I found a Montero Sport in a Junkyard with the 3.5 and the 4.90 gears I've been looking for for some time.

I almost immediately crapped myself until I saw the truck had a next oil change sticker for 231k miles and I lost some wind in my sails. The rear brakes are frozen so I could not fully check play in the rear diff but from spinning. The transfer case was taken from it already, too. so I was able to spin the pinion and the play seems to be about the same as what my Monty is with 137k. on it.

So, here's the judgement call.. spend the $75 per axle for the differentials for high mileage gears or wait it out for a lower mileage truck?

On a side note.. The yard is a really dirty yard to work in too... almost a cesspool of fluids, worse job of draining vehicles I've ever seen. I wish LKQ was more like Frank's Pull a part yard.

I think I might just suck it up and go down there friday if it's still there, check the diff fluid and if it doesn't look terrible just Rip out the diffs and call it a day. The driveshafts are already off so other than calling up the office to have them secure the thing a little better (it's about to fall off the stand) I might have myself a set of 4.90s just in time for a new tire order.

Go get em! If you don't use them I'll buy them off you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I think I'm just not looking forward to the mess under that truck. lol. I will head back over there friday or saturday.

Good luck! If you don't use them, I may need the front gears

I got Rained out getting them out!! I even brought an impact gun and CO2 power tank to make it easier.

Right now the diff is just hanging there. I have to disassemble the drivers side to get the cup out.. possibly the passenger side too to allow enough room to slide the diff over to the pass side a little bit to allow it to fall past the cross member bracket.

(the rear is easy I was trying to tackle the front first.)

get em. thats a great price.