Hi Winston,

Thanks for the tips.

Fluids are going to get changed this week along as a just to be sure.
The tranny shift is exactly like you describe upon start up and smooths out when warmed up.
The whirring noise seems to be noticeable when you hit 45 mpg after the tranny hits 3rd gear. Shift is fine and power is there so that is not an issue. Since I haven't driven one of these guys before I can't compare it.
It really sounds like standard engine noise from acceleration at that point.

I got to tell you this one. We have gotten a lot of rain here in Tampa Bay and are about to get some more with this baby hurricane coming. At my sons soccer practice last night the grass parking lot was flooded but a Ford Explorer tried to make it thru to park next to the field. It bogged down and the Mom driver gunned the heck out of it spraying mud over 1 Lexus, 1 Camrey and 1 F-250. It was hilarious <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
So after practice I just HAD to drive the Montero thru the mud. I didn't even put it in 4x4 and cruised right thru without a problem.

It was great.

jbm