4.9 gears in 2000 gen 2.5

[WontonSoup]

Hey everyone! I recently got larger tires and I want to eventually re-gear the monty with 4.9 gears from a montero sport. I currently have stock 4.2 gears with no locker (the 2000 montero did not come with a locker)

I've done some research and from what I've gathered I should be able to swap the front axle assembly and third member from a montero sport. The only thing that I would have to change would be the front axle mounts. Can anyone chime in and confirm that this swap is possible with just the front axle and third member, or do I need any extra parts??

Thanks!

[Shovel]

I have not yet done this swap yet but it's high on my list after get-truck-driveable,   and my understanding is that it bolts pretty much straight in. 

Two caveats:

You should get one from an AWD Sport,  so that it doesn't have the disconnect because the disconnect won't fit a Montero

You should invest in a set of manual hubs so when you're rolling 2wd you aren't always spinning your whole front driveshaft and the bottom half of the transfer case. 

[WontonSoup]

I have not yet done this swap yet but it's high on my list after get-truck-driveable,   and my understanding is that it bolts pretty much straight in. 

Two caveats:

You should get one from an AWD Sport,  so that it doesn't have the disconnect because the disconnect won't fit a Montero

You should invest in a set of manual hubs so when you're rolling 2wd you aren't always spinning your whole front driveshaft and the bottom half of the transfer case.

Thanks for the input Shovel - I installed manual hubs a few months back and one of the ADD guys told me the same thing about sourcing the front from an AWD sport. It's good to hear this from a second source though!

EDIT - There's a craigslist ad for a 2003 awd sport that someone is parting out. What would be a fair offer on the front axle and third member?

[Shovel]

If you're doing the wrenching?  50 bucks. 

[WontonSoup]

After doing some more digging it seems like I'll need to match the ring gear, so this means the third member will need to come off of a 3.5 sport

[B]

I have a 2000 with the 4.27 gearing currently and it is a bit bogged with 33" tires. Climbing mountain passes is a chore and engine temps are high.

We get Montero Sports fairly often at the yards near me, and I would love to perform this swap. It would be nice to have some general steps to follow to remove the third member from our rigs.

This thread can be very handy for other 2000 owners. If we keep the info in one place, we can eventually put it in a Wiki.

[BayMonty]

Same for me. Looking to swap out the 4.27's with 4.9 gears.