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Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: October 29th, 2019, 8:17 pm
by MonsterTrac
Hello everyone...again!
Well it was only a matter of time before I decided to start the sequel.

I purchased her (1998 ML320 / 3.2L V6 SOHC / Brilliant Emerald) back on June 15th of this year from Thunder Bay, Ontario. She would only start for three seconds, beep four times, then shut off. So I had it trailered up to Yellowknife. I programmed and synchronized the key using my Mercedes-Benz Keymaker. And now the rest is history! Been driving her since July.

The engine is sound and strong. I'm very impressed with the transmission response (AWD and the low range) for a 194,000KM+ vehicle. She feels heavy but can still quickly accelerate with ease, that's Mercedes-Benz for you. The interior, for a 1998, is immaculate and fortunately all the electronics still operate as they should.

I will be focusing on the entire suspension first. The suspension, although functional, feels very old and needs a refresher - brakes, rotors, hubs, ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings (polyurethane), struts, shocks, torsion bars leveled out...the works!

I will be going with five LT265/75R16 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3. P#: 79327.
As much as I'd like to be film accurate, the Dunlop Radial Mud Rover was unfortunately discontinued in 2015. Therefore the BFGoodrich will be an amazing alternative and even a small nod to the original Jurassic Park BFGoodrich All-Terrains. I’ve also decided to go with the Montana version of the three (Fontana and Santana being the other two) Gatherer vehicles.

This 'Trek' will be a long one. I'm excited, nervous, but most of all happy with my decision!
Enjoy!

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: October 29th, 2019, 9:27 pm
by NathansPROPS
Sweet! We need more LOST WORLD MERCEDES ML320s In the JP motor pool fleet!

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: October 30th, 2019, 8:10 pm
by jp41
Love it! Looking forward to following!

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: January 10th, 2020, 10:32 am
by MonsterTrac
So this is what a $5758 (without tax / shipping) suspension restore looks like :lol:
Time for some garage fun :D

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: January 10th, 2020, 2:19 pm
by trevorpape
Awesome brother! look forward to seeing the project... I was in germany at the Mercedes benz museum a few years back and have some pictures... not sure how much they'll help, but youre always welcome too them.

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: January 10th, 2020, 7:05 pm
by MonsterTrac
Thank you for the offer TrevorPape.
Fortunately my Manager was in Stuttgart this past April 2019 and captured some high resolution photos all around, although, not much of the interior. Still planning on posting them to share with this forum group!

Regardless, please feel free to Private Message them to me if you'd like or post them as well under 'ML320 Construction > Reference Materials' ;)

All the assistance is appreciated :)

PS: hopefully frankyyy is still working at Mercedes in Stuttgart!

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: January 11th, 2020, 1:54 am
by frankyyy
I do, what do you need ?

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: January 11th, 2020, 8:02 pm
by MonsterTrac
Interior seat rears and Plexiglass roof would be great, thanks!
Please post under the 'ML320 Construction' section :)

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: January 29th, 2020, 1:07 pm
by MonsterTrac
Her new boots arrived :lol:

Re: Yellowknife, NT – Mercedes-Benz Montana

Posted: December 21st, 2021, 9:39 pm
by MonsterTrac
HELLO everyone from the Great White North and Happy Winter Solstice!!

It's been a difficult, interesting, and blurry two years as I'm sure it has been for others!
A rollercoaster of crazy situational events to even (unfortunately) deaths - but I'm glad it's all over ( :? ummm ?)
I hope all of you are healthy and things are going well (or at the very least, getting better) in your lives!

Unfortunately, my poor girl was put on hold during this time.
I'm finally in a good state and jumping back on board to finish her suspension.
Sneak peak of things to come! Her boots, from my previous post, are now mounted and bead-balanced!
Sneak peak of things to come! Her boots, from my previous post, are now mounted and bead-balanced!

I'm excited for 2022 regardless of whatever comes as this Montana has to get completed!
Take care all :)