Hi, I usually post over at the Mitsu section but I have a question concerning a 89 4runner. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a 89 Mitsu Montero or a 89 4runner. What are some problems one may run into with a 22re with manual tranny with about 190,000 miles? Is $3000 a fair price. Body is OK, Interior is OK, I have not looked at the engine. Are there any specific things I should look out for?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by jsanch:
<strong>Hi, I usually post over at the Mitsu section but I have a question concerning a 89 4runner. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a 89 Mitsu Montero or a 89 4runner. What are some problems one may run into with a 22re with manual tranny with about 190,000 miles? Is $3000 a fair price. Body is OK, Interior is OK, I have not looked at the engine. Are there any specific things I should look out for?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">The timing chain uses plastic guides and can wear through the timing cover and mix coolant and oil. If this has happened you will no it, just ask if it has been replaced and if not make sure and do it soon.

See if it has ADD (automatic differential disconnect) and/or automatic hubs. If so you might have a G58 transmission and chain drive transfer case, which are not as desireable as the W56 transmission and gear driven transfer case (that can be used for lower range gears or dual cases). 89 was the last year for the "square" body style and removable top, they are very capable rigs and if it is in good shape $3000 sounds fair to me.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by jsanch:
<strong>I'm trying to decide whether to buy a 89 Mitsu Montero or a 89 4runner.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I'm trying to figure out how there could even be any decision to be made between the two??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> That sound like a pretty easy one to me!

The 22re is about the most bulletproof motor ever created, and the 1 gen Toyotas are absouletely beautiful in their simplicity, the exact opposite of Mitsubishi's, which are notorious for being over-engineered.

I have known so many early 4runners that have been used and abused and come back for more with well over 200k on them. Check all the usual stuff you would on any car and buy the Toyota.

The montys are nice rigs but the runner has way more room and the 22re is more bulletproof than any motor that came in the mitsus. I love the removable top on the 1st gen runners too, I would love a clean 89 especially, it's the "youngest" 1st gen you can get. The beauty of the gen1 runners is they are really just a pickup chassis with identical drivetrain (available mods!!) but slightly different floor pan and tailgate.

I have a 17' fiberglass bay boat that I may want to pull with the 4runner from time to time. Does the 22re have enough pep to pull without getting stressed out? I used my 87 Raider to pull it once and it was a stuggle at 50 mph. How does the 2.6L compare with the 22re?

I'd say get the Montero. (I can hear the flames now) The Montero/Pajero/Raider is an extremely stout offroad vehicle. Look at the 2 side by side. The bumpers on the Toyota are a joke, Montero's are much stronger. There real bumpers properly anchored. The rear bumper is similar to the aftermarket bumper you'll need to buy for the Toyota. The approach and departure angles on the Montero are much better, more like an early land cruiser. The v6 Montero uses Roller Rocker Arms!!! Unheard of!! In the early 80s the Montero won Dakar several times and was very popular outside of this country as the Pajero, winning lots of praise from many. Mitsubishi was hungry, while Toyota sat back on it's laurels and got rid of it's dual timing chain. If Toyotas are so indestructible, why is it that on so many engines you have to take them half apart at around 130k miles to replace the chain? I really think that much of the "legend" of the R series engines is based on the earlier days when they had a good thing going. Go check out some of the Aussie sites and you'll see Monteros have some real fans. It was rebadged by Dodge as the Raider. The removable top on the 4runner is a plus if you like that, but the Montero has a shorter wheel base I think which would be an advantage offroad.

Flame away. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Jay

I'm not going to flame but I have a question. If these trucks are so great, why don't you ever see them on the trail? I have never seen one, ever. I see lots of jeeps, lots of Toyotas, a few old solid axle chevy blazers, an I beam ford here and there, but I have never encountered a Mitsu. There must be a reason.

One way to tell if a vehicle has it where it needs it in the off road world is the aftermarket support. The demand must be there and if it is it's there for a reason. Toyota has a huge aftermarket support base. Many busnisess exist just to service them. How does it compare to the Mitsu?

Also, if power is an issue, get the 3.0. It's not hugely powerful but much more so than the 4cyl. Aside from a headgasket recall for which most trucks of this vintage have been back, it is a very reliable motor. Mine has 272,000 miles on it, gets ran hard, uses little oil, and runs great.

Frank.

You can ask Christian Guava about his Montero, prior to its being stolen. He now has a 4Runner, so I would think he could give you a first hand comparison. From talking with him, he felt it was a move up.

I won't flame because I don't know anything about Mitsubishis, but I think that you are bound to get a biased answer if you ask here. Frank brings up a good point about seeing them on the trail and aftermarket support.

What exactly are you planning on using this vehicle for? If it is just to tow a boat I wouldn't recommend either of your picks! If you want to do mild wheeling than either would probably work, maybe the edge to the Mitsubishi since you are more familiar with them. I think that they 4Runner has more potential though if you want to modify it.

I just did a little net searching on the Montero. 4wheel parts doesn't carry a single kit (at least on their website) for a Mitsu. I found one lift kit, it lifted like 1" by putting in stiffer springs. (Read: Say good bye to what little flex you have) I found very very little support for this vehicle.

Like Harry said, if you want to do light wheeling, either will work, although the runner has more ground clearance. If you tow something light, either will work but neither are tow vehicles. However, if you ever might want to build it into a trailworthy rig, I'd suggest the Toyota unless you'd like to build and invent your own suspension for the Montero. (Not that that doesn't sound like fun but it's a whole lot more work/dough) The aftemarket support for Toys really does speak for itself.

Frank.