I've been shopping for a Montero, and trying to find a decent one. I found a 97 LS that I like, but its an LS.

I'm not 100% sure in the difference between the SR and the LS? I know it doesnt have a locking diff, but how hard is it to swap out? What else is different? I do like the cloth seats in the LS's and I take it the LS wont have heated seats? Any other differences?

Any tips or thoughts.

Thanks guys
Scott

The diffs should swap I believe. I think the ls has a slightly smaller rear end. I never got the whole heate seats thing. They make me feel like I crapped my pants when I sit on one of those

check which ratio your diffs have before you start swapping.
Check the tag on your firewall.
Some had 4.2 that year ( I think). Some are 4.36 to 1.
You might be able to put "bouncy seats into that LS from a 92-94 SR without much trouble.

Welcome to the wire! Do lots of searching. There is a ton of information on here about that sort of stuff. I have a 97 LS than I SR'd, so to speak. When I bought it I wanted a 7 seater than was not a minivan. My interest in 4 wheeling, and the desire for lockers and such, came later when I started posting on this board (which is the best board for sure). This thread has some of the stuff I've done to mine that is most relevant to your questions.

A 97 will have 4.272 gears which are awesome in stock trim on the highway. I used to get 20mpg. Those gears cope pretty well with 32" tires, but 33's 'feel' heavy. I switched to 4.636 (no 4.3's) gears out of a mid 90's SR from the junk yard and it's much happier on 33's. Finding the right rear axle and front diff in a junk yard took a long time though.

Cloth and leather was available in LS models (mine has leather) and I don't have heated seats. I don't much care about that stuff. I wanted to good truck most of all.

If this LS is the 'right' truck, i.e. great condition, low miles, service history (we can dream <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> ), then go for it and mod away. However, if this LS is like a lot of others (high miles, no service history etc) and you really want a locker in a Montero it's a lot easier to hang on for the next SR to come along. While I regret nothing I have done with my Montero (love that thing) and have many more plans, if I were to do it all again knowing what I know now, that's probably what I'd do. Having said that I also know now that learning to wheel with open/open diffs is a good and useful experience.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

PS When you buy a Montero (it's a good choice), if you don't know when the timing belt was last changed, do it right away along with the tensioner, idlers, water pump and crank bolt using good quality parts. It's not cheap, but it's cheap than a new engine <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> We can help you through the job...if you need help that is!

Is this LaOutbackTrail from the Portal?

If so, I'm glad to see our very own MadScientist has done the exact thing you are considering doing. As I noted on the portal, I don't necessarily point out this forum in public as a matter of basic decorum but 4x4wire is THE PLACE to get technical info on Mitsu 4x4's and I'm sure you can get your tech questions answered here. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Yep its me!

Thanks for the info Mad Scientist.

Just out of curiosity, how much in parts to do that service? I am pretty much holding out for a truck with a service history. Found one in the Atlanta area, but that's a boring drive back to DFW.

I'm planning to throw on 33x10.50s BFG KM2s. Good size for my needs.

Thought so.


Was <800 when I had mine done.

BTW, be sure to browse the FAQ thread near the top of the forum page. Lots of good info there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

So it was $758 to have it done, how much were the parts? The actual servicing cant be that hard I'd imagine. Pulling the belts and pulleys correct? Only tool I don't have for that job is one to yank the bearings.

Thanks again for any info.

Hmmm. Water pump, belt, crank main seal, hoses, and I think it's recommended to replace the tensioner, and I'd put new idler pulley on there, too, JIC. If you replace them, the old ones will never go bad. If you don't, they'll start to squeal as soon as you get it back on the road. Murphy knows his mechanics...

cam seals too.

I haven't done a timing belt for a couple of years, but I think the parts were $300? That was Mitsu parts. I told myself after that (145k miles) I would do after market parts next time (205k miles). The main cost was the belt ~$90 and the water pump. Check out the list of parts we've mentioned on NAPA or the like.

Tool to yank the bearings?

Doing the job is fine, just time consuming (a lot of stuff to remove first) and a little voodoo making sure the belt tension is set right. Valve guide seals are a weak point to watch out for too. That's a really fun job!

Good luck finding the truck you want. I suggest looking for a '96 (DOHC 3.5L) SR which will have a locker and 4.636. That's pretty specific for a not too common truck. To ask for service history too might be a tall order, but you never know... If I found the one I wanted and it didn't smoke, was in good order, drove nicely etc, I'd buy it, take it home throw parts at it and call it good.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />