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...