1989 V6 Trooper or 1989 V6 Montero
Which is better and why.

I'm interested in your opinion on engine, trans, transfercase, axels & used parts availability.

I'm looking for info to help me decide which machine to buy. I want a V6 powered 4 door LWB machine. I owned a Trooper with the 4 cyl "4EZ1" motor. I loved it but wished it had a bit more spunk.

I dont care if its Isuzu or Mitsubishi so long as I can keep it running for the next 5 years. Parts and serviceability are important to me.

I'm looking forward to your replies.

Here . Just a couple days old, now. Read those replies and then ask questions, please.

6g72>2.8 garbage from GM



plus i can fix a mitsu with my eyes closed if you need work done. i wont touch a trooper after i unload these 2 sitting at my house.

I'm in the same boat, once I decide on a platform, that's the one I'm sticking with from then on out. That said, I've rec'd a LOT of supportive answers from the folks on this bulletin board - with NO serious bashing (something that impressed me to no end).

Here's my "plan" if you will, once I decide on the platform (which is looking like the Monty at this point) I'll start looking for used/dead, cheap ones and buy a couple 2-3 for parts; store 'em and use them down the road, and there are a ton out there.

The biggest thing that has weighed in the Monty's favor is the fact that the 2nd gen can be retroed to the 1st gen, something that can't be said for the Trooper. That said, there does appear to be more aftermarket support for the Trooper, but it all depends on how much of a "build up" you're planning on doing with your rig once you get it.

Keep in mind this is all IMO, and I'm still on the learning curve.

Hope this helps.

HBinKC

Montero:
The axles are pretty stout; 8" LP front and 9" rear. You'll probably never break any axle parts with 35s. One guy runs 37s and i don't think he has to many problems. Most likely 4.625 gears (4.88s and 5.29s are available from overseas but $$)
Transfercase: 1.9ish low range (1st gear is pretty low so no problem) and they are stout aswell I don't think ive ever seen a broken one...
Trans: both auto and manual are good

If you can find a GEN2 montero sr rear(even bigger 9.5" aswell) with a factory airlocker it swaps over to Gen1 V6 trucks pretty easily.

no lift kits availible in US. You must find one overseas but also $$. It is possible to get 2" lift from torsion bar crank/coils for low dollar.

I doubt you'll ever need more than a 3" body lift and 2" suspension to clear your tires the fenders are pretty big. 33s fit stock with slight rubbing

LSD from rear of GEN1 4cyl. will fit front of GEN1 V6.

manual hubs avialable

ARB front lockers




hows that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the great input and links.

From what I've read so far I am going to become a Montero man. I'm impressed with the stats and the community of Monty fans.

I posted this same question (just worded slightly differently) in the Trooper section and I have yet to get a reply.

Tell me more about the transmission(s). Is the Montero transfer case a separate unit from the transmission. I understand that the 89-91 Trooper trannys are one integrated part (which I dont like).

Does the Monty V6 have iron heads or aluminum?
Are the exhaust manifolds for the Gen-1 motors the same as exhaust manifolds for Gen-2?
I ask because the Trooper Gen-1 V6 motor is GM (Fiero and S-10 I believe) but exhaust manifolds do not swap from Fiero to Trooper. I understand that Trooper exhaust manifolds are hard to come by.

I've also read something about the timing belt having an issue with the belt and a belt idler / tensioner. Is this accurate?

I agree with Halfbreed, once I choose a machine I'm sticking with it. That was what I wanted to do with the Trooper but found out that I just couldnt deal with the 4cyl's limpish power. Also I'm a big fan of round headlights. I had swapped out my square headlight grill for an early model Trooper, but finding side turn signal lights was super hard...and is only getting harder. I like the look of the Monty grill.

So keep the opinions coming.

I don't think I can post a link to another forum for you here, but send me an email at jnegaard@hotmail.com and I'll send you a link where you can ask that question or search for some good Isuzu info. There's more traffic on the other Isuzu board these days...

i see v6 troopers in u-pull-it all the time with good manifolds. i know the 2.6 manifolds are hard to come by and fail pretty often.

the mitsu is iron block/alum head. i dont see any tensioner/belt failures IF things are done properly. if you try to short cut it things will come back to bite you. i dont know if gen 1 and gen 2 manifolds interchange but i havent seen a monty manifold fail either.

are early trooper front ends sought after? i see them every once in a while....

Incorrect. Front LSD comes from rear out of a StarQuest. Need to match right year donor with right CVs from the truck.

There are two flavors of 3.0 v6's. There's a 12v and a 24v. Those manifolds are not interchangeable, as the 24v has oval ports. IIRC, the 12v v6 bridged over between gen1 and gen2. The engines will bolt up to the earlier trannies, though. I want a 3.8v6 with 3.5 dohc heads in a gen1...