Well, I sold my 1983 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 2.3 Turbo Diesel a couple months ago. I sure liked that truck. Ended up buying a 1995 Montero SR in pretty fine shape. Found it on craigslist for $3000. Owned by a woman who drove around alot for her work (highway miles as you can see). Picked it up for $2500. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

The truck has 205k on it. Runs good, misses a bit at idle. I got all the service records for it since warranty ran out. Check out how many miles this woman put on and how fast she put em on! That's one reason I got the truck cheap, but I figured these are the best miles to have, lots of highway miles and regular fluid changes.

Records

01/31/01 080,751 Failed Head gasket, dealer got owner to spring for New Short Block, reman'd heads, and all ancilaries
08/09/02 103,957 Broken timing belt adj bolt, dealer replaced timing belt and pullies, etc
07/14/03 119,823 oil
01/09/03 133,338 oil and atf
04/23/04 140,252 oil
11/21/04 154,016 oil
05/15/05 164,689 oil and atf
01/21/06 180,880 oil
05/11/06 186,407 oil
08/29/06 191,584 oil
12/13/06 196,104 oil

I told ya - she drove a lot!

A few weeks ago I replaced all the dash lights that were out. Looks great at night now!

This past weekend I rebuilt the a/c system with Kragan dryer and expansion valve ($102 for both), flush with Chem-12, draw a vacuum and added 24 oz of R-134. Blows 39' on the highway now!

Yesterday I found four 33x12.5 BFGs on craigslist and had them mounted up $220 for four tires with five 15" rims for a Jeep. I think I'll sell the rims for $150. Tires will have cost me $50 then! We'll see! I don't have the OME rear springs but they seem to fit ok. I cranked up the torsion bars a little in front to make room. These are the right size tires for this truck. The ride is really nice!

I thought I would miss my old Mighty Max, but I am really loving this 95 SR. I used to be really into Jeep Grand Wagoneers (the big ones). I had one lifted 4" with 32" BFGs. This SR reminds me of that, but nicer! A poor man's...um, I mean SMART MAN'S Range Rover! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

What air pressure are you guys running on the street with this size tire?

Best,

Scottie in San Jose CA

Great find, hope she holds up, lots of miles, but sounds to be kept up pretty well. Best of luck with the new SR, you'll find you like it and can do more to it down the road.

So whats the next big project?

The next big project is to find a 33" spare tire and replace some of the loose suspension joints that are making rattling noises when I drive over bumps. That's annoying the hell out of me! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I may tackle changing the spark plugs since I don't they've been replaced in 120k miles. (Slight miss at idle, but it runs great otherwise.)

I'd like to get a winch front bumper (or make one) and a winch, install a 2nd battery with isolator, and make a cargo box/cubby type of system to store gear out of the way.

I'm not building this machine to take on the Rubicon, rather I'd like to build a very capable tour vehicle that can cruise on the highway in relative luxury for long distances so my wife and I can do some road trips and then do some off-roading and camping when we get to where ever we are going.

You'll have to check out Phil's cargo area storage box...it's pretty sweet. Don't have the link handy but it would be under username Bretwalda. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

when you start smoking out the mosquito's i rent the valve spring tool so you can change the valve stem seals

As a follow up to this post, I thought I'd mention that about a year ago, I swallowed the intake butterflys. Luckily no damage to pistons or valves. I ended up removing the butterflys and shaft and jb welding the holes between the runners. Replaced the plugs and wires and all gaskets. Runs like a top now.

Running Mobil 1.

Some valve ticking - may have to replace the lifters at some point soon.

Tried cleaning them up by running seafoam in the case 500 miles prior to engine oil change. IMproved somewhat. Now the lifters only make noise on start up and at idle.

Will keep up that seafoam cleaning technique and see what happens.

I am still getting the clunking noises from the front end. All suspension parts are tight. Do the shock eyes wear out. That's about the only thing I can think of that could be causing the clunk. How do the shocks come out to check that?

Best regards,

Scottie in San Jose.
Lovin' my 95 SR. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I had a really cluncky Idler arm. Check it out.

Sounds like a nice ride Scott. Any pictures?



I have a spare Yokohama Geolander MT that although not new (purchased back in late 90's) that has always been a spare never been used on the ground or pavement. Brand new these are $130-150 and I'd be willing to let this one go for say $75. It's in San Jose if you're interested.

Let me know.

Ray,
are you answering and old post (11/08/07)because you're bored? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Well not entirely old post. I resurrected it to give an update. I still have not found the spare tire, so I might be interested. Although I'd like to find two decent BFG All Terrains to replace my worn rears. Then I can keep one of the rears as a spare.

I do have pics. They are here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/scottiesharp...feat=directlink