Full disclosure....this is my first post, I've been a member of this forum for a whopping 1 hour. So here goes...

I'm an aspiring off-roader and an armature mechanic. I've always dreamed of getting something like a Jeep or 4Runner for camping/road-trips/hunting and the such, but as luck would have it, I am in the proud new owner of a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero SR for the whopping price of Free.99

-3.5L SOHC, 24 valve engine
-Automatic transmission
-4x4 with locking differential
-Every other flippin' bell and whistle available in 1997

This vehicle came to me from my mom who purchased it new. In true mom-fashion, she treated it like a precious snow flake (she even saved the original window sticker which showed the MSRP as $40K!) . It went to the dealership at the slightest sign of worry and has never truly been off-road. The vehicle has no body damage and zero rust (central California kept). It has just passed the 200K mile mark and still runs incredibly well. The only issue I've found is that it has an oil leak at the valve cover gasket and it hasn't been put into 4x4 mode in over 5 years.

The reason I've joined this forum and am posting today is that I'm curious to know this vehicle's potential. I like that is a unique beast on today's roads but worry as to the availability of parts now that it is almost 20 years old. I assume that an engine rebuild is inevitable due to its mileage and I'm afraid to try to put it in 4x4 mode because it has been nearly 5 years since that has been engaged.

As to my personal background...I've been working on cars since I was 15. I've never attempted a rebuild of an automatic transmission or worked on a 4x4 system, but I've done just about everything there is to do with a motor and vehicle suspension.

So now I come to the point...Is this vehicle worth the time, effort, and money to keep running. Let me know what you think based on what you know of this vehicle's potential and mechanical ability. If it comes to having to pull the motor and rebuild it, will I be able to find parts? If the 4x4 systems needs repair due to neglect, will I be able to find parts? The usual old-car stuff.

If you've made it this far, thanks for taking the time to read through this post.

A 97 SR auto is good rig, especially for a beginner/aspirant.
Valve cover gaskets aren't hard to replace.
Pretty sure the Auto trans is more reliable of the choice between auto or manual.
As for using a fairly unused 4x4 system, I'd get a manual on the vehicle and change out the diff and transfer case fluid.
Happy wheelin'!

@ ENG1N33R

Thanks for the info. I'll be excited to post info on the rebuild when that time comes.

If maintenance has been done according to schedule by your mother, there shouldn't be any need to change the fluids. The differentials and transfer case are all being used whether or not the vehicle in 4wd, so using 4wd for the first time in a while isn't going to do anything different that would require a fluid change. The best thing you can do is to use the 4wd frequently, as it keeps the mechanisms free and functioning properly. It's a common issue to have the 4x4 indicator lights on the dash not working properly due to switches sticking from non-use.

As far as a rebuild goes, if the maintenance has been kept up on, it's more than likely not necessary unless the engine is demonstrating some sort of problem. A compression check should give you a pretty good idea of the general health of the engine. The bottom ends on the Mitsu V6s are incredibly durable - I've got over 263K on my 95 SR on the original bottom end. The common issues with the motor are the valve stem seals and the hydraulic lash adjusters, both of which are repairable without removing the cylinder heads. The crankshaft pulley bolt needs to be replaced with the newer updated design if it hasn't already been done.

Parts availability is not too bad. The more common maintenance and repair items will be available at your local parts store. Online suppliers like RockAuto are good for a lot of the less commonly available parts, and your local dealership or a dealer online should still be able to get most anything for it, although it may have to be ordered from Japan.

The best thing you can do to familiarize yourself with your new Montero is to spend a few hours researching and reading right here on this forum. It's likely the best repository of Montero info anywhere on the web.

Agreed with all above. Fluid choice is important for the auto trans if you decide to do changes... Mitsu brand SPII is the stuff to get.

Otherwise, if looked after the engine should still have lots of life left in it. Parts are not that hard to get. Heck, I'm able to find parts in Canada, where we didn't get the second gen Montero at all.

Crawl around underneath it, and appreciate the sheer size of the diffs, the ujoints... these things are overbuilt. Watch the news, and note the rigs that are in the middle of war zones, where roads are sketchy or non-existent - Landcruisers, G-Wagens, Defenders, and Pajeros (Monteros).

I think you have found an underrrated gem, and if you give it a chance, you'll find you are happy that you did!

Thanks for all the info! As soon as it stops raining here, I'll get the chance to start looking the vehicle over. As far as shop manuals go, AllData is pretty scant - all they have are part diagrams, very little actually repair info. I found full dealer shop manuals online for 1996 and 1998 models (of course I wasn't able to find 1997). Both model years had 3.5 SOHC engines, but they look to be tuned ever-so-differently according to the specs in each. Anyone know which one will be the most applicable?

Welcome to the Wire!

Good purchase and welcome to the wonderful world of monteros!

Go ahead and give the 4X4 a try. It will probably work without any problems.
SR is a very capable vehicle. You will be impressed. You may have to do a bit more searching when looking for parts. You can't just go to Auto Zone and expect items off the shelf.

The 96 is still the DOHC so the 98 will be more accurate for your engine.