TV Replacement alternative..??

[pameridan04]

Hi guys:

I have read the TV replacement messages and looked at the pictures about replacing my Sony TV in the overhead up front in my 04 Meridan and the bedroom.

Besides doing it myself, or having the stealership do it, is there any other alternatives?

I figure I can get a 32 in. Sylvania HD, LED 720 DPI for around $389.00 and the width is only 29.75 X H- 20 inches. My openiong is 27.5 X 20 in. So I would have to enlarge the molding a bit. But I am not comfortable trying to rip out the old one, and build a mount with plywood and angle iron, then secure it and then solder the surround sound wires into the new speakers.

I all ready have the bedroom TV removed, but not sure how to proceed with that one either.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Regards.. Jim P.

[PNWGirl]

HI Jim,

You might want to consider going with a 1080p LCD. That is what I moved to, you can really tell the difference- especially when viewing DVD's or watching HD.

Sheila

[Daysu47]

Jim, I replaced all 3 of my CRT's, removed and rebuilt cabinets, routed 110v, built framing, etc. If you are not comfortable working with wood, metal, wiring, etc., you should really have someone that knows what they are doing. The possibility of the electrical shorting, mounting failure causing TV to fall, etc., are worth the cost difference.

By the way, I bought all my LCD's from Craigs List at less than $.50 on the dollar and all three were less than 2 years old.

If you lived in the San Diego area, I would be happy to do it for you.

Good luck,

[pameridan04]

Hi All:

Thanks for info so far. I can probably manage if I put my mind to it, but my weekends are always a zoo.

And when I park the coach in my driveway, it takes up the WHOLE thing and I can't move my other cars around...LOL

Regards... Jim P.

[John H...]

Jim, This is something that you will only have to do once in your onwership of the MH. I would also suggest you go with the 1080p and have someone do it for you, unless you have some carpentry skills along with electrical know how. When I did mine, I also went with the biggest one that would fit between the cabinets. John H...

[wkdwitch]

Double Ditto the 1080p. Our bedroom 21" is less than great at 720. LR really needs the 1080p

[pameridan04]

Hi All:

I do have carpentry skills, framing houses, not so much cabinet making skills though.

As far as electrial, I know enough to be dangerous. LOL I do know from reading the other posts that I have to solder wires from my surround sound setup to the speakers on the back of the TV. I never had to solder anything before.

Like I said I pulled the TV out of the bedroom all ready. I was starting to try and take out the TV in the front but I knew I was going to run out of time, so it will have to wait for another weekend.

I will probably go the 3/4 in. plywood with the angle iron route to try and mount inside the metal frame. I will have to enlarge the wood frame molding opening about 1.25 in. on each side of the frame to fit the 32 in. Sylvania, 29.75 in. actual width.

The problem is if I get stuck, I am probably screwed. I have no RV buddies in my area to help me out.

But nothing ventured, nothing gained. I was going to buy the Sylvania 32 in. front and the 22 in. for the bedroom. I will probably go with the 720 DPI... cheaper than the 1080 at this point. I know... I know..

I just bought the coach, and I paid over $5K for PA sales Tax, $2K for new towbar and car bracket, wireing and misc. Over $2K for misc. repairs on coach. So now you can understand why I am trying to save a few bucks on the new TV install.

Thanks for all your help so far.

Regards... Jim P.

[TomE]

Hi Jim:
Regarding the surround sound setup, you can avoid the soldering process if you get a TV that has a "variable output" jack. Then you just plug the existing RCA jack into the new TV.
Hope this helps.

Tom

[pameridan04]

HI TomE

So my 2004 Sony that's in there now has an RCA jack all ready in back so all that all I have to do is plug it in a TV with a variable output jack?

That sounds to easy.

Regards Jim P.

[inspectorudy]

There is a good article on this forum where the guy put a flat screen on the outside of the old TV surround molding but did not interfere with the two side doors. It looks real clean and if you use a TV with a back that will fit into the old opening the new TV looks factory installed. Make sure that the TV you use has the controls on the front or side so you can adjust it without a remote. He sent me a PDF but for some reason I can't resend it. Soldering isn't necessary if you use crimped fittings or the new type that screw on with a nut on either end of the union.

[Theberrys]

I installed a LCD in the front and in the bedroom. Getting the heavy TV out of the overhead in the front reduced the stress on the windshields. Tradewinds are famous for popping windshields and I believe the motion created by the front TV contributes to this problem.
Dick

[rvr2352]

Be cautious. The Sony weighs 77 lbs. Just unscrew and remove the wood framing and pull the Sony out. The steel cage in which it lived can be cut and folded using a sawsall. The "plastic" shroud is likewise altered. A standard LCD/Plasma mount is bolted to the "folded" sides of the cage. The TV is then mounted. The surround speakers will require a variable volume control fed by the RCA jacks n the new TV.
I installed a 32" LG up front and a 22" in the back. Have fun.

[tomsm]

Jim - I mounted a Vizio VOJ320F in our Journey. It's too big to fit inside the cabinet. I mounted it with a very sturdy articulating mount. A couple of strong bungees snugs up against the front of the cabinet. It's the same width as the cabinet so it doesn't interfere with the doors on the side cabinets. And best of all, it has variable sound output jacks, so you just plug in the RCA connectors to the surround system - no soldering... You also have the option, with the remote control, of turning the internal speakers off. The case is dark brown with a small amount of gold trim. It looks very nice with the cabinetry. Sorry, I don't have any pictures and don't have access to the RV right now. This model has been around for a year or so and has gotten excellent reviews.

Here's a link to one on Amazon. There may be better prices out there, I just pulled up this listing to make sure it was still available.

[TomE]

Jim:
The existing Sony will have a device attached to the rear of the TV. It has a small black canister with a female RCA connection. There is a corresponding male jack that is connected to the amp for the speaker system. If you install a new TV that has a "variable sound output" then you can plug the existing RCA jack into the new TV and your "surround sound" should function.
Tom