Just finished the last of the big interior remodel projects on our 2000' U320 - replaced the desk behind the passenger seat with a TV lift cabinet and moved the desk cabinet to where the old TV cabinet above the drivers seat is - I was grateful that it fit so nicely up there... so much easier than building another cabinet from scratch!
Choosing the lift was the most challenging part to find as most lift mechanisms are much taller when lowered and I did not want it coming above the window sill. While a lot more expensive than some others, this was the most economical one I could find that had the range of motion we needed. The 50" TV ends up clearing the top of the lift cabinet by less than 1/2 inch when fully raised and 1/4 inch from top of the cabinet when fully lowered ... could not have fit a larger TV in the cabinet, though this is the largest we've ever owned and were afraid it would be way too big ... it's not
Amazon.com: Touchstone Valueline 30003 Motorized TV Lift with Remote Control... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L18HDKX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
The lift is mounted to the floor and wall (with 2x4's spanning the area between it and the wall) using 10 - 3" architectural lag screws, so I don't think it's going anywhere.
I used a Kregg Pocket jig to build the cabinet frame with poplar (1x2 & 1x3 pieces) around the lift mechanism, overlaid it with some laminate flooring we had from an earlier project (which is also in the bedroom, lining a few cupboards and covering a hole next to the old TV cabinet)
The top is butcher block we found at Lowes in the damaged goods section (it had a crack 3/4 of the way thru the piece - but the crack didn't interfere with what we needed.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/The-Baltic-Butcher-Block-Birch-6-ft-Unfinished-Natural-Straight-Butcher-Block-Birch-Kitchen-Countertop/1001390008
The cabinet top is 62" wide and 15" deep, notched to slide under the window sill and mounted with cabinet screws to the window sill and floor.
Moved the center channel speaker from up front to above the new TV cabinet and ran network, HDMI and Audio cables to the front built in Bose unit - I believe this is the original Stereo that came with the coach, it's analog, but still sounds quite good even though it derives it's surround sound from a simple stereo jack. - All cables were run up thru the window valance, under the floors of the overhead cabinets and up to the "Media" center in the front of the coach.
I also put a USB charge port on the front next to the lift remote on the front left side of the cabinet and will eventually add a power outlet on the outside as I moved the existing one inside the cabinet where I mounted a UPS, network switch and a NUC that hosts all our media.
That's the basics of it - I did not have a plan to follow, though I did base it loosely on one done by "RVing with Tito" on YouTube.
Hope that helps explain some of it - been a fun and challenging project! - Grateful for all the inspiration I've found reading projects folks here have done.
Aloha, Tim
P.S. We named our rig "Na Honu Huaka'i" (The migrating Sea Turtle) - thus the sea turtles/Honu decorating the front of the cabinet (we brought them with us when we moved to the mainland from Hawaii after 38 years living there)
Thanx for the great report on what looks to me like a EXCELLENT installation. I am always in awe of people who have superior wood working and construction skills. Very creative - repurposing the OEM cabinet to above the driver seat - I don't recall seeing that idea posted here before.
The finished appearance of your lift cabinet is 100% PRO grade!
Just don't get absent minded...set your drinks on the butcher block shelf, and then raise the TV! :thumbsup:
Thank you, I am grateful it turned out as well as it did. I got a bit worried when my new circular saw blade bent making the main cut in the butcher block... that's why the grain does not line up in the finished product... really missing my table saw that we sold as part of downsizing too, but where would it fit? My wife didn't like the idea of using it as our dining table ;-) Lol.
We installed our cabinet doors of the small cabinet that was behind the passengers seat and used them where the original TV was as well. Worked great!
Kidspot, very nice job on your install! Love the front of the cabinet! Classy! Was there enough room to install an electric fireplace if one wanted too?
There is about 3" in front of the face where a surface mounted one might fit - of course you could always make the top larger so one would fit ;-) inside there is no room however as the TV is only an inch or two from the front of the cabinet - not sure I would want a heat source inside the cabinet with all the electronics - just seems like a computer crash waiting to happen :-S (since have our media server and lots of other electronics inside the cabinet. - the idea would b e cool (or hot?) though if you don't have a lot of electronics near the heat source :-)
If we want a fireplace we will just turn the aquahot up and put on a virtual YouTube fire scene :-)
Aloha, Tim
Greetings Tim.
What type of seating do you have currently?
I would love to relocate my TV. Are you limited to solely the traditional couch location across from your new cabinet or is there still room for a recliner?
It looks great!
-FT
Thanks FT,
We replaced the couch with a loveseat recliner set and got rid of the euro recliner - not really room for one any longer, though we're only a 36' - "If" we did not have a chair at the dining table, we could squeeze a recliner between the table and the new cabinet ...
Aloha, Tim
Nextcloud (http://cloud.dekle.us/index.php/s/crxqkZ9DFwSCYHD)
Nextcloud (https://cloud.dekle.us/index.php/s/HYHMtzJHNoLwqbF)
P.S. I attempted to attached a picture showing the area between the cabinet and the dining table - not sure if the link will work or not (uploads are currently failing for me... not sure why) - if not I'll try another way tomorrow.
Thanks Tim.
We are new to our old 34'. We do know that the viewing angle is not great with the TV above the drivers chair.
Since it is just the wife and me, I am sure that setting up a TV at the same location you have would work for us. Currently we have a love seat opposing the jackknife couch.
The loveseat is unnecessary for us but it is in great shape. We will likely replace it with a recliner. I will have to do a layout and see how it all fits.
Anyway, thank you for sharing the upgrade.
-FT
Road trip, we had the same configuration that you have with couch on one side and loveseat on the other--I took the loveseat out and put in a lift TV cabinet then took the couch out and put in a double recliner. There is just the 2 of us and we both like the recliners. I also took out the J-couch and dining table, Put in a smaller table attached to the wall made from a pecan log with live edge, and we use 2 chairs with rollers for dining chairs. DWMYH the DW likes the setup so all is good
Chris
Hello Chris.
Thanks for the info. We may go that direction.
We need more time traveling in the coach to figure it out. We intend to do some traveling soon. We really need to get out of the house!!
Best to you guys.
-FT
Beautiful job Tim! Wish I had the talent to do the same to my rig.