my 1998 Montero build

[jeep-N-montero]

As some may have noticed I recently had my user name changed, this is because I sold the 96 black ZJ and bought a 1998 Montero. Not only was it time to retire the ZJ, we really needed more space for the dogs and more comfort for camping. Still have the 97 Tan ZJ on long arms and 35's but it's not the ideal rig for longer back country trips. I did about 180 hours of research on them before making the decision and found a clean 1998 in Ogden a few months back. Although the maintenance was far overdue, the body and interior were very clean. It has the Winter package which gives you heated leather seats and rear air locker. All I have done since I bought it in January are plugs and wires, valve cover gaskets, oil change, swapped in a factory in-dash CD player from a newer Montero, replaced a few interior and dash bulbs, and removed the running boards/mud flaps.

Plans are full OME suspension, 33x10.50 km2's, Arb front bumper from the old ZJ, custom rear bumper, TG 67" rock sliders, 4.90 gears, upgraded exhaust, and custom skid plates. I think that's it anyway.

Here are a few pictures of it before and after removing the running boards.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Pictures when I bought it.

 

[MattL]

Looks nice and comfortable.

 

[dbach]

why not a front straight axle swap ?

 

[Gravy]

I have a 4.90 air-locked rear axle for sale. I'll sell it to you and you can swap the third right in.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

why not a front straight axle swap ?

Why would I want or even need to? I already have a solid axle rig.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I have a 4.90 air-locked rear axle for sale. I'll sell it to you and you can swap the third right in.

What's it out of, I might be interested.

 

[SAMI]

Nope, didn't notice you had your name changed.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Haven't done much with it other than lots of little maintenance issues, removing the 3rd row seats, throwing on some 33x9.50 BFG A/T's, and installed the ARB bumper. Definitely will be swapping in some 4.92 gears sooner than later, even with just the skinny 33's these 4.27 gears make it feel gutless going up canyons.

 

[Gravy]

I still have that 4.90 complete airlocked axle

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Over the summer I installed the complete OME suspension including torsion bars and it rides amazingly well, also picked up a set of 33x10.50 km2's. Aside from some rough hunting and fishing trails I haven't really wheeled it much due to work and pregnant wife constraints, but I can definitely tell the new suspension helps a lot on washboard roads and can drive much faster over the same terrain than before. After the Jeep sells I plan to order some better gears for the transfer case and a few other things.

 

[johngottfredson]

Love monteros. I have owned a '90, a '93, and a '03. Second gen was my favorite. Always good to see them getting built and used.