It has to be said that the first time I went to URE I saw Curtis drive over rocks etc that I didn't even attempt with my then stock Gen II. Despite that I was the one who got completely beached on my rear diff. I would love to see some more pics of Curtis' truck showing how capable it is, but I think you are being a little harsh.



I think a lot of people would modify their truck in a more serious manner if they were able to. My Montero is my wife's DD and our kid carrier. I simply cannot have my truck sitting in the garage with the IFS chopped off when my kids need to go to school etc. Plus modifications are not free. My kids need for shoes comes first. I think a lot of people are in the same boat. I do have future plans though. If I can build a Locost I can mod a Montero <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

use the dana 20 case! those are Gen I montero's best friend.

I've never seen Curtis's ride in person, but for my money, he's the best technician we have here for fab since Big Blue left us. I figure if he managed to break it or hit the limit in it in his home country mud (I think they have to truck in all the rock from higher ground) and changed it afterwards, it's probably currently in the most cost effective strongest most agile state it could be in...

I also have no idea how he'd drive it on slickrock, or Ohio limestone slicks and slabs, or on No. GA blue granite.

I'd think it polite to only make an assertion that you have some real evidence for. Lack of pics doesn't constitute evidence of lack of experience. Kiss and make up, guys...

I agree with all of you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I know he CAN do WAAAY more in his rig than I could do in mine. I was just teasing him, because I haven't seen it. He's always telling people to SAS their rigs, and I haven't seen any reason to do it. I KNOW there are trails at UH that I would take the bypass on, and he'd do the hard line. Like I said, just teasing. Sorry Curtis, didn't mean to cause an uproar. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

The only thing I'd like to change in my truck is to have lockers. If I ever decide I want to get into offroading enough to merit, I'd like to buy one of these:

(this was in AppleBee's (sp?) parking lot Sunday afternoon.

In the mean time, I like seeing what my stock Montero can do, and I always enjoy suprising guys in their "big trucks" and Jeeps. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My truck is great for the trails I do. I'm sure the truck can still go where i can't. But parts avalibility is really starting to limit it. Just getting a tie rod end is becoming frusturating. Let alone a cv shaft or parts for my steering box. I've lost most of a season of wheeling and I think I'm going crazy. I mean c'mon I even bought a 2wd D50 just to slam. On a side note urban wheeling is hilarious.

What I'm saying is there are many reasons for buying a torch and bigger welder. Mine are not because I out wheel my truck and put it in situations it can't perform in. Its because its really not cost effective to go to the states to buy a cv shaft and some seals. If I could get parts localy I don't know if I would change a thing. Also I'm a bit of a sissy when it comes to really cutting up something. So rigs like Landraiders are great insperation so please keep it up.

And yes I do belive I will be selling my 2.85's if the 231 works out. Is doing a SYE worth it? My samuri is like that and its nice be able to diconnect the drive shaft without losing fluid but is it worth it?

Thanks again for everyones input and information. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I would say go with an SYE. Your going to have to get custom shafts made anyways, so why get ones made for a slip yoke? Do it right the first time if your swapping in the 231 go with the sye first and get the shafts made to match.

Since yours is a LWB, you would probably be fine without the SYE. I felt it was a good thing to have when I did mine since it kept the rear driveshaft the same length even with the dual transfer cases.

Did you have any luck over the weekend? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

No I went wheeling instead. I had a rough week and needed a break from stress. So with that out of the way and a bent frontend now, its deffenetly time to try it out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

What do you mean 'bent front end'? What did you do - was this after I left?

(Oh, and his gas tank no longer holds 92L... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )