I have a (beloved) 89 v6 5 speed raider that is suffering from MI rust. I've patched the floors, rockers and frame in many places a few times now to keep it alive, but I fear I'm getting close to "nothing left to weld to" ... I have a 89' 2 door montero that is amazingly rust free from CA. Problem is this one was a 4 cyl 5 speed. I'd love to swap all the mechanicals from the v6 into it, but not sure how complex this will be. Worth the effort? I'm not a fabricator or mechanic, just a weekend warrior type - used to doing everything myself with what I have available...
89' v6 5-speed Raider 33's (toy) 95' LS Montero (the tow mule and workhorse) 87' 2.6 Raider (in process) 88' 2.6 Montero 2 dr (in process) 88' 2.6 Raider (organ donor) 89' 2.6 Power Ram [D50] Jr's wheels
Is the MI frame still in good shape? Between the 4-cyl and 6 you have differences underneath... tranny xmember, gas tank, motor mounts, leaf vs. coil rear axle. Better off swapping the CA body over if you can. All the interior parts from the V6 should install fine (mainly the dash and gauges to match the V6 wiring harness, etc.)
Big Truck: 00, 3.5, Endeavor, 5-Spd drive line in hand! Little Truck: 87, 2.6T I/C, MT, LSDs, Tonneau Top Her Truck: 03, 3.8, 20th Anniv, 65k Daughter's: 06 Eclipse, Keeping it Mitsu! FSMs: MitsubishiLinks.com
MI frame and body are bad, I can probably milk another year or two out of it for trail use if I throw some more metal at it... Too bad, the CA body is faded with a couple minor dings, but not a spot of rust. Interior sucks in that one... Hate to do it, but may just put it together with one of the 2.6's I have, spruce it up a bit, sell it and keep on the lookout for another v6...
89' v6 5-speed Raider 33's (toy) 95' LS Montero (the tow mule and workhorse) 87' 2.6 Raider (in process) 88' 2.6 Montero 2 dr (in process) 88' 2.6 Raider (organ donor) 89' 2.6 Power Ram [D50] Jr's wheels
You have all the pieces, why not put the V6 into the 4-cyl frame? You could really leave the leaf springs and smaller fuel tank, using an FI fuel pump.
You have all the pieces, why not put the V6 into the 4-cyl frame? You could really leave the leaf springs and smaller fuel tank, using an FI fuel pump.
This.
Sounds like a basic engine swap to me...take the V6 drive line and put it into the cleaner vehicle. If you're patching up bodies and frames, I'm sure you've got the skills to handle the swap!
I recently put a '93 3.0L frame underneath a '95 3.5L, and ran into a few issues...but they are easily fixed. Trans X-members swap over since they just bolt on, and as for the engine mount brackets on the frame - if need be, you can chop your V6 ones off that frame, and weld them on to the 4cyl frame (that's what I had to do). Didn't take long. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Sean - Orange County, CA MAIL: seanwilliams78@gmail.com 1995 Montero SR - For exploring and getting away! 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo - 402hp and counting! 1966 VW Bug 2275cc - For stoplight drags!
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