Jay, sounds like we will have some haul back now. Please give me a call when you have some time and so we can make arrangements to meet up at your convience.

The Sierras are truly epic. The trails are incredibly difficult and present a significant challenge to a group driving South to North through the Mountain Chain. At the Same time they deliver incredible scenery, connectivity and lakes or great streams at every camp site. What intrigues me, is it has been many years since a Sierras expedition. What 3 or 4? But back in those days there were two exceptional rigs, mine and Carlos, and that WAS IT! Now there is an entire fleet. I have a feeling next years return to the Sierras will be a lot of fun, with out the difficulty of dragging under equipped rigs through. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I think surprise updates to new mods are usually welcome. As for taking crap for write-ups? I guess you're talking about the various trip write-ups? I call it additional 'prodding' to tell the whole story. You know if more people went on their own trips, they wouldn't ask for write-ups so much LOL... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> P

Seriously though I need to go on another wheeling adventure after I get this next set of mods done. The rig's been waiting far too long for one.

Here are a couple pics of my new ride!

whats the verdict? Creampuff?

Sure is! It's in great shape for a 16 year old truck. Body is straight, interior is in good condition as well. A little wear on the rear seats but nothing major at all. Other than the idling issue it runs down the road just fine, although it seems down on power a bit, but I'm running some Lucas injector cleaner through a tank now. Been buzzing around town in it this evening testing it out. Black stuff coming off the window trim is about the only exterior flaw I see, and that appears normal from what I've read.

I'm going to pull the IAC out at some point tomorrow and test it to see if that might be the issue with the idle. But other than that I'm extremely pleased with it's condition. I'm betting I couldn't have bought a nicer one for the price. Almost too nice to wheel it, but I'm going to anyway.

I need to check the oil first thing in the morning, as the oil pressure seems a bit low. Will get it to a lube place to change the oil and top off the vitals before I leave town anyway just for peace of mind.

On the oil pressure, that is likely just a plugged sending unit. Just need to screw another one in. They need replaced every so often.

Very nice - especially considering the hot climate it's been in. White should help with that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Looks like it could have been a longgggggg wait to find another as nice.

Delo 15-40 is about the best oil you can run protection wise and you might see the oil pressure stay higher with it. Don't let them use a jippo oil filter <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> - some of those don't do much for the oil pressure either.

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

Maiden voyage of the new Montero is complete!

First impressions? I think it's a girl. A little bitchy and temperamental, but oh so much fun when you get inside. How I love me some crazy women! You may be witnessing a bonifide love affair taking place here. Windows down on Route 87 from Payson, sunroof open, tunes playing. Great drive. And I'm completely digging on the adjustable shocks. Soft for crappy I-40 pavement. Hard for the mountain curves and inspired confidence. Very cool. I don't feel like I'm lacking anything vs. a more "modern" truck. The Montero was clearly modern for it's time. Little touches like the lighted bezel around the ignition key are much appreciated. I've never had a car with a sunroof, so I'm thoroughly enjoying that. It's a little sticky and slow, but works for now. Some attention is needed in the future it seems.

A couple of things I noticed:

There seems to be some drive line slack. Right around 40mph when letting off the gas coasting, and lightly touching the throttle to maintain speed, there is a noticeable jerk when letting of the gas, and getting back on it. It happens at all speeds, but while testing it in town at 40mph it was pretty obvious. Going to crawl underneath tomorrow and check mounts and drive shaft play.

There is a pretty noisy mechanical "whine" from the engine that I didn't notice before. The tunes were too loud so I'm not sure when it started, but I heard it when I pulled into my office in Gilbert and have heard it since. The idle is quite a bit higher in park than in drive, and the idle chuggs for lack of a better word when in drive. Any input welcome.

All in all a great drive and I enjoyed the Montero a lot. A little sluggish on the steeper mountain grades, but not terrible. And best of all it got me home without incident. If it wasn't for me being so tired, I would have wanted to continue driving which is saying a lot after a 7 hour drive. Will update again once I dig around a bit.

Jay

Oh, sorry I noticed the engine whime. It should be that idler pully.

Yeah. Poked my head under the hood this morning, and it looks/sounds like the drive belt tensioner. Anyone know where to get these locally? I'm coming up empty handed via O'Reilly/NAPA.

Also pulled the IAC valve. Looks like it may be bad. Checked between pins 1 and 2 and shows open. Pins 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 5 and 6 are all within spec around 30ohms. Can't seem to find that locally either. At least not in the greater metropolis that is Queen Creek.