Dodge Raider / Montero question...

[jjjtronics]

We have a 1986 Raider, 5 speed, 4 cylinder.
This little 4x4 has been so reliable, and so much fun, that I will like to keep it forever. I have plans to get it repainted, and make it look good again. My kids grew up with this truck, which they call "La Servi", because the side/rear windows open like a Fast Food Servicar Window. We used it for years to haul our dirt bikes, go camping, go to the beach, etc. We have great memories with this truck. One time, coming back from a basketball game, I took the whole team on it, they still remember that day as one of the most fun days they ever had. 14 crazy and fun kids, plus me, on a Raider, I still remember how much they laugh and scream from the cramps.
But, the engine is so weak, that I will like to swap it with something better.
I have seen V6 Raiders, but all are automatics. I understand the V6 was never an option with the manual trany. I have heard about engine conversions, but can`t find anything on the Raider/Montero. Any Ideas ?

Juan

[bradford]

It might be an engineering nightmare, but a GM 5.7 would be mean in one of those Mitsu's.

[jjjtronics]

I though of a Ford 302 V8, which is small and "light". Yeap, a V8, or perhaps the ever super reliable AMC 258 I6, will be a dream. But, I want to keep the original trany/transfer system.
The best thing about this Mitsu is the awesome gear ratio on LOW, I pull the V20 out of the ramp at idle almost.
I will probably end up overhauling the factory 2.6 I4, and add a better carb to it.
Juan

[Seacrets]

I owned a 91 Montero (4 door) 3.0 liter v-6 and that truck could pull stumps. It came with 4.62 gears both front and rear. I used to pull my first V with it. Very reliable. 300,000 miles was no problem for the engine.

[jjjtronics]

Yeap, mine has over 250,000, engine still runs fairly ok, smokes a little, an leaks a lot.
By the way, mine is 2 door, white.

[randlemanboater]

I though of a Ford 302 V8, which is small and "light". Yeap, a V8, or perhaps the ever super reliable AMC 258 I6, will be a dream. But, I want to keep the original trany/transfer system.
The best thing about this Mitsu is the awesome gear ratio on LOW, I pull the V20 out of the ramp at idle almost.
I will probably end up overhauling the factory 2.6 I4, and add a better carb to it.
Juan


The I-6 will weigh as much as the 302, and it will probably not fit being too long.

And if you put the 302 in, you will have to work on it all the time, cause its a Ford.

I did a Google search and found a bunch of info on engine swaps for Montero's.

I put in "Raider Montero motor swap".

Give it a try, I bet someone has done what you want to do already and can walk you right through it.