Hey Gang,

Been a while, nice to see everyone still here.

I have searched the forums for an answer to my specific questions, with no luck.

The time has come to decide what to do with the 1994 Montero SR that I picked up back at the end of last year. OldColt has had it for the last few months, and has evaluated the engine and tranny as being very strong, and overall a nice running truck. Indeed, the truck drives well, as I just drove it home nearly 200 miles from VT earlier today. Filled it up in VT and used just over 1/4 tank of gas, averaging 65-70 mph. The main reason I don't want to keep it, is that it simply needs to much work to get it the way I want it. Most everything works but the AC and ABS, and the drivers side rear window is hosed as well. It smokes like chimney if left to idle for more that 20 seconds, but I'm figuring (and hoping) that if the swap is easy enough, a valve stem seal replacement will cure that issue, as I would give the 3.5L a full service while it was out of the truck. I started to fix the SR up, but time and money say it ain't gonna happen. She has all new KYB shocks, a new rad, new brake pads front and rear, a new (used, non leaky) sunroof and headliner, and other small non mechanical stuff. But she is just too beat up, as she needs lots of other stuff to make her truly mine.

In light of this, I would like some additional expert opinions on how hard it would be to swap the 94 3.5L DOHC into my 3.0L 24V 95 LS?

Would it be pretty much a drop in type of swap, or is it a very complicated and time consuming job?

I ask because my LS is in such great shape, but after driving the SR, I realize that my LS is very underpowered, and would be a much more enjoyable and economical truck to drive with the DOHC and extra .5 of a liter. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Or should I just sell them both and look for a proper SR?

As always gents, your opinions are GREATLY appreciated!

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

Sell both and get an SR with a locker...

The SR has a locker, and it even works <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Call me crazy should be a fairly simple swap.
Motor will bolt up no problem.
Exhaust, simple swap.
Fuel- might have to swap pumps from tank to tank.
Wiring - swap it in so it hits all sensors and stuff
brackets and accessories holders in compartment.Drill out spot welds, bolt them down if you don't have a MIG.

sounds like it would be a real PITA and would not gain "That" much power (3.0 24 has more than I have in my 12 valve 3.0,,,and I thought about that upgrade, and it ain't worth the hassle). 3.5 dohc with butterfly problems and all the other complicated stuff...You'll have wirieng , ECU swaps...ontop the tank you most likely have a different vapor colection setup and a sensor on that thank that won't talk to your DOHC ecu. Your state has emmision check and an older year engine into your probably won't be allowed.
But that's just me...

^This^ too much work for what you could get a nice SR for.

Ok Gents,

Thank you very much for the opinions.

As I am not skilled enough o attempt such an endeavor, I have decided to sell the SR first.

Again, thank you all <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

So let me get this straight. You want advice about swapping engines but you haven't even replaced a window motor in said truck? The window motor is VERY easy. I replaced mine out of Junkyard truck. I did 2. The AC? Any idea why it doesn't work? Could be as simple as recharge... And yes valve seal replacement will fix smoking. I have 1990 3.0LS and 1995 3.5SR. Personally I don't really notice that much difference in power. The SR is nice but I would much rather have 3.0. The SR DOHC Motor is WAY more complex-pain to deal with. That's my 2 cents.

I was asking about a swap because I have 2 good friends that run a local repair shop who said they would help with the swap, which in reality means they would be doing most of it. I was asking to get a feel on how tough it would be for them.

For me, the difference in power between the 2 engines is very noticeable, particularly as I live in a fairly hilly region. The torque difference is night and day. And thus far, for the few days I have been driving the SR as my daily driver, it even seems to be getting better mileage than my 95 LS. I will know for sure at the end of this week.

As for the window, I have never attempted to fix one, and it's been my luck in the past that when I tried to fix something, I ended up breaking something else. The AC compressor pulley is frozen, which is likely why the belt was removed.

Sadly I am one of the less mechanically inclined folks. Major repairs are out of my league, so if I don't have the money to have it repaired , it doesn't get fixed. I can do smaller stuff like radiators, shocks, sway bars, brake pads,calipers etc.

I appreciate your comments very much , sasnydley. I have taken them on-board.

Off topic, I see you are in the Sarasota area. I grew up there. Went to Wilkinson Brookside and Riverview. What part do you hail from?



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

Looked at the pics and what you've described wrong with the truck. IMO all of these things are fairly easily remedied. Yes, the valve stem seals are kind of a pain, but with the proper tools it can be done in a day.

The only reason I say this, is when I bought my SR last year, the engine gave out 600 miles after buying it. I'm currently at 8000 miles on the rebuild. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I had NO previous mechanical experience other than maintenance items like changing spark plugs and oil. I spent literally months reading this forum, and with the help of the fine folks here, and a couple of the guys from the AZ crew, I got the engine out and torn down, short block rebuilt by a shop, and new heads. Yes it was expensive, and time consuming, but I learned a ton and no longer fear doing any work on this engine. In fact, I get called to help with things like valve stem seals and timing belt changes now. Was it worth it? Yep. I grin from ear to ear every time I go off road.
The point of this long winded story is to not give up on a decent truck just because you don't know how to work on it just yet. My .02