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The Montero:

After spending almost a year building and exploring the NW in my 2004 Subaru Outback LL Bean, I knew I had outgrown the platform and was ready for a change. As I looked around at options for replacement, I stumbled across the Mitsubishi Montero. A reliable, very capable, and spacious vehicle that met all the criteria I had for a vehicle I would use to travel in.

Through tons of research prior to purchasing the Montero, it seemed apparent that previous owner maintenance and neglect was the one downfall of the platform. Because reliability is such an important piece for me, I looked for the cleanest Montero I could find. During my search, a friend mentioned a Montero specialist in Bend, OR by the name of Sean Kendall (@Oregon_Monty). Sean is known for his rebuild and restoration skills which have helped to keep many of these vehicles on the road.

1998 Mitsubishi Montero:

  • Purchased in June of 2019

  • 165k on body with new refreshed and rebuilt motor

  • 6G74 SOHC

  • 4.27 gearing stock

  • Winter Package

    • Factory electronic adjustable dampening suspension

    • Headlight washers

    • Heated seats

    • Center & rear diff locked

    • Leather interior

 
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Wheels & Tires:

I knew prior to purchasing the Montero I wanted to gain a tad bit of off-road capability by adding 33” tires to the vehicle to assist on trails. I added 33” Kenda Klever RT tires with Black Rhino wheels. At the time, Kenda only offered the RT in a 17” option, hence my reasoning to leave the stock 15” size wheels. I do plan to install a big brake upgrade kit so larger rims are necessary.

You can read my review of the Kenda Klever RT KR601 tire which I will link below.

  • Kenda Klever RT KR601 (5/2019 - 11/2020)

    • 285/70/17

  • Black Rhino Dugger (5/2019 - 11/2020)

    • 17x8.5”

    • 6x139.7mm

    • 0 offset

    • 112mm CB (CB tapers in to 106mm causing me to run a .25” spacer because of the Montero’s 108.1mm CB)

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After spending 2020 searching for a good 16” wheel option to gain back more sidewall, I settled on Kumho MT71s and Black Rhino Realms. As the Kumho’s are my first mud terrain tire, I have been nothing short of impressed by their performance.

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Boasting a large outer tread void, the MT71s clean mud and snow with ease while gripping to anything in their path. The unique center tread design always leaves rubber on the road for added on-road stability and less road noise. On-road in wet and icy conditions the Kumho’s have performed well never once losing traction.

While the center tread aids with on-road performance, it also helps the Kumho’s perform fantastically in deep snow conditions by holding snow in the center grooves and siping which helps the tires stick to snow as snow sticks to itself well and not rubber. The deep outer voids clean, dig, and propel the vehicle forward effortlessly as the center grips the snow.

I will add, the Kumho’s are heavier than my previous RT tires which has sacrificed MPG slightly.

  • Kumho MT71 (11/2020 - Current)

    • 285/75/16

  • Black Rhino Realm (11/2020 - Current)

    • 16x8”

    • 6x139.7mm

    • -10 offset

    • Rebored to 108.1 center bore by Vanagon Life

    • Custom silver powder coat through Vanagon Life



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Suspension/Steering:

  • Koni Heavy Track Shocks

    • New Koni Shocks Installed In April ‘22

  • King KCRR -23HD Progressive Coil Springs

  • Ironman Torsion Bars 1308mm

  • Aftermarket Adjustable Panhard Bar with Siberian Bushings

  • Upgraded Idler Arm Bushing Kit

  • OEM Pitman Arm

  • OEM Tie Rods

  • OEM Ball Joints

  • Full Siberian Bushing Kit

  • Geared To 4.90 With All New Components Installed By Ernest Paddock

 
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Current Roof Configuration:

Recently I moved back to running my roofbox setup. Being able to always have my sleeping bags, skateboards, recovery gear, and firewood ready to go has been a massive advantage to running the box. Allowing myself the flexibility to utilize the rack for intended storage has freed up the interior of the Montero on trips and has also given me the ability to enjoy more of the outdoor recreation I love like kayaking and snowboarding.

Sale Of Montero Will Not Include Roof Box.

 
 
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Interior:

After countless trips with the Montero, the never ending ideas for storage solutions were always changing. Finally after a trip beyond tired of the constant reorganization we said enough was enough and began to scheme a permanent platform buildout.

Borrowing inspiration from the Nomad Build (will link the buildout instructions below), we pieced together an interior setup that was perfectly catered to our needs. A dedicated stove pull out, compartments to hide the air compressor and dual battery, and much more have changed the way I travel.

The platform not only organizes the space, but doubles as a sleeping platform for one, or two if in a pinch.

 

Exterior:

  • Gen 2.5 Specific Snorkel

  • Well Visors

  • Land Rover Discovery Ladder

  • DMOS Shovels

    • Stealth with mount

    • Delta with mount (Not Included In Sale)

  • GP Factor Spare Tire Traction Board Mount Kit (Best part is that it’s lockable)

  • Maxtrax MKII 1x Set

 
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Cockpit:

 
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Gear I Can’t Live Without:

 

Maintenance:

While this isn’t the most glorious section, it is indeed the most important of all. Like any vehicle, maintenance is key. Treat the vehicle well giving it only OEM or better quality parts and attention and it will last forever. Since owning the Montero I have done a fair amount of maintenance past the already rigorous restoration prior to the purchase of the vehicle. Learning the hard way various times that opting for cheap parts is never a good idea, and that OEM will ALWAYS trump quality of anything else. This vehicle is over 20 years old, becoming more and more rare, and will teach you many lessons. Montero ownership is not for someone who anticipates smooth sailing and to never turn a wrench. Montero ownership will always be rewarding at the end of the day when you keep your truck up to date on maintenance, turn heads at every trail and meet you attend, and the millions of smiles you’ll get knowing you have one of the most capable and iconic 4x4s ever created.

I can’t stress enough using OEM parts for every item of maintenance you do.

  • Suspension/Steering Rebuild

    • Shocks

    • OEM Tie Rods

    • Idler Arm Rebuild

    • OEM Pitman Arm

    • OEM Ball Joints

    • Front Wheel Bearings

    • Brake Calipers/Rotors

    • Montero Sport Big Brake Upgrade

    • Aisin Manual Locking Hubs

    • Full Poly Siberian Bushing Kit

    • New Rear Wheel Bearings

  • Engine (Post Purchase)

    • OEM Coil Packs

    • OEM EGR Valve

    • OEM EGR Solenoid

    • Vacuum Lines

    • OEM Seals

    • Alternator

    • OEM Injectors

    • Fuel Filter

    • Spark Plugs/Wires

    • O2 Sensor

    • Diff and Transfer Case Flush

    • Dakar Spec Radiator - Designed by Leo Volk Matus

    • OEM Denso Fuel Pump

  • Windshield remounted

  • New Windshield

  • Rear Windshield Wiper Motor

  • Multiple Door Handles replaced

 

Sale Notes:

The Montero will include spares for essentially every sensor on the truck, new coolant hoses stashed away in the truck as spares for travel (hoses were replaced last year when upgraded Leo spec rad was installed), spare brand new starter, new spare belts, new EMPI CV boots, brake pads (brakes are all new within last few months), various Siberian bushings, a spare passenger side blister fender, new gauge cluster to install at your liking (tach doesn’t work, but a scangauge is included in purchase), scangauge that displays rpm, mph, mpg, and coolant temp. 

To add to maintenance list, Denso fuel pump and wix fuel filter were replaced recently within the last month and half as preventative maintenance at the same time new Koni Heavy Track shocks were installed.

I have included the link to the interior images as well as a the notes of motor rebuild and maintenance done by Sean Kendall in 2019.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia01ohoxhwawcrt/AAAfeeSgIcdMdA1gy2DpMDJRa?dl=0

Official Facebook Listing: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/961123604582748/

Price: $15,500 OBO

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This build wouldn’t be possible without the help and advice from some amazing people and companies.

Sean Kendall, Jamie Paulos, James Whitfield, Sam Wallace, Pete Fairhurst, Forrest Kearney, Paul G., Ben Davis, Nate Matos, Karah Behrend, Rachael Ridenour, Andrew Rose, Adam Campbell, Kevin Roy, Erik Dahlen, Marcus Mann, Will Hastings, Brodie Barrick, Shayla Bond, Cody Cox, Adventure Imports, Kumho Tires, Dometic, XS Power, GP Factor, Black Rhino Wheels, Rigid Industries, Dryad Cookery, DMOS Collective, 4x4Ward, Adventure Driven Design, and many others who know who they are!

Helpful Resources: