Rear-seat Video Screen Removal Question

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Hey guys. I am currently finishing up work on the 200 series drawer systems. I'm going to take a look at this issue and see if I can come up with a solution for you guys.

If you're the one who sticks with this and pulls it off, you'll have a lot of fans on MUD with '16-'17 200s, as well as pocketfuls of cash.!

If you do work on this, I have one easy request.....make the covers thin enough that I can still use the Toyota brand tablet mounts on the front headrests. They are easily removable and hold any size tablet. When my son borrows the truck for vacations with his family, the kids use these for entertainment with their iPads. The mounts are FAR more versatile and useful than the silly old-school monitors Toyota bolted on there.

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-Universal-Tablet-PT949-47160-02/dp/B01CTG4DI2
 
Ok, so I took a look at what we're talking about. It's a pretty ugly hole, I'll admit. A couple questions.

What years are affected by this terrible design decision by Toyota?
How "nice" are you guys wanting to go? Are we talking matching leather wrapped molded piece or a black plastic doo-dad? I can do whatever, but it would be directly related to cost of said item...
What is the black plastic cover shown in post 14? Is this something that I should have in hand while doing this project?
 
Ok, so I took a look at what we're talking about. It's a pretty ugly hole, I'll admit. A couple questions.

What years are affected by this terrible design decision by Toyota?
How "nice" are you guys wanting to go? Are we talking matching leather wrapped molded piece or a black plastic doo-dad? I can do whatever, but it would be directly related to cost of said item...
What is the black plastic cover shown in post 14? Is this something that I should have in hand while doing this project?

1: to my knowledge, 2016 & 17

2: black plastic works for me, I'd actually prefer it NOT be covered in leather.

3: I believe it was made for the project, and not readily available.

I'm hoping for a black plastic cover that takes the place of the hole, and if at all possible, on the plastic cover is a USB port to charge electronic devices.

I'd certainly pay a premium to know I had the freedom to use any device on an as needed basis instead of losing hair everytime
my kids climb in and out of the car.

-Chris
 
I agree with @doctorres112 on design. The screens are still available on the ‘18 LC as an option and some may have them.
 
One of the things, in fact THE thing, that I hate the most about our '16.

Black plastic for me!!!!!!
 
"RemoveScreens" eh? I think I finally found someone who hates the pimp my ride screens more than I do.
 
I don’t hate the screens, but I’ll buy whatever cover someone makes and remove them. Especially if there’s a usb charger in it. So count me in.
 
I'd be in as well - and I don't one way or the other about a USB charging port.
 
This looks doable. Picked up some plastic today and will be making a mold. I’ll do some prototypes and let you know how it goes. I will incorporate a usb as long as there’s space. The panel mount ones are usually pretty deep. If anyone knows of a low profile one let me know.
 
Here’s the shallowest I’ve found when I needed one for a boat. The first link is to West Marine, then second is to the same thing at Amazon, and the third is the mounting instructions. I think this is around an inch deep. I assume there is 5VDC available in the hole for the USB. However, if only 12VDC is available, then adding a USB port will need to be a bit fancier, perhaps with a 12VDC socket for folks to use as they wish (12VDC power directly or by inserting a USB adapter in the socket).

POLY-PLANAR Waterproof Dual-Port USB Charger | West Marine

https://www.amazon.com/Poly-Planar-...id=1517012951&sr=8-8&keywords=poly+planar+usb

http://www.polyplanar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/usb-pm_installation_guide.pdf
 
Here’s the shallowest I’ve found when I needed one for a boat. The first link is to West Marine, then second is to the same thing at Amazon, and the third is the mounting instructions. I think this is around an inch deep. I assume there is 5VDC available in the hole for the USB. However, if only 12VDC is available, then adding a USB port will need to be a bit fancier, perhaps with a 12VDC socket for folks to use as they wish (12VDC power directly or by inserting a USB adapter in the socket).

POLY-PLANAR Waterproof Dual-Port USB Charger | West Marine

https://www.amazon.com/Poly-Planar-...id=1517012951&sr=8-8&keywords=poly+planar+usb

http://www.polyplanar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/usb-pm_installation_guide.pdf
Thanks! Input on that is 12v, so it should be easy. Would require tapping the existing wires, unless we go really fancy and get Toyota plugs.
 
Sure enough, I forgot the input is 12VDC. Tapping wires is fine for me since I'll do any hook up myself. Others may want a plug. Offer an option?
 
Thanks! Input on that is 12v, so it should be easy. Would require tapping the existing wires, unless we go really fancy and get Toyota plugs.
Getting excited about this, thanks for stepping up!

-Chris
 
I would definitely be in for some black covers with USB ports. I hate the screens on my 17’. Most useless hunk of junk.
 
One of the tops reasons I actually skipped on the LC was because of this. The 18's with no screen option were not yet available when in the market. Got an extra 3" of front leg passenger room in LX570 ('15) vs LC due to less screen-infant car seat interference. My wife absolutely hated the LC screens, even more than I did. Lexus/Toyota were beyond incompetent for making this a standard option in US vehicles, hence their MY18 correction. I would order no screen system 150/100 times if I could. Books & tablets a thousand times better.

I'm even looking at removing screens in LX, which are far less intrusive. Including going so far as full new Lexus OEM seat cover/or seat (some LX's don't have screens). People will pay for this mod on LC without question, def go for it! Look forward to results.
 
You guys wanted clear so you can still see the ugly, right?

:)
IMG_0258.webp
 

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