By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
THANKS!!
http://www.nhtsa.gov/TSBScans/sb627082.pdf
Here are some TSB's on 2001's:
Make: MITSUBISHI TRUCK Model: MONTERO Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 67 Bulletin Sequence Number: 182 Date of Bulletin: 02/01
NHTSA Item Number: 618252
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Summary:
INFORMATION DIAGNOSING BODY VIBRATION. *JB
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/tsb/central2.cfm
Has anyone try to replace the factory CD player with a new head unit? I don't have the Infiniti system on my XLS and it doesn't sound too good. I am planning on replacing the factory head unit with an Alpine. Is it difficult to pull the head unit out? Thanks in advance.
BTW, brill, the GX470 and 4Runner scored the HIGHEST in the "Trail" section of the FourWheeler magazine! Not just "Highway."
Called dealership to discuss with owner. The 1-800 Mitsu help line advised either turning in dealer compliant or going to another dealer. The owner seemed interested in helping especially when he heard about the TSB and will be calling the factory rep for authorization to repair based on my feelings that it is out of balence.
Interesting that I reported the vibration at 45-50 and at 60-65 and that the TSB states reports between 40-50. I got to believe that the Service manager knows about these TSB's?
As far as articulation, yes you give up some with independent suspenion but that is not stopping companies from going to it for better overall performance. The Montero has been sited as having some of the longest rear arms giving it more articulation than some. If you look at your article and in the recent review of the H2 on TV all the vehicles lifted a tire during off road testing. Thats not that important unless you are doing real extreme things that only a jeep should do. The Montero has never even come close to getting stuck in any test I have read, it has generally been highly complimented on its off road ability and comfort on trail and roads
By the way, the new 4runner was reviewed on Speed TV last night. Suprisingly, despite the increased lenght and width they stated it had too much body roll. They liked both motors but only the V6 gets acceptable gas mileage. I think the looks are not as nice as the last generation, especially that ugly hood but that's just my opinion. The inside still looks to be smaller than the Montero (one of the reasons I didnt go with a 4 runner) and there is no third seat. I know, the Montero seat is only good for kids but I have definitly used it and, if you take it out, you get additional storage under the floor, that's real nice.
Too many assumptions from you...too many times that you just don't read the arguments...and too little reason...makes this a useless argument.
Better handling??!! Ahhh, didn't the Montero do really bad for Consumer Reports?? Dude, read ANY review of the Montero, and they will say how MUCH it's body roll is!!! Also, look at the roadholding. And you're comparing it to the 4Runner?? Are you kidding me?? That's being really biased and blind!
Here are some qoutes from the article you sited that support what I have been saying all along. And dont get me wrong. I believe Toyota makes fine products but they are currently not quite there yet.
From Four Wheeler Feb 03
" The power of the V-8 propelled it to the top of most dunes with ease-as long as the Vehicle Skid Control system was turned off. Leave it on, and the 4Runner instantly bogged."
"Just like the 4Runner the Lexus was low to the ground and this was an issue on the trail. Adding insult to injury were the GX 470's running boards,which exacerbated clearance issues. In fact, by the end of the test the runing boards had seen more than their share of geolithic modification."
" Another gripe was the traction control system. As with the 4Runner, engaging this requires far too much wheelspin. This is espedcially an issue on slow-speed technical sections of the trail, where wheelspin never is welcomed."
OK, now if you keep saying I am making this stuff up I am going to believe you are a Toyota Sales Rep.
I went to the Toyota dealer on the way home and sat in the new 4 Runner and had a long discussion with the Sales person. Interestingly he likes the Montero, and explained the Sequoia and 4Runner to me. I might give an update if I can get my 3 year old in bed for a nap. Otherwise, everyone, yes even IntMed, have a safe New Years. I will be on the road all night in my Montero hitting the snow in Southern OR and Northern CA, may even get to Tahoe if I can get around those Toyotas getting stuck out there......just kidding
Wheelspin: again, every electronically controlled system in the review was weak in this respect....AND...if you remember I said I would be one of the first to be critical of the system on the New Montero if it doesnt work. I still dont know too much about it.
Interesting you mention "turn it off". I was at the dealer today. Sat in a Limited. The salesperson said there were switches to turn off the VSC and TRAC and that one of these, the TRAC I think, was added this year and the Sequoia does not have this feature. When he went to show me these switches all we could find was the center lock.
Also, It seems that the brochure states the V8 comes in Full Time and a 5 speed the V6 with multi mode and 4 Speed. I could not really get the difference here and there did not seem to be an option listed that allowed interchange of these trannies and different 4wd systems. Also, buyers need to be aware that the Limited is supposedly lower to the ground than the SR5/Sport addition per the dealer. I would have them show you the switches, the salesperson couldnt find them.
The approach, departure, breakover and ground clearence taken together are not as good as the Montero in stock condition it seems and with my ARB spings/shocks definitely no match.
The inside did not feel that much bigger to me but it is very nice.
One thing people dont speak about much is how good the visability is out of the Montero. The JGC, Ford, 4Runner, Sequoia all are far less comfortable in this respect. I recommend potential buyers to consider this, I have rally grown to appretiate the view.
The engine config on the Toyota is better in my opinion, that is, if you even work on your own rig. Seems that lately I have been limited to oil changes.
Milage on the 4 Runner 4wd V8 is 19mpg highway, V6 is 20.
The hood didnt look as bad in person as on the picture but it will be as controversial as when the new Montero came out. Personally I still get comments from others who really like the styling. It just seems, 4 runner aside, that the newer Toyotas have gone to a boring, rounded look. The new 4 runner seems to break this trend thank you.
Anyway, this is sounding like a toyota link rather then the Montero but I am glad we can throw this stuff out there for the heck of it.
Will keep everyone posted if this seems to make any difference.
Now I know for sure that this guy does not know what he is talking about. The Montero rear suspension has more than enough suspension travel for off-road condition
Every review I have read commented on lifting the Montero tires off the ground but then stated that nothing seems to stop its progression. Also, if you look at these reviews you find pictures of lifing wheels off the ground for most if not all the vehicles in the test. In reality, only a specialized jeep is going to stay planted on all 4's.
I predict that just about everyone will go to some form of independent suspension over time.
Btw, I saw the 03 Montero at the LA autoshow. They improve an annoyed and costly problem of the Montero; the spark plugs on the 03 can now be removed without removing the intake manifold. But I have sticker shock! A loaded Monte Limited now stickered at 39.9K!! Suddenly the new VW SUV is so attractive. Oops, that VW is 53K!!
I sort of like the new volvo. If I had and extra 50K sitting around I would love to park my wife in one. She gets tired of me getting the Montero "dirty".
BTW, have you noticed how much flex comes from the stock tires, its incredible. The sidewalls must be made out of paper. I am thinking of going to 6 ply tires to eliminate it but kind of concerned that the ride would be too stiff. I have a friend with a JGC who went with 6 ply, definitly stiffer but he said the cornering and slop was greatly improved.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/roadtests/13258/index3.html
Do you know if any of the traction controlled systems are switchable on/off?
I am going to replace tires on my 02 pretty soon. Tires with harder side wall probably will improved handling. I am even considering choosing a lower aspect ratio tires, but probably stay with stock size tires and stiffer side wall to retain the ground clearance.
I agree, even new aftermarket tires in SL (standard load) will improve the ride considerably. It seems OEM tires have very soft sidewalls. Too soft for an SUV IMO.
i.e. what capabilities does the Montero have with it off. I would imagine there is no LSD on the 03 if they have gone fully electronic. Does breaking turn off the Yaw control.
I would not be suprised if the dealer doesnt know the answer.
2wd, 4wd Hi, 4wd Lock. Did not have time to test 4wd Lo Lock. That is nice because I think some newer SUV antilock dont work in 4wd if I remember correctly.
Anyways, the week before I was up to mount Charlestone in vegas, run in to some ice in the parking lot with my worn-out tires, and when I braked hard, the ABS did kick in. Otherwise the truck just go on like nothing had happened, while other SUV and truck (2WD)have hard-time with wheel spins.
Update on the Dueler Revo A/T: Tire Rack states backordered in 265/75-16 (6 ply) and 265/70-16 (4 ply). My local shop says "bridgestone is having a 4 for the price of 3" and that they will match any price. If true other dealers near you may do the same.
I went with the 4-ply 265/70-16 and really didn't notice any difference with the ride comfort compared to stock. I've always run it at 35psi and still very comfortable.
The only noticeable difference is the added noise of the tire due to its larger lugs compared to the stock one. I'd say about 10% increased in the tire noise.
If I were to buy another set, I would still go with the A/T Duelers.
If it is turned off what is left. There probably is no LSD rear so perhaps you are left with power to one rear and one front tire?
Does the Yaw control "turn off" if you panic brake in corners.
Having just been on the ice in Tahoe I really think nothing substitutes for slowing down, hoping there isnt any slope involved and not having anything in front of you. Last year I was able to slide by a wreck with the antilock breaks effectivly not being able to slow me, just too slick. Had to go between a flipped over 4 runner on my left and a slidding out of control suburban on my right on a mountain road. Boy, that was fun. I wasnt even following the burb that close (or let me say, it didnt seem so until I tried to stop, it alway amazes me how far you can slide on ice even going slow)
did I see my old pal Tidester in this topic, to whom I still owe an "environmental response" to a post back in "I don't like SUVs..."???
Since you didn't reply I concluded that you conceded the point! ;-)
tidester, host
On another note, I recently went in to my insurance company office to discuss auto insurance premiums. My daughter will get her drivers license in July and she wants a Mitsubishi Eclipse. They calculated that the insurance on the eclipse would be $400 more per year than on a Honda civic. They said the rates on all Mitsubshi's are higher. (I thought the reason for the difference was because the eclipse was considered a sports vehicle.) With two teenage drivers, I don't know if I can afford the additional insurance costs.
Air/Heat: blows you out of the car. Heat comes from bottom vents up and cold from top down, real nice
Ergonomics and comfort: Only the Lexus/LC can match it IMO
Power: I have the 01 LTD with rear air. I need more power for towing but going to get a crew cab diesel for that. Short trips with my 16 foot Nash trailer are fine, say 2 hours to the coast or mountains from where I live are fine.
The 03 has more power but I think a small V8 would be better, more torque
Driving around town and "normal" highway driving not a real problem but get in and see if it fits your style.
Size: not too big to park, off road with but big enough to get 5 adults and gear, put a roof top rack and you really have a good set up
Missing: GPS, why I dont know, they were in all the European Montero/Pajeros I saw last summer.
Tranny, 5 speed auto is unbeatable IMO. Manual control over everything. Few 4wd SUV giving such flexability these days.
- Premium Fuel recommended, It needs bigger rims & tires to fill the wheel wells better (even the smaller Oulander comes w/ 16"), No height adjustable seat belt for the rear seat, I love the idea of the seamless, built in, illuminated side steps but I find myself not using them because they are not quite wide or low enough to get my foot comfortably in there. There should be a Navigation & DVD option in this price range. Rear door is maybe a little short
Here's some of my pet kudos:
- I prefer the cleaner exterior styling over the 02. Deep Discounts made this the best value for my money and I shopped this to death. Commanding view of the road(its better than any other SUV that I've been in). All the controls are easily reached and are in the logical places. Both front seats are very comfortable & heated (no real long trips yet but I don't forsee any issues with discomfort or fatigue). Awesome 315W Infinity stereo. Wicked huge sunroof. Tons of storage bins, pockets, etc.. The overall quality of the interior is top shelf. 3rd row seat is relatively painless to flip & fold. Engine, Transmission, Brakes, & Handling all seem great. I'm not sure what your towing needs are but the upgrade in HP & Torque for 03 should help. I didn't drive an 02 so I can't say for sure.
Hope it helps. Good luck!
A person I know of had a 2001 and traded for a 2003 and said it got better fuel economy. She really likes the vehicle.