Monty / Shogun / Pajero build questions

[Plasticbadger]

Hi, I'm looking into getting a UK spec Shogun, or Janpanese import Pajero in the UK and wanted to ask some questions.

My plan is to build a LWB SUV for long distance adventure with the family, local off road parks and as a chase truck for when my Buddies are competing in Eastern Europe. The build will need to be sensible on the road, but be as capable as possible on the trial. The '90's 2.8TD Shoguns as they are over here are pretty cheap in need of some work so they look very tempting.

The basic build would be SAS on coils or coilovers, 35/37" tyres, locked, internal cage, front and rear winches. My questions are:

• What axles are suitable for the SAS, over here the only left hand diff axles I can get are Jeep Cherokee or a Dana 70/80 combo from a 1.5 ton Chevy?
• If the above question can't be sorted I'd use Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series axles, or Nissan GQ Patrol. For these I'd need a right hand front transfer case output. Are there any easy transfer case swap options?
• Is the frame stong enough to support links etc or will in need much reinforcing?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Spicoli_D50]

Jeep axles are probly dana 35s..... not a good platform imo

Dana 60/70 is gonna be overkill id say. Plus they'd probly require some narrowing or something I hear there a lil stingy over there bout tires out past the fenders.

Tcase might be possible to switch sides on if the 4m40 has a 2wd trans some were and just run a divorced set up. I know the v6s are damn near it impossible to find a 2wd trans for.

For what you wanna run tire wise the stock suspension will handle it.........

[Plasticbadger]

Originally Posted by Spicoli_D50

Jeep axles are probly dana 35s..... not a good platform imo

Dana 60/70 is gonna be overkill id say. Plus they'd probly require some narrowing or something I hear there a lil stingy over there bout tires out past the fenders.

Tcase might be possible to switch sides on if the 4m40 has a 2wd trans some were and just run a divorced set up. I know the v6s are damn near it impossible to find a 2wd trans for.

For what you wanna run tire wise the stock suspension will handle it.........

Thanks,

You echo my thoughts on both the Jeep axles and Chevy axles (it is actually a 70/80 combo so even more over kill). My main thought on a SAS swap is to gain articulation and get lockers in front and rear. I hadn't really thought about keeping the stock stuff!

Will the stock axles and suspension really live with 35's, never mind 37's? It seams most of the 2.8TD trucks over here have a rear locker, are there options for a front locker?

It would certainly be simple build on the stock axles

[rxinhed]

ARB should be able to help with a front locker. Our buddy Carlos, here in Cali, runs 37" Goodyears on his Montero with no issues for rocks with his stock running gear. If you're considering solid axles, being that you're close to the European vehicle (duh!), why not some Mog or Pinzi axles?

[Spicoli_D50]

All the arizona mitsu crew are rocking 35s lockers f&r, wear out an idler arm is all.

The stock rear lockers a good ordeal. Front you could go arb or aussie.

Carlos also has the 3.15 low t case gear. Wich I don't know if you'd be using low or not.

Find some portals n put on it!!!!!!!!

[Plasticbadger]

Originally Posted by rxinhed

ARB should be able to help with a front locker. Our buddy Carlos, here in Cali, runs 37" Goodyears on his Montero with no issues for rocks with his stock running gear. If you're considering solid axles, being that you're close to the European vehicle (duh!), why not some Mog or Pinzi axles?

Funny you should say that, I have a set of 404's and 44" tyres knocking around, like you do If I was building just to wheel then this is the way to go, but I want to be able to run long distance on the road and then fast fire road when working as a chase car.

I like the idea of staying stock axles and running 35s / 37s. Does Carlos have a build thread?

[Guns_and_Roses]

Originally Posted by Plasticbadger

Does Carlos have a build thread?

I have seen one build thread by carlos when he put the lower gears in the t-case but am unsure if he posted the rest of the build.

Carlos's rig is a Gen 2 montero and is quite beefy compared to the gen 1's.

[Plasticbadger]

I'd be looking at starting with a gen2 LWB with the 2.8TD and rear locker. They seam pretty easy to get hold of over here for not too much money. It looks like the UK trucks came with the rear locker more often than not, while the Japan spec Pajero mostly came with the rear LSD.

What kind of lift would you need to clear 37's? I'm happy to cut fenders etc I presume you need to drop the gearing, I've seen UK guys running 5.13 or 5.38 axle gears and 35's.

[Guns_and_Roses]

at least a 2 inch lift ...maybe even 3 inch.

here is a link for lower gears for the t-case...http://www.marks4wd.com/products/gea...w-tc-gears.htm

[Spicoli_D50]

Originally Posted by Plasticbadger

I'd be looking at starting with a gen2 LWB with the 2.8TD and rear locker. They seam pretty easy to get hold of over here for not too much money. It looks like the UK trucks came with the rear locker more often than not, while the Japan spec Pajero mostly came with the rear LSD.

What kind of lift would you need to clear 37's? I'm happy to cut fenders etc I presume you need to drop the gearing, I've seen UK guys running 5.13 or 5.38 axle gears and 35's.

5.29 is what your thinking of and itgs not available for thhe big axle. 4.90s are

[Baldy110]

I am running an 82 D50 with a dana 44 and a GM 12 bolt rear with 38" swampers. Engine is a Chevrolet 350 and a muncie SM420 tranny mated to an NP231 transfer case. The front end is a Ford radius arm set with coil springs and the rear is the stock Mitsubishi leaf springs with a spring over. I have 4.56 gears in the axles and they are locked. The axles have held up really well with no breakage at all. As far as the frame goes these frames are boxed in from front to rear so they are plenty stout. I havent bent anything yet.
[IMG][/IMG]

[sneakyninja]

You can flip yota axles, the aussie guys do it regularly check out outerlimits4x4.com they have the most montero SAS's out there.

Otherwise if you are building for speed id run 35's and your IFS, 37's would be fine too. I've got 35's on mine with lockers F/R plus crawler gears and (knock on wood) nothing has ever broken, not counting the graveyard of bent idler arms

[Plasticbadger]

Originally Posted by sneakyninja

You can flip yota axles, the aussie guys do it regularly check out outerlimits4x4.com they have the most montero SAS's out there.

Otherwise if you are building for speed id run 35's and your IFS, 37's would be fine too. I've got 35's on mine with lockers F/R plus crawler gears and (knock on wood) nothing has ever broken, not counting the graveyard of bent idler arms

Thanks, I was originally thinking of going SAS, maybe not quite as extreme as Baldy, but feeling seems to be I could achieve a good wheeling machine on the IFS. With a young family I don't have huge amounts of time so it certainly appealing from a build time point of view.

Does anybody know which trucks had the lower gears? And which trucks have the 'big' rear axle?