Replace front TV

[itdave]

I need some suggestions. I am looking to replace my front 27" flat screen TV with a 32" or 37". The problem is on my 06 Endeavor the cabinet to the left of the TV sticks out about 6" farther that the TV. So the distance between this cabinet and the door to the cabinet to the left of the TV is only about 30". 32" TVs are about 31.5" wide and 37" are 35.5" wide so neither will fit well. The cabinet above the driver that sticks out holds the video switch, my replacement for the RCA Home Theater and the Sat Receiver. The item that requires the extra deep cabinet is the Home Theater. Here is a picture of the front area

My idea is to take down the extra deep cabinet and shorten it and reduce the dept so it is like the cabinet to the right of the TV. It will still hold the video switch and the Sat Receiver. I would move the Surround Sound Amp and DVD player to area under the dash radio that now has a drawer and slide out cup holder.

First has any one with this type of Cabinet set up in the front installed a 32 or 37 inch flat screen. Second has anyone relocated the Home Theater to the area below the dash radio. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Here is the link to the album with all the pictures itdave Album - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery

[Diplomat Don]

Wow.....They sure made the distance tighter between the two side plates on the TV. Mine were 31.5" outside edge and I was able to put in a 32" Sony that was only 31.25". My original TV was a tube 27" and was probably a lot wider than your TV.

I think you may be stuck with reworking the wood. Cut down the cabinets and move the Home Thearter under the TV in a slide in opening.

I see that you have what looks like a very high end home theater system (large). Is changing it out to somethiong like the Sony Home Theater system an option....they've really downsized the units.

Final idea....rework the cabinets where the Home Theater cabinet gets cut back some and the TV gets brought out some. Put the TV on a hinge for storage behind the TV.

I'm sure I'm not giving you any new ideas or a great one that would work, but that distance between the cabinets is just a killer. On a side note, when I reworked my bedroom TV two years ago, I was still able to order custom sized cabinet doors from Monaco to match my woodwork. They were expensive, but a perfect match.

[jlyon69]

It sounds like you have a good plan. I assume after you cut the left cabinet down, you have enough distance between the left and right cabinet doors to fit the TV of your choice.

I'll suggest 2 alternate plans.

1. Extend the right cabinet out instead.

2. Leave both cabinets as is. Use an articulating arm mount in the center. While under way, you would swing the TV to the right and lock down. This would of course off-set the TV from center and also lose access to the right cabinet. When parked, you unlock and swing it into any position you want, centered or not. If it was a real large TV, you can still swing either way (or in and out) to access cabinets if/when needed.

I would suggest an LED TV as they are very light, use less power and are only 1 inch deep. I replaced both of mine and are very pleased with them. Both of mine were also 12 volt (I didn't know that when I ordered them). The largest is only 24". But I'm thinking even the larger ones are 12 volt now. I wired mine directly to a 12vdc circuit, so I had no need for an inverter. Of course you already have an inverter, so this probably makes no difference to you, it just gives you an option.

John...

[Robi.1014]

Dave,

My 32" Vizio is (as they say) a 32" Class....which means the diagonal measurement is only 31.5". Combine this factiod with the LED/LCD "thin" technology where it is not only razor thin but the TV borders left & right are narrower as well. So my "Razor 32" Vizio" measures only 30.25" total width.

My cabinet max width, unmodified, was/is 29.80". So the Vizio hangs over about 1/4" on each side. I thought long & hard about modifying cabinets. But when I held this "razor-edge" TV up to my opening, I was pleased to see that the minor overhang actually looked pretty good. Done deal. No sawdust.

However, many of these very-thin TVs have terrible sound that, to me, is unacceptable. Vizio is one of the worst. My plan all along, however, was to use the audio-out feeding into the home theater system at all times. But I wanted to control the volume using the TV's own remote. Some TV's have a "variable audio out" function (Sony, for example), but my TV has only a headphone out jack. I placed this jack into service and have been pleased with the sound (stereo only, not "surround") that my home theater audio system is pumping out.

[tomgagne]

I replaced a 27 inch CRT with a 27 inch flat screen. I wanted to put in a 32 inch but because of the exact issue you have I only put in the 27 as it was able to fit the existing width. Although I have a 2002 diplomat, the cabinet structure appears to be similar. As with your coach the left side cabinet is deeper protruding into the coach. If you choose to reduce the depth of the left cabinet, it may cause issues on the left side cabinets where the side cabinets meet the front. Once I dismantled the tv box, I was able to see how the side cabinets were constructed. The box in the diplomat was just that, a box which slid in between the left and right upper cabinets and the box was screwed to each side cabinet. There is also a large steel support beam just behind the cabinets. As Don mentioned the outside width of the tv cabinet is 31.5. so you'll need at least the thickness of the (2) 3/4" sides of the present tv cabinet to install the larger tv. You could possibly take 3/4 of an inch off the width of each side cabinet and have plenty of clearance for a 32" in between the existing cabinets. You wouldn't have to change the depth of the left cabinet. I was going to take this approach cutting each cabinet, but decided not to, just chicken. Even with the 27" I installed, the end result was pretty good. Although 32 would be better. Once you dismantle the present cabinet I think you'll gain some insight into what your next steps could be. Good luck

[Steve N Sal]

Wow that's a tough one but the plan of attack that you describe sounds like the way to go. Hope all turns out.

[Ed S]

Dave, I had the same problem when I changed out the tv in my 06 Endeavor. I am not handy with woodwork so I took the easy way out and that was to find a tv that would fit in the hole left by removing the old and then use trim to fill in the gaps. I now longer have that MH and dont remember what size tv it was but not the size you want to install. I would think some one here has made the mod you want to make.

[nutensteve]

Dave,
Our Diplomat has the same setup as yours and we are looking to upgrade to a 32" or possibly a 37" TV. I am going to let Elite RV in Eugene Ore. do the exchange. I was able to change out my bedroom TV but the front is a little too much for me to attempt. I have heard great things about Elite's work and one of the owners ( Marty I think) ran the cabinet shop for Monaco. I think that they can handle any modifications that are needed.
Steve

[Buford B]

Dave, I had the same issue. I cut 2" out of the cabinet on the right and moved the TV endplate over 2", rebuilt the back and bottom of the TV enclosure and mounted a 32" TV inside.

[mccrob]

Replaced the TV in my Diplomat with the same set up, a 32 will fit in the same space as the old TV. Left the drivers side cabinet as is mounted the TV flush with the right cabinet used a filler piece cut out of the old TV box to fill in the gap on the left cabinet. You need to make a wood frame around the edge of your new TV bolt it to the mounting holes on the back of the new TV fasten the frame through the existing cabinets anf fill in the bottom hole with wood and stain to match. We can do the change out if you are in the Phoenix AZ area. Will try to post pics later

[dogpatch]

What about extending the center cabinet to meet the left side?

[woody92354]

Recently replaced a 27" CRT TV with a flat widescreen of same size. TV is roughly same width so it fits INSIDE opening. Since TV was shorter top to bottom, made up a piece of melamine board (any home depot has this wood w/formica finish) for bottom of opening, cut four 3.5" holes (centered) w/hole saw to make a wine bottle holder. Or figure a way to move AV gear there if you don't partake in vino or spirits. Put weather sripping on top of board(stops squeaks/rattles), put TV on top of this & support/tie everything together with Industrial velcro, wood blocks, glue, whatever it takes to make it work. I WOULD NOT ATTEMPT to alter left cabinet. I think your opening up a real can of worms with that one. A bigger set w/articulating arm as offered earlier is another good idea. Good Luck.

[Muddypaws]

A 'Bonker' is something in an RV that you can easily bonk your head on. If the entry door is in the front they undoubtedly made the cabinets that way to provide a safer entrance & exit. If your door is too close you might be creating a bonker by extending the TV cabinet out.

Could you do away with the cabinet on the right? If you could you could mount a pretty big TV in the combined space there. And probably have space left over for your center speaker.

I was able to mount a 37" LG LED TV by doing a surface mount and a dual armed swing arm. I put the pictures in a post here. If you use a swing arm I heartily recommend a dual arm rated for 100# or better, and straps to hold it down while in motion.

Muddypaws

[mccrob]

Can't download pictures can someone help, I'll work on it later