Who's broken mitsu axles with 35's other than uncle frank? Even lloyd doing trails most would say Montero's have no business being on hasn't broken axles except the fronts and he's even indicated it's avoidable if you know what you're doing.. Heck, even Kary note's the same.
here... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Of course if you're applying too much stupid pedal at the wrong time... well, I guess that's why they called it the stupid pedal.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

You can fit the 38"s on with a 3" body lift and massive guard trimming. Of course you have to run the widest offset rims you can find or wheel spacers.
I have seen a Gen 1 swb with 38" Groundhawgs and it didn't foul on anything.
The fitment is definitely do-able.
The problem is power and gears.
The Gen 1 I saw had a GM V8 and could turn them ok.
The other issue is axles even the mighty 33.5mm 3.5 V6 units would be out of their depth with any serious.
wheelin.
The IFS would be definitely way out of it's depth with a tyre of that much weight. You would grenade stuff on the first obstacle IMHO.
However I do know a guy who ran 36" Swampers on a Gen 1 swb V6 for many years without too many CV breakages and only one rear axle failure.
But he could drive really well.

I will donate my cordless sawzall Dewalt 18v to anyone to wants to give it a go. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> All I ask is for a photo to be posted when your done <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Hahahaahah... I already have the sawzall... I think I am going to settle with 33s. I just found a local Starion enthusiast and he is willing to help me out with engine "tweak".

I think I am just slightly jealous of the bastardizing that the Suzuki guys go through to build their rockclimbing/mudbogging buggies. Then again, the buggies that are running 38s really are Suzukis with all of the modifications that are done!

Fleabag,

Please add your rig details to your signature. I had no idea you're considering doing this on a 2.6 engine Mitsu.

well, I will be getting my 35's for my SR in the next month or two, so I will let you all know how my 3.15 t case gears and 4.9 diff gears handle them, but from what I hear from those you actually put in the 3.15 t case gears, they work great and have plenty of power.

You'd still need to drive on highway that's where 3.15 won't make any difference. 4.9 will surely help though.
Of course as we all know laws of physics break up in Island
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

For those that are interested, I used the online ratio calculator with the following inputs:

old tire: 30
new tire: 35
old ratio: 4.2 (with t case in High range)

the result is a ratio of 4.9 in the diffs to keep the same overall ratio. So even on the highway with 4.90's in the diffs, you can spin 35's with the exact same overall ratio and feel as stock montero gen II. so instead of changing my entire engine and a whole bunch of other stuff to make a new engine work, all I had to do was put 4.90's in the diffs and even while in high range, I can spin 35's with the EXACT same overall ratio as a stock gen II montero.

scottie

I should chime in on this one even though I am not running 38s, however I am running 35s. I should say that I have no problems running them on the HWY nor Offroad thanks to the 3.15 and 4.90 gears and my 3.5L 215HP <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
My tires are getting worn out and I have been considering moving up to 36s or 37s to see how the truck will handle. I have more then enough power off/On road with 35s so now I wan to see how far I can push the trucks limits... we'll see! I been looking around for a used set of 37s just to try them out and if they don'y work out I can always sell them and move back to 35s.
I don't have clearance issues for 35 and don't think will be a big deal going 36s or 37s.
Here is a pic of my truck with 35s with a 3" BL + 2" rear springs for lift (I can probably get another 2" on the front with the torsion bars if necessary)

Umm I broke mine with 33's

I'm not saying it is impossible, I'm just saying it's impractical(for US offroading)