Alright - A couple pictures of this really clean '87 I picked up our of Denver last week. Very clean example of what a well taken care of montero can look/drive like. 132K on the clock, 5 speed.

So great to be back in a montero again after almost 10 years; feel right at home. Took it out to a wheeling spot yesterday in Huntsville, Texas - 65miles worth of trail systems, some nice hill climbs, wear crossings and plenty of mud after all this rain.

I was happy to see at some point in this Gen1s life, somebody had installed Superwinch hubs, everything worked flawlessly.

I have my weber sitting in the garage ready to install next weekend, followed by a header and free flow exhaust (likely high flow Magnaflow cat and a series 40).

This is going to be my "new" daily driver/weekend fun toy; so mods aren't going to be too extensive. Tint, shackles/TTwist/1" body lift and 31s on black crawlers. At some point I will look into the Gen2 brake upgrade.

Parts wanted!
Some aesthetic pieces if anybody has them - paypal ready!

Montero side badge
Interior door handle covers (not the actual handle, but the plastic piece behind it) Driver and passenger side are cracked.
Rear door stop

Leave the body height alone and get 32" or 33" tires, they fit with no body lift.

Are the interior door parts light or dark tan? Pictures?

Definitely on the later brake setup!

Gen 2 front brakes are one of the best upgrades ever. If'n you can score a Montero Sport rear axle with the locker and the disc brakes, you will be amazed at how far you will go compared with the LSD rear. And those discs with 32's, you'll be able to stop on a dime and get 9 cents change. Yes they are that good.

Here's my view on the body lift. When you put in the pucks, it raises the radiator so you have to mod the shroud or lower the radiator. The rear brake line gets to be a little short. Your shifter is now shorter. Your 4x4 shifter boot needs to get modified. So if your doing a body lift, do a body lift. Either go for a worthwhile two inches, or dont go through all that bs for nothing. (I have 2inches and an satisfied with it)

So if your getting 31s, your adding 1.5 in tire height, so no need to add more than 2inches lift. I have 4 inches lift with 33s, aka 2.5 inches more in tire height, and it looks natural, if not almost needing 35s.

I don't recommend extended shackles. They mess with your departure angle. They also make the car less stable, kind of like walking in heals. Add a leaf is so much better, I think. Plus while your in there, change the leaf springs bushings as they wear out and most of these trucks end up with cracked leaf eyelets. Check yours if anything.

I got some Old Man Emu 2" lift springs for one truck after running some Summit Racing Toyota 2" list shackles. Was a lot happier with the ride, but at the time, I could afford the shackles after getting 35's, but not the springs. The 2" BL and the shackles or 2" lift springs allowed me to run 35's. I believe some genius engineer at Mitsubishi designed the Gen 1 to be able to handle the 35's. And most definitely replace all bushings while you're in there. May as we'll have them on hand before you even start the job.

Really? Leafs being more than shackles? Maybe its because you bought old man emu...

But for me it was pay $130 for shackles or $60 for add a leafs. No brainer there. I think I got them from pro comp or something. I also had to buy longer u bolts, but it was still cheaper than shackles.

I had both on my previous montero- Not simultaneously.

I preferred the shackle over the add-a-leaf, despite the loss in departure angle and subsequent bad looks...With the SWB, the car became too nervous adding XXX# of spring rate in the rear; that could have been somewhat dialed down with a shock change. I may try the add-a-leaf first based on cost/install and see if my opinion changes.

MUD - Is the OME kit an entire leaf pack, or is it essentially just an add-a-leaf?

Ditto on the bushings - All will be replaced F/R - It doesn't look like that has ever been done.

Brakes - Of course, 98 Sport rear Axle - would love to at some point

Bodylift - All those items mentioned require more attention and modification when you lift 2" vs 1". I want a little more height after the "budget lift"; but plan to run no larger than 31s at the moment.

RXin - Interior handles are tan, but the color doesn't matter to me I can always paint them

I'm simply not a fan of body lifts or spacers, especially since the Gen I will already accept 31" tires with no rubbing anywhere. Even 33" never gave too much problem. You can look up many threads with pics of my Raider wearing many tire sizes.

I'll look into the covers this afternoon.

Body lift and 31's will be goofy, I consider 31's the stock size for all Montero's.

Yea I think you are right about the 31s vs 32s; RXin - You do have plenty of good pictures chronicling your tire choices. These are just preliminary plans right now. I may just scrap the body lift idea after doing the 2" lift. I'm focused on the mechanicals at the moment. If I can find a nice set of alloy wheels I may just go the 32s instead.

Thanks RXin much appreciated.