Allstar LCD refit

[jjbsmith]

My first attempt to stop our TV from squeaking has turned into a big job. The screws that hold the TV to the ceiling were broken off and many of the threads were stripped so we decided pull down the big box before it fell down and replace the 60 pound cathode ray TV with a 32 inch LCD flat screen. All the 3 inch wood screws that held the TV box had broken shanks as if they had been driven into an aluminum rafter or a piece of very hard wood. Does anyone know what is in the ceiling that would break all the screws? Is there a reinforced bracket up there?



We beefed up the side cabinets with some angle brackets. We used a 2 inch deck screw and didn't hit anything hard. The location of these screws is different than the location of the TV box screws. The 2 inch deck screws felt very solid and we're sure they will hold the cabinets and the visors up very well.



As soon as we can afford them we will get some 43 inch wide sun visors from Carefree. The new visors will overlap in the center providing full width coverage of the windshield. To do this we needed to replace the right and left visor mounts with a single longer and wider visor mounting board. We will post photos of the new visors later.



We have temporarily mounted LCD to a very solid factory wall mount but the LCD wobbles and shacks as it is only supported by the flimsy 200mm X 200mm factory bolt pattern. We are intending to further support the LCD with some padded sheet metal channel brackets attached to the cabinets.



The project will continue well into the summer but the many benefits derived from the low profile of the 32 inch LCD have made this project very rewarding.
Bigger view, extra head room, bigger picture, wider screen, no squeaks and no chance of a falling 60 pound cathode ray TV.
Before we finish the job we hope to find out what is in the rafter cavity that broke the screws. It seems logical that there would be something solid built into the rafters to hang the cathode ray TV from. Any ideas?
I will post photos of the finished product later this summer.

[jjbsmith]

My first attempt to stop our TV from squeaking has turned into a big job. The screws that hold the TV to the ceiling were broken off and many of the threads were stripped so we decided pull down the big box before it fell down and replace the 60 pound cathode ray TV with a 32 inch LCD flat screen. All the 3 inch wood screws that held the TV box had broken shanks as if they had been driven into an aluminum rafter or a piece of very hard wood. Does anyone know what is in the ceiling that would break all the screws? Is there a reinforced bracket up there?



We beefed up the side cabinets with some angle brackets. We used a 2 inch deck screw and didn't hit anything hard. The location of these screws is different than the location of the TV box screws. The 2 inch deck screws felt very solid and we're sure they will hold the cabinets and the visors up very well.



As soon as we can afford them we will get some 43 inch wide sun visors from Carefree. The new visors will overlap in the center providing full width coverage of the windshield. To do this we needed to replace the right and left visor mounts with a single longer and wider visor mounting board. We will post photos of the new visors later.



We have temporarily mounted LCD to a very solid factory wall mount but the LCD wobbles and shacks as it is only supported by the flimsy 200mm X 200mm factory bolt pattern. We are intending to further support the LCD with some padded sheet metal channel brackets attached to the cabinets.



The project will continue well into the summer but the many benefits derived from the low profile of the 32 inch LCD have made this project very rewarding.
Bigger view, extra head room, bigger picture, wider screen, no squeaks and no chance of a falling 60 pound cathode ray TV.
Before we finish the job we hope to find out what is in the rafter cavity that broke the screws. It seems logical that there would be something solid built into the rafters to hang the cathode ray TV from. Any ideas?
I will post photos of the finished product later this summer.

[Carnles]

Looks good so far...you have done professional style repairs. Check out my photos and you'll see what we did to replace our front TV with a 40" LCD. We are currently working on the rear TV. Good luck with finishing the project.

[Dav5942]

Looks Great! We replaced our with a 26" LCD(which we already had) using the existing cabinet(which is secured real well). Will do a 32" soon! We left the two sun visors and added a third one in the center-works fine. No more squeaks! Looks like they overtightened your screws or they broke coming out.

[becks]

Its looking good. You will be real happy with your upgrade. I replaced both my TV's this spring and am very happy with the larger size and better picture.

["007"]

Are we all having fun yet.
Sure gets interesting doesn't it.

[cheshireshelties]

Dav5942,
I was also planning on replacing my sony with a 26" lcd tv and I was wondering if you were able to take out the tv after removing the two screws on either side of the cabinet, or is there more to it? also, when you added the middle shade did you use the existing wiring to one of the side shades and operate a side and the middle shade off the existing switch. thanks for your help.
gary in ct
'07 vdp

[Dav5942]

Gary, yes removing the existing Sony is quite easy. After taking out the four screws the wood frame pulls out and easy access to the TV.

No, on the middle shade we left it manual and will be changing it again to a pull down shade that can be used in lieu of the drapes(at least in the middle). Dave