LabOps Gear, known for creating useful injection-molded accessories for the 5th Gen 4Runner like their upper dash mount, has something new up their sleeve. If you’re a fan of their no-drill designs that are perfectly paired with the secure RAM mount system, this lower dash mount is no exception.
Table Of Contents
Product Overview
Unlike the upper mount which largely relies on smaller retention clips, the lower mount attaches directly to the structure of your center head unit. This makes it much more stable for larger devices such as tablets and radio systems or as an alternate mounting location for your phone.
They’ve also cleverly integrated a power wire pass-through for the cleanest-looking installation possible. Everything is designed and made in Texas.
The no-drill installation is always a win in my book, as I hate drilling holes into my interior. This was the primary reason I opted for LabOps’ upper mount over the likes of Rago or ICS Fab.
LabOps includes a type B 1-inch RAM Mount ball so that it’s ready to mount your favorite accessory right away. I’ve found that it’s a great place to mount my Garmin Tread Overland unit on trail days and my phone for daily driving. I like that this placement is a quick reach from the shift knob and doesn’t obstruct my forward line of sight, which is what happens when I mount my GPS device to the top of the dash.
Installation Overview
Installation is simple and only requires a few tools. It should only take you about 5 minutes, tops.
Tools Required:
- 10mm Socket & ratchet
- 6mm Allen wrench
For the full install, check out the video below.
YouTube Install Video
Notably, installing this mount does require you to tuck away the passenger-side seatbelt warning light. You can’t disconnect it as you’ll get warning lights. Fortunately, there’s enough space behind the center head unit shroud for this. As a precaution, I wrapped mine in some thin foam to prevent any potential rattling.
Review
I’m a fan of any accessory that doesn’t require me to drill holes into my vehicle. However, that usually comes with the compromise of decreased stability as things secured by bolts/screws are generally more secure than things that aren’t. The lower dash mount utilizes a long bolt to secure it but uses a pre-threaded hole in the head unit frame. That’s ingenuity at its finest – who would’ve ever thought to look for a bolt-hole back there?
I’ve had the upper one installed for some time now and while it does a decent job on-road (the integrated USB charging ports are also nice to have), it’s not the most stable off-road. That’s no longer an issue with the lower version.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an innovative mounting solution and want to support a small business, the LabOps Gear lower dash mount is a no-brainer. There’s nothing quite like it on the market and it doesn’t break the bank.
This is a killer spot for a primary GPS screen. I like it.