Sharp looking ride! Welcome. My first Montero was an '88 two door. I searched what seemed like forever to find one and stumbled on one at a local "cash for clunkers" deal. Bought it wholesale on the cheap ($900) because it ran like crap, but like yourself, have many hours working on 80's vehicles. I opted to drive it the short distance home and dropped in $10 in gas and within a few miles, had run through all the crap in the carb and lines. She purred. A quick tune up and a little TLC provided me with a fantastic truck that took me all over the place. I always enjoyed the looks on the faces of others on the trail when the Montero rolled by and past their built Jeeps and Toyotas on the same trail they are on. I still enjoy those looks now, but from the front seat of my '97 LS. A wonderful follow-up to an already wonderful example of classic over-engineered, Japanese quality. I've been quietly eyeballing and shopping for a Gen 3 to use as my daily while I finally get a chance turn the '97 into the truck I really want. And, if Mitsubishi brings the Montero back to the U.S. In 2017, I will probably look at buying one of those, unless they release anything like the concept. Ugh. Anyways, welcome to the Wire!
Maaan, I saw a nice SR for sale on CL the other day for $675 because it was leaking some oil and the guy thought the tranny was bad (though, from the description he gave, and researching through here I think it might just be bad fluid/old filter.) But I am so wary of buying an ODB 2 car again that I talked myself out of getting it. I love that sweet sweet computer controlled performance, but dear god I don't want to get a computer science degree just so I can do a tune up, or change the oil (exaggeration, I know, but still. Headache increases in direct proportion to the number of systems the car's computer is tied into.
Half the reason I aimed for a gen 1 was to keep it as low tech as I could while avoiding a carb (never had a car with one, only a general idea of how the thing actually works, looked at the one on my friend's SBC and decided I never wanted to bother with one!)
I wish I had the performance of a later gen, but at the risk of sounding like a poser; screw performance, gen 1 monteros, defenders, (older model) patrols, and FJ40s all look like something you'd see Indiana Jones driving through a jungle. I can put better parts on my gen 1, but I couldn't (well... as easily at least) put my gen 1 body on a 2, 2.5, etc.
That is just how I personally feel though. Every non-sport Montero is awesome in it's own way.
