1. Roll cage is nice if you need it. On road stability and low CG is more important IMO - A massive center diff, DANA 60 equiv rear axle, and 22 gallon tank helps on my end. Some poo poo the IFS on the Monty, but its pimp for the daily driving and easy to enhance for off the road

2. I suppose thats subjective, 33's+ are easy. Swappable parts between some of the imports. Of course the turbo swap from a Starion/Conquest is popular with the 4 banger Gen1 guys. Fortunately the Pajero (Montero overseas) is quite popular in Oz - the land where all great off the shelf mod parts come from. Anything is possible. There's a few members from Oz transforming thier Gen2 rigs to SA if that's your thing:







3. How big? 33's can fit without doing anything. Again, anything is doable:






4. Try a Dana 60 equiv rear (9.5"). Lockable Center diff with 1.90:1 low range, 4.636 GR for diffs, and some kick <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> members down under who can hook you up even lower - much lower. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> ...and don't forget massive disk brakes all around - 12.5". Locking rear diff. Stock oversized tranny oil cooler helps too.

5. With modding the Jeep would have the Monty beat (I would hope). I havent had an issue yet however with my stock setup. (36" ground to hub center)



6. You are a Stoic <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />. I'll take my adjustable hydralic suspension seats - driver and pass, adjustable shocks, my fine leather, my 9 sq ft moon roof, fold flat seats for all 3 rows to make one giant sleeping quarters, adjustable tilting back seats for 2nd and 3rd row... and oh, my inclometer anyday <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> headlight washers are nice too in the snowy salty north.

7. 225HP. 228#ft @ 3K RPM. This engine rocks. Passes with class when your going fast . 33's and 6500lbs total weight with all my junk on it and it remains unphased. Gets about 17 mpg - when I find my vaccuum leak. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> 22 gallon tank.

8. I strongly disagree - if you are skilled and have the tools fabbing yourself is the only way to go. Yes you guys are spoiled with all your overpriced parts, but if I really want something I can get it from Oz. Unfortunately for us there is some very trick stuff out of Japan, but the language barrier and thier lack of interest in our market makes it a pipe dream.


That said I will give Jeep this - they know niche marketing. Mitsu knows jack squat. Sadly, the SWB Gen2 and Gen3, the turbodiesl, the cabrio, the Dakar version, never saw its way here to the US. You'd all be singin' another tune if they were! Me, I need to wheel AND carry 4x8 plywood with seven people in my ride. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

And one more thing - a definite advantage of owning something that is not all the rage in 4x4's -everything you see for my truck and goodies - $8K <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> - the truck doesnt own me - I own the truck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

As far as ease of modifications... I lose.....

As for results for less $$$ bring it on. You won't find a much cheaper as capable vehicle

Do you really wheel on a d30 with 37's and an ARB?

Bretwalda, I couldn't have said it better. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I have to come out there and pay you a visit sometime. You are like the Gen II king man. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Moderator, I agree with you on the modification to a point.

Body lift is beneficial, inexpensive and very easy to do. With 2" of body lift ANY Gen1 or Gen2 will clear 33's. Donor shackles, bumper trimming and and cranked t'bars will, IIRC clear 35"s with offset wheels. IF you can do the work yourself this project costs almost NOTHING. Pieces-parts and the body lift MIGHT be $250. About $1000 will get 4 33's mounted on the offsets you're gonna require (don't need em with BOTH body and crank/shackle) or just a set of wider rims for the 12.5" wide tires.

alright well you might laugh but something has to be said about tops here... what Montero has a fully removable top.. in wich you can blast throught the mud all day then at the end of the day grab the power washer and hose down the entire thing inside and out?...

Well you got us there - kinda - like I said Mitsu corporate sucks, if they didnt we'd have these here:



And these:

(Delica 4wd minivan on montero chassis and drivetrain)


And these:

(mitsu turbo diesel jeep)


And these:

(4 door mighty max)


And these:

(L200 full size pickup)


And these:
(Evolution/Dakar version)



they all exist in large numbers but...sigh...we got burned. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The monster moonroof has to count for something though <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

I work at a Chevy dealership, so I can tell you without any doubt what ISN'T the best...

I really like my 90 LWB. I've also driven a few Cheeps. I like them too. I drove a cj-7 with the doors off and decided I want one. It would make a really great hunting rig.

But, alas. I am married with three boys. My monty is the only cheap, practical rig I could find that will carry me, my wife, 3 carseats loaded with squirmy blond children, a family sized three room tent, 5 sleeping bags, a camp stove, lanterns, 9 days worth of clothes for 5 people, food for a week, and still close the doors. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I almost bought a Cherokee sport before I found this rig. The Cherokee had problems and they wanted more money for it. Mine had (has) problems too, but I do all my own work, so it's cheap. The best part was that I can find no scrapes on the underside of my montero, the Cheep Cherokee was beat silly and $500 more.

My point of view is skewed by my experience working on many makes and the fact that all American made vehicles that I have seen are vastly inferior to their Asian counterparts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Poor quality trickles up in auto manufacturing. Just look at Diamler Chrysler since they took over Chrysler. Mercedes Benz vehicles are falling fast in quality.

Cheeps are cool, I like them a lot. They just don't suit my needs right now.

And I also can't stand fixing the same problem multiple times because it was a stupid or cheap part from the factory. I know it must happen to Japanese cars and trucks too, but I haven't seen it. All American auto manufacturers have their heads shoved so far up their collective <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> that it'll take a major catastrophy to jar them loose. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I wish it weren't so. I would love to be able to buy American again.

Clay

i want all of those trucks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> and i have seen bolth of these rigs get sprayed down from the inside

Someone made a good point earlier, just wanted to point it out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> Its like saying, ".... I dont agree with your apraisal of Monteros, and some of your points show an obvious lack of knowledge of the various Montero models" Right? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just wanted to say, there are both good Jeeps and good Monteros and other good 4x4s, but most of the time, the Jeep guys are the ones being the cocky ones and pumping up eachothers egos and laughing like lil school girls <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I help out any 4x4 on the trails, big, small, ugly or even those teen kids taking out the "soccer mom" suv and gettin stuck. Its all the same to me.

For what my Montero was made for, it does a darn good job! Thats almost like saying, take a Jeep, build it up to be a long distance travel vehicle, or build it up and make it comfortable <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> I think Monteros are closer to becoming a more capable 4x4 than a Jeep is to "loading 'er up FULL of luggage" kind of vehicle and taking a 3000K road trip. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Thats like us seeing a Jeep on the highway- Imagine this in your head.... A Jeep full of, lets say... 2 suitcases, with barely enough room for the people inside it, and a group of Monteros drive by and start whispering to eachother and then laughing at the Jeep cause "jeeps dont belong on the highway" are you crazy!!! Jeeps on the Highway! those things arent "On-Road Rated!" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

So.... what i'm trying to say in a nut-shell, just cause you see a Montero is on the trail, doesnt mean we shouldnt be respected. Just would like to see credit where credit is due! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> True, it isnt the best 4x4, so i'm not claiming that. I dont think Anyone was realllllly claiming the Raider/ Montero was the best, but merely as a joke that got a few jeep guys excited. Those few guys heads grew enormously huge from their own ego-boost <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" /> and then....... the bashing, the defending and trash talkin begun! But in many ways, the Montero is better than your average built up Jeep and vise-versa (before anyone decides to attack me for that comment ):o) And maybe it was just the obvious lack of knowledge, but its ok, everyone makes mistakes. Everyone is happy with what they got. And yes, I would even like to have a Jeep one day built up. But that doesnt mean i'm gonna knock it til then. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

But you know what they say about guys with big 4x4's? To make up for other things! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> (now now, dont get your panties in a wad (sp)- Just a lil joke ! )

Happy Wheelin,
Angelo

Wow What Did I DO HAHAHAHA