Jeff tries to make a hot rod out of a farm truck. '92 Mighty Max

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]Here's a question you can possibly answer.

Gen 2 Montero and Sport both use high pinion front diffs.

The Gen 1 and the truck are low pinion.

Can the Montero front diff be bolted into the truck? That'll answer a whole lot of questions about gearing.[/quote]

The dimensions of the center section looked the same when I measured them. Also the bolt patterns match up. Only real difference off the top of my head was the internal actuator for 4wd that is found only on the Montero.

Ive heard mention of the high and low pinion, but physically didnt notice a difference. I may have to put them side by side again.

[Jeff V.]

Jeep Comanche



So the question with ours is, will it foul anything above it if we switch to a high pinion, and what do we do about that actuator?

[ChargerX3]

I know the difference. I just didnt notice it last time i was under the Montero. As mentioned earlier I still need to verify that the pan will clear. Then again you will be using a different motor. One that is specific to the Montero, so I dont see any issues as axle placement is similar if not identical.

My hope is to make my existing Eclipse work if only small mods are needed. If not having the larger Montero pan off of a 74 or 75 wont upset me.

[Jeff V.]

Hmm. I found a 3.5L sport rear end with a locker for $400. It's up in IL. They do exist. Shame the timing isn't better...

[aaronatstate]

So I can tell you what I know from when I swapped a locker from a 96 SR into an 01 Montero Sport 3.5 XS RWD.

At first it looked like the whole rear end would swap over, except the spring seats on the rear axle ended up being in different locations. Luckily we were able to mix and match parts to get it to work. We had used the axles and diff from the SR and put it into the Montero Sport rear end. Converted to disk brakes at the same time.

So it may not be much help but I can tell you that the pumpkin/diff assembly (unbolts from the front comes out as whole with the pinion and everything) from a full size SR fits into a Montero Sport XS RWD rear end. You have to use the axles from the full size too as they are a bit shorter to clear the locker portion of the rear diff.

I have pictures somewhere that I need to find from when we did all this.

[aaronatstate]

Actually found the thread my buddy made on the Montero Sport forums that I posted the pictures in.

http://msport97.proboards.com/thread/76 ... al-finally

[ChargerX3]

Our difference is that the particular sport model we want was leaf sprung not coil. There are some write ups and they sound much simpler.

[Jeff V.]

'99 is the only year that'll work for us, and only on the XLS and Limited models. Slim pickings, regardless of the diff that's installed.

At least they make a 9.5" leaf sprung housing though.

[Jeff V.]

Anybody want 37" tires?

[ChargerX3]

Yes, and that clean air sticker for toll roads

[aaronatstate]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Our difference is that the particular sport model we want was leaf sprung not coil. There are some write ups and they sound much simpler.[/quote]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]'99 is the only year that'll work for us, and only on the XLS and Limited models. Slim pickings, regardless of the diff that's installed.

At least they make a 9.5" leaf sprung housing though.[/quote]

Well if the housing is the same dimensions, and the only thing that changed was the suspension mounting points (spring to coil), then the axles and pumpkin from the full size will bolt up.

[Jeff V.]

Well if the housing is the same dimensions, and the only thing that changed was the suspension mounting points (spring to coil), then the axles and pumpkin from the full size will bolt up.

That's how it's looking from my ASA dives.

So the solution is to mate a 99 3.5L Sport axle tube with Montero SR locker shafts and guts, or hope to find a rare complete locker equipped rear from a 99 sport. Which is what I just did. Unfortunately, $525 shipped is just too much for something to have 'in the bank' for later.

It's a shame though. It'd be nice to not have to wait for two different trucks to show up at Pick n Pull and then go through the labor to pull everything.

[Jeff V.]

You know, I might try building something like this. That's what, 2" tube? It'd be good welding practice.

[ChargerX3]

Ive seen a couple of the leaf sprung units in the yard. Never checked them for LSD or lockers as I was attempting to make my 9" setup work. Will have to keep an eye out now.

Still need to verify that the Ford ring and pinion will work though. Otherwise you are locked into the higher 4.6... ratios.

[Jeff V.]

4.64 might not be a bad idea with bigger tires.

There was a 4.27 option on the 1999 3.5L sport and full size. That's the lowest I've seen though.

[Jeff V.]

Know anyone in Kentucky? 4.27 rear end (2WD) and the 9.5" axle tube. Open diff.

http://row52.com/Vehicle/Index/JA4LS41R6XP028473

The front diff isn't engine specific and fits both the sport and full size, that might be a little easier to find.


Oops....Dec 2015. Probably gone by now. The VIN might be useful for research.

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]4.64 might not be a bad idea with bigger tires.

There was a 4.27 option on the 1999 3.5L sport and full size. That's the lowest I've seen though.[/quote]

How big are you wanting to go, 33's or bigger? If so then you might like the higher number. I guess it depends on your plans for the truck.

Im tempted to find some 18" wheels with some width to them and then maybe lower a bit and firm things up. I mean I already have the Jeep for the 4x4 stuff. Then again having an off road Max that eats up the streets would still be fun. Oh, decisions...

[aaronatstate]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]That's how it's looking from my ASA dives.

So the solution is to mate a 99 3.5L Sport axle tube with Montero SR locker shafts and guts, or hope to find a rare complete locker equipped rear from a 99 sport. Which is what I just did. Unfortunately, $525 shipped is just too much for something to have 'in the bank' for later.

It's a shame though. It'd be nice to not have to wait for two different trucks to show up at Pick n Pull and then go through the labor to pull everything.[/quote]

Yeah but at least there is a combo that works so you don't have to wait for a Unicorn!

Pulling the rear end out of them is easy. I think on the XS there were the shock mounts, the track bar mount, parking brake lines, and one brake line.

[Jeff V.]

This is an interesting look...

[ChargerX3]

Like the bed.