installation of rear dvd player (1 Viewer)

[wantacruiser]

I am just getting started on the installation of a rear seat dvd player and I wanted to ask some questions. The manual says for me to hook up the power to feed off the radio's ACC (which I am currently using to run the radio and the navigation system). Is that recommended? I am curious as to how it will affect the usage. Would it be too many devices running off that? Will it affect the power when I turn the radio on and off? I'm not too knowledgible when it comes to this stuff. My original inclination was to forget using the dome lights and just plug the rear seat directly into that. Or would it be a good idea to route the wires to the fuse box?

Does anyone know of any sites that give tutorials on how to do this sort of stuff? Perhaps instructions on how to take down the headliner without destroying it... stuff like that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mobi-arc]

I had one installed about a month ago. They didn't remove the headliner to install it. They removed the dome-light which leaves a square cutout with the wires that originally connected to the dome. They did have to make a bracket out of plywood. Overhead monitor attached to plywood. Plywood gets secured to the cross-members (can't attach to headliner as it's too flimsy).

PS) I was glad I didn't tackle this install myself.

 

[wantacruiser]

ply wood? did it stick out from the roof at all?

The reason why the instructions said to take out the headliner is that there is a plate that you need to secure between two crossbars. Then the player gets attached to that plate. I was thinking that it'd be easier to just use what's already there, but I think it would probably fit better if I follow the instructions as closely as possible. Do you know if they attached the player's power source to that of the radio? And when you turn your radio on and off, or turn on the power for the DVD player on and off, does it cause the other device to restart?

 

[woody]

Do you know if they attached the player's power source to that of the radio? And when you turn your radio on and off, or turn on the power for the DVD player on and off, does it cause the other device to restart?

The circuits they tell you to use are switched hot when the ignition key is in the run position. The wires coming into each device will remain hot regardless of whether the unit is on or off...the switches are internal to each device.

There IS a remote-turn-on wire on most stereo units....it's designed to switch on a relay inside an amplifier, so the amp doesn't remain on when the radio is off. However, the amp would still have a separate constant-hot or key-switched-hot source for primary power.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

i installed one in my dad lx470 not to long ago i would recomend that u run it off the dome power. if you have kids and ones that are annoying on car trip which is what i suspect your putting this in the cruiser for then you want that screen running all the time while there in there. Stop for gas and shut the cruiser down there gonna be cryin. i have a bunch of pics of the install of the dvd part but i didnt take any of the screen install. i installed the dvd player in the way rear in the cubby. let me know if u want any pics.

mike

 

[dclee]

I still say get a laptop! Cheaper, more versatile (GPS, wireless Internet, gaming, as well as better DVD picture on a bigger screen). Use a nice RAM mount over the center console or something similar. When our kid(s) are older, this is what we will do. We are waiting since it is not advisable for young kids to watch movies/TV as it contributes to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) when they get older.

 

[r3run33]

hey dc i was interested in putting in a nav/dvd player in my 99 any suggestions for a lap with nav? I have heard of them but have never seen one or even know where to get one? can you instal nav on a regular laptop?

 

[Snook]

I think the laptop is the best overall solution after trying out the rear ceiling screen and found it blocking my rear viewing.
I used my 15" widescreen to run like what Derek just said such as GPS and some movies to calm down my kids.
After looking thru internet for laptop support and I found some models but too expensive. Some model were used by the police and it required drilling to one side of console which is not suitable for off road otherwise the screws will ripped off from thin metal sheet.
So I picked the thickest steel 4" wide plate and cut & bend it to work around two shift sticks. Then two flat bolts at the bottom on each side were tightened up to act as a vise grip without harming the carpet.
The laptop did not vibrated as I would have expected. The upper part (it's water pipe) with hand screw is swivel & removeable. Most of all it can be stored out of sight when not needed.

 

[wantacruiser]

finished installing...sorta

Hi guys,

Installing the rear dvd player is much more involved than I had anticipated. I'd like to share some tips that I discovered while doing the installation. I'm saying I finished installing sorta because I have a gap between the ceiling and the unit itself. I don't really know how I"m going to solve that problem either. They have these plates that are simply too thick. I saw some guys installing a rear unit in a GX470 and it looks like they were using plywood just as that one guy had said. While that might be ok, I didn't think it was such a good idea cuz I think it was placing a lot of stress on the one cross bar that exists in the ceiling of the LC to rear. It would rely on the headliner as support too much IMO. How did I mount it? I got a long L shaped piece from home depot. Drilled holes at the opposite ends. Mounted it to the track that holds the sunroof. then used that as my second cross bar. Then I mounted the plate between the original crossbar and the one I made. Works great. solid as a rock. If you can, I would suggest that you find a player that runs off your dome, just as that other guy had said. Otherwise, in order to do the install properly, you'll have to take the headliner out. Also, look for one that is VERY light weight. That way, you can be safer if you use plywood to mount it and rely on the headliner to provide support. Pulling out the headliner was a time consuming task, but not difficult. I think the mounting of the unit itself is the hardest part because you need to find a solution for how to mount it on that one crossbar. My headliner sits a little lower now, and the two bushing screw type things don't reach the ceiling. But I think the headliner is sturdy enough that it won't droop.

 

[r3run33]

hey snook that is exactly what i am gonna work on with mine did you get any info on attaching a gps to the laptop? i dont want to spend the extra money on an additional piece like a palm or garmin etc i wanted to run it off the laptop; i sent a emial out to a friend that did this type in his camaro and had a wireless internet hook up. no response yet.

 

[98LXand99LC]

We are waiting since it is not advisable for young kids to watch movies/TV as it contributes to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) when they get older.

Unfortunately ADD is not an acquired disability. It's inherited. However I agree, kids already watch too much TV and that's why I refuse to have one in the car. I can see having it for long trips and such, but we rarely do that, certainly not enough to justify the investment.

 

[dclee]

Unfortunately ADD is not an acquired disability. It's inherited. However I agree, kids already watch too much TV and that's why I refuse to have one in the car. I can see having it for long trips and such, but we rarely do that, certainly not enough to justify the investment.

Well, I wouldn't say that is a proven fact yet, though many researchers seem that agree that it is about 80% genetic determination, and 20% environment. But if I can control that 20%, I will. Sort of like Cruiser addicts and putting them in the vicinity of Cruisers and watching the change in behavior, I suppose...

 

[NorCalDoug]

TV has something to do with ADD? I don't necessarily agree...I've been watching TV for my entire life -- even as a baby, my folks placed me in front of the tube. I don't think I've had any adverse...

uh...On the subject of entertainment in the truck for long trips...this is a MAJOR plus. We use a TV/VCR combo for long trips (it's a pain to secure). We find it invaluable. Whichever solution you choose, you're going to want something that allows the use of headphones. There's only so much Barney, Wiggles, and misc Disney flicks an average adult can handle. For the laptop mount, I'd suggest one for the front and something for the rear as well -- possibly a system (like RAM) that allows you to move the main part of the mount from the front to rear. This way you could use the laptop for GPS or move it to the rear area for entertainment.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Well, I wouldn't say that is a proven fact yet, though many researchers seem that agree that it is about 80% genetic determination, and 20% environment.

Ok, but my point was simply to say that you can't get ADD by watching TV. If that were true, this country would be in a lot of trouble!!!

 

[dclee]

Ok, but my point was simply to say that you can't get ADD by watching TV. If that were true, this country would be in a lot of trouble!!!

I didn't say that, I said it contributed to the manifestation of ADD, not that it caused it. And it's only in developing newborns up to about three years of age. After that, they can watch all they want. Apparently the overload on the developing brain of all those rapidly moving images can increase chances that the child will develop ADD.

Sorry I'm being so argumentative today. Not a good day at work.

 

[Snook]

r3run33,

I used Delrome USB EarthMate GPS, it is small yellow plastic case. Putting on dashboard linked thru 6' long USB cable works fine for me.

See http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/

I would purchase a bluetooth case where my GPS device can slip in and put anywhere without wireless. My laptop have built-in blue tooth so it is "ready".

However there are two major drawbacks, the bluetooth device as I am told will only last 6 hours with AA batteries, second I may lose it from my roof top during very bumpy offroad.

 

[98LXand99LC]

I didn't say that, I said it contributed to the manifestation of ADD....

You're right...Cheers!!!!

 

[wantacruiser]

Finished product... sort of...

What it looks like now...I've still got some space I need to fill between the unit and the ceiling.

 

[mobi-arc]

It looks like you're missing the shroud.

 

[wantacruiser]

shroud?

It looks like you're missing the shroud.

You mean that black thing ring looking thing? Yeah...I didn't want to use that. That shroud is way too bulky and will make the screen hang down too low. That shroud would increase the thickness of the whole unit by 3 times. I wanted to keep it as sleek as possible. I'm thinking of trying to find some plastic that I can cuz and fit around the area in question to hide the gap.