Love our 95 E-150 Club Wagon Chateau, wish it had 4WD. Looked into all the options, even a 2WD lift kit from Weldtec. Kids are off to college, seldom fill the 7 passenger slots anymore.


Hey, here's an idea, why don't I find a full size Montero limited 4WD and replace the van? Wife has a Montero Sport (different style truck and 2WD), I've learned to fix all the Mitsubishi gremlins myself, it's really a decent built and capable vehicle.


Then the wife starts bringing "logic and reason" to the discussion...where's the gearhead fun in that?


Let's take a look, you all know the vans specs, wins on passenger comfort, cargo space, + 90 ft lbs torque out of the 5.8L Windsor, 3.55 with trak/lok, E4OD, Chateau package, about equal tow rating between the two, and My cargo conversion tandem axle trailer is 3,200 lbs loaded.


Montero, 4WD with 5-speed auto, sporttronic, with locking center differential and 50/50 torque to front/rear differentials. 4.30 gears, power everything, leather, moon roof, still seats 7 although tight, horsepower nearly equal, shorter wheelbase, although these are sold as the Pajero in Australia, and is one of the most popular tow vehicles for "caravans"


So, how do I end the madness, and keep the van, or go towards the empty-nester 4WD option and sell my wife on the idea?


What say you oh loyal van owners? (i.e. fitting my Nomex fire suit while typing is a challenge)


Oh, here's a write up on a similar Montero to what I'm considering:
Acura MDX vs. BMW X5, Infiniti QX4, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX300, M-B ML320, Mitsubishi Montero Comparison Tests - Page 5 - Car and Driver

 

I wouldn't even consider a vehicle known as Pajero.

Not a chance.
😁

 

The Montero has 82 cubic feet of cargo room max. Your van has 250 cubic feet of cargo room max behind the front seats.

A big minivan has 150 cubic feet inside, which is more than a Suburban or Expy EL (around 130 cubic feet). An E van has twice the room inside compared to an Expy EL...

If you need the space inside a van, you will need 3 Monteros to carry the same amount of stuff. So you are comparing an apple and a grape.

I sold my big van this year and got a minivan because the front passenger seat in the big van was NOT comfortable for either me or my wife--dang engine cover and bad knees or spines. I am finding 150 cubic feet to be a bit tight after 30 years of having a big van but it will do most stuff we need it to do.

George

 

Just get both. Tell the wife that it isn't a really another vehicle if it's a toy. Some guys are in to stereos, some into in to wood working, some in to Star Wars action figures.......I am in to cars/vans/trucks. It's not a vehicle because it's a toy.

Just an FYI, I have tried this logic for over 10 years with no luck.....so if you pull it of please let me know how you did it.

 

Been there, done that..........
Ended up with my E250 cargo van and a 2001 Nissan Xterra for my 4WD needs (I do side work as offroad driving instructor).
The Nissan will have to go before winter comes and will eventually be replaced by something with way better gas to power ratio (Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 or something along these lines).

 

Keep the van man. ☺☺☺