

Adventurer
No disrespect to Pajero but I prefer the older IDI engined Pajero with chassis to the newer DI chassis less Montero. Also in terms of hardcore off road use, the Toyota LC is way more hardy, this is with my personal use of both vehicles and feedback from tour ops.
 
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tdesanto

Expedition Leader
4ePajero said:
Greetings to you! Why did you not tell me earlier about this forum?
Where am I going to get time to go through all he wonderful stuff?
:hehe:

Welcome to ExPo! Nice looking truck. I miss my old '94 Monty.

Great...another Pajero owner!

We'll get our own forum yet!
 

firstgenmonty

New member
I have a first gen montero with 240,000 on it thats still going strong. Its a lwb model with the 3.0 v6 I did have the head gestates replaced at around 200,000 but thats the only real work done. I'm working on fitting it out for more expo travel. Its been around already though. Its been down the length of baja its been as far as you can go in alaska, its been just about every where in the states and I want to get it out of the country for some more exploring! This truck has never left me along side the road. never been towed or winched. I will NEVER get rid of this truck. Best truck in the world.

Here are a few shots I don't have any "hardcore off road" shots though...

ps. this is my first post forgive for me for my mistakes.

pics here: http://bradleystucko.tumblr.com/post/346338171
 
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mtnman412

New member
I have owned a 97' Montero SR for the past five years. That being said, I share the OP's love for land cruisers and have spent many hours reading/learning on IH8MUD, particularly in the 80 section.

Both vehicles are over-qualified to fulfill the OP's wheeling and hauling requirements, but the Montero could do so much more cheaply than the LC. I consistantly get 16 mpg in town and 19-20 on the highway. This is with stock gearing, 31" all terrains, SOHC engine (which is said to get slightly better mpg than earlier DOHC), and a 1.5" OME lift. The OP's FJ80 with 3FE is EPA rated at 12 city 14 hwy (these #'s are based on the old test cycle, revised ratings are even worse at 10 city and 13 hwy).

As for the idea that he will lose money in the selling/buying process... That depends a lot on the OP's ability to "wheel and deal". However, given the high resale value of LC's and Toyotas in general, I think it would be possible to come out even selling the FJ80 to buy a Montero in the 95-99 range.

The only problem I know of for the 3.5 6G74 SOHC engine (which AFAIK came in 97'-00' SR models) is burning oil at higher mileages. This is casued by worn valve stem seals. Cheap part but very labor intensive to change out. I am not familiar enough with the earlier DOHC variant to comment on their potential issues.

Although not as good as MUD, outerlimits4x4.com is an Australian forum with a very helpful Mitsubishi section focusing primarily on Monteros ("Pajeros" in OZ). The FAQ on this site will get you up to speed on the various models/engines/options, as well as provide a good overview of possible mods.
 

vegvisir

New member
which one?

Hi guys, I'm looking for some help here. I can't decide between Montero and LC. I'm starting a small tour operator business and need 4x4 to carry 7 people and bikes, fair bit off road (not hard core) and on the road as well. I'm looking at gen 2 Montero and similar age (92-99) LC both in petrol, unfortunately no diesels in Ecuador and both with around 200k on clock. Now, if fuel consumption wasn't the issue, which one is more reliable, cheaper on maintenance, with more space for 7 people. In many adds I'm reading Montero is with repaired engine, and that worries me a bit. They go cheaper, but I am worried that I can get major failure and than it will get very costly.
I have to say I love LCs but if I could get around just as good with Montero, it will be cheaper start for me. On the other hand, I want something, that will last and won't let me down with clients waiting.
I really would appreciate your help. Thank you.
 

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