Hello my name is Vic , I Originally started at Expedition Portal but this seems to be the way everyone is pointing. Im very happy to find out there is a thriving community here in Az. Please any help is welcomed. this is basically my entire thread over at EP moved here so you can get the idea of where Im at. I've had the truck 4 days now.

1991 Mistsubishi Montero RS

I've always wanted a montero since high school. Back then a 91 montero was still considered the latest model. At least my freshman year.

Any how recently went camping, took the wife's mdx and ended up with two flats and a donut till I made it back to reasonable conditions and a tire shop. Knee jerk reaction, sell my commuter and buy and SUV. Found this thing with a mild 213k on it ( mild, yeah right ). Paid a cool 1400$ for it. Probably too much. It has AC. Passed emission with ease and overall runs good. Supposed engine rebuild at 190k and new trans as well. Carfax show major engine work performed. No leaks from the engine but there does seem to be a small leak from the trans that I will inspect soon. Probably over the weekend. The tires are complete ****. And the suspension is ****. Interior is probably 7/10. Passenger and back seat are 10/10. Floor 8/10 and driver seat has a tear in the left bolster like every old car does. Dash is ok but the tach is not working. Everything else works fine. Stereo is stock but total garbage. The windows are power as with the door locks but the switches need some replacing. Some are good some are bad. Headliner is perfect.

The body is straight w no accidents reported. No big dents or dings. All lights work.

At idle I can barely tell its running. Silky smooth. Then just gargles it's way down the road. Really smooth overall considering the condition if the suspension. Having AC in az is nice.

No check engine lights or anything. But I know they work because when the key half turn they do illuminate.

Here is what I have coming.

Tires: 31 x 10.5 x r15 kenda klevers.

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List of things I need.
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Suspension :
I was hoping I could use the shocks and struts from a newer model. Maybe pull offs. This I assume will be good for most daily task and some off road capabilities for my camping trips etc. please advise. I can't afford OME stuff.

Fix tranny leak.

One seems to be coming from this hose which leads out of where the drive shaft meets the tranny.

There also Seems to be another leak where this hose goes into just outside the transmission pan

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Also the transmission pan gasket looks to be leaking and is probably the major culprit. Looks like the PO used a gasket sealer instead of a factory gasket.

I hope some of this makes sense as I am not the most mechanically verse person.

I do however feel that I can do these my self. I have some experience w mechanics as I'm always rehabbing vintage motorcycles.

The problem does not seem be urgent but it's something I will handle sooner than later. Probably in the next two weeks.

Missing one exhaust nut on the manifold thus the gurgling. If anyone has one they would like to put in an envelope and help a brother out it would go a long way. Ill cover the charge.

Shift Column
I have an automatic and the plastic shift boot thing is all broken up. Need to replace to look clean.

All the rest is cosmetics. Window switchs and such. Mirror "straps" need replacing - little metal strapping on the mirror. I have the spare on the truck right now as it had a flat. It should look the part by next week.




I installed the stereo. This was interesting. The trim from the OEM unit was held together by Popsicle sticks.
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So I'm going to have to source a new new trim peice which I can't imagine is easy to find.
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The install was straight forward otherwise. Hands free telephone and iphone pandora friendly all Bluetooth. No CD or tape. I did learn that the PO was filthy. And must have taken this apart before with all thumbs. The previous stereo was garbage and will find its home there unless someone gets excited about these units. It works but is ugly. If you want it hit me up by tomorrow. Ugly.
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As for the pan gasket is the dealer the only good source and I guess I'll have to find a part number.

If anyone has a center shift mech or at least the PRND2L please let me know how much to take off your hands. Mine is all busted.

1400$ is starting to sound like I paid way too much but I have to admit it drives so good and other than these things the rest looks pretty tip top.

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Got these in. I honestly haven't looked to see if ill need a spring compressor or not. Tires won't me here till Monday. Wanted to do it all at the same time.

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I got to admit I love the flat white. I'm sure it was glossy at some point. Could probably bring some shine back but I kind of like it the way it is. [ATTACH]168608[/ATTACH]my father in law brought his car by a 57 4 door. Just had it rebuilt but now needs an interior. He is smart to never let me touch that w a wrench.

Welcome! Looks like you've got a little work to do but i'd say your looking pretty good truck has some years on it along with some miles. When you rebuild your front end buy all moog or dealer parts they are worth the extra coin the cheap stuff is just that cheap. For the rear end your best to keep an eye out for a whole locking axle and trailing arms from a 94- Sr model the gen 1 trailing arms are know to break even on the easy trails the gen 2 arms are beefed up and i've never heard of anyone breaking them. You can go dealer bushings for the rear or do the poly bushings for the most part the factory rubber bushings are pretty good, also a thing to remember if you do the gen 2 arms is still use the gen 1 upper bushings where the arms mount to the frame

You don't need a spring compressor, since there are no struts in front, just shocks. Gentlemen prefer KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, BTW.

Try contact cleaner on the window switches first, maybe they just need a cleaning.

Tach may be a disconnected wire somewhere.

Simple Green or Gunk degreaser may be your friend under the truck to help isolate your transmission fluid leaks.

Welcome to the AZ section of the Wire. What part of town are you in?

John B.

I think you did good on the truck, won't take much to make it a mean trail machine.

Welcome, You came to the right place. We should have a meeting sometime soon.

Your first picture is the speedo cable, might just see if it is tight, love white trucks myself.
It is common for the cam plugs on the back of the heads to leak and run down all over the transmission. Do as Johnny said and degrease/clean it up then you can see the source and identify the fluid.

Welcome to the wire.

What city do you live in?

Im in Gilbert just off the 60 and Higley. RIght by the Hospital.

Yeah little by little I'll get this thing sorted out. Got the KYB Gas ADjust or whatever in yesterday. Made a bezel today out of masonite just to hold me over till I can find a factory bezel for the radio. I ordered a pan gasket from mitsubishi today 28$. I'll get my tires on on monday or tuesday. Also today I replace the missing exhaust manifold nut at the head, only to find other loose ones.. That was pretty freaky.

I cleaned the shift lever area and remove the broken part. It's ugly but when I find one, I'll buy it. I dont plan on building a crawler just something reliable and trail worthy. I plan on buying the stiffer OME springs (unless someone suggest something better) for the rear so when I load her up she wont sag. I have 3 boys so when we travel its a big load. I'll take its slow. first and foremost is to identify the leak. perhaps tomorrow I can verify the pan. I have reach all the way around the tranny towards the motor side and found nothing. just dirt. everything seems to have congregated at those locations.

heres my crappy stereo set up
Made my own bezel out of Masonite. So far not that bad.
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I measured it at 9 5/8 x 5 1/8.
In case someone needed it.

Also if anyone knows where I can source a clean shift column or whatever it's called mine I cleaned and reassembled but it is broke. Or at least the indicator part is.

you're like 2 miles from me, you should stop by. I also have some good intel for you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

...and parts knowledge, too...

Ok so I got the degreaser out and went at it this morning. Degrease underneath where the the tranny pan sits etc. took her for a drive and hen came home. Inspected w. a flash light and found. ......... Nothing. Frustrated.

Ill drive it to work tonight which is 4 miles away. And in the morning when I get home ill have another look at it.

Maybe it's from this linkage?



I check the cam seals to see if it was weeping from back there and nothing. Just grime. But nothing. Then I took a dry rag all the way around the bell housing of the tranny to see if it would show anything. Nothing. I am fairly certain it is isolated to the transmission.

Unfortunately, Your fighting 3 possible leaks. Coolant, ATF, or Oil. Cam seals are notorious for leaking but with it being a fairly fresh rebuild I would hope that wasn't the case. I would just keep an eye out on it. Those tranny lines have given me issue's as well though. Identify the fluid first and then can go from there. Like toast said, he's 2 miles away from you. I would go over and pick at his brain. Good guy to know here.

Welcome by the way. Lucky for you your very central for the most part. I'm all the way out here in San Tan Valley with Canyonero and others are up in phoenix. We definitely need a meeting. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />