jwthemechanic
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 08/02/12
Posts: 64
Loc: Daytona beach
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I just bought a super nice 87 swb with 2.6 and I am looking to upgrade the whole drive train. I have been searching the forums and I am getting a little overwhelmed. I would be very grateful if someone could direct me to the best upgrades. I have a budget of $5000 and need to be able to build the montero in a relatively short amount of time.
Should I swap in a 4.3/700r4 or is it possible to source parts for a turbo 2.6 in the U.S. Is there a list of parts needed for the swap?
I need to know what axle/ carriers I need to have locking differentials or should I swap to different axles and do a SAS to handle the 4.3?
If I swap to the 4.3 what will be my cruise rpms at 70 mph?
Do they make high ratio gearsets to keep my revs down at cruise.
I need this truck to be reliable as possible as it will be taken across the U.S. then to Taiwan for a couple of years then possibly Africa after that.
Thanks in advance
Jesse
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Homebrewer
Wheeler
Reged: 07/16/06
Posts: 175
Loc: Loomis, CA
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Welcome! You've come to the right place for information. There is a lot of it here and in the archives.
There have been a few 4.3 swaps done. Personally, I feel like this is a great option if you have the fab skills and the technical knowledge to do it yourself. You would probably be hard pressed to get the parts and someone else to do it for $5K though.
The IFS is pretty stout on these vehicles, so, unless you feel like you must do a SAS for the type of wheeling you do, then it's probably not worth the headache/expense/time (unless you really like doing that sort of thing and then time/money doesn't really play much role in decision making.)
The Starion turbo swap has been done on here and is supposedly pretty straight forward and you should be able to get lots of help on here, but I have no personal experience.
Your rear axle is most likely 4.625 IIRC, and possible 4.8 something in a very few models.
As far as rear axle lockers go, if you can find a 94-95 SR in the junkyard, they had factory lockers that will most likely match your gear ratio. Grind off the bracketry and weld brackets for yours and you are golden. Lots of info on here about that. You may be able to find one very cheaply.
Also, you can ARB locker your rear axle. Rear axles are pretty stout on these and usually don't need to be upgraded.
People have adapted newer V6 IFS from Gen 2s which will give you an ARB option. I think the V6 Gen1 Monty/Raider IFS will also take an ARB, but not positive on that. The V6 pumpkin will also take a Starion LSD from some models.
Cheers!
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1989 SWB V6 Montero "Little Blackie"
1997 Jeep Wrangler
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Mudraider
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 12/16/07
Posts: 1352
Loc: Orange Park, FL
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You should think about selling that and buying the LandRaider. Check it out on the For Sale section.
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fasteddy
Web Wheeler
Reged: 01/30/01
Posts: 12703
Loc: Flat Creek, GA
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Your cruise rpms with a 700r4 and 4.625's will be around 3200, depending on tire size.
If you keep the 2.6, and do the turbo option (yes, parts are available), you want a 90.5-92ish a/t from a v6 with a lockup torque converter - you have to swap bellhousings with your tranny to fit. This will save you about 300rpms at 70mph.
You aren't by any chance an Embry-Riddle student, are you? My son graduated from there.
Landraider's 4.3 swap is very well done and equipped - well worth looking at, and damn cheap for what it is.
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"If you can't be a good influence, don't worry, you can still be a horrid example."
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jwthemechanic
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 08/02/12
Posts: 64
Loc: Daytona beach
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I can't seem to find this landraider you mentioned was for sell. Could you please send me a link as this forum has the worst interface I've ever seen. thanks
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jwthemechanic
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 08/02/12
Posts: 64
Loc: Daytona beach
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I did go to Embry-Riddle back in 2005 for Airframe and powerplant certification. Is this about the time your nephew attended?
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fasteddy
Web Wheeler
Reged: 01/30/01
Posts: 12703
Loc: Flat Creek, GA
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Son was there last in 2003. He now works at Epps in Atlanta in avionics. He's on here as Will Winch For Food. His friend Nate is on here as well as SRTNate, and he also went to E-R. He works for a local firm doing drone helicopters. Neither are on the board a lot, but you could send them a PM. Both also have Monteros, John a 91 lwb with lots of mods, and Nate an 89 swb he's converting to a 3.5.
PM landraider about his truck. Just do a search with his username, then click on his name in the post header, and you get the option to PM him. He's in the Biloxi, MS area.
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"If you can't be a good influence, don't worry, you can still be a horrid example."
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jwthemechanic
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 08/02/12
Posts: 64
Loc: Daytona beach
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I really not sure what I got self into but sounded like a good idea to buy a monty. I live overseas and had my dad buy the truck for me and have yet to check it over for myself. It only has 155,000 miles and appears to be well taken care of and rust free. i really need it to be able to comfortable drive on the interstate and be ok offroad. I will be back state side in a month and plan on spending a month to work on it. I know the front end needs some work and that it struggles to reach hyway speeds. I am debating on doing a megasquirt fuel injection because a the parts for a starion swap seem hard to find for my limited time or doing putting on a weber (need to make a bracket for trans cable). In the future I would like to turbo it or throw a Diesel in it, but that can wait.
So my questions are: what is the top comfortable cruising speed with stock carb vs weber vs injection? What kind of fuel economy should I expect? and what all do I need to do a megasquirt system?
Thanks for all the help
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fasteddy
Web Wheeler
Reged: 01/30/01
Posts: 12703
Loc: Flat Creek, GA
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It will cruise at 80 if you need it, but will have to downshift for larger hills. You should never see that in FL.
I suspect the carb has a bad "depression chamber", a vacuum pot on the engine side of the carb that enables the secondary carb barrel to open. It's easy to check. It's a flying saucer looking thing that has one vac line. Apply vac and see if it holds it. If not, you need a new one. Not terribly expensive. I have never been a fan of weber conversions. The Mikuni is a good carb when properly maintained.
Let me shop around some for Starion bits. There's a sticky post above that lists everything you need, and need to know. I'll post or PM you with some results. One of our old posters is getting rid of a lot of Starion stuff, and may have all you need. Look up Mainstream and his "for sale" post for a contact. There was one other lately, if I remember correctly.
You have the perfect candidate for a turbo conversion. I did an 87 a/t myself several years ago, and it is lovely. You will never feel power deprived in any way. Mine with the crappy 85 starion bits would beat a 5.0 Mustang light to light with no problems. It was dead reliable, too.
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"If you can't be a good influence, don't worry, you can still be a horrid example."
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Mudraider
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 12/16/07
Posts: 1352
Loc: Orange Park, FL
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I'm up the street (I-95) 82 miles and have an 88 2.6 5speed and had an 87 with the 2.6/AT that I'm converting to an 94 SR's 3.5. You can do 80 all day with the stock tires, and don't worry about the downshifting thing down there it is so flat. When you start upping the tire sizes, speed will suffer, as well as fuel economy. Truthfully, if you are terribly worried about fuel economy, the 2.6 in the brick that is a montero/Raider is going to be disappointing.That 2.6 is a big bore 4-cylinder and will suck the gas. Whatever, as capable as the thing is you can forgive it. PM me if you need any help.
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87 Raider,3.5 soon,, 35's w/ a 4" BL,
bumpers, sliders, OME 2" lift Dakar springs, 98 Air locker, disc brake rear end, Gen 2 front brakes, plh manual hubs,
88 SWB-2.6/5spd, 2" BL, bumpers and sliders, Starion shift knob
89 SWB, V-6 6SPD, OME Shocks, 15X10 w/33's, 2"BL
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