Montego Interior Upgrade

[D87 SMW]

As part of Project Monstro I am looking to fit a Montego (MKIII Maestro) dashboard and centre unit into my MG 2.0i. They need replacing anyway, so I thought it would be a good idea to improve it's appearance by using the later unit instead.

Can anyone inform me of the implications before I do this, with regard to the heater controls and pipework, switches, wiring and anything else involved?

If anyone has attempted this before, I would be greatful for any advice.

[E_T_V]

The swap should be pretty straightforward. The heater controls will have to be changed to the new dial type ones which will be easier if you've still got access to the donour car for all the linkages etc.

Pipework is the same as far as I know.

Switches may need extending (not sure on this though) to make them reach the ashtray area unless you make the dash a hybrid one and keep the switches on the lower right of the steering wheel, (which is what I'm planning to do as I also want a digi dash).

Should be a simple swap I think which is why I was considering it for my camper van.

[MG1600S]

The whole heater unit needs to be changed, as the unit is different to take into account the controls are cable oparated. You will need to get a Maestro dash rather than a Montego, (the main plastic parts and switches are the same) but the harness is different from Maestro to Montego. Meastro dash harness plugs into the glovebox area and the Montego is above the fuse box area. But all said, its a fairly straight forward swap. Here is my Maestro with a Montego main harness installed.....

[D87 SMW]

Here is my Maestro with a Montego main harness installed.....

:horror:

[D87 SMW]

So basically, if I take everything from a MKIII Maestro I will be ok?

[MG1600S]

So basically, if I take everything from a MKIII Maestro I will be ok?

Yes, sort of. Not actualy done this but you stand a chance it will all go together - orginal Maestro main harness to new Maestro dash harness. Since its going into an MG Maestro, you may have to add one wire for the rev counter. Its possible if you find a Maestro TD this may already be there, (see rev counter in Maestro TD thread for info).

Or go the whole hog, find a Montego estate (because rear wiper etc fitted) and fit the main harness. Major electrical enhancements are possible if you do this. ie. 4 electric windows, 40 second window/sunroof time out, delay fade out interior lamps, lights left on alarm, etc. Has to be similar engine spec though....

[D87 SMW]

Or go the whole hog, find a Montego estate (because rear wiper etc fitted) and fit the main harness. Major electrical enhancements are possible if you do this. ie. 4 electric windows, 40 second window/sunroof time out, delay fade out interior lamps, lights left on alarm, etc. Has to be similar engine spec though....

All the parts I will need for this upgrade and conversion are found in the Montego Estate. From the dashboard unit/wiring, to door caps and wiring for the headlamps. I could do with a Monty Estate for spares, for the said purposes. Could the entire wiring loom be fitted into my MG? The wiring it has already is buggered in many places, i.e. headlamps, indicator stalk, rear lights from when it had a towbar...

I would also like to have a bash at installing an electric sunroof mechanism whilst I replace the headlining, electric rear windows to sort out the sticking winder, and the fading lights etc would also be good.

So.... Anyone got a surplus Montego 2.0 Estate?? :)

[MG1600S]

The entire wiring loom can be fitted from a Monty estate, indeed thats whats fitted to my Maestro TD. The best way is to cut and shut the wiring loom from the Monty to the rear half of the Maestro. This is because the Monty's harness for the rear electrics (tail lamps wipers CDL etc) runs down the right hand side of the floor, and the Maestros harness runs down the left hand side. You can do this by making the Monty harness run accross the floor under the front seat crossmember.

Also, almost forgot. You will have to transfer the parts out of your old harness for the front wiper circuit, as the Montego wipers are vastly different to Maestro......

Shoping list in the scrappy should include looking for a Gsi estate, (4 electric windows) and you should look out for MG models, as both of the above have the black relay on the fuseboard that does interior lamp delay. These are the only two models that this feature is fitted to.

[metromartin]

Surely you could just change the center bits to the later monty style? If you remove some of the black insulation tape off the wires they will fit to where the ash tray was under the clock, The e/mirror switch should be easy :)
And if you get the cables for the heater controls from the same car they are a stright swap but very fidderly.

Also the mk2 monty MG we broke had 4 wires to each rear door connector, I followed these back as even though it was only the fronts that are electric the central loom is there for the rear e/w :) Your need the short loom with the 6 switchs though as this is 2/4 e/w's as the connector has far more wires one side than the other!
Anyone noticed that the dail dimmer plug is used aswell on the montys :)

[MG1600S]

Surely you could just change the center bits to the later monty style? If you remove some of the black insulation tape off the wires they will fit to where the ash tray was under the clock, The e/mirror switch should be easy :)
And if you get the cables for the heater controls from the same car they are a stright swap but very fidderly.

Also the mk2 monty MG we broke had 4 wires to each rear door connector, I followed these back as even though it was only the fronts that are electric the central loom is there for the rear e/w :) Your need the short loom with the 6 switchs though as this is 2/4 e/w's as the connector has far more wires one side than the other!
Anyone noticed that the dail dimmer plug is used aswell on the montys :)

I was just thinking that lifting large chunks of car out and swaping them complete is easier than "rewiring and splicing bits in" ie a complete 93MY Maestro dash.

MG harnesses are interesing because I think EFI shares the same main harnes as Turbo, which has 4 electric windows.

"And don't call me Surely!" (Airplane!)

[D87 SMW]

There is a 2.0 DLX Montego estate in my local scrappy, with electric sunroof which I intend to take, and electric windows...

Will this wiring loom be suitable for my MG Maestro?

[MG1600S]

There is a 2.0 DLX Montego estate in my local scrappy, with electric sunroof which I intend to take, and electric windows...

Will this wiring loom be suitable for my MG Maestro?

There will be a bit too much to modify there, eg the Injection ECU is in the passenger footwell - the DLX will have the EGR ecu there.

Your best bet is to wait and find that Monty Estate GSi - I presume you will use Monty wiper set up for project Monstro?

[D87 SMW]

There will be a bit too much to modify there, eg the Injection ECU is in the passenger footwell - the DLX will have the EGR ecu there.

Your best bet is to wait and find that Monty Estate GSi - I presume you will use Monty wiper set up for project Monstro?

Fair enough re the wiring.

I won't be using the Montego wiper set up as it happens.