I had to replace the old TV as the sound quit. I was not sorry to see it go. I had a couple of goals in mind before I started. One was to get rid of the head knocker box above the steering wheel. The other was to make it look like Foretravel had done the job as much as possible. I had to solve several problems, the black paint on the ceiling carpet liner, which TV to buy, how to mount it, which finish to use.
Removing the old box was not a problem as it is installed with screws. Same for the front cabinet above the windshield, although it is part of the cabinet above the door. After all the screws that attach it to the ceiling, front, and sides are removed, the whole thing can be moved a few inches left to clear the main door frame and worked down until the right side overhead cabinet is cleared. It is a tight fit.
I decided to buy a TV that was no taller than the distance from the bottom of the carpeted plank behind the windshield to the ceiling. I also bought an LED model for low power consumption, weight, and thinness. Later found out that the super thin LED models come with a con. The speakers are very small and the sound quality is a couple of notches above tin cans on a string. Expect to connect to other speakers, hi-fi, sound bar, etc for descent sound. I bought a Vizio E320 VP, a rather basic 32" set with a good picture, 13.5 lbs, 50 watts (the old TV was 200 watts), headphone jack, an optical audio output, but no other audio out. On sale at Dell for $330 plus tax. There is a USB port for a flash drive to look at pictures or whatever. I have purchased a Vizio VSB 200 sound bar as it is designed to work with their TV and remote, but haven't mounted it yet. It will probably be attached under the shelf above the windshield. Connection is via the optical cable. I found a non tilt and non swivel wall mount (Barkan 30P) that will lock in place, and allows easy removal of the TV for $20. I added some wood spacers behind the mount and can get my hand and arm behind the TV to connect and remove stuff. The TV power supply is a brick in the power cord and puts out 19 volt DC. If it had been 12 volt maybe the inverter could have been bypassed. I did find one small no name TV that was like that.
After removing the cabinets, I noticed the mostly unused space above the radio speaker shelf and the front cap. Decided to use that area to make the cabinet space larger for future equipment like a blu-ray player or satellite receiver. I sawed the front cabinet apart at the left side center post between the 2 plastic doors with the intention of using the middle cabinet part on the left side of the TV. Afterward found that if it was sawn down the middle of the post the TV would be exactly in the middle of the coach. I did this with a pull saw guided by scrap wood as there was no way I could run the bulky cabinet through my table saw. Also when I put the sawn off cabinet next to the left side cabinets, it didn't look right due to the shorter height. Made it taller to match the left cabinets and cover the cutout for the old TV. Had to find a new piece of plastic for the taller door opening. I did for $9 but it was a shade darker. Fortunately there was enough plastic for the other door plus some left over. While doing all this relocated the two 120v electrical outlets and added a 4 outlet box behind the TV. Relocated the antenna power supply, switch, and TV source selector box. Each cabinet now has a 120v outlet and a 1 3/4 hole for cables to the area behind the TV. I actually made a plywood cover for the opening behind the TV, then realized it would just be a pain to remove every time I needed to get in there, so trashed it. I did have to add a metal post to support the wall mount, it is just bolted in place to the metal frame already there.
I used oak and oak plywood, some of it salvaged from what was there before, or from new. I used Min-wax clear satin finish polyurethane for the finish. It is rather close to the original. Peter suggested Deft satin, but I had already started with the Min-wax. The paint came off with Motsenbocker's #4 spray paint graffiti remover. The ceiling carpet is also known at boat hull liner carpet, or just boat hull liner. I used an ice pick to somewhat lift out the carpet dents. The best way to compare the size of an old TV to a new one is to measure the height of the picture. If the height is the same the size of the news anchor will be the same. Taller height equal bigger picture.
Doubt if this would have been possible without my small shop. I suppose we are living in the future. Back in the sixties, I read that in the future TVs would be a picture on the wall. There is still some work to be done on the flying car.
Than ks for the great photos ---- Awesome Job - especially since it was a total reconfiguration!
Really like the balanced look, and how the TV is now recessed into the space between the "new" cabinets - plus the carpet looks great where it was discolored by the overspray.
Hats off to you on this project!!!!
One of the nicest jobs I ever seen. Looks 100% factory!
I agree! Really nice. Thanks for sharing.
Great job , looks fantastic
Jerry;
I'm also looking at options for installing a larger LCD/LED TV in our '98. Our cabinetry is similar and I (like you obviously) have a nice woodworking shop and even a small amount of cabinet-making experience. If there is any further photo-detail you might share could you PM it to me? (Saves me re-inventing the wheel.)
Many thanks!
Jerry,
All I can say is...I'm amazed at your creativity and resourcefulness. This upgrade/renovation takes the cake. It is simply excellent and looks "fantastic". I put fantastic in quotes because I had a boss who reserved that word for very few occations...this is certainly one of them.
Congratulations...
Wow! When I saw the photo of your table saw with the saw dust evacuation system, I knew the outcome was going to be spectacular. Nice, touch to have an image of a Foretravel on the screen.
One of the best installations ever.
However, not all speakers on LED TVs are poor quality. We bought a new Samsung LED flat screen last month and the quality of the speakers is outstanding.
Jerry,
What an excellent job you did! It looks as professional as MOT or FOT would have done. :)
Jerry,
Very, very nice work, thanks for sharing it with us. Karma points.
Chad,
If you decide to saw up the old tv box for parts, be sure to use an old blade that you don't mind going through staples and wear a face shield. FT first stapled frame parts together from both sides, glued them in place, and then added screws. Owners need not worry about their cabinets falling apart, but most of us already knew that.
George, glad you got one with good sound. What was the model, not that I will change it now?
Wow! I think I passed shop class with a low C so my TV replacement is nothing on par with that fantastic job. I shortened the 13" CRT TV vinyl covered box and stained it Polyshades Antique Walnut (thanks again Pat C) and mounted the TV on hinges below so that it swings up with the TV facing down. It really opens up the view with that box minimized. The Samsung 5000 series 22" LCD is great by the way.
That's a really good way to do it. Wish I had looked at Samsung some more. Hard to get everything in one TV. Some brands and models have controls on the front. Forgot to mention that FT insulated the front cap with the same stuff as in the engine compartment ( 2 layers on foam with a thin sheet of lead? in between). The thin layer of plastic on the surface falls off as soon as you touch it just like in the engine compartment.
Samsung UN26C4000 26" LED HDTV
Jerry,
That is a 1st class job. You can swing by anytime and show us how to do the same job on ours. By the way is the pic. on the TV you setting in the basin at Big Bend National Park?
Howdy Jerry,
Great Job!!! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Dave Abel
Hi Jerry,
That is an excellent job! Thanks for the pictures.
Raymond
Yes, I was wondering if someone would guess the location.
Update to the TV replacement. Installed Logitech computer speakers to improve the sound quality of the super thin LED TV. Two speakers with a small subwoofer that I mounted behind the TV, so nothing is visible. The subwoofer has a small amplifier inside the box powered by 120 vac, uses about 20 watts, and plugs into the TV earphone jack. It has a small box with switch, volume control, and earphone jack. I just leave it on most of the time with the volume at max. Volume can be controlled with the TV. It isn't real Hi-Fi but it is a big improvement over the 1/2" x 2" speakers in the TV. I found out the earphone jack on the TV is only connected to the preamp and cannot power speakers. Well it can but you have to hold the speaker up to your ear to hear anything. The U270 didn't come with a HI-FI system and I haven't installed one, so this was a cheap way to get better sound. Cost about $27 with sales tax. I actually bought a Vizio sound bar that connected to the TV via optical cable, but mounting it turned out to be a problem. It needed to be visible to a second remote for volume control. Also interfered with the windshield shades.
Well with some more pics from Jerry I have started on the TV replacement in my bus! I was able to redo the back almost like Jerry's and it turned out nice....Thanks Jerry for all the pics.
One thing I need to know is the offical color of the darker wood in a 97 u320?
Our '98 U320 is natural walnut. No stain, only a rubbed lacquer finish. I did find that the lacquer finish in our coach had aquired a "rosy" tint, and spent some time matching that using a pure red tint in the final lacquer coat.