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New flat screen

Installed a new Panasonic 32" flat screen TV in front cabinet in my 2002 320.  Cut 6" off the back of the cabinet to move it back.  Had to take about 3/4" off each side of the cabinet opening and install a new 3" hardwood piece at the top and the TV fit fine.  The set only sticks out from the cabinet face about 3/4".  I bolted a piano hinge to a 3/4" x3/4" angle iron and screwed the other side of the hinge to the added hardwood piece at the top of the opening.  I then welded a piece of 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" angle to the angle bolted to the piano hinge.  I installed a 1/4" steel plate to the mounting bolts on the back of the TV and welded on a couple of studs to bolt to the 1 1/2" angle.  The TV will swing up to provide access to the reduced cabinet and wiring behind.  I made a small SS clip screwed to the bottom of the wood frame to keep it in place.  The only glitch was the audio output on the TV was spidif and my surround sound was RCA, but was able locate a convertor on Amazon.  Looks great and the extra room is worth the effort
Gordon Cole
2002 U320 36'

Re: New flat screen

Reply #1 –
Quote from: gordon cole –
Cut 6" off the back of the cabinet to move it back....  The TV will swing up to provide access to the reduced cabinet and wiring behind....  Looks great and the extra room is worth the effort
Oh, honey, look!!  (hint, hint)  :))

hey, if it works for Michelle... may be it will work for me?!  ::)
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: New flat screen

Reply #2 –
Gordon,
 
I tried REAL hard to follow your description but got lost somewhere.
 
How about some pictures for us thick-headed types?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: New flat screen

Reply #3 –
This weekend I picked up an open box Samsung 'Magnolia Series 6' 32" 240HZ 3D 1080p/1440 model last year's (Best Buy). UN32ES6500. Specs looked great, price was right ($504.00). Tried to dial in the color and it just didn't want to. Final straw was noticing lighter patches top and bottom near the right corners. Resetting all picture modes - no change. Back it went.

The replacement model - and now their highest end Magnolia Series 6 32" is now a 120Hz non 3D 1080p/1440 model - the UN32F6300. Had JUST gone on sale for $599.00 ($100.00 cheaper than Amazon!). A couple of minor tweaks to the standard picture mode and it rivals my 46" Samsung C8000 (wife sez its better). 1.9" depth. Clear plexiglass edging with a narrow .5" black bezel is great.

I also picked up an IOGear wireless HDMI setup. Very nice if you want to add a TV and not run cable. A bit pricey.

We thought about a 40 or a 46, but both the price and the cabinetry changes made me stick with a 32. The original corner cabinet will get cut down and I will mount the TV on it at a slight angle. I will likely have to mod a cabinet door a couple of inches.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: New flat screen

Reply #4 –
I installed a 32" Samsung Smart TV along with a DVD player and switch box so that I could run it through my tuner deck. Simple install.

Took out old 19" CRT tube and mounted new LCD/LED on front of cabinet by putting the TV bottom sitting on 2 2x4's vertically mounted, bolted to the cabinet flooring and painted everything black to match TV. Securred the TV top with 2 "L" type anchor screws. TV can be removed simply by turning these screws 90 degrees and lifting the TV out.

Same process used to replace 12" CRT in bedroom with a 22" Samsung LED/LCD. Both new TV's are very thin design.

Pic attached for front TV....attach bedroom TV pics later this week.
Steve Mudd
Commander, The Crystal Ship
CEO, Retirement Clearinghouse International
1993 Grand Villa U300 40', Detroit 6V92 Turbo
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport
2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic
2000 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
swmudd@aol.com

Re: New flat screen

Reply #5 –
Your new Flat Screen looks very much like our final result.  i put in a 26" (Sony), as I was concerned about the foot access (clearance) to passenger and driver's cockpits.  We also built a box out of 2X4's and mounted the "wall" (2X10) for the bracket on top of it.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: New flat screen

Reply #6 –
Quote from: gordon cole –
Installed a new Panasonic 32" flat screen TV in front cabinet in my 2002 320.  Cut 6" off the back of the cabinet to move it back.  Had to take about 3/4" off each side of the cabinet opening and install a new 3" hardwood piece at the top and the TV fit fine. 

I too would like to see pics and would be interested in how you cutback the cabinet.  Did you keep the cabinet intact, how easy was it to remove, did you use use a table saw, etc. Did you have any problems with cables coming through the ceiling ???
In my 2002 U320 I also have mounted a 32" Samsung but have yet to cut back the the cabinet. My TV sticks out a bit more than I like and can be a little head knocker if not familiar.  I'm still "thinking through" the cabinet cutback process process. 
Ron Sedgley
Former 2002 U320 - Custom 38' Owner
            (2007 to 2021)    Build No. 6001

Re: New flat screen

Reply #7 –
Don, great job! They are very similiar......my 32" fits great and has no problem with foot clearance....its a new model so the side edging is probably a little smaller. I did the entire install for about $20 plus costs of tv's!
Steve Mudd
Commander, The Crystal Ship
CEO, Retirement Clearinghouse International
1993 Grand Villa U300 40', Detroit 6V92 Turbo
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport
2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic
2000 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
swmudd@aol.com

Re: New flat screen

Reply #8 –
Sorry that I have not been able to provide pictures.  Have a new computer and have not yet figured out how to make it work.  I did use a table saw to cut the bottom of the cabinet (it needs to be cut at an angle) and a skil saw for the sides.  Will post pictures after my kids update me on computer.
Gordon Cole
2002 U320 36'

Re: New flat screen

Reply #9 –
As to removing the cabinet, it was fairly simple.  Just a matter of finding all of the screws.  There are quite a few and there are some from the adjacent cabinets.  Once all the screws are out, the whole TV cabinet just pulls out.  The only wires in the way were to the speakers of the surround sound on the right side. I just removed the speakers and the carpeted bottom of the right cabinet and pulled the speaker wires out.  There are also two switches in that right cabinet which had to be disconnected.  I used the cut out 6" section of that side of the TV cabinet as a pattern to put new holes in the shortened cabinet.  Hope this helps.
Gordon Cole
2002 U320 36'

Re: New flat screen

Reply #10 –
Ron, when I cut down our cabinet I took the front bezel (wood frame edging off) and cut the front face-not the back one!! You can seperate the glued joint with a couple of hits (carefully) with a hammer from inside the cabinet, Mine started to open up then it was just a case of gently prying it apart. Once I cut 4" off that box I sanded the cut edge and made a nice fit to be able to re-install the front frame back to box. I had to do a bit of sanding on the side of box which removed some of the stain colouring so I mixed up a couple of stains and wiped it on. Once done I just sprayed some clear coat quickly over it all. Looks good enough for me and no one has made any comments!!! Now the face of the tv fitted on front of the cabinet is behind the original face of box, so I do not hit my head as before.
There are many screws but it is a simple job to remove and as you go along you will see what has to come off.
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: New flat screen

Reply #11 –
With any luck here a few pictures. Sorry about the quality
Gordon Cole
2002 U320 36'

Re: New flat screen

Reply #12 –
Very nice job!  I really like the hinged access you have added, those flat screens leave a lot of potential storage space behind them. ^.^d

Quote from: Ron Sedgley –
I too would like to see pics and would be interested in how you cutback the cabinet.  Did you keep the cabinet intact, how easy was it to remove, did you use use a table saw, etc.
Here are some pictures of what I did when I cut our cabinet back ... http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=182 ...

I did it as a "built in" look which required a bit more wood work, but there are a couple in that album where I show cutting the back and the sides ... The original TV would not let me cut the front back and still have it fit vertically ... of course that TV was replaced last year and the new one I could have cut the front instead .... so what you can do really depends on what you choose to put in.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: New flat screen

Reply #13 –
Thanks.  Your pictures clearly show how to cut it off and is basically the same as what I did.  I wanted the hinged access so it was easy to get to the wiring but it does also provide some additional storage.  If accessed frequently, I would want a better clip at the bottom so you did not have to remove the screw to open it.
Gordon Cole
2002 U320 36'

Re: New flat screen

Reply #14 –
Quote from: gordon cole –
With any luck here a few pictures.

Very nice!  ^.^d
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: New flat screen

Reply #15 –
Quote from: gordon cole –
As to removing the cabinet, it was fairly simple.  Just a matter of finding all of the screws.  ....  Hope this helps.  ^.^d

Thanks Gordon that helps a lot.  Very nice job!

  Ron

Quote from: John Haygarth –
Ron, when I cut down our cabinet I took the front bezel (wood frame edging off) and cut the front face-not the back one!! ... ^.^d
John H
Thanks to you too John.  I had thought about the possibility of cutting the front, but was not sure if doable. I'll give that another closer look also.
    Ron
Ron Sedgley
Former 2002 U320 - Custom 38' Owner
            (2007 to 2021)    Build No. 6001

Re: New flat screen

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Steve –
Here are some pictures of what I did when I cut our cabinet back ...
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=182 ...

I did it as a "built in" look which required a bit more wood work, but there are a couple in that album where I show cutting the back and the sides ... The original TV would not let me cut the front back and still have it fit vertically ... of course that TV was replaced last year and the new one I could have cut the front instead .... so what you can do really depends on what you choose to put in.

Thanks Steve.. ^.^d  Very nice job and the pictures do help.  However I think that I will stick to a "simple" cut back and possibly a re-position of the front mounting plate to recess the TV a bit more.

Attached are pics of my current mod as it is today.
Ron Sedgley
Former 2002 U320 - Custom 38' Owner
            (2007 to 2021)    Build No. 6001
 

Re: New flat screen

Reply #17 –
Quote from: gordon cole –
Installed a new Panasonic 32" flat screen TV in front cabinet in my 2002 320.

Looks good and I like the hinge, should make it easy to change or connect the wiring. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt