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="" />

I think they both have thier gremlins,I had a 95 ls and a 95 sr, the ls was easier to maintain mostly do to the fact that there were more produced in many different vehicles. They both went over 100k no problem, i decided to trade the ls in and keep the sr, and wouldnt you know the lower end went bad.
My sr is for sale for 1500.00 all it needs is the lower end rebuilt. look for my post 95 sr must go.

As far as off road goes the sr is great but the ls is also better then most out of the box. Both engines benefit from proper maintenance.

Jesse

If you are looking for a Montero with a locker, you wont find it in the LS model, So SR is your only choice if your main concern is the factory locker. You could get a 92-93 SR with 12v 3.0 and locker but those are very hard to find. You could also get a 97 SR with the 3.5 SOHC and have the best of both worlds...And then theres the 98-00 gen 2.5 but then you have to deal with crappy axle gearing...For a core model a 97 SR would be the way to go..Factory locker, reliable 3.5 SOHC and 4.6 gears in the axles. My two cents..

Or you could find yourself an SR axle (with all the extras) to rehang under your LS. I know of a guy in Cleveland who has that in the works for himself. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I have a '95 LS with the 3.0L 24V engine. It has been extremely reliable, but it is a bit underpowered. One nice thing about my engine is that I do not have EGR. As previously noted I think the newer 3.5L engines with the SOHC would be the best bet. I believe the newer engines do not suffer from the valve seal problems like the older engines.

Thanks for everyone's comments so far... I knew the 1997 model was a "holy grail" model and now I know why; the SOHC 3.5L engine...

I'm also looking for a wrecked SR with lockers near me as the junk yards around me don't have any. That would probably be somewhat expensive to box and ship if I ordered it any further out...

Please continue any comments...

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

I've never driven the 3.5 SOHC - Someone that has driven the SOHC and the DOHC should comment.

I'm liking the DOHC though. Fast <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> The DOHC is more of a hassle to work on though.

The 97 SR has the 4.272 gears.

I have a 95 SR dohc with 168k miles. Recently test drove a 2000 Montero with the 3.5 sohc and 90k miles. The 2000 did not accelerate as fast as my old 95. Both had the same size tires, 265/70x15's, I think. The 2000 did not feel as strong in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range. I am sure the 2000 is geared numerically lower.

Per Frank from Oz (shall we just say Frank Oz?):

Diff Gearing-

GenII 3.0L = 4.625 or 4.875 (you probably have the 4.625)

GenIII 3.5L = 4.30