Ray,

I think you're underestimating the weight of your 88 Monte unless you've done some serious interior stripping. That thing's gotta weigh 4100lbs, and a trailer with the strength to carry it will weigh 1200 or more. To pull 5300lbs around (more than the Monte's rated tow capacity), you need the longer WB of the Montero and the 3.5. Even then, you'll be overloaded. Unless you use only the rear cross member hitch, which magically increases the tow capacity to something North of 4 tons.......:-)