After lots of thought, hours of reading the threads here and in the archive, I have decided that the 1995 LS I purchased a couple months ago (I was Montero ignorant) would be too expensive to build up into a formidable offroad SUV. I say this mainly because I DO NOT have the factory locker option...

So, I have decided to leave the LS the way it is as a daily driver and seek out a Gen-II that already has the core elements needed to build upon, mainly factory lockers. It appears that most with locker option are the SR Montero's with the 3.5L engine... and it appears from the threads that the 3.5 can be more maintenance intensive than the 3.0L engine. The 3.0L seems very durable and long lived...

So, my question:
I ask the Montero gods here in cyberspace to give me their opinion on the 3.0L 24v -versus- the 3.5 engine... How do they rate for durability, longevity and offroad capability? Is the added power of the 3.5L worth it?

This will help me to focus on an LS with lockers or an SR with lockers... or maybe a locker-vehicle with a blown engine that I can swap mine into.

I really like the Montero's over the other SUV-type options out there and want to stay with this rather than build up a Jeep Cherokee, etc..., even though parts are more readily available for them.

Please take the time to share your thoughts, experiences and advice as it would be greatly appreciated...

Rmpl <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />