Hey Gang,

I am driving to NJ tomorrow to take a look at what seems to be a very clean Gen 2.5 or 1999 Montero. I am just enamored with the Gen 2.5 body style, and have been ever since the time I was in Ireland and saw a Pajero Evo drift around the roundabout I was surveying near...

From what I can tell from the pics I have seen, the 99 has the rear locker, as well as selectable shocks, which I thought they discontinued before 99, but it seems I was mistaken. Can't tell if it has bouncy seats:-(

So, like the title says, did Mitsubishi resolve the issues that plagued earlier years?

Issues like the lower intake butterfly bushings wearing out, causing the valve to be sucked into the engine? The leaky valve stem seals? The excessive wear on timing belts in the 3.5L? How about the crank bolt issue? Or any other issues that I have failed to mention?

Or did they just keep on putting the same 3.5L in until they moved to Gen 3?

I borrowed my buddie's OBD2 scanner, which I plan on using to check for codes. I also plan to remove the timing belt inspection cover to check the belt. I will be listening for a rattle high up on the motor during idle. I will look for smoke after getting up to operating temp. I will be listening for a raggy idle.

Can anyone confirm anything else I should look out or listen for?

Any additional info would be, and always is, GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance.

As always,

Cheers, Gentlemen!





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

The 99 has the 3.5 Single O.C. with 24 valves. Couple guys on here who should jump in shortly can fill you in more,,,but I don't recall any butterfly problem with the SOHC 24 3.5. The Harmonic Balancer bolt is an issue on ALL Mitsus.
It will most likely have 4.2 diffs. Locker, I dunno.
Don't think any bounceys came in any after the 93 SR.
There's a 99 3.5 SOHC 24 valve here in SLO Co. that has "1999 CA Emmisions" tag under the hood, so it's for real,,,but it is a Gen 2 LS in all other respects- no blister fenders and it has 4.63 diffs.
I'd get a good look at a picture of a 99 before I drove a long ways to see it.

Thanks Dave,

It is definitely a Gen 2.5, as I have seen pictures of it. I even had them send me a few more pics of the underneath and engine, as Carfax says the truck spent a year in PA, then went to FL and TX,m which in my mind means little to no rust, which the additional pics confirmed.

It's a bummer about the bouncy seats:-( But thank for the info.

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

'99 was the last year for the locker, i swapped bouncy seats into mine. The only downside to these trucks is the 4.27 differential gears but they're easy and inexpensive (comparatively) to swap out to 4.63 or 4.90's. The crank bolt issue is increasingly rare on later years, i never had any issues for 200k miles. You could just buy the newest bolt update if you're worried. No variable intake on these trucks either so no butterfly valves to worry about, no body cladding either which is awesome!

I've owned about 20 Mitsus from the 90's and have never had the issues you mentioned. Mitsu's from the 90's are awesome!

EDIT: VSS issue, yes, but who cares?????

If you have owned 20 mitsy and the only issue you have had is the vs seals, then you sir, are one lucky guy!

I have owned 3 since moving to back to the USA, and they all had most, if not all of the issues I listed. They are also the topic of many a thread here on the wire.

But hey, like I said, you are a lucky guy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info Toasty, I really appreciate it.

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

Ok, so my wife and I drove down to NJ to check out the Gen 2.5. It was in a lot worse shape than the pics showed. There was indeed a lot of rust underneath, the vss were shot, the rear door hinges were all kinds of fubar, paint was chipped to hell, alternator was on the way out, as were most of the pulleys on the engine. Tires were shot, mirrors didn't work, it was throwing codes for both oxygen heater banks, the transmission was WAYYYYY over full with fluid, and shifted strangely from 1st to 2nd.

All easily fixed for the most part, but the guy was asking $5000 and would not budge on the price. Kept telling me how he would get more that $5K if he waited until winter. I told him good luck with that.

So my search continues...

But again, thanks to all who have posted their views.

You guys rock! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

You'll have to visit the southwestern states, likely, to find a Montero that isn't some form of rusty. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />