2003 Montero shifter cable
 

Has anyone ever replaced the shifter cable on a 2003 Montero Limited (automatic transmission)? I'm attempting to change one for a friend and I can't figure out how to get at the 2 bolts on the underside the tunnel just in front of the shifter itself. I can see the back of the studs from the inside but I can't even get my hands between the transmission and floor to feel them from the bottom. We've adjusted it several times and we can either get it to go into park but not drive or drive but not park so we assume the cable must be stretched.
Also, the starter won't engage when you turn the key anymore, not even a click. We hooked a jumper wire to the starter and it will start that way. I thought it might be an issue with the alarm but I've deactivated it like the owner's manual says and still nothing.

The starter problem turned out to be a loose wire but I still haven't figured out how to get at the bolts for the shifter cable. I think we may have to drop the rear crossmember and see if I can get enough space to get at them.

It finally got done (not by me. Lol). The transfer case had to come off and the transmission dropped quite a bit to get at the shifter cable bolts underneath. He has all his gears now but it still pops out of drive occasionally until it's warmed up.