How best to use $2,000

[Houndoc]

Alright, I have finally been able to come up with some prices for upgrades to my Montero Sport (all include labor as I am not a mechanically inclined soul).

My thoughts go along these lines:

The front ARB would do wonders for making up some of the weaknesses of IFS and would include on board air- two big plusses. Down side is it uses up the entire budget.

The lift would obviously help with clearence issues and allow larger tires down the road (skinny 33s, poss 35s with trimming)

Rear locker would be good, although finding the older rear end with e-locker might prove difficult.

Rear limited slip is not as good as the rear locker, of course, but can be found much easier.

Ideal would be to do the lift, front ARB and either rear locker or limited slip, but that will only happen if some kind and bored soul wants to do all the work for me.:greg:

 

[Hickey]

Don't count on the ARB compressor as an onboard air source. It is really only designed to activate the lockers. Filling tires with that size compressor will kill it quickly.

I would do a rear locker before spending money on the IFS.

 

[James K]

give the money to me....................by the time you decide to get something on your list, you will have figured you should go buy a tow/trail/exploring rig or something of that nature.

everytime you ask for advise you never seem to follow through.


so thus give the money to me and it will get used.

 

[Jinx]

for $2k, go buy a budget wheeler and have fun,

leave the montero for the pavement

 

[mbryson]

for $2k, go buy a budget wheeler and have fun,

leave the montero for the pavement

I like that idea......

 

[yellowbronco]

Budget wheeler all the way!!
.............Oh, wait thats not one of the options..oh well

 

[Shawn]

for $2k, go buy a budget wheeler and have fun,

leave the montero for the pavement

Words of wisdom.

 

[MOODY]

rear ltd. slip and small lift---all the way...turn you Monty into a rallying machine! Who cares about body damage? Put a bandaid on it

 

[pELYgroso]

buy one of the few toyota pickups for sale on the board and use the rest of the money to build it mildly and it will still do better than the montero. BUT if you've got your heart set on the montero for some reason, I'd follow hickey's advice and not use the cash on the IFS. get a rear locker then save the rest up for a SAS.

but my favorite option is the cheap toyota that won't die.

 

[MOODY]

for what I understand you are looking to do with it, an OME lift and a rear ltd. slip/locker will do wonders for your ability offroad. Locker is even better...Add some skid/sliders and a bumper w/ the remainder

 

[SUPERFLY]

i like the cheap toyota idea you cant go wrong, you will imediatly have a more than trail worthy rig and youll have money to spare on building it. but if you must have the montero i say save up a bit more cash buy some 35s and solid axle swap that baby

300 bucks on a toyota/44 axle(depending on pass or diver drop)
free-250 find some leaf springs(could go marlin, could just use some toyota rears)
$50 build a front spring hanger
$50 shackles
$70 on brake lines
$50 for good U-bolts
$30 for shackle hangers
$40 ford shock towers
$100 for shocks
$400 for a driveline
$450 for marlin steering on the toyota axle
as for the rear end it might have coils which could get tricky but if its like the older ones i think they have leaf springs and are sprung under which means if you sprung it over in the rear it would give you a good 6 inches of lift for free(minus shocks brakelines, and ubolts) if not get some chevy leafs and convert it (that would be easy and flexy)

im probably for geting a bunch of things you would need but thats the just of it. go get the grinder, get some 35s and go nuts!! i think a 03 montero sas would be very cool to see on the trail

 

[Houndoc]

give the money to me....................by the time you decide to get something on your list, you will have figured you should go buy a tow/trail/exploring rig or something of that nature.

everytime you ask for advise you never seem to follow through.


so thus give the money to me and it will get used.

It has just taken this long for any shops to get me semi-firm prices. That is all.

 

[Houndoc]

for $2k, go buy a budget wheeler and have fun,

leave the montero for the pavement

Only hesitation with that plan is making sure I get something reliable. Don't want soemthing that is going to break down on the trail or nickle and dime with repairs (esp for those of us who are not too inclined to spend my free time doing repairs).

On the solid axle swap, toyota axle wont work. Would run closer to $2,400 or so to have Rock Logic do a D44 swap. Would leave me without any lift (thus limited to my 32s I currently run) and still open difs.

I would think that a rear locker or limited slip along with small lift (and then 33s with next tire purchase) would do more overall for its ability then just the SAS. Agree or disagree?

 

[mbryson]

...........I would think that a rear locker or limited slip along with small lift (and then 33s with next tire purchase) would do more overall for its ability then just the SAS. Agree or disagree?

Tough to agree with anything. What are you after? If you're just after a capable trail rig, we've suggested a LARGE number of cost effective trail rigs that would probably cost less than modifying your Mits.

You seem to want to have your cake and eat it too , not that any of us don't want that. That'll be interesting to do with an "unusual" rig (which usually translates into $,$$$.$$ to mod it). There's a reason most of us modify Jeeps, Toys or early Broncos (and a lot of the time it's to increase reliability and performance with more modern powertrains). The path is there and it's easy to follow. With the Mits, you're potentially headed down a somewhat expensive, experimental road and you might not even like what you end up with. (although a SAS into the Mits would be pretty cool --at least interesting) If you're committed to the Mits, do it, but be prepared as you'll be blazing your own trail to a certain degree.

My vote is spend the $2000 on a full-size Blazer with a lift and tires (try to get a later-model TBI rig). Keep the Mits for daily driving and use the Blazer (or Toy, or whatever) for your off-road use. My wife hates to admit it, but it's WAY nice having 3 running rigs. VERY convenient if one vehicle has to go into the shop.

 

[pELYgroso]

agreed :greg:

 

[Houndoc]

(although a SAS into the Mits would be pretty cool --at least interesting) If you're committed to the Mits, do it, but be prepared as you'll be blazing your own trail to a certain degree.

.

Can't argue that at all. No question that this is much more complicated and thus expensive than putting another XJ on the trail.

For those who wheel a rig that could be had (with basic mods to have it trail ready, not the 5+ trails, but not a stock rig) for $2k, I have a question:

What do you really find in regards to reliablitiy and maitiance costs?

I have run older vehicles before (not trail rigs), both out of desperation (the college years) and choice (48 Chevy PU street rod) and spent alot of time and money on little repairs (even did alot of my own work then) and got towed home more often than I would like. That in a nut shell is why I am hesitant to go that route.

So the current issue is with the Montero, what mods will make the biggest difference.

 

[mbryson]

.......What do you really find in regards to reliablitiy and maitiance costs?

For the TBI Chevs........ Not much. Keep the oil changed in your tranny and engine and they'll be good to you. ANY sensor or water pump or battery or whatever that did go bad is READILY available and fairly cheap. They are popular enough that you can BUY an ENGINE for them for around $600 and can have it same day.

The TBI motor in my YJ came out of a '89 Suburban with 230K on it. It smokes a little, but is as reliable as any other vehicle.

I don't have TIME to spend keeping a rig running to get to work. I DON'T like to work on my rigs, but I have a hard time parting with the $$$ if it's something I can do.

.....So the current issue is with the Montero, what mods will make the biggest difference.

Again, what are you trying to do with the Montero? {That will have a HUGE bearing on what you might want to do and where you might want to spend the money.} What are your trail expectations? Where is it lacking currently? Go wheel it. You'll find it's weak spots and address them with the $2000. If it's doing what you need it to, take your family on a vacation with the $2000. Your mods would probably be different than mine, but I didn't start with a Mits for a reason.

 

[MOODY]

I think Houndoc is looking for some wheelability, but not in the 4+ to 5+ range. Am I correct? I again say do the lift and skids, THEN go the locker route. I wheeled some fairly tough stuff (4+) with 31's and 4" lift, open diffs. Then again, if you are looking to do those tougher trails, do the sas and save up for the rest

 

[Houndoc]

I think Houndoc is looking for some wheelability, but not in the 4+ to 5+ range. Am I correct? I again say do the lift and skids, THEN go the locker route. I wheeled some fairly tough stuff (4+) with 31's and 4" lift, open diffs. Then again, if you are looking to do those tougher trails, do the sas and save up for the rest

Probably about right. Would love to able to hit Poision Spider, Hells Revenge and similar, but not ready to hit the 5s. With current set up managed Kane Creek with only minor hiccups.

Have pretty good under belly protection, but could use some improvement I am sure. So the lift with either rear limited slip or locker (unfortunately not having much luck on the used axle with e-locker) would make a good combo for now, then either SAS or front ARB down the road.

 

[James K]

Then you need to trade the one you have for a rubicon. It cost money to play. If you think you are going to buy something and only need to have jiffy lube change the fluids and put gas in it you are sorely mistaken. Even a budget ride needs money spent on it here and there. Maybe you are choosing the wrong activity to spend your time on.