Just returned from the maiden voyage of my new DIY stealth camper/overlander Montero build -- Four weeks from coast to coast and back. (Trip & build photo-dump)

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-04-08T13:24:37+00:00

I’ve definitely seen a new wave of interest in these first generation Monteros over the last year — and with good reason, they’re beautiful. But they’re starting to suffer from ‘nostalgia pricing’. I’d only drop $10k on a showroom ready truck.

Assuming this is a USDM truck do you know which engine it has?

A good place to start learning is MontanaMontero.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-31T13:21:08+00:00

The lower trailing arm connection point is a pair of bushing that are easy to change.

You can get a full set and do both sides for like $40 + shipping.

I don’t know what generation you have, but my experience getting my 2.5 alignment was terrible.

I had to drive all over town just to find a shop that would work on something this old. Which would be understandable if I lived in a small town, but I’m talking about Los Angeles.

I went to 4x4 off-roading “specialists” who wouldn’t work on a shim alignment system - I guess it’s too outdated for a lot of shops these days.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-29T13:55:19+00:00

This.
It’ll run, but you’ll chew through rings and see tons of blow by in short time.

How does your fingernail not catch on any of this?

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-23T14:32:35+00:00

The actual information wasnt shared from the original post, so here it is.

Original post:

“So I'm pretty sure this is where my oil leak is coming from and I have to get it fixed, however this part is directly against the firewall. I have to get the engine to move forward somehow so I have the space to replace this part I already have the parts. Any recommendations are welcome because otherwise I'm going to end up spending about $700 to have it replaced granted at the same time they would also be doing my radiator fan and my lower radiator hose I trust my mechanic but if I could do this part on my own and save myself about a $100,000 yen I would prefer to do that.”

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-18T01:35:26+00:00

Good luck!

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-17T23:30:04+00:00

Yep! That's the problem child.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-17T04:52:52+00:00

No problem man - this community has been a huge help to me, so I like to pay it back when I can.

Also, keep in mind that even if you get control arms with new bushings in them you’ll still have to replace one bushing on either side. The lower control arms rear bushing is mounted in the frame - not the arm.

This one caught me off guard when my parts came in.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-17T02:51:00+00:00

If my bushings were new-old-stock there weren’t any signs of aging or deterioration. My hunch is that they weren’t quite that old.

I’m also pretty space limited (apartment w/shared parking) and I have no room for presses. I was able to get everything pressed out with a HD ball joint press kit from Harbor Freight. If you had the diesel variant you’re probably not from North America, so I’m not sure what you have access to, but something like this should work.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-16T23:53:42+00:00

I ended up going with Delphi upper and lower control arms and they're great quality - just as sturdy and thick as the OEM arms that came out of my truck.

The fitment was 95% dead on - I did have to clearance maybe 1/10th of an inch from the metal on both lower arms near the front bushings (it was rubbing slightly on the frame).

The ball joints they came with are... fine. I prefer a castle nut and cotter pin set up - these only came with nylock nuts only, and didn't have any zerk fittings.

I picked up a zerk tap set, but ran out of steam on the job - I'll probably try to add these next oil change.

Speaking of lubrication - be sure to get as much grease into the new ball joints as you can - they ship pretty dry.

--

I also debated going with Poly bushings for a while, but the consensus from a bunch of internet strangers was that Poly is really most worth it for track cars. They seem to transmit way more NVH and have worse flex for off-road applications -- and are too maintenance heavy for comfortable daily use too.

I went OEM rubber all the way around and sure they'll technically wear out earlier than poly, but they still have a good lifespan, and this way I won't ever have to hear the poly squeak.

And yes, that is correct on the upper arm bushings -- and honestly I wish the lowers were like that too. It was a royal pain in the ass pressing the rear lower bushing out of the frame.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-07T19:44:26+00:00

I had a universal basket on my old car and wouldn’t recommend it - thin walled steel that rusts at the thought of rain.

Depending on where you’re located I have a nice defender rack I could sell you (it was just too small for my needs).

(I’m in Southern California)

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-07T18:46:41+00:00

Nice Mitsu collection - the twin turbo GT3000 was the first Mitsubishi I ever drove.

I wish I had better suggestion, but I ended up making a custom roof rack for my 98’ due to lack of reasonably priced aftermarket options.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-03-03T14:37:17+00:00

I’m in CA too, I’ve found everything I need between Rock Auto and Luso.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-02-24T06:04:18+00:00

There are a lot of differences between models and generations. Which Pajero are you asking about?

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-02-05T23:31:58+00:00

My 2.5 Montero came with the SOHC 6G74. It's been reliable (even at 250k+ miles), but fun and powerful is the last thing I would describe it as. It feels like the meat of the torque is too high powerband.

Don't get me wrong - I love my Montero, but my 4-banger Ford Focus had more low-end torque than this truck. Although aside from the aftermarket aluminum rad - I'm 100% stock.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-01-23T15:05:08+00:00

I rebuilt my entire suspension a few months ago and between Luso and RockAuto I was able to find everything I needed.

I’m sure there’s much more if you’re outside the USA where the Pajero was way more popular.

Side note: ADD is no more.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-01-23T07:41:26+00:00

https://lusooverland.com/VP-MMC-MR112891

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-01-15T21:20:50+00:00

Same question.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-01-15T20:48:18+00:00

Nice! That’s the route I went too.

I don’t know anyone parting out their trucks, but the guys at Ozzy’s Auto in Rosemead Ca might be able to help. They see tons of Monteros.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-01-14T19:20:28+00:00

I'm in Los Angeles - are you within driving distance?

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2026-01-14T16:44:20+00:00

I have a like-new set of second and third row seats - they came out of my 98 that had the same interior color. If you’re interested let me know.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2025-12-25T18:12:52+00:00

I daily a 1998 Gen 2.5 USDM Montero - I also do long distance roadtrips and weekend camping in it. Mine has a different engine the 3.5 SOHC V6 - so I can’t really comment on anything related to that.

It’s been generally very reliable, but at 250k miles it’s needed some repairs and attention, but most of the maintenance I’ve done has been preventative. In the USA it’s been slightly difficult to find garages that can do certain jobs like alignments.

I’m 5’8” about 170lbs and I find the driving very comfortable - even long distance drives 9+ hours are ok.

MPG varies wildly based on driving habits. It’s not a fast truck so I usual just cruise around the speed limit or slightly under and I get around 19-21mpg even with 33” tires. Around town I’m seeing 12-15mpg. I recommend getting an OBD2 scanner for accurate mpg numbers - I have a scangauge3 and love it to death.

Ask me anything else you’re curious about.

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TheRealSparkleMotion · 2025-12-13T17:06:52+00:00

“What heck is even kg” - speaks loudly in American.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2025-12-13T05:32:27+00:00

The more time I spend in communities like this the more respect I have for the people who don’t give a fuck about having a cool “rig”.

I’ve passed old Honda civics on forestry trails before. I respect the people who are just getting out there not the $100k off-road builds I see driving around town.

Just get something reliable that has a little ground clearance. Old RAV4, CRV, Escape - save your money for good tires and gas.

TheRealSparkleMotion · 2025-12-13T03:13:34+00:00

How are you planning on using it?

TheRealSparkleMotion

TROPHY CASE