</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Kevin Wolford:
<strong>
<snip>
As of 2000, the Trooper does have better front axle articulation, <snip>
My 0.02

Kevin</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I'll agree here. The Isuzu IFS doesn't flex like a solid axle, but Doug's 93 Montero behaves like the spindles are bolted to the frame.

-Tad (who is going to rely on a front locker rather than a solid axle for a while)

I'm an Isuzu RODEO owner, so I don't have any first-hand ownership experiences to contribute here, BUT...

I got to witness the Mitsubishi Montero's capabilities from the passenger seat of DougH's, at the July`02 Uwharrie Fun Run. --- Very impressive indeed!

Pix of Doug's Monty in action that day <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

If you ever get the opportunity to ride shotgun with Doug&#8230; Take it!!!
--- But be sure to bring a hefty supply of Dramamine & Valium! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

As for the differences... From everything that I&#8217;ve seen, the Trooper & Montero are BOTH amazingly capable off-road vehicles, and given the necessary funds, I would be equally pleased to possess either one of them. (And with a Lotto Jackpot in my pocket&#8230; I'd get a few built-up examples of each!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> )

Cheers!
Smiley <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I did some reading this weekend found out two more interesting things. The Montero was considered more luxurous and has better crash and the alternator placement 96 Trooper (it was the Acura actually) in a comparison test was throughly disliked.

Kevin

alternator placement... ?? wtf? where did they put it that could possibly be annoying, up the driver's ... uhh... nose or something?

The alternator on the 6VD1 is LOW. Like, next to the differential low. It tends to get into water and mud. Alternators don't like mud or water.

KW

Alternator is in a horrible position on all Troops/Rodeos on the 3.2L engines (Not sure about pre 3.2 or the 3.5)

Alt is bottom right corner, PITA to get too, Also horrid location for water crossing.

I get in the mud and some water quite a bit. Any suggestions on where/how the alternator could be relocated fairly easily on a 99 Trooper?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by DaveFL:
<strong>Alternator is in a horrible position on all Troops/Rodeos on the 3.2L engines </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Might as well throw the 2.6 onto that list as well. I have completely toasted one alt. and had to rebuild another within the past 16 months. <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" />

i know the alternator position on my montero sucks. it's low as hell.
<img src="http://pics.montypics.com/montygrant/2003-01-24/montero5resized.jpg" alt=" - " />
after going through this, my alternator, and most of the engine compartment was CAKED in mud. oh well. i waited a day, hosed it off (nervously) and luckily it still puts out amps like champ.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by MontyGrant:
<strong>
after going through this... it still puts out amps like champ.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Great looking truck. I was quite a bit deeper than that when I fried my alt though <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />