when do you want to come check out my trucks.

Whenever you have time man. I'll PM you my number if you want to send a text or whatever. I'm mobile a lot of the time and don't get notifications when someone replies here, even though I have it set for that.

Hey, someone who lives on my side of town. Buying a montero would be your best bet. Toasty's truck is solid, yes its a 94 but it truely runs awesome, plenty of seating for you and the kids, its already a little lifted and running 35s. I would say this truck is right what your looking for.

Where in San Tan Valley are you located? I live off of Ironwood and Ocotillo are.

BTW, Welcome <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the welcome PA JERO. I live in the Ironwood/Ocotillo area myself.

Toasty's rig would be a good fit for sure. I guess we'll have to see if it would be mutually beneficial for both of us. I don't know why, but I'm a little bit wary of the DOHC 3.5. Read too many horror stories I guess, and the fact Mits only made that engine for a couple of years makes me wonder why. Anyone have problems finding parts for that engine?

No problem at all finding parts for the 3.5. Factory/Mitsu, aftermarket and scrap yard (although scrap yard finds are more rare) are all available.

What horror stories? From people who didn't get their timing belt serviced and it broke? From engines that have leaky valve stem seals at 200,000 miles that make the engine smoke at prolonged idle? Properly maintained, this is a very reliable, well-built, high performance engine.

Let's see how many of us in the AZ Crew depend on that particular engine to get us home: Toasty (wife's rig), RyanY, Dylan, Pa_Jero, Lloyd (coming soon), Scottie 2113 (it's a '96, right?, otherwise, never mind) and his brother, and myself. I may have left someone out, I dunno.

The engine is 'recommended' for use with premium fuel, but has a sophisticated enough computer to keep detonation at bay when used on regular. It just retards the timing a touch and a bit of HP is lost. No big deal. Siphon your neighbor's Corvette and it'll reset itself as needed.

When you floor the accelerator pedal, it makes noise and the vehicle moves out. Every time. Don't be leery of this 'plant.'

John B.

To be fair, from just about anywhere I went looking for it if that makes sense. And I could not vouch for any maintenance or lack thereof based on some of the reviews I've read. Stands to reason when you go looking for issues with a particular engine, you'll find it no matter the manufacturer. Honestly, I think I've just "over-searched" the subject and am suffering from information overload, both from the informed (here, expo, pirate), and random web "reviews" from people that know little or nothing about maintenance and upkeep of any vehicle, let alone a limited run engine. I've literally been reading about what vehicle will suit my needs since before I joined here, and the Montero has always been on that list.

I've made some lousy vehicle purchases in the past from NOT reading and researching and I've probably gone overboard this time attempting to prevent that. I do appreciate your honest input. I'd should obviously take the opinions of those familiar with this vehicle and stop reading so darn much. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Thanks again.

J

I agree with johnny B, the 3.5 DOHC is an awesome motor, I actually swapped my 3.5 DOHC into my 88 2 door montero. The motor has tons of power and like johnny said when properly maintained its a long lasting engine. My motor has over 200K miles on it and runs strong, although I still need to replace my valve stem seals.

I live in Castlegate and if you want to stop by and talk monteros Im always free in the late afternoons or evening time

gimme a call if you have any questions
Kevin # 480-466-ONE EIGHT THREE FIVE

Awesome! Coincidence. I live in Castlegate as well. Would love to see how that 3.5 fits in a 2 door Gen 1. I'll PM you my number. Had a buddy of mine after high school that had a Raider. He beat the tar out of that thing and it just kept going. Will be cool to see a Gen 1 in person again.

Don't know how you are doing in your search, but I just came across another one, this one much more in the price range:
1995 SR - $2700 OBO

I sent an e-mail and am thinking I might go check it out when they get back to me, just for curiosity mostly. If you (or anyone else really) are interested, let me know and I will take some detailed photos.

That figures. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> I just wired money this morning to a guy in Albuquerque that Lloyd found for me in the paper. Also a 95SR but with 111K miles and updated intake, head work all done for $4500. More than I wanted to spend, but Lloyd said it was worth it. I have yet to hear from the owner this morning though, and I'm starting to get a little nervous. I'm scheduled to go there this week for work and was going to drive it back on Friday. Meeting up with Lloyd at some point.

Whew! JUST heard back from the guy finally so it looks like we're all good. Heck of a deal on that one you found. That's just how things seem to work out for me, but Lloyd says this one I bought in ABQ is in really good shape. I trust his opinion for sure. Thanks for letting me know about this new one. My budget sure would have liked the price of that one over the one I just bought. That's my luck.