If you own a Jeep Wrangler you know there aren’t many places to stash a handgun. The glove compartment will hold what laughably passes for an owner’s manual nowadays, but not much more. The compartments in the console could hold a medium-sized gun and a magazine or two, but it wouldn’t be very convenient to get to if you’re in a hurry.
You can install locking drawers that mount under the front seats of the 4-door Wrangler but they’re only good for securing a (smallish) weapon and they can’t be installed in the 2-door Wrangler. If you want your weapon readily available without carrying on your person while you drive, Condition Zero has a solution.
Condition Zero makes a variety of weapon mounts for Jeeps and ATVs, plus a pistol clamp mount and rifle mount that should work in a variety of vehicles. I have a 2-door Wrangler JK, so I bought their pistol mount designed specifically for that model. They also make a mount for the 4-door Wrangler that looks similar, but has a slightly different installation.
The mount itself is powder-coated steel and comes with self-adhesive Velcro for mounting the included holster. The holster has a snap strap to secure the gun. That black embroidered bag is for you to use to cover your weapon if your state prohibits openly carrying one in a vehicle. Only one thing didn’t come with the mount: installation instructions.
I called Condition Zero about this and was told they didn’t include an instruction sheet because no one ever reads them and besides, it’s so easy to install. Then they described the procedure for me. That was fine, unless you’re visually-oriented like I am.
Fortunately there’s a Wrangler forum where a poster installed the 4-door version and documented the process with pictures. However, there are some minor differences with the 2-door version.
To install in the 2-door, you’ll need something to pry with, an 18mm socket and ratchet (and possibly a breaker bar and/or impact wrench), a T30 Torx driver, and (optionally) a torque wrench.
The first step: pry off the plastic lid on the trim covering the seat mount bolt at the front of the driver’s seat next to the console. Then you need to remove the mounting bolt using the 18mm socket and ratchet. However, if your seat was mounted by the same gorilla who mounted mine, you’ll find the ratchet useless.
I ended up using an impact wrench to remove mine. Whatever you have to use, remove that bolt and set it aside for later. Then use the T30 Torx driver to remove the two screws that hold the plastic cover in place. You won’t be reusing this cover, but you may want to hang on to it so you can replace it should you ever decide to remove the gun mount.
The bracket fits on top of the seat bracket base using the bolt you removed earlier. The on-line instructions have you installing the holster after bolting down the mount but I found it easier to install the holster with the bracket out of the Jeep before attaching it to the seat mount.
Rather than putting the self-adhesive Velcro on the holster then sticking it all in place as shown on line, I stuck the Velcro to the mount then attached and secured the holster to the Velcro. Be careful if you do it this way though, because when the adhesive on the Velcro sticks to the mount, it’s staying there. If you stick it to the wrong sides to orient the holster properly, you’ll have a hard time removing it.
Once the holster is secured to the mount, you just bolt it in place. You can either crank the bolt down as hard as you can, or reinstall it to factory specs at 45 lb.-ft.
And that’s it. The mount is handy, but doesn’t interfere with driving or shifting in and out of 4WD. The holster easily holds my GLOCK 17, so it should be able to handle most any hand gun you want to use.
Specifications: Condition Zero Pistol Mount, 2 Door Jeep Wrangler JK
Item Number: 6005
Price: $115.00
Ratings (out of five stars):
Design: * * * * *
Designed specifically for the Wrangler JK. As such it keeps a gun handy, but doesn’t interfere with the operation of your vehicle.
Ease of Installation: * * * * 1/2
One-half star deducted for difficulty in removing the seat mounting bolt (admittedly not Condition Zero’s fault) and for not including installation instructions. Condition Zero should at least provide a PDF the buyer can print out if they don’t want to include one with the kit. Installation is a breeze except for these two small glitches.
Quality: * * * * *
The powder-coated bracket and nylon holster both appear to be quite durable. The black finish blends in well with the Wrangler’s interior and the mount isn’t very noticeable when looking into the vehicle.
Overall Rating: * * * * *
The only complaint I had was the lack of written instructions. Otherwise the mount is unobtrusive yet keeps the gun readily at hand. Highly recommended.