Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 10:59 pm, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
Hey, I've just fitted some screens to the headrests in my soarer and wanted to show everyone how they turned out. I bought the headrests off a forum member who had intended to fit screens but no longer needed them. I thought you guys might be interested to see how they look after a trial fitment of the headrests after the screens were fitted.
Here are some pictures of the process involved in fitting the screens to the headrests.
That is measuring up for screen placement. Theres no going back now!
material is cut and internal foam is removed to allow fitment of the screen housing.
Now, this is what is supplied with this system to run the required loom from the headrest to the seat. I find it quite unattractive so I decided to customise the installation so that it was as neat as possible.
I wanted to run the wiring through the headrest posts. There are 10 wires running through the loom so I had to find some small multi core wire to run through the posts. I found some five core so I had to run 1 loom down each post. This required me to drill a hole in the top of each post as they curve around into the tilt mechanism.
running the cables;
To get into the main cavity of the headrest I used a hole saw to run the cables through.
now I cut the original loom to splice into my pre run looms.
The base screen housing is now inserted into the cavity I made.
Material is glued around base with sections cut to clear locating clips for front bezel. There was some extra padding added to flesh out and form screen nicely with headrest shape.
Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 12:48 pm, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
Thanks guys,
The screens are part of Multimedia entertainment system made by Visteon. Which is a German company specialising in the automotive aftermarket. This particular model was available as a factory option on Australian released Jeep Grand Cherokee's.
Model: Visteon HR-1700 In-Car Entertainment system
The system comprises a control box which is the heart of the system. This module can accept up to three multimedia devices and output them to the two headrest monitors. You are able to view either of the inputs at any time on either of the screens, so it is quite versatile. All controls are operated via remote control and the receivers on the screens. All audio can be transmitted via wireless headphones or FM modulator to the factory head unit.
I plan on fitting a dvd/multimedia head unit (Single din) in the glove box. (with USB & SD card inputs) And probably a digital TV tuner under the seat. This will leave me one more input which i will mount RCA input plugs in the rear seat to be able to plug in playstation/Video/Still camera.
I will keep posting pics as the install takes shape.
PM me if you are interested in getting a similar system fitted to your car.
Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 07:35 pm, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
The DVD head unit was always going to be fitted, I have the standard TT cassette head unit with stacker (plays burnt cd's!), and amp with sub speaker system. I have always been impressed with the quality of the sound of the standard unit and didn't really want to mess with it. I work in the industry and have heard a lot of different systems, and for a standard system it is very impressive.
So I wanted to add the DVD head unit in the glove box connected via FM modulator to the original head unit, if nothing else to give me Australian FM stations! The bonus being the head unit has a USB port and SD card reader - for all those MP3's!
I have also picked up a reverse camera system with a replacement rear view mirror which has a built in lcd screen, the bonus being that it has a extra input for the DVD player. I haven't got around to fitting the mirror or camera yet as I have to change the mount on the windscreen. The rear screens sort of came about afterward, I have young kids (a 3 year old daughter and 1 year old son) and this is perfect for them, plenty of space in the rear for those two!
As I've said, I work in the industry so I had access to these screens to give them a go, and a spare set of headrests coming up for sale on this forum was the inspiration to make it happen.
I also wanted to add to the forum by showing what is involved in fitting them, maybe providing an insight for someone considering it themselves.
So yeah probably not practical for a carload of big guys (not in a soarer), but for young kids or show cars....
Monday, November 16, 2009 - 05:59 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Daniel Blackham wrote on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 04:02 pm:
But headrest screens in the back of a soarer? I never knew the rear seats were ment for people?! Haha..
Haha, thats exactly what I thought Daniel, but I didn't want to come down on the guy after doing such an awesome job.
Having said that my sister did sit in the back of my Soarer from Auckland to Turangi (4 hours) once and she was fine. But she is 5'1"! Also my little fella (about 2') rides in the back occasionally, and would probably love watching Nemo or whatever on something like this, so such a system would not be TOTALLY useless for me, it might get used five or six times a year anyway.
Monday, November 16, 2009 - 07:59 am, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
I have fitted these systems in many different types of vehicles. The write up was more to show what is involved in fitting them for those considering it. That might mean those with kids or those wanting them for a show car. Either way negative comments aren't helpful, these are perfect for my circumstances and I'm very pleased with how they turned out! It is a way of showcasing my skills as an automotive accessories fitter.
Also, who wouldn't want to cruise around with their kids in a luxury sports coupe? It beats driving the average family commonwhore wagon!!! Would you prefer to see them in one of those??
Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 07:56 am, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
No worries Robert, I hope to get a chance to work on the system on the weekend. I have installed the FM modulator to the original head unit - works really well with the DVD player in the glove box, its just roughly fitted at the moment just need to finalise placement and run the wiring neatly.
What a good idea getting a spare rear seat for the kids! I need to chase up a spare parcel shelf as I have put holes in mine to fit the child seat anchors. I plan on redoing the interior at some stage so I'm not to worried about the rear seat getting trashed.
Friday, November 20, 2009 - 08:07 am, by: Rowan Mutu(Dadzi)
Yeah that's an awesome install mate, I wish I was as handy with wiring etc. to get screens in the back of my headrests (then again, I'd shed a whole lot of tears cutting into leather haha). But yeah, I don't know what the deal is with people not having rear passengers in their cars, I've had plenty of people ride in the back of my car and every time someone gets in they always remark on how much roomier it is back there than they expected and how the seats feel like bucket seats (allowing me to crack my usual "well, I'd never know coz I'm always up this end" joke. Timeless comedy haha). Great job mate!
Friday, November 20, 2009 - 09:54 am, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
Hey Rowan, I think the same thing, I've always thought that the back seat of the soarer is one of the most comfortable rear coupe seats that I have sat in. I've had plenty of rear seat passengers and have never had a complaint. Must be guys over 6 foot or those sitting behind 'Chapel St Cruisers' that drive just about laying down! Anyway thanks for the comments, I wish you luck with your install, I will try to help you as much as I can, pics will be coming when system is complete.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 09:18 pm, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
Hey guys, I completed the install of this system on the weekend and took a heap of pictures. It works really well, I'm quite pleased with how its turned out.
Firstly I finished of the wiring within the seats now that the headrests were in place. Soldering the other half of the original loom onto the two 5 core cables run through the headrest posts.
This cable is then plugged into another loom that runs through the seat and out underneath to the centre console.
I then removed the head unit/climate control to fit the fm modulator for the audio from the dvd player, and found that there is quite a big cavity in behind the unit for placement of the modulator. It was upon finding this that I realised that there was enough space to fit the main control module for the headrest system as well.
You can see the modulator (small silver box) tucked way back in the cavity.
This is the control module and associated looms for the headrest system:
This is the module fitted into the cavity:
From that position all looms were run under the centre console and connected to looms running to screens, and also to the glove box area for connection to the dvd player.
Fitting the dvd player to the glove box required small modifications to allow the wiring and antenna plug to exit the rear. Also to allow the rear bolt of the unit to pass through and be secured by a nut.
Original radio antenna was then plugged into the dvd unit, and fm modulator antenna plugged into original head unit. - Giving me australian radio stations, yeah! All other connections were made and glove box and head unit/climate control refitted.
Sorry about the quality of the photos in this lot as they were taken with my mobile phone. It really doesn't do it justice.
I am very pleased with the system, it works really well. The sound provided by the fm modulator to the original head unit is really good, I connected a noise suppressor in line with the audio cable so it cancels out any engine noise that may have been picked up. So it has been successful, I've been able to maintain the excellent sounding original stereo and integrate a dvd system, as well as the bonus of being able to tune to Australian radio frequencies.
Monday, January 04, 2010 - 01:58 pm, by: Karl Vanzuyden(Karltt)
Dylan, The head unit doesn't move around at all. It has been secured by the rear mount bolt of the unit passing through the plastic of the glove box and secured with a nut:
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well done. what are you using as a media player?
