My Montero is a CHONKER!

Jeff Glucker

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Comments

I expected 3900 pounds. The number on the slip read far higher than that though, and I’m still surprised. I took my Mitsubishi Montero over to a truck scale to get it weighed. Why? Because I’m going to upgrade the suspension and the company would like to know how heavy this thing actually is.

If you don’t have time to click play, I’ll help you out: 4,660 pounds.

Yes. Apparently my wheels are made out of lead. And I now feel bad anytime I ask the 3.0-liter V6 to work a bit harder. It’s already working hard enough.

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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28 responses to “My Montero is a CHONKER!”

  1. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    Having guessed 4850, I’m going to claim the prize for closest guess. What did I win?

    This is definitely the highlight of this month for me. So far.

    Reply
  2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
    Fuhrman16

    Whoa, would have never thought it be that heavy. My guess of 4632 pounds was close, though to be honest, that was a typo that I meant to change to 3632.

    Reply
    1. danleym Avatar
      danleym

      Well damn. I guess mine wasn’t closest. What a let down.

      Reply
      1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
        Jeff Glucker

        Someone on YouTube guessed 4650

        Reply
  3. dead_elvis, inc. Avatar
    dead_elvis, inc.

    I’m surprised. I figured it for a bit lighter than my ’83 Wagoneer that crossed the scales at about 4400 lbs. Note that this was NOT a Grand Wagoneer, but Pioneer trim – straight six, 3* pedals, 4 speeds, manual hubs. Nothing luxe about it.

    *edit: 4 pedals, due to the poor choice by AMC of a foot-operated parking brake

    Reply
  4. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    Egads. That’s almost as heavy as my 2005 Dakota was (4700 lbs as delivered, ~4880 with all-terrains + bedliner + tonneau cover + the usual on-board knicknacks) and I had something like half again more horsepowers.

    Reply
  5. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    Factory figure was 39-something I think, but I didn’t think it would be that much more.

    If you have one of the original wheels it would be interesting to compare to the 1552/KO2. Surely they can’t be all of the difference.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I think the original wheels are just regular light steelies.

      Actually, alloys or steels. Mine being an LS model, it probably had the alloys: https://www.originalwheels.com/mitsubishi-wheels/montero1991rims.php

      Reply
      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Did you also get a weight at each axle?

        Since this was for suspension tuning, I suppose you were in the driver’s seat for the weigh-in. How long before that did you last eat Taco Bell?

        Reply
        1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
          Jeff Glucker

          Nope, I need to try another place that can do weight front:rear.

          And no I wasn’t in the truck. Also, Del Taco over Taco Bell all day long.

          Reply
          1. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            Technically, any scale can do that. Drive partially onto the platform so that just the front wheels are on it. Weigh it. Then drive the rest of the way onto the platform and check the weight again. Total weight minus front axle weight will give the rear axle weight.

            Get in the truck when weighing it, if you’re going for accuracy. Or do you plan on having the suspension optimized for a driverless vehicle?

            Del Taco is better food than Taco Bell, but I was inquiring to find out if there had been any sudden weight loss…

          2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
            Jeff Glucker

            I can just add 210 to the total figure.

          3. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            Yes, if weighing the whole thing, but you should sit in the driver’s seat when you get around to checking axle weights.

  6. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    BFG’s KO2’s are no joke, they go 10-12 lbs heavier per corner than your basic all seasons in the same size.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Still, this is a lot more than I would’ve expected…

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        I went from 235/60-18 all-seasons to 255/55-18 BFG KO2s (same overall diameter but 20mm wider) on my minivan and it added a whopping 15 lbs per corner. And that’s technically not upsizing.

        Reply
  7. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Wow. I remember doing a little digging when you first upgraded your wheels/tires, and IIRC, they were only about 25 lbs heavier per piece. While that’s a huge increase in unsprung weight, it’s only an extra 125 lbs overall. Looking up the specs, it appears that the original curb weight should have been about 3925. Throw in 30 lbs for the bike rack, 20 lbs for the car seat, maybe 20 lbs for the snorkel (there’s not much to those besides plastic and maybe aluminum under the hood), and an extra 100 lbs for unaccounted stuff, and you should still be looking at 4250, tops.

    Where’s all the weight coming from?

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Food squished into the seats by the kid?

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        I just hope for Jeff’s sake he’s not hauling around 200 lbs of bondo (though he would have seen that by now).

        For comparison, my old CJ-7 Renegade with hardtop, heavy-as-hell full steel doors, 360 V8, and THM400 weighed just north of 3200 lbs, if I recall correctly. However, weight-saving measures included a glass body, no rear seat in favor of a locking trunk, no spare tire, and custom aluminum bumpers I made to replace the bent-up steel ones. Mine unfortunately had heavy-duty tow package springs from the factory, so the ride was harsh as hell.

        Reply
    2. salguod Avatar
      salguod

      I wouldn’t be surprised if all that gear in the back is 200 lbs, but we’re still a couple hundred pounds short. If the published spec is a base model with no fluids, that might explain the difference.

      Reply
      1. dead_elvis, inc. Avatar
        dead_elvis, inc.

        I didn’t notice it addressed either way, but was Jeff in the driver’s seat while weighing the truck?

        Reply
        1. salguod Avatar
          salguod

          He mentioned in a comment above that he was not.

          Reply
    3. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Maybe the stock weight didn’t include AC?

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Dunno. The LS-trim extras could add weight compared to the published curb weight I read, but all of the AC components should only add about 50-60 lbs, which alone doesn’t contribute much.

        Reply
        1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
          Jeff Glucker

          I agree… it’s odd.
          I wonder if the scale I went to is “optimized” for higher readings to charge trucks more?

          Reply
          1. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            This is actually a relevant point, but doesn’t necessarily suggest cheating. Scales are generally calibrated to a range that might not include zero, depending on their intended use. Full dump trucks might weigh 50,000 lbs. Eighteen wheelers can gross out at 80k. If the calibration is centered closer to, say, 60,000 lbs, the scales might not accurately weigh a 4000-lb truck.

        2. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          80s AC was heavier than that, maybe 100 lb. One thing is sure, Mitsubishi would have known; I had an 80s Mitsubishi and the owners manual listed the weight of all the options from AC or alloy wheels to the rear demister.

          Reply
  8. Andrew Pascarella Avatar
    Andrew Pascarella

    What kind of suspension upgrades? There isn’t much off the shelf available. They really just need good shocks, like Koni Heavy Tracks and some Old Man Emu lift springs in the back.

    Reply