Adding Garmin Drivesmart 61 LMT-S into 2006 LR3

So my latest project is a 2006 SE with most options (including satnav).

The last time I did this the car did not have a satnav and I had to scrounge around for the trim piece which I did find on ebay. I also had to build a complete mounting structure which was a time consuming affair.

This time I had the old satnav, so I found a way to do a very minimal disassembly and remove the front trim piece and the bottom plate that actually mounts into the car, making this MUCH easier than last time.

I used two soft pieces of wood that should not scratch the GPS and provide a secure surface for contact to the plastic case and allow the power plug to be installed.

A few holes drilled into the bottom plate and a few small wood screws made a nice, easy and quick mount. I think this is the quickest and cleanest GPS mounting I have done and if I do another one, this will be the model to copy.

Small wood pieces hold the GPS to the front trim piece and small wood screws are places in the already existing holes

The top of the GPS was supported by two vertical “supports” that wedged into the wood on top and were secured to the bottom plate with two small wood screws through two holes I drilled

The bottom wood support was secured with one small wood screw through the to bottom plate.

The power cord was plugged into the back of the GPS, routed down inside the dash and spliced into the plug next to the ashtray (it is switched power, so it comes on when I start the car and goes off when I turn it off).

In all it took about an hour and a half to change from factory satnav to the newest Garmin with free updates for life (plus I can add topographic and raster maps for my off road adventures).



Basic wood frame to hold GPS



Three holes drilled into bottom plate


Completed installation
Hope this gives thoughts for making the swap to an aftermarket GPS a little easier.

Jeff

Next project: Traxide Aux battery and power plug install.