Hello AZ crew! I suddenly find myself in the market for a new vehicle since I just sold off my crew cab diesel. I have only my company truck (and my motorcycle) which neither I can haul my kids around when I have them. I've been lurking around here for quite some time, reading and absorbing. My goal is to build an off road capable rig that I can get out and away, both myself and with my kids. I've been doing the whole Trooper vs. Montero thing for months, and I'm pretty sure I've set my mind on a gen2 SR or gen 2.5 with the locker option. I'm leaning towards the gen 2.5 because I like the fender flares better. The Trooper (although having a slightly better aftermarket in the US) is a distant second, as there are too many issues with the 4L30E trans that I just don't want to get into or mess with. I've noticed in my searching that the Montero is becoming harder and harder to come by, but I'm in a bit of a time crunch so I'm hoping one will pop up on CL pretty soon. Found a '99 in Reno/Carson that already had 33" tires on it, but I am leary of buying at such a distance, having to fly out to buy something I can't really spend much time test driving. If anyone happens to get a line on one, or hears about one coming available, please feel free to PM me. End of long introduction. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

J

I don't want to piss off the Mountain Dew Gods but if the 4l30e is your only complaint on troopers, consider it a non issue. you keep clean, cold juice in them they last forever - it's neglect and heat that kills those, not much else.

But the Monteros have their pluses too http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...&an=0&page=1#Post1223555

Pretty funny stuff. Looks like you folks have a lot of fun.

The trans in the Trooper isn't my only issue, although I've read a ton of horror stories about people grenading them on the trail. I like the styling and interior of the Montero better. The option to seat 7 if necessary. The Trooper although larger on the inside just isn't as nice. And the 3.2 in the Trooper seems pretty anemic to me. Haven't driven one lifted, but the stocker I drove was pretty bad. My concern with either, although with the Trooper more so than the Montero is driving them up the mountain grades up north. Haven't had the chance to drive a Montero yet, so I'll have to compare the two. I know I'll have to gear either one to run larger tires, but it seems easier to get 35's under the Montero. Especially the gen 2.5. General consensus on the Trooper part of this forum is 33's are about the max you want to run on their CV axles.

I did see a white lifted Trooper on the 101 the other day that looked like it had 35's on it, and it was sharp too though...

So much to consider...

Welcome! Good choice going for the Montero!
There was a Gen 2.5 on craigslist pretty cheap not too long ago i think it had a lot of miles but most Monty's do. I have a nice '94 i don't want to sell but i might if the right price came along, let me know if you could be interested.


You can be part of the "Crew" once you get your montero and go wheeling with us but it takes a lot to become a full fledged member. I wouldn't worry about that until you hit your 5 year mark and one of "us" has to decide if you are to become ELITE. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Troopers suck, yours couldn't even do a good job carrying your spare 33 around. My Montero however has been carrying a +100 lbs 35 since '06 with no problems plus i climb on it and back into things with it. Just Sayin'



Mountain Dew!
Sawzall!
Propane tanks!
Action!
Blizzards!
Chainsaws!
Badgers!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the welcome to the forum TOASTY. I wouldn't presume to be part of a crew until I earned some stripes, so I'm not trying to step on any toes here. I'd just rather get advice from guys who wheel in this area of the country and have put in some hours on their rigs and know a lot of the in's and out's. I've read a lot of the AZ crew posts for that reason, along with the main Mitsu and Isuzu forums. Plus I enjoy looking at all the trip photos you guys have posted up. Just what I want to do in the near future.

I saw a '99 on CL last week with only 146K on it for $4K, but it got snapped up pretty quick. Plus it was maroon. Long story, won't get into it here, but I have an aversion to red/maroon vehicles. Looking for something light colored anyway. I've owned a black vehicle out here before, and it's murder in the summer.

I'm partial to the SOHC 3.5, but hey, like you said, if the price is right, I could be interested. Let me know. Thanks again.

J

Montero up. It's the right thing to do.

John B.

You are correct, the SR's and later 90's do seem pretty rare at the moment. I know where you can get one, but it wouldn't be drivable right away. Just Trucks Auto Wrecking has a 95 SR in their full service side that has been sitting there for months now. I have been waiting for it to be moved to the self service side since late January with no luck. Last time I saw it a little over a month ago, the only thing it was missing was the left side knuckle and it looks like it was junked only because the crank bolt came off. That's a pretty easy fix too...

All that being said, they offered the whole vehicle to me for $1400. Obviously I have no idea if it runs or anything else, and $1400 is a bit of a risk on something that can't be test driven, but there might be room for negotiation, I didn't ask since I don't have a trailer to haul it away. If no one wants to try the risk of putting it back on the road, are there enough people wanting/needing parts that anyone would want to pool together and get it out of there? If you call them for something big, like the rear axle, they will give you some silly high price. If you ask about smaller parts, they will tell you it's not worth their time and you will just have to wait. I am tired of waiting! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info Dylan. I just spent the last 1.5 years restoring an old motorcycle, so I'd rather not try to "resurrect" another, more complicated vehicle just yet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Had my fill of that for a while, and considering the mileage on some of them I've found, I've got to keep some cash in reserve for things like timing belts, water pumps, you guys know the deal. I already plan on having to put some money into that kind of stuff before I can lift. I think I may email on the one in Reno. It's the exact color combo I want, just need to know it's history, and if it has the locker.

Here is the link in case anyone could offer their opinion based on the ad:

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2372225857.html

My truck has dealer service records of the engine work that was recently done, complete timing and engine reseal plus a ton of other crap. it also has good interior <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Maybe i'll post some pics. The bad part is that it's lifted with newish 35" Toyo A/T's and it hasn't really been wheeled <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />