BAC Forum
General Boards => Redecorating and Updating your Motorhome => Topic started by: Steve Huber on October 18, 2013, 05:00:59 AM
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Has anyone removed (cut out) the 2 front center cabinets just to the right of the front CRT TV box? I'm considering taking mine out and mounting a 37-40" TV in the opened slot. This location will keep it out of the walkway and put the TV high enough for good viewing. But, I'd like to get an idea of what I'm in for before I start cutting.
Thx, Steve
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Jeff at BCS specializes in doing this and I have seen his work. Matching wood, trim and stain was nearly perfect. No, its not cheap but neither is compormising the structural integrity of the front cap by accident. Jeff quoed me apice wich orelely but it didnt seem too bad at the time.
Keith
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You will also find that the folks at RV Outfitters across the street from BCS, do some pretty amazing cabinetry. I had a need for some specialized cabinetry and where I could only provide the basics of what I wanted to do, they were able to do the design and construction and it matches my other cabinets perfectly.
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You will also find that the folks at RV Outfitters .... do some pretty amazing cabinetry.....
I second that.
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Steve:
I removed a portion of the original TV cabinet, but not the ones beside it. I also removed the padded panel below those cabinets. I did a complete removal of the cupboards above the passenger side chair and desk, when chasing that elusive leak that caused side wall rot. I found the same kind of attachments in both places.
The woodwork is not structural. All of the structural rigidity of the coach depends on the aluminum frame, to which everything else is fastened. Lots of screws in the wood and they are not always easy to find. eg. in the frame of the cupboards, there were several screws in screw pockets that were covered up by some other piece of woodwork, so you need to go carefully over the piece you are working on to be sure you have all the screws out before trying to remove the piece, then look for more, well hidden screws. I also found that the 120 v wiring was added after the cabinets were in, and the holes through which the wires passed were drilled without any attention paid to which parts of the cabinets were destroyed to get the wires through. In one place, a 3/4" hole was drilled through a 1"square corner support, leaving the lower portion of that support hanging on the paneling below it! Not to be too concerned about that, as 15 years had passed without a problem in that area.
In my Contessa, the front cabinets are attached to the ceiling, and are set back from the front cap, far enough to leave room for wiring chases for the sound system and TV wires to pass behind, all the way across. The padded panel below the cabinets is removable, so you can see better once it is out of the way, how the cabinet is attached to the aluminum framework.
Good luck with your project. Post pictures when done.
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Keith, All,
Thanks for the inputs. I also spoke w/Jim Sizemore. He indicated the front cabinets in our Marquis were installed as a single unit so cutting would be necessary after I remove the bottom padded panel. I also noted that the cabinet "ceiling" is just 1/8' panel so I'll need to install a plywood panel from the aluminum frame to support the TV. Will need to do much more measuring, etc before I decide on direction to go here.
Steve
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Steve,
I am at the house here in Arizona now, and my Marquis has already had a 40 inch installed above the dash. So when you get a chance the next week or so, come over for dinner and check out the installation on our coach to see if that is what you want to do.
Gerald
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On my coach the panel under those center cabinets appears to contain the intake duct for the windshield fans that operate off a dashboard switch. Are you proposing to remove that lower panel (underneath the cabinets) or are you planning on having the TV "slide" into the opening where the 3 cabinet doors would have been? I assume you would have to build the front cabinet edge out since my cabinets aren't deep enough to hold a 40" TV (even the new ones that are virtually frameless).
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Joel,
On my coach I'm thinking about removing the 2 center cabinets (between the tube TV cabinet and the DVD cabinet). Then I'd replace the 1/8" panel ceiling with 1/2-5/8 plywood, reattach the upholstered section (currently below the 2 cabinets). I'd hang the TV from that, as close to the windshield as practical and build a cherry wood surround to finish it. I'd also have to finish the tube TV and DVD cabinet edges where I removed the center cabinets as the TV would be inset a few inches from the existing cabinet fronts. I don't plan on using any slides or swing mounts.
The only "obstruction" so to speak is the curtain track that I think I could mount on part of the TV mounting frame. The fan intakes on mine are in the tube TV cabinet so no issue there.
A couple of other thoughts are to mount a 26-32' on the door I build for the tube TV cabinet. I did this on my Contessa and it worked out well. Or, mount a 29-32" below the existing 2 center cabinets. Biggest issue for me is that whatever I decide on cannot present any "head-knocker" issues when entering or exiting the coach.
Steve
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Gerald,
THANKS for the invite! Will email you to follow up.
Steve
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Steve:
If the curtain track is in the way, consider putting in blinds and getting rid of the curtain altogether. (See my posts on installing new valences for our new blinds)
I installed TV that is small enough that it sits in front of the old tube tv cabinet, which I have used to hold the sattelite receiver, visible under the bottom of the TV, so the remote can see it and a printer that connects by wifi. So the only time teh TV has to be swung out is to put in or take out paper from the printer. This approach saved having to do major cabinetry in that location.
I find the TV to be big enough at 27`(I think, can`t get to th ecoach to measure for a couple of weeks). You can see the TV in the pictures that I posted re the valences.
Gerald, I`ll let you know when we are in the neighbourhood, so we can come see your coach over dinner too...........jusst kidding.
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Steve:
I have a 26" attached on an articulated mount; it covers the old TV cabinet opening when stowed and can swing nearly to the coach's mid-line when extended. With the newer TVs that are nearly frameless I've calculated I could replace it with a 32" with very little change. The overhead cabinets house my DirecTV DVR, a Blue-ray, a Roku and the control for the Trav'ler. I might be able to cram all that into the TV cabinet, but it would be crowded.
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Keith, Joel,
Thanks for the info. I want a permanent mount avoiding swing arms, etc. if possible. Just another possible rattle point. Cabinet wise, plan on storing my printer, DTV box and Rabbit in the tube TV cabinet. If I have a fit problem I'll leave the printer in the basement as I seldom use it anyway (or put it in the rear tube TV cabinet if I can talk the boss out of the space). I plan to replace the current big Sony DVD player with a Blue ray unit that has a smaller footprint. That plus removing the plastic front modesty panel in the DVD cabinet should yield enough room for a Roku, etc. Speaking of the rear set, I plan to hang it off the ceiling in front of the window. Looks like an easy mount that will be out of the way.
Just consulted the boss. She's voting for the 40" up front or the 32" hanging below the existing cabinets. We'll see.
Steve
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Steve:
In our bedroom, I have removed teh TV completely and put doors on its space, adding it to th e cabinet just forward Janet had it filled immediately.
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Sounds familiar.... :)
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On my coach the panel under those center cabinets appears to contain the intake duct for the windshield fans that operate off a dashboard switch. Are you proposing to remove that lower panel (underneath the cabinets) or are you planning on having the TV "slide" into the opening where the 3 cabinet doors would have been? I assume you would have to build the front cabinet edge out since my cabinets aren't deep enough to hold a 40" TV (even the new ones that are virtually frameless).
I can attest to what Joel says regarding the panel under the center cabinets. I recently took them down in order to fish the antenna wire from my roof mounted XM radio antenna. The vent covers for the intake ducts were electrical taped on the plastic ducting, so they have to come off to get the panel down. There are three big long screws (covered by the screw head buttons) that undo the panel underneath. Big PITA doing everything with your back up against the windshield sitting on the dashboard, (especially on the driver's side) but it is all back together now!
Stan
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Steve:
I have a 26" attached on an articulated mount; it covers the old TV cabinet opening when stowed and can swing nearly to the coach's mid-line when extended. With the newer TVs that are nearly frameless I've calculated I could replace it with a 32" with very little change. The overhead cabinets house my DirecTV DVR, a Blue-ray, a Roku and the control for the Trav'ler. I might be able to cram all that into the TV cabinet, but it would be crowded.
I went the same route with a 32" and it works even better than the original setup as swinging it our allows better viewing from the couch. In the original position the Bose speaker and light sconce interferes with the sight line when lounging.
As Joel mentioned, some new ones are virtually framless....plus cheap.
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Steve,
I think we met at Canyonville briefly at dinner. I did exactly what you are talking about. We have a 2000 Marquis. I raised the TV cabinet bottom to the level of the other cabinets so the line goes straight across giving the driver lots of overhead clearance. I removed the two center cabinets using a Fein saw which I also used to cut down the TV cabinet, reattaching the original upholstered bottom. I set my 40"TV up on hinges so it can be folded up against the ceiling entirely out of the way. Glenda had posted pictures of this once but they don't seem to be on the site anymore. If you send me an email address where I can reach you I will send them to you. I also made two raised panel doors to match the factiory doors on the other cabinets. You could alternately build a central cabinet to house the TV. That would be easier but would obstruct part of the drivers view.
My day time address is richard.crane@crystalco.com.
Regards,
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Richard,
THX! Sent you an email.
Steve
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Dick did you keep the padded front on the cabinet or does the new TV sit directly against the wood frame when stowed?
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Dick did you keep the padded front on the cabinet or does the new TV sit directly against the wood frame when stowed?
Ron, I keep everything the same and just added a wood brace for the articulating arm attachment point. Took a bit of fiddling to get it in the right place so it folds up properly. I do have to move the TV to open the left cabinet door but that's not a problem. Than I added a couple of 1/2 screen door latches to hold it in place when traveling.
When pulled out for viewing the left edge of the TV is just about centered with the Bose speaker and offset from coach center-line to the left so it's easy to walk around it. The fact that is's position behind the drivers seat makes the 32" view like a much larger set that would be up by the windshield.
Now Pat can lounge on the coach with a great view and I can sit in the recliner and see just as well.