Community Forums

rfguy · 04-08-2017, 08:15 PM

A few weeks ago I posted under same title asking for help if anyone has removed the large one piece dash on newer models of E450. I had several wiring changes to make and was installing a new radio and needed to remove the dash completely. I was successful and if anyone is interested it was not that difficult. You do have to drop the steering column about 5". There are 4 13mm nuts on long bolts so you need a deep socket or ratcheting box end wrench. There are 12V receptacle plugs to remove and the heater controls are tricky but easy once get it figured out. If anyone is doing this just message me I'll be happy to help.

My 2017 FR Forester did not come with a navigation radio, so I installed a Kenwood DNX773. I also did not want to share one screen with navigation and rear view video so I added a 7" video monitor for dedicated Toad viewing. Since this rig has 3 cameras I fed the output out of the switcher to the monitor. I mounted it up where the coin slot holder is and use the roof of that stash box to mount the monitor.

I also figured out how to wire external xm into radios like this model that have a dedicated 10-pin DIN receptacle for an xm module. The module is not that expensive but the added subscription is so I have a portable xm that I take out of my Jeep toad and put in MH. I installed wiring to the dash radio as well as the MH stereo system. Anyone need a pinout of this 10-pin DIN I can attach. Hope this helps someone.

Gman2 · 05-09-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfguy

A few weeks ago I posted under same title asking for help if anyone has removed the large one piece dash on newer models of E450. I had several wiring changes to make and was installing a new radio and needed to remove the dash completely. I was successful and if anyone is interested it was not that difficult. You do have to drop the steering column about 5". There are 4 13mm nuts on long bolts so you need a deep socket or ratcheting box end wrench. There are 12V receptacle plugs to remove and the heater controls are tricky but easy once get it figured out. If anyone is doing this just message me I'll be happy to help.

My 2017 FR Forester did not come with a navigation radio, so I installed a Kenwood DNX773. I also did not want to share one screen with navigation and rear view video so I added a 7" video monitor for dedicated Toad viewing. Since this rig has 3 cameras I fed the output out of the switcher to the monitor. I mounted it up where the coin slot holder is and use the roof of that stash box to mount the monitor.

I also figured out how to wire external xm into radios like this model that have a dedicated 10-pin DIN receptacle for an xm module. The module is not that expensive but the added subscription is so I have a portable xm that I take out of my Jeep toad and put in MH. I installed wiring to the dash radio as well as the MH stereo system. Anyone need a pinout of this 10-pin DIN I can attach. Hope this helps someone.

Hello, I would appreciate any detail instructions you can provide on removing the dash. I have a 2017 E450 rig and would like to pull the dash in order to locate the camera control box. I think it must be mounted behind the dash. I want to disable the left and right turn cameras so that I do not lose rear view during turn. I have pulled dashes on other vehicles but mostly older ones. Perhaps you could just get me started in the correct direction I would appreciate it. I have not found anything helpful on YouTube yet. Thanks.

rfguy · 05-12-2017, 12:32 PM

Hi Gman2,
Thank you for the response. I did not see what brand your MH is but mine is a Forest River Forester. The good news is if yours is the same you will not have to remove the large dash. My turn signal camera switch is located under the steering column (wire tied to it) and you can access this by just removing the small panel under the column. This panel has the diagnostic plug attached to it and the panel is removed by pulling it forward to release it from the snap in fasteners. It will hang by the diagnostic wire harness unless you remove the harness plug from the panel which I did. The camera video switch box is about 4 inch x 2 inch by 1 inch thick and has the 3 RCA phono type video connectors plus power and the turn signal wires going to it. You could just barrel the rear view camera cable to the video cable going to your monitor so bypassing it and leave the switch there for any future use. I am tempted to do this with mine as I have very good side mirrors and like you want to keep an eye on the toad as you are rounding the turn to watch out for curbs and such. If you need to proceed further with dash removal I will be happy to walk you through it just send an email I will get back to you sooner. I was on a trip and did not have my sign in creds with me. Good luck !

Gman2 · 05-13-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfguy

Hi Gman2,
Thank you for the response. I did not see what brand your MH is but mine is a Forest River Forester. The good news is if yours is the same you will not have to remove the large dash. My turn signal camera switch is located under the steering column (wire tied to it) and you can access this by just removing the small panel under the column. This panel has the diagnostic plug attached to it and the panel is removed by pulling it forward to release it from the snap in fasteners. It will hang by the diagnostic wire harness unless you remove the harness plug from the panel which I did. The camera video switch box is about 4 inch x 2 inch by 1 inch thick and has the 3 RCA phono type video connectors plus power and the turn signal wires going to it. You could just barrel the rear view camera cable to the video cable going to your monitor so bypassing it and leave the switch there for any future use. I am tempted to do this with mine as I have very good side mirrors and like you want to keep an eye on the toad as you are rounding the turn to watch out for curbs and such. If you need to proceed further with dash removal I will be happy to walk you through it just send an email I will get back to you sooner. I was on a trip and did not have my sign in creds with me. Good luck !

rfguy, thank you for this information. I have the Coachmen Leprechaun 240FS and my controller could possibly be mounted to steering column as yours is. I have not had a chance yet to give it a good look. We are RV'ing now so it may be a week or two before I get to pursue this further. Unless we take a down day and its not raining.