[color:"red"] 2000 Montero Endeavor Build [/color]

I recently sold my beloved 1991 Montero LS with a 3.0 V6 and automatic transmission to a fellow member. As a replacement I purchased a rare 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Endeavor with 26K miles. This vehicle will better suit my needs because I need the extra seats. The plan is to create an expedition vehicle on a modest budget.

What I have to work with:

-2000 Mitsubishi Montero Endeavor with a very low 26K miles. This is a rust free vehicle and the only owner was a 76 year old man and his wife. (Endeavor was top of the line and it was only available for the 2000 model year)

-3.5 SOHC V6 engine rated for 200 hp and 234 ft lbs torque.

-Aisin Warner AW 30-40LE(A340F) 4 speed automatic transmission This tranny is compatible with Atlas transfer cases.

-KM120 Transfer Case with ActiveTrac 4wd. Marks4wd offers 3.15 gearing solutions for this transfercase. (The ActiveTrac system allows the driver to select one of 4 modes: 2WD, AWD, 4WD High Locked CDL, 4WD Low Locked CDL. The ABS brakes were re-calibrated to function in all modes. You can also shift between modes at speeds of 62 mph. The Rear differential locker is functional in all modes as well.)

-9 1/2" coil sprung, solid rear axle with 4.27 gears (ARB and Mitsubishi both have air lockers available for this axle, most 1992-2001 Montero were fitted with a rear locker which is a direct bolt-in third member.)

-8" independent suspension front axle with double A-arms, torsion bars and Aisin auto-locking hubs. (ARB makes a locker for this axle. Gearing solutions are available for both front and rear axles if needed through Mitsubishi.)

-Driver and passenger side heated leather seats.

-Power Sunroof, windows, A/C, heated mirrors, third row seats etc.

-Roof Rack

-No Rust

-Great adjustable OEM suspension


My Plans:

-Airtec Snorkel

-Aisin manual locking hubs, for better reliability, fuel economy and to reduce wear on front end components

-Camp Chef Stove/oven/grill combo

-Custom drawer system

-33" tires. Not sure on the width or brand yet.

-4.63 gears

-Camping Lab 71x94 Roof Top Tent

-JAOS fender flares

-JAOS mud flaps

-JAOS rear door ladder

-ARB front bumper

-Mitsubishi rear locker

-Rocky Road super sliders (after I remove the running boards)



Here she is, the rare 2000 Montero Endeavor.

if you find a JAOS rear ladder, please please let me know! I have been looking for years and cannot find them anymore; I called JAOS direct and they stopped making them for Gen II monteros years ago.

I did however find some leftover ganador ladders from japan which are very similar in design and quality (price too! ~$550+ per ladder) the only thing I don't like about my ganador ladder is that one of the rungs is directly in front of the door latch release handle on the back door, so you have to curl your hand under the rung to pop the latch. the Jaos ladder is better designed and doesn't get in the way as much.

If you do find a new JAOS ladder with all original hardware, I would be willing to pay you the full price of the jaos ladder and give you my ganador for free!

I thought the 2000 monteros didn't come with the rear locker?

also, the factory roof rack is not very strong, only use for light cargo 75 lbs or less, otherwise, you will dent the roof in where the feet meet the body and you could lose all your gear on the trail and dent your hood when it lands.......this didn't happen to me, but it easily could if you put too much weight up there.

I recommend removing the factory rack and getting an 84 inch garvin rack........best rack I have found for the Gen II montero that can easily support up to 400 lbs. under rough conditions.

I also recommend the 4.90 axle gears in conjunction with the 3.15 t-case gears....your tranny will thank you for it even with just 33s wrapped on your rims. Weight adds up and 4.90s will give your tranny that extra leverage over the 4.6 gears.

The dropped the rear locker in 2000. '97-'99 where the only years for the Sport. I thought the same was true for the Montero. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Hope the ABS works better than mine 'cause it sucks serious pond water in 4WD. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />


Scottie's right about the gears and the Garvin rack is great.

Edward

There are still a lot of things I have to figure out. I am up in the air about the rack, but right now I am leaning toward going to go with Yakima track system instead of a traditional rack. The track system will allow me to mount my roof top tent on load bars. It will also reduce wind noise when I am not using the tent because it is very low profile. I also think I will stick with the higher gear ratio (4.63) and 32" tires, maybe even 31" tires. Keep in mind that this is going to be an expedition vehicle. If I was going to build a rock crawler then I would definitely go with larger tires and lower gears, but I am more focused on MPG's than I am tire size due to it being an expedition rig. I am also looking into having a rear ladder fabricated. I think I could get a really nice ladder fabricated for a couple hundred bucks.

Your ratio is 4.27, they made the gears taller to help with emissions. These trucks also were the first sportronic transmission type, it is supposed to learn how you drive and adjust accordingly but it doesn't work very well with the 4.27?s even on stock tires. 3.5?s are also high RPM engines so really if you had 31's and 4.90?s the truck would be really happy.

So when did Mitsu start putting the sportronic tranny in the Montero?

In the late 1990's there were Gen 2.5 (as you guys call them) that were available with the tiptronic transmission , they were sold in NZ but not Aust, nor US. I have seen one on Carsales.com.au for sale sometime ago here in Oz.

Would be a fantastic vehicle to get hold of, as the 5 speed tranny is a really good unit.check out this post
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=14453&highlight=transmission

Best of luck. What's even more rare are the miles on the damn thing. Good find!

Thanks Angelo, I really like what you've done with your Montero. I plan to do some similar mods but with an overlanding twist. I am really excited to start modifying it once it gets here. It should be here on the 16th. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I really like how you painted the ARB bumper to match the cladding, I like how the roof rack looks and I like the amount of lift you have.