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Forward TV

TV in our 1995 U240 needs to be upgraded.  Can anyone tell me how to get the old one out?  Do the covered buttons pop off to reveal a screw?  Has anyone replaced theirs?  What will fit in the existing hole?

Regards.

Re: Forward TV

Reply #1 –
Jerry,

The round buttons do pry off.  I use a thin wooden kitchen spatula (don't tell my wife).  Screws are underneath.  Unfortunately, not much fits inside the opening.  Flat panel TVs are made to a different "aspect ratio" than were the old CRT tubes.

Best thing to do is measure and look on line at various TV's and decide which one you can make work for you and then figure out how to attach it.  There are quite a few mounting methods described in the archives.



Best thing to do is measure and look on line at various TV's and decide which one y

Re: Forward TV

Reply #2 –
Thanks George.  I actually have a Polaroid HD TV that is 1/2 inch too wide.  I hope I can fold the covering back, shave off the plywood sides (thickness of the TV) enough to get it to fit.

Regards.

Re: Forward TV

Reply #3 –
Sounds like a good plan to me

Re: Forward TV

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Jerry & Coleen –
TV in our 1995 U240 needs to be upgraded.  Can anyone tell me how to get the old one out?  Do the covered buttons pop off to reveal a screw?  Has anyone replaced theirs?  What will fit in the existing hole?

Don't assume that the new TV has to fit in or on the existing cabinet.  It may work better if the cabinet is removed, rebuilt,  or TV placed in a different location.  Cables and wiring can be relocated.There are several remodels on Barrry's website.  Sound quality of some of the new flat screen TVs especially the very thin LED models is very poor.  http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/television.html

Re: Forward TV

Reply #5 –
Thanks Jerry.  I am thinking of removing the entire cabinet.  Expanding the front part so the side cabinets will still open.  Don't need much over 20 inch TV with the viewing distance.

Thanks.

Re: Forward TV

Reply #7 –
I found a very simple way to install my 19" Polaroid where the old TV was. As George said, remove the two buttons and remove screws. Probably best to use a powered screw driver since they are fairly long. The cross piece that goes across the top can then be removed but it may be stuck in place. Just keep prying at different spots until you get it out. Once it has been removed the TV can be jockeyed up and down to get it over the metal angle holding it in place then it just slides out. There is nothing else other than pressure from the top cross piece holding it in place.

Once the TV is out, my suggestion is to remove the entire TV box carefully. I reused part of the bottom of the box for the retrofit. Once the box was out I simply fitted a 2 X 4 painted flat black across the opening to attach the TV mount. I then made my own mount from a scrap piece of 1 X 6. I used several rubber washers on the bolts to absorb some of the vibration, to the 2 X 4.  A commercial mount would be a lot easier. Once the mount and TV are attached to the 2 X 4. You can screw the 2 X 4  in between the two vertical pieces of plywood inside the old TV enclosure. I used three #12 screws on each side. Access was inside the flip up doors.

I found that my rubber mounting system made the entire TV bounce around quite a bit on rough roads so I then made up a shock absorber out of a piece of rubber heater hose and a dowel rod. It was screwed into the overhead behind the edge of the TV and it kept pressure against the TV to reduce its tendency to bounce around. We can probably get Dave Cobb, the current owner of my old U225, to take a photo of the mount and the shock absorber if you need it. I think once you get the old TV out and you can see inside the old TV box you will see that this whole process is pretty simple and easy to accomplish.

Good luck. The project was kinda fun and the finished product kinda rewarding. 

I carefully disassembled the box and re cut the bottom board of the old box to the exact size to cover the hole in the old TV enclosure and reattached the original upholstery to the board. I then fitted the cover flush to the bottom of the overhead.

Over all the cost was almost zero and it looked fine. 

Re: Forward TV

Reply #8 –
I have to agree with Kent. If you are at all kind of handy and have access to some decent tools, you can do a great job. I am sort of handy, did not have access to decent tools, but manged to do a very professional job in mounting a new Samsung 26 inch panel TV over the face of the existing box (which had been cut back by he previous owner.

This can be one of the easier and most satisfying updates you can make.

Re: Forward TV

Reply #9 –
Jerry,

The cabinet doors can be moved approx. 1 1/2 to 2" towards the side if you need the room. Just take the hinges off the coach body and move over. Don't think you will need to do this, but gives you another option. You will end up with a space, but will not be seen if the TV is larger.  Easy to do the whole project.  Have fun

Re: Forward TV

Reply #10 –
Recently I posted the solution I came up with for my "headKnocker" of a TV in my 89 GV with the slanted windshield. Probably the easiest, simplist method of converting from analog to LED.

First I altered the existing tv box so the bottom and bottom front were flush with the current overhead. Then I mounted a 1" sq. steel bar up inside to span the center opening. Then I took a piece of oak, routed three (bottom and sides) similar to existing doors. Routed the top edge 1/4" off the back side so new TV bracket could hook over the top. Made my own adapter bracket to mount onto the back off the TV, tip the TV back about 10 degrees so the TV would hang perpendicular to the floor. I made the bracket stick out far enough so the doors on either side could be opened when the TV is mounted up front. Umbilicals are bundled together and accessible thru the top left door-laying on top of the DVD player. Right cabinet holds the DirecTV receiver.

We do not and cannot watch TV while traveling so it is stored away and we are putting an American Flag decal up there to remind us how lucky we are to live in this country and be able to have a Foretravel.

Simple TV replacement

Reply #11 –
Here are some pictures of the front television replacement I did today.  I used a 24" LED television that is very thin and light.  There was no need to do any modifications to the neighboring cabinet.

Re: Forward TV

Reply #12 –
Brian,

The last photo partially reveals a very well stocked work area.  Some of us would love to have that kind of workshop.

Re: Forward TV

Reply #13 –
Hi George,

What looks like a nicely stocked work area is actually a messy garage; Barry Beam can attest to this fact.  As soon as the snow comes, it gets turned back into a functioning garage so Jen has a place to park her car.  FYI, the reason I try to accomplish so many projects in such a short time, is due to my CCR's.  I can only have the coach at the house for 48 hours during each seven day period starting on Sundays.  >:(  The good thing...most of the projects are done!
 

Re: Forward TV

Reply #14 –
All covered buttons in our motorhome around TV, door, etc are just regular snaps.  Use a flat screwdriver to pop then off.  Under the covered button will be another matching snap that is fastened with a center screw.  Foretravel has a machine that makes these snap covers.

Use your imagination to mount a new TV in your coach.  Many use a larger flat panel LCD mounted with a simple wall mount.  You can do it better than everone else.