Alright, so you get a nice double din deck, or you simply just want to move the AC controls to the lowest din so it looks cleaner.

Here is the honest truth on doing this, it is not as easy as you think. There is a lot of tedious work.

If you are doing all this, you might as well install a nice stereo because the effort/labor on doing it while still keeping the stock weak radio will not seem worth it in the end.

First step is to remove the dash trim. There are 2 philips screws right above the info unit. After removing those, get a flat head and work your way around the trim to loosen it some. Now some will be intimidated by the next part but it is necessary to be done. After you removed the 2 screws, the only other thing holding this piece in place are clubs and tabs. You simply have to use some force until it snaps off. Don't pull to far because the harness for the Hazard lights are connected. Detach it and you can continue to install your stereo if you do not want to relocate the AC controls.

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So you got a double din stereo and it is necessary to relocate the ac control.

You can start to remove the AC control, its only held on by 4 philips screws, remove the harnesses and vac line connected to it from behind.

This is where it gets tough. You will need to dissemble that entire center area with the shifter. I am only speaking in memory. And will try to state some tips. Do not try to force anything because you will break something. The shift knobs HAVE to be removed. The 4WD selector is just screwed on, so just unscrew it. The gear selector however is held on by 2 screws. You will need to pry the bottom trim down, which will reveal the 2 philips screws holding it in to place. After that is removed you have to pry the cup holders out which will reveal more screws. After removing this section, this will reveal the 2 screws which is holding the trim that connects the surround of the din pocket to the bottom half. After removing this, you will then be able to access the 4 philips screws holding the pocket. Remove it and put the ac controls into place and attach it's connections back. Don't worry even though it's in a lower area, the wires and hose is long enough to reach.

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Test everything before you put it all back. And just do the reverse process that you did.

What would have been nice is to move the info screen to the 2nd row (where stock stereo and ac use to be), and then put your aftermarket stereo in there. It would be optimal because it has a visor to shield from glare. However after trying this it wouldnt work because the depth of the control unit is shallow and there is not much room back there to push any stereo far enough to mount. Other problems I believe I saw were mounting points of the bracket, etc. I'm sure it could be done but with more work.

Anyways, the resulting outcome is still nice.

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Have been intending to carry out this modification to my Montero for some time. Thanks for clear guide. Did the A/C bezel slot into the lower section without adjustment ?. Others have told me it is slightly oversize and needs trimming. Does the radio bezel sit over the aperture all round giving a finish without gaps ?. What model radio have you fitted ?.
Regards
Brian

No problem, when I came into owning a Montero I noticed resources SUCKED for the 01+

It still does, but I wanted to contribute and hopefully get more people active in the online forums.

Anyways I can tell you that there is no modification needed at all. It is not oversized or require trimming. As for the radio bezel. Yea there is no problem at all. Depending on the stereo you get, you have to be aware if that is oversized and you may need to do some adjustments to make it look nice as I did with mine.

Thanks for further info but you didn't say which make/model unit you had installed. Looks very neat.
Regards
Brian

Redturboeclipse,

Quick question....

Am not trying to do anything as fancy as replacing the stereo. Just trying to fix my cigarette lighter (it got loosened, dropped back into it's hole, now i can't use it for my GPS) i just want to get into the lower console in order to put it back into place. looking at your picture it appears that I don't have to remove the trim around the stereo, but I do have to remove the trim around the shifters to access all the tabs that hold the console around the cigarette lighter in place. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

many thanks,

Alan

You are correct, you will need to remove the panel around the shifters. I tried to access removing the ac control by leaving the shift knob in place and the panel just loose, no way. You will mess stuff up. Shift knobs have to be removed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm1C962UaLE

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeSGFMZl2FE