Which Montero has the Biggest Interior?

[arb098]

So, out of the Gen 2, Gen 2.5, Gen 3, and Gen 3.5, which has the bigger interior? Which one would allow for a decent sleeping platform and gear storage? Bonus question! How do they all compare, size wise, to a Gen 2 Trooper? Long story short, I was handed a 96 (best year) Trooper with a bad engine and needing some real TLC, but I just got a line on a rather cheap, nice 03 (Gen 3.5, right?) Montero. Trying to figure out which one is gonna be the most comfortable to live out of for about 6 months, after all the modifications.

 

[Swank Force One]

Would the Trooper happen to be red/maroon?

Gen3 (01-06 all same interior size-wise) is biggest inside, but also has some slightly funky interior panels to build around in my opinion.

Gen2 is nice and square. I think both are bigger than a Trooper inside. I only have the front seats in my Gen2.5 and it is downright cavernous.

 

[arb098]

Would the Trooper happen to be red/maroon?

Gen3 (01-06 all same interior size-wise) is biggest inside, but also has some slightly funky interior panels to build around in my opinion.

Gen2 is nice and square. I think both are bigger than a Trooper inside. I only have the front seats in my Gen2.5 and it is downright cavernous.

Haha nope, it's white and gray. It's been sitting my friends warehouse for the past few years just collecting dust. How long is it from the back of your seats to the close back in your Trooper?

 

[Swank Force One]

Just under 7 feet for the Gen2.5. Don't really have a good way to measure it on the Gen3.5 right now unfortunately.

In the 2.5 there's room for around an 8' sleeping platform if you move the front seats forward and figure out a folding section of platform.

 

[arb098]

Just under 7 feet for the Gen2.5. Don't really have a good way to measure it on the Gen3.5 right now unfortunately.

In the 2.5 there's room for around an 8' sleeping platform if you move the front seats forward and figure out a folding section of platform.

Holy hell, that's massive! I think I'll go take a look at this Gen 3.5 tomorrow. I feel, just from reading and looking at them, that they ride a bit better than the Troopers.

 

[Offroadmuch]

I currently have a 2003 Gen 3.5. I can measure whatever you need.

I have also owned a Gen 1 Trooper (long wheel base, 3 door, driver,passenger and rear barn door.) I also owned a 1992 4 door Trooper, not sure when Gen that is, 3.2L v6. I would say that the Montero I have now is nicer in everyway. Just a solid vehicle. I drove them all on a lot of road miles as well as offroad. The Troopers are a very cool truck and quite capable. I actually started searching in 2015 for a used trooper and then remembered that Isuzu went out of the American passenger vehicle market and began to look at the Mitsubishis. Many of yhe more experienced Montero owners here on ExPo can tell you how and why the Monteros are stronger, better built and designed. I am totally sold on them. I think you would be very happy if you end up with a Mitsu. I hope this helps

 

['round n' back again]

get them both!
trooper has enough usable space for a mother in law apt. as well as a basement.

i love troopers . i love mitsus more. i truly love my gen1 mitsu. you will discover the trooper to be very capable rig in every way. mitsu is just more refined luxurious, and somewhat more dependable.

trooper has 60 deg. odd fire GM compatible drive train meaning interesting engine swaps, and likely you will need to do that swap.

troopers : underrated very good rig just like mitsu.

 

[PHeller]

Are we calling the 3.8L 3rd Gen's "3.5" now?

 

[Offroadmuch]

Are we calling the 3.8L 3rd Gen's "3.5" now?

Yes. Body,interior is the same, different engine, traction control...

 

[newworld2004]

I had 1993 trooper. Trooper weakest link is their auto transmission , also engine uses oil , if you find manual trans then get it otherwise be prepare to spend /repair auto trans.

 

[snare]

when I was researching which vehicle to choose, I read a ton about Troopers and the auto transmission issue seemed prevalent. Then when I looked for ones listed for sale...the vast majority of them stated they had transmission trouble.

i chose a Montero

 

[arb098]

Well, I'm the proud owner of a 96 Trooper that needs an engine, and if all goes well, I think I'm going to pick up an '03 Montero that also needs an engine. The Montero is going to be our true overlander, but the Trooper is going to be my toy, I think. I gotta say, both have really spacious interiors. The Trooper has a lot of head clearance, but the Montero is a good foot or more longer inside.

 

[normal_dave]

FWIW, a quick search on car-part.com popped up several 3.8L Montero engines in the top half of Georgia.