Guys,

I have been on here for a while, but took a break from it and evidently my account was deleted.

Anyhow I just wanted to show my Gen II.5 project I am working on. It is not complete yet, but I did put up a small picture gallery on my home page. Click to look at the pictures here

OBTW: If anyone wants my old springs and torsion bars, come and get them - I live in Smithsburg, MD. If you are interested in the tires and rims, PM me.

Very nice rig!

Angelo, watch out, looks like you got come competition!

Ooo, I like it. Very nice. I like the Jaos Mudflaps.

SWEET rig <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Welcome back <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks guys.

I am by no means finished with it yet! I have the front bumper off right now and have been trying to graft a JDM and USDM bumper together to get the look from the sample pictures on my web page. It hasn't been easy and thought MANY times about just scraping the whole thing and getting an ARB bumper instead. The only thing keeping me going is the $$ I have invested in the bumper right now! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

The rims were another sore spot with me...I ordered less backspacing than the OEM since I was running flares and wanted that extra little distance. What I got was the factory backspacing on a 9" rim so the tires are tucked in too much. I have ordered some 1.5 wheels spacers, hopefully that won't push them out too much. Check the web page out in about two weeks and you'll see what the difference is.

If you have any questions about the Mods, don't hesitate to PM/email/post...I have been collecting parts for 3 years for this project and it is nice to see it FINALLY coming together.

Cheers,
Steve

What lift do you have on there ?

First Bourge, now Steve? Wow, nice Montero!!

Its the JAOS 2" battlez lift kit. Comes with an adjustable lateral rod, the coils, torsion bars and the lift components. I didnt get the torsion bars for they were too much. The factory ones can be turned to accomidate it. But I have been looking into getting the iron man torsion bars and checked into the Battlez torsion bar, but still trying to find out the advantages in getting it.

AWESOME work Steve! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I hate you tho cause I was looking into those JAOS fender flares 3 yrs ago, but never got them. They were up there. If I ever get any flares, it will be from Ice Land after I do a SAS and finish all custom work. But thats years and years from now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Where did you get the ladder, it isnt JAOS? Mud flaps look sweet too, but didnt opt for them cause of the rocks on the trails I run. They would tear off! Nice rims too, Ziga rims, right? Mine were 8.5 with I think -10 backspacing (if I remember correctly which was 6 yrs ago when I got them. I like the painted grille, I had it like that after an accident 4 yrs ago.

Thats alot of money invested into it, but then I read that you've been collecting all these parts for 3 yrs, that would drive me crazy not being able to put it on. Snorkel too! Nice!

As far as the lift components, you can trim down those bump stops to get more compression. But double check cause you dont want your tires rubbing if that backspacing is too wide. BTW, where did you get the backspacers, JAOS too? I know they have some but cant remember the width?

Man, over all i'm really impressed! I dont feel so special anymore <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Everyone is getting Gen II.5's now! Keep up the good work! As far as the bumper goes, save the steel/ metal and make a rear bumper and get an ARB. I had the JAOS bull bar and eventually got the ARB cause of the offroading I'd be doing. If you are going for looks and less off roading, go for a bull bar <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

BTW, do you have a source for all these products that you are getting from overseas? I also like the garage!! later,
Angelo

I like the flares! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

How did the flares go on? Looks like screws on the inside lip. What about on the body steel itself- 3M tape maybe?

jfarsang, As Angelo mentions, it is the 2" Battlez lift (from JAOS)



Angelo: Thanks for you many kind words and your support. coming from a long time 4x4wire member adds more credibility to what I am trying to do as well and it is appreciated. I have had the Montero (now known as a "Pajero" thanks to re-badging) since new in 1999. I first saw the JAOS stuff back in 2004 and started with the fender flares, three years later (and a LOT of $$ later) I finally had the parts all together. Believe me, I wanted to put the stuff on as I bought it, but thought it would look better if I did it all at once. The Ladder is an ASIO brand, cost even more than the JAOS, but the load rating was higher, and I intend on using it - a lot. The Rims are Ziga's.

--Oh, Speaking of painted grilles: you wanted that EVO looking grille I had didn't you? PM me about it.

Since the front bumper is off, she is back in the garage getting the rest of the "bling" put on while I fiddle with the bumper, I am also doing the electrical stuff (well some of it anyway - can you say AUTO climate control? but that is another story). The body shop who took the stupid decals off the doors got a little over zealous with the polishing wheel and took some of the paint off with it, so next Monday she is back getting the lower doors re-sprayed.

My source, well make a long story short - my Suzuki Samurai buddy who lives in New Zealand works for RHS who has offices in Memphis TN - takes time to ship, but when the sea freight is free, you don't complain and buy you friend many, many gifts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> He has helped me more than I can say THANKS BEN!!!

--Here, a little taste of what we are NOT getting in the US Click me!

The spacers are from OKoffroad. Made for Yota's but fit Monty's just fine.



MontyMcV: You are correct! Just below the nice rubber grommet is the 3M stuff. Now the flares didn't come with the 3M stuff, I added that even thought the flare were tight against the body I wanted to be doubly sure.
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Guys, thanks again for your questions and complements. I hope to update the web page again it two weeks with all the exterior work done, including the AWESOME cargo rack straight from the outback in Australia (it's used even!)jerry cans, High lift/shovel mounts and the 8" IPF lights. Then it is on to the interior work.

In case anyone is wondering about HOW I got a snorkel that TJM America denies exist, I would be happy to provide the part number.

Oh, and if anyone needs a JDM part number, I will be happy to assist, I have the CAPS program for Japan, Europe and the USA.

Cheers,
Steve