I bought this 1990 LS about 3~4 years ago from a farmer out in Oklahoma. It used to be a California car, but the owner bought a ton of acreage in OK and used this for about 10 years to heard cattle, mend fences, etc. I paid $800 with around 228,000 miles. It had a few issues that needed immediate attention, but nothing too crazy.

Here's a quick list of what I have had to do so far on it:

passenger turn signal lens broken
driver/passenger seats from a pick and pull
fuel pump
master cylinder
oil cooler lines using clamps and high pressure hose
one collapsed valve lash adjuster
rear brake shoes/wheel cylinders
faulty hazard switch
faulty driver side window switch cluster
cracked positive terminal clamp
various sets of used tires
toyota steel rims to replace the heavily oxidized aluminum stockers

After all this time I have neglected quite a few things, and in all honesty expected this to just be a temporary vehicle. I figured I would get a year or so out of it, and then when it blew up I would just find something else. This thing refuses to die after 12,000 miles. I liked it before, but now I love it. I don't want to get rid of it, and want to do my best to prolong it's life. Nothing drastic, but my first big purchase was a good set of tires. The bald 30" BFG All Terrains had to go. I got some Goodyear Wrangler 31" put on last weekend.

Here's some pics of it's current state:

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Rust and faded paint areas. Are there any good window seal sources?

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Notched hood hook/latch. I think I can weld up the notch and file it back to stock profile. Hopefully that helps a bit. It's kinda scary driving down the highway and seeing it flutter an 1/8" or so up and down.

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Radiator pin hole has been here since I bough the truck. Seeps a tiny amount, and I've literally ignored it. Time to get this fixed.

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I noticed a bit of a leak at the thermostat neck the other day.

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A full underhood shot.

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[img]http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww326/hatchethairy2/montero/DSC00852.jpg[/img]

Only real body damage on the whole vehicle other than slight dings.

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Torn rear bumper rubber corners.

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When I got the truck, the headliner was in shambles, so I tore it all out and kept the bows to hopefully install a new one later. Still haven't got around to it. Also the carpet was soggy and smelly from a window being left open a couple weeks. I probably should have tried to salvage it, but instead tossed it and have just run some heavy duty rubber floor mats. I also cut up a large mat to fit the cargo area. I love the D-hooks and fuel pump access panel! I changed the pump in the rain and didn't get a drop of water on me.

[img]http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww326/hatchethairy2/montero/DSC00836.jpg[/img]

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I found a non-torn matching pair of front seats when I got the truck and swapped them out. Unfortunately now the driver's side replacement is all tore up. The local yards don't have anything in first gen anymore, so I may see about fitting some second gen if available.

Here's a list of things I need to address over the next few months:

turn signal relay (signal speed super slow)
front windshield washer pump
blower motor resistor
air filter
clean battery terminals and apply protectant
secure hood latch (hood flutters on the highway notching the loop)
power steering lines (similar fix to oil cooler lines?)
thermostat gasket
radiator pinhole leak
rear axle bearing seals
belts
tensioner pulleys
idler arm
crank bolt fix
gas mileage
fuel filler hose leaks horribly
fuel cap
timing belt
driver seat belt frayed
driver seat tears (again)
valve lash adjusters (replace all)
trans fluid
trans case fluid?
paint faded/rusty
areas around windows


1990 Montero LS LWB A/T
1989 Montero LWB 5 spd