Front Tv Cabinet upgrade

["007"]

This project of Steve's is just one of many projects he has done, new hardwood floors in coach, rebuilds of Evans AC, MAINTENANCE of his 2002 MADP that many DP owners can use for reference on coach's 1999 to mid 2000.
His MOD & REPAIR Section can be found in QT's #3 near the bottom of first section of # 3, just look for SPK64 and you have it., enjoy some good reading with pictures.

[Mike Bartelt]

Wow, Spk64, that's pretty impressive and clever work there!

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Looks good !! ... thinking about re-doing mine to reduce box height and make left/right/center cabinets flush on the bottom. Right now the center (TV) cabinet is about 5 inches lower than the others.

That's what I ended up doing and can't be more happier than I did. The difference driving it is like night and day. Also figured out an excellent way to store my XC race bike that's too expensive to hang outside...

[Spk64]

Thanks guys, been slow going but nearing the end.
Tonight I installed the face frame and latch. After looking at many more difficult ways to latch I settled on 2 5/8” diameter Neodymium magnets and with a metal plate attached to TV stand area with VHB tape. Simple and effective.
All that is left is painting the small opening for the IR detector black and possibly adding some small weatherstrip to seal around the TV. New MCD shades are supposed to ship tomorrow.
Wires all buttoned up and a small prop stick for holding open for now.
Sorry for the poor pics. Getting too dark too early.
The latch is center bottom with 2 magnets.

Small steel plate attached to TV.

And the finished look.

[Spk64]

Originally Posted by Mike Bartelt

Wow, Spk64, that's pretty impressive and clever work there!



That's what I ended up doing and can't be more happier than I did. The difference driving it is like night and day. Also figured out an excellent way to store my XC race bike that's too expensive to hang outside...

Looks good. Is TV permanently mounted or does it store somewhere?

[Spk64]

With the tv finished and the secondary reason for the cabinet changes was to allow for an MCD window shade to be installed.
Since it is motorized I needed new wires and switches. Had a couple open spots in the lower switch panel so 2 new switches and a new wiring harness that will be ran up the drivers “A” pillar.
The fused connections are added with the piggyback jumpers that plug into existing fuse spots.

Open and clear for a one piece motorized shade.

One area I struggled with was the fit on the ends and closing the gap. After researching and talking to MCD the solution was pretty simple. A thin strip is added to the “A” pillar trim to space out the front edge about 2”. With this in place the shade will ride down the trim and totally seal the front.

And a new ledge added to mount the shade. Checking the fit and will be stained and finished before shade goes up.
With the lowered mounting location the blower vents remain functional.

[Spk64]

The new shades arrived yesterday and in a couple hours they were hung. Having everything prepped made it go quick and they are pretty easy to install. All the measuring and fitting on the windshield it fit like a glove. I had to add 2-1/2” spacer to the A-pillar trim so the shade would run down the side and seal the front. Still need to finish making and install the new valances.
Yay, no more curtains.

Had to notch slightly with the A-pillar trim pushed out. This is all covered up with the valances later.

View from the outside showing the added spacer. It is 1/4” black ABS held in place with VHB tape and the screws that normally hold the trim.

And a better shot of the updated tv and cabinet with shade.


Next week should finish up the trim. We have tailgate trips to ISU, PU and WVU next 3 weekends looking forward to getting out again.

If anyone is interested in a set of front curtains that are in pretty good shape. Also have side day shades and powered front shades more of a visor while driving. PM me if interested otherwise they may end up in trash.

[Spk64]

In between the weekend trips and the time to reset for next trip I finally finished the new valances. Pictures make the stain appear too dark but in person it actually looks pretty close. After 2 weekend trips with the new shades and TV I wonder why I did not do this sooner. Not messing with the curtain shade and having day shades is so nice. Just a press of the button for the windshield and we are ready to go. The side shades raise and lower easy and retract smoothly.

[dennis45]

Beautiful work. But I question why you would go to all that great work and leave the TV in the same awkward spot?
IMHO, this is the single most irritating arrangement with most coaches.

[Spk64]

Originally Posted by dennis45

Beautiful work. But I question why you would go to all that great work and leave the TV in the same awkward spot?

IMHO, this is the single most irritating arrangement with most coaches.

I really do not have much choice without giving up space. We need both couches which does not leave extra room to add a TV behind. With the amount of TV we watch it works out perfect for us. Takes up no extra floor space and now even have some extra storage behind the TV. Most of my TV viewing is from the table which makes the front location perfect.

[bruceisla]

Looks terrific !! Took a flush-cut saw to the bottom of my cabinet yesterday ... now the hard part (new upholstered 1 piece bottom panel). I'm already happy with the flat bottom all the way across. The TV is now flush across the bottom.

[traviscf]

Spk64, can I ask what the measurement is for your MCD shade? Also, after it was all done, was there any room to go any larger or did you wax out the width completely? I’m planning to order a shade. Thanks.

[Spk64]

Originally Posted by traviscf

Spk64, can I ask what the measurement is for your MCD shade? Also, after it was all done, was there any room to go any larger or did you wax out the width completely? I’m planning to order a shade. Thanks.

My shade was 93” wide , 38” drop with a 3” flap. The width was the absolute maximum size without lowering the shade further.
In order to get the sides sealed the A-Pillar trim requires some modifications. The modification is adding a trim piece to space out the front.
Would not recommend ordering based on my measurements. I made a jig similar to what MCD uses at the factory to get my measurements.
Also installing the one piece shade would not have been possible without the modifications that I made to the TV cabinet.

Good luck. We really enjoy the new shade it is so much nicer than the curtain.

[Dav L]

Another great mod you have done. I missed this one too as it was a little bit before my iRV2 time. I really need to read all your historic posts because you have so many gems.

If I had seen this one 6 months ago, I would have asked you for your CAD files so I could duplicate. But I figured out my own way and will sooner or later post some pics.

Great job as usual!!