Gen II Montero Stereo Nonsense

[The Stray]

Recently my monty's stereo ("type 2" double DIN) has stopped working, though not completely, i.e. the lcd screen has died, several buttons have stopped working and its always stuck "on". The stereo has been in the truck since purchase and it has been slowly failing bit by bit.
The stealership says if its not a fuse and its not a cable thats been shaken loose that the only option is to replace it... for $800 :Wow1:... Since I want a stereo that works, but not one that costs $800 I've decided to get a simple single DIN stereo and install it myself.
The main problem I am running into is the diversity antenna setup. Two plugs for two different antennas. Are there aftermarket radios that will run the diversity setup? Also since the front antenna is a power antenna do special actions be taken so that it continues to pop up when the radio turns on? Has any one replaced the stock stereo and have recommendations on a system that integrates into the stock wiring harness with little to no modification.
And while I'm on the topic, since I am going to be putting the single DIN radio into the upper double DIN slot I am looking into putting a DIN sized CB radio into the bottom slot, not really looking for advise on the issue, just a heads up.

 

[PajEvo]

I can help you with some of this...

My Pajero was a JDM vehicle, so I can't help you with the diversity antenna, but the main power antenna is controlled with an aftermarket stereo via a blue wire, which should be part of the existing harness. Speaking of the oe harness, do yourself a favor and get the mitsu factory wiring harness adapter. It comes with bare ends on one end (these you solder/shrink to the new deck's harness). The other end simply plugs into the two factory plugs that used to plug into the oe stereo. The nice thing is, you can solder the new harness to the plugs, at the bench (or on the kitchen table) and then simply plug it into the vehicle's harness... there are two different plugs available for mitsus - afaik, one stops at 92, and the next one goes up to at least 99 if not further... most stereo shops carry them, or crutchfield, etc. Check your oe deck before you buy, so you can confirm you're getting the right one... wires are color coded, and it's an easy job.

Which stereo is very subjective, so I won't comment, except to say make sure you get a very good off-axis display, or a tilting face. Our Mitsus are from the era when the stereo was LOW in the dash, and it can be hard to read some displays from way up in the driver's seat...

CB in the lower DIN slot works great. The only one I could find for a reasonable price that fit pretty good was the Cobra 18wx.... Here's my install:

I used the lowest slot (yours may have cupholders there?) to house a triple gauge pod.

The CB doesn't fit PERFECTLY in the DIN slot, but it's close enough to fool the casual observer...

HTH
Phil

 

[The Stray]

By factory wiring harness adaptor you mean this?

Sorry for the ad, but it came with the picture. The speaker wires are already bundled together in a white clip that looks exactly like the one in the picture. Each side of the clip, left and right, having seven terminals, 3 on top and 4 on bottom if the stereo is right side up.

 

[PajEvo]

By factory wiring harness adaptor you mean this?

Sorry for the ad, but it came with the picture. The speaker wires are already bundled together in a white clip that looks exactly like the one in the picture. Each side of the clip, left and right, having seven terminals, 3 on top and 4 on bottom if the stereo is right side up.

Yup, that should be the one. The kit you can buy has the two mating pieces, and bare ends to attach to your deck... as per your picture. IIRC spkrs are on one side, power/grnd/memory etc on the other? Just ensure you get the right SET - As I mentioned, mitsu made a change part way through the 90s... they look similar so just check by year.

 

[The Stray]

Ok update. I got a stereo deck and an adapter. The adapter said for 1992 up, presumably to present. I got the wiring done and stereo hooked up in around an hour, but the trim was too small so it took an extra two hours of carefully filing it down to fit around the face of the deck.
The system os in and the stereo works and lights up fine.
NEVER MIND THIS Only problem is that the rest of the backlighting for the dash, on the speedo, tachometer, ect. will not light up when the headlights turn on. The wiring adapter used all but two orange wires which are labeled on the package "Illumination" and "Dimmer". I have tried crossing these wires with the engine running/lights on to see if the backlighting would restore but nothing is working. Any ideas on how to restore my dash lighting? NEVER MIND THIS
Ok I got the dash to work again by splicing the orange (illumination wire) in with the red (non-constant/ignition only power wire). This gets the dash working. The only hiccup is that now whenever the ignition is on the dash is on as well as the parking lights. So the parking lights are now always on when the car is on, they still function as turn signals and hazard blinkers though so its not too big of a deal, nowadays every other car has their lights on all the time anyway, I'll just call them running/increased visibility lights from now on.

 

[squam1]

have you tried crutchfield? they will include all the necessary bits and baubles to install (including a no cut wire harness) as well as detailed removal and installation instructions. I've bought from them numerous times out of convenience - I know I can save a few bucks going elsewhere, but I appreciate the added info and kit to get it all done right the first time.

 

[adrenaline503]

I have a dual din from my frontier you can for free if you pay shipping.