Front TV Upgrade

Topic: Front TV Upgrade (Read 2285 times) previous topic - next topic

Front TV Upgrade

June 17, 2014, 04:32:44 pm

We have a 99 U270 and I need to replace the old analog TV and do an upgrade. I have searched the forum and got a lot of good ideas. I am thinking about removing the old TV and place a board in the opening(leaving space for access at bottom) and using an extending mount from Mor/ryde that locks into place to mount the new Tv on. I am thinking I can accomodate a larger screen this way without doing cabinet alterations. Just wondering if anyone has used one of these mounts and how secure it is for traveling. Thanks Dick

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #1 – June 17, 2014, 04:50:37 pm

I installed one, a model TV40-001H-S. Installation was easy but there is not room to slide my TV all the way back to the stowed position so it tends to move around when under way a little. When I install a 32" it will be on a solid board with a better mount.

Keith

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #2 – June 17, 2014, 05:08:46 pm

Keith, thanks for the advice. What prevents yours from locking down? The TV size?

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #3 – June 17, 2014, 05:23:54 pm

I plan to do a TV upgrade soon, and I want to cut down the height and depth of the box currently holding the 26" Sony Trinitron, then have the front opening filled with a piece of plywood. The TV will be screwed directly to the plywood. I prefer to stay away from metal mounts, no matter how stable the claim to be.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #4 – June 17, 2014, 05:34:37 pm

With the mount attached in the old "box" the arm does not go all the way back as the TV hits the frame. If you look through Mor/ryde's catalog you are sure to find a mount that works for you.

Catalog:

MOR/ryde TV Mounts

Keith

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #5 – June 17, 2014, 06:44:04 pm

Speaking of TV upgrades....

A service writer told me to go with Samsung instead of Vizio for mounting in an RV. The reason being the mounting screws screw into metal on the Samsung and into plastic on the Vizio.

I need to look into this before taking the next step. I was leaning towards Vizio as much more bang for much less bucks.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #6 – June 17, 2014, 06:56:12 pm

I also used the TV40-001H-S to install a 37 inch Samsung. I left the old box in place. It's not too hard to drill a new hole in the extension arm so it will lock in place with the TV pushed in as far as it will go. Mine's been installed for over a year with no problems when traveling.

Dave VanAmburg

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #7 – June 17, 2014, 07:04:54 pm

I installed a 39" Visio HDTV up front. It is mounted to a a flexible mount that is attached to the overhead aluminum structure. This lets me extend the TV into the coach and about 10 inches to the right if we want to.

Maybe some small tvs are mounted into plastic. No so on the Visio. But it does mount to a rather small 100mm x 100mm mounting pattern for that size TV bigger would be better. But the TV is rock solid and only moves a very small amount on very rough roads.

Roger

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #8 – June 17, 2014, 07:48:05 pm

I decided on the easy way out and just cut the stock trim ring and slid the tv between the 2 halves.Still need to clean up the lower section that has the dish receiver and the blue ray player in it.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #9 – June 18, 2014, 04:26:54 am

I went with a 47" Toshiba HD. It has the metal screw mounts in the back. and a very small outer bezel/frame.
I cut out the middle cabinets were the original TV was and cut another 2" off the right side cabinet.
I mounted a 3/4" piece of plywood to the metal frame that supports the front cabinets. I then installed a simple tilt mount, removed the limiter so the TV could be angled down to proper angle for viewing angle. The TV is as far forward as it could get, actually further back that the original TV cabinet. I did NOT want to bang my head on the corner of the TV when entering or exiting the coach. Removal is a simple process of drawing out 2 bolts. I installed a rack next to the TV that holds the Sat receiver, Bose receiver, and a Samsung Bluray smart DVD player. eventually a video game receiver will also go there. This gives the remotes full access to the appropriate reliever anywhere in the coach.

The system is wired into the Bose sound system and uses the 5-1 Bose system on compatible formats.
EVERYBODY loves the BIG picture!

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #10 – June 18, 2014, 10:54:33 am

Dave, a picture of your set-up would be appreciated. Thanks folks.

Dick

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #11 – June 18, 2014, 12:10:45 pm

We also took the easy way out. We removed the original Sony and replaced it with a 29" Vizio. The Vizio fit perfectly inside the original cabinet. The Vizio side frames fit inside the original face piece with about a 1/4" left on each side visable from the front. We placed a 3/4" board across the bottom to raise the bottom of the TV to the edge above the original cabinet frame. This is because the Vizio had the speakers across the bottom of the TV facing outward. We secured the Vizio with Industrial Strength Velcro across the bottom and along the sides. There is a 2" opening across the top that I have not closed yet. I will fill that opening with a board or plastic sometime soon. While I suspect there are many foreforum members that question the securing with the Velcro, it is actually quite secure with no movement. Except for the unfinished opening above the TV, it looks like it was OEM. Sorry, no picture.
Larry

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #12 – June 19, 2014, 10:09:13 am

Larry, I can also add to the velcro. I used 3m 2" on all if my electronics,and you really can't understand the holding power until you go to remove it. Larry II

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #13 – June 19, 2014, 10:55:15 am

When my old TV went out I took it out, measured, measured, measured, then went off to find a TV that fits in the original spot. Found a 24" Vizio smart TV- I using 2 2x4" vertical posts to brace it as it leans to the front frame. Now it does not move forwards or backwards ( just like the original). Got a piece of cherry to finish the hole in top- we are very pleased with the results for just about $200

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #14 – June 19, 2014, 11:58:56 am

Dick, here are the pictures you requested. I added a piece of 3/4 plywood to the floor of the TV enclosure just to be sure there was enough strength to handle the weight of the Samsung. You should be able to see the additional holes I made in the extension arm to allow the arm to be "locked" when it is pushed in all the way. I had to notch the original oak bezel to allow the lock lever arm to drop far enough to engage the hole. I also used the same mount to install a 22" TV in the bedroom. The TV has been in place for over a year now .... and no sign of any issues. Hope this helps.

Dave

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #15 – June 19, 2014, 02:12:36 pm

Dave thanks a lot, that is a big help.

Dick

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #16 – June 19, 2014, 02:29:16 pm

One of the best front TV installs I have seen was done by Jerry Whitaker, I can't find the photos, but maybe Jerry will chime in.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #17 – June 20, 2014, 06:04:35 am

Quote from: Bill Willett – June 19, 2014, 02:29:16 pm

One of the best front TV installs I have seen was done by Jerry Whitaker, I can't find the photos, but maybe Jerry will chime in.

I'm not Jerry but...

96 U270 Front TV Replacement

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #18 – June 20, 2014, 09:15:59 am

This is how I did the Front TV Upgrade. It has worked out great for us.

32" Sony LCD in '99 U320 job done

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #19 – June 21, 2014, 10:33:25 pm

Here's my FOT TV replacement including cabinet modification.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #20 – June 21, 2014, 10:48:57 pm

Quote from: tothetrail – June 21, 2014, 10:33:25 pm

Here's my FOT TV replacement including cabinet modification.

I have lots of questions...

What size is the TV? Looks like maybe 40" to me, which is what I want.

Is there any decorative wood added around the tv? Others I see have a box or side rails.

Thanks.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #21 – June 21, 2014, 11:32:48 pm

I looked at several choices. The 39" Vizio fit well side to side and with a very thing bezel frame and fit to the ceiling it hangs down only 3/4" below the hoizontal windshield trim. No head banging.

Do what fits and makes you happy (Thanks, Dave)

Roger

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #22 – June 22, 2014, 02:40:57 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – June 21, 2014, 10:48:57 pm

What size is the TV? Looks like maybe 40" to me, which is what I want.

Is there any decorative wood added around the tv? Others I see have a box or side rails.

The diagonal screen size is just shy of 37," which is the same as the dimension between the two cabinets on either side, 37." The bezel around the TV is wider than the newer TV's, so while a much larger TV wouldn't fit, a TV with a larger screen size of 40" would probably fit because the newer ones have a very narrow bezel surrounding the screen. The full diagonal dimension of my TV is just shy of 43."

There's no wood added around the TV, which I like because it may be easier to upgrade TV's in the future since you're not confined to the space between the wood rails. Plus, it makes it look more like it's floating, instead of looking like it's in a cabinet. That is more about preference, I suppose.

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #23 – June 22, 2014, 11:10:22 am

Quote from: Bill Willett – June 19, 2014, 02:29:16 pm

One of the best front TV installs I have seen was done by Jerry Whitaker, I can't find the photos, but maybe Jerry will chime in.

Yeah... thanks to Michelle for posting that link to Jerry's work... that is a fantastic piece of workmanship and design. I think the sizing and the cabinet work around the set is perfect. "Neat but not gaudy."

Craig

Re: Front TV Upgrade

Reply #24 – June 08, 2016, 08:25:21 pm

Quote from: tothetrail – June 21, 2014, 10:33:25 pm

Here's my FOT TV replacement including cabinet modification.

Jennifer,
Do you have a picture or two of what it looks like behind the TV?

Affiliate Notice