Starting my 2000 Monty project

[Jmichael2000]

This is my first experience with a montero so i am figuring it out as i go. Any and all input is greatly appreciated. I picked the truck up for 300 bucks so that is a bonus in my situation. I guess i should tell you about my situation so everybody knows why it will take me so long to complete the project.
Two years ago i suffered a stroke and have weakness ( basically no use of my left hand, arm, foot, knee and ankle) . before this i was very active in many areas, in the winter i was on my snowmobile in the rocky mountains as much as physically possible. in the spring, summer and fall it was 4 wheelers and motor cycles. No longer being able to enjoy these activities i found myself getting depressed and angry at the world. After a lot of thought I finnaly decided to look for another way to enjoy all the off road areas around me. Since i am now on a very tight budget i knew that i would have to start with something that needed lots of help. So here i am with this Montero which seems solid for the most part and i am determined to have it in the woods before summers end.
this is my list of things that have to be done, i will get to my wish list as the project gets moving

1 cracked exhaust manifold
2 brakes
3 valve stem seals
4 repair flat tire
5 inspect suspension
6 change all fluids
7 replace winshield
8 disasemble, clean and paint interior
9 plugs, wires, etc.

i am sure there is much more but thats my start.

 

[Toasty]

Looks like a good find! Welcome

 

[PacS14]

Body looks good and most of those things listed are not too expensive. Take your time and be safe working on it. Keep the pictures coming too! Good luck!

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

 

[brad2274]

Welcome! Looks your build should go smoothly. My interior was in a similar mess, spent a week gutting and cleaning all parts, washed the carpet, then reassembled with extra sound deadening and now it looks worlds better.
On that rear quarter panel, that's a tricky body line to make, i'm not sure if itd be better to strip the work back and do more metal work, or proceed with more filler work.

 

[Jmichael2000]

Welcome! Looks your build should go smoothly. My interior was in a similar mess, spent a week gutting and cleaning all parts, washed the carpet, then reassembled with extra sound deadening and now it looks worlds better.
On that rear quarter panel, that's a tricky body line to make, i'm not sure if itd be better to strip the work back and do more metal work, or proceed with more filler work.[/

I added sound deadening material to every panel, door, and spot i could fit it. It is now so quiet inside it is weird to drive. I think you are correct about the quarter panel so i'm trying to decide if i want to start over. the truck will spend its life in the high rockies where i am sure it will suffer much worse damage.

 

[Jmichael2000]

thank you all for the greetings

I have got to work on remembering to take pics as i go. I successfuly welded up a huge exhaust manifold crack this week but i forgot to take pics. when i replace the valve stem seals i will snap a couple to see what everybody thinks.
Can any of you guys suggest a donor vehicle year to harvest a locking diff, misc. interior parts and various suspension items?