It's time to mount the switches for the ARB Air Locker. The switches are low-profile and heavy-duty.
The ARB instructions say to mount the switches where they can be easily accessed from the driver's seat, but that location isn't critical.
I looked at several prospective locations, but each had a deal-breaker of some sort. The ARB switches are a bit too big to fit into the factory Toyota switch blanks in the center console and the dash, so I needed another location. I finally settled on an open section of the dash just to the right of the HVAC controls. This location won't interfere with the HVAC controls, the glovebox door, or anything else. I was amazed at just how many things are crammed into the dash area. If there wasn't an airbag in front of the passenger I'd have acres of room to work with, but there's an airbag there so I don't.
Tearing into the dash isn't fun, so I decided to make a backing plate with studs. The backing plate will remain anchored and I'll be able to install and remove the switch bracket without tearing apart the dash. If I'd merely bolted through the dash it would require disassembling the dash to remove the switch bracket. No thanks!
I also built an anchor for a strain-relief loop. The wiring will run outside of the center console and the dash, but will be tucked into split loom and spiral wrap. I'm expecting the end result to look clean and workmanlike, but not necessarily stealthy.