Flip down DVD....can I go aftermarket?

[Lukas42]

I have a stock 03' Yukon Denali, and it has the factory flipdown DVD. Long story short, my wife "forced" a dvd into it, and it will not eject it now. I was going to just replace the whole unit with something bigger (15" or so), but the local audio shop said that the only thing I could do is go back to the stock unit because of the hump in the roof. Is this the case? Has anyone done otherwise? Any help I can get would be great..we're leaving for the mountains in 2 weeks, and I'd like to have something done before then.

 

[Boomer73]

A couple thoughts:

1. Why don't you replace the damaged unit with an identical factory unit? That's the fastest fix it - totally plug and play.

2. You can install an after market unit, the hump isn't really a problem. There are roof stiffeners and reinforcement rails for the overhead equipment up under the headliner. There are shrouds/trims for large aftermarket video units that will conform to the ceiling. 2 weeks to get your new unit, fit it, figure out the electrical (its not going to be plug and play), and be ready to go for your trip is a pretty short time frame. You better get it right the first time.

3. You can pull the factory unit (which frankly I never thought was very good), reinforcement bars, and headliner and replace it with the base model headliner and install headrest dvd player/monitors. That way there's nothing to obstruct your rear view when someone wants to watch a movie and you have a nice smooth headliner. This job requires you remove the back two rows of seats, and all the interior trim including the dash board (to disconnect the headliner wiring harness). Its a lot of work, but its not technically complex. I just finished doing something like this (except I mounted an aftermarket 10.4" roof unit and had my headliner recovered) and I'd do it again without a doubt.

-B

 

[brasskey]

I had my factory DVD player/monitor in my 2003 Tahoe die a while back. I went through many ideas before settling with an aftermarket unit thus having to figure out something for the hole left in the headliner.

I agree with the previous post on replacing with a factory unit for the fastest fix. You can get one on ebay fairly cheaply ($250-300). But, I thought why not spend a few extra bucks and get a better (and bigger) screen? I ended up getting a great deal on an Alpine PKG-RSE2 (10.1" vs. factory 7") so I next went figuring out how to install.

I didn't want to do all the headliner work as described above. The work itself didn't bother me, but buying a replacement factory headliner (without hole for DVD unit) from the dealer was more than my Alpine unit. I searched local junkyards (seeking a better price) for a similar model Tahoe/Yukon but couldn't ever locate one after a few weeks of trying. It just wasn't worth the money for me to replace the headliner.

Next, as Boomer mentioned, I looked for shouds/trim rings/replacement overhead consoles to fit over the hole. I found a few manufacterers that make them - Myron & Davis (http://tinyurl.com/28q8blo) and Audiovox (http://tinyurl.com/2ejousf). But, I called every dealer I could find online that referenced these (or similar) units and each one said they are no longer produced. I guess they just move on to newer model cars.

So, that left me with making my own, which actually was pretty easy. I made the console out of 3/4" plywood, wrapped in foam, then wrapped in vinyl (which matches the other plastic interior trim pieces).

 

[Lukas42]

That was my thoughts on going aftermarket..for just a little more money, I can get bigger and better, I just didn't know what it would take to get it installed. The one you have looks really good, and about the size I'd like to go with (nothing too big.) What exactly did you have to do to make the console, and it's purpose is to cover a hole? What was involved in wiring it up? Difficult? I appreciate the help...

 

[brasskey]

That was my thoughts on going aftermarket..for just a little more money, I can get bigger and better, I just didn't know what it would take to get it installed. The one you have looks really good, and about the size I'd like to go with (nothing too big.) What exactly did you have to do to make the console, and it's purpose is to cover a hole? What was involved in wiring it up? Difficult? I appreciate the help...

Not too difficult. Just a little time consuming. The longest part is making the console.

What I did first to make the console was take the old factory one down and trace around the unit (the top part that touches the headliner) on a piece of plywood (so I could see what size it took to cover the hole). I then took the Alpine unit and placed it on the plywood where the old screen was. I traced around that unit. Next, I drew about a half inch line on all sides of where the Alpine unit was going to leave a little overhang for the vinyl. Once I had this outline of the console, I took a router and recessed the area where the Alpine unit was going about 1/4". Then, I cut out the new console and drilled holes for the mounting bolts. I ended up using the same four factory bolt holes to intall the new unit. I just had to get a different length bolts. I also had to cut a few holes out in the rececessed part of the console for the power and video cables. Next, I covered it in foam and vinyl (except the recessed part). It was then mounted onto the headliner. The alpine mounting plate was then screwed onto the console and then the unit mounted (I test fitted the unit and mounting plate before installing to make sure I put the mounting plate in the correct place. I traced around the plate to make sure it didn't get off by much).

Wiring it up was really easy. I found a diagram (through a user on another forum) of the stock wires coming from the headliner (I'll post it below). I just tapped into the battery and ground wires for power. I did have to run a wire back to the fuse panel for switched ACC (ignition) power. That was really easy though as I didn't have to pull the headliner. I just fished it over to the drivers side plastic panel by the windshield and then down to the fuse panel.

 

[Boomer73]

Give Roger a call and see what trim rings he has for your application. He helped me out with my latest project:


Roger Hughes
254-694-9247 Office
[email protected]

 

[sumo]

Brass i have that Alpine one in my truck and it friggin sweet. Kids love it and the screen size and resolution is superb

 

[brasskey]

Give Roger a call and see what trim rings he has for your application. He helped me out with my latest project:


Roger Hughes
254-694-9247 Office
[email protected]

Roger is actually one of the people I contacted. Below is the email I sent and his response to me back in December '09.

My Email
"I have a 2003 Tahoe with a stock overhead DVD player but it died and I would like to replace it with a larger screen. Only problem is that the housing for the stock player leaves a huge hole in the headliner. I came across a console for a larger model that seems to be made by your company - Model SD290A07. Is this still made? If not, do you have any other options that would work for my problem? Thanks."

Roger's response
"... I am sorry but all our old models have been discontinued. You should review the Audiovox website they may have a solution large enough to cover the hole.

RDH Enterprises
Roger Hughes
214-957-3099 Cell
254-694-9247 Office
214-540-9481 Fax
[email protected]
[email protected]





Again, I reviewed the Audiovox options as he suggested but the ones I was looking for were discontinued. Maybe he came across something that might work for you, but I highly doubt it.



---------- Post added at 11:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 PM ----------

Brass i have that Alpine one in my truck and it friggin sweet. Kids love it and the screen size and resolution is superb

I love it too. I've only had it in for a few weeks. Can't wait to make good use of it.

 

[Lukas42]

Probably a dumb question, but it still works through your factory speakers, right?

 

[Boomer73]

Maybe he came across something that might work for you, but I highly doubt it.

Well that's too bad. He did hook me up with a trim that worked great for my application (I'll post pictures as soon as I finish my detailing) and I have an '05 Tahoe. I would keep an eye on ebay as I see Salient, Audiovox, Myron & Davis, and KEC trims, displays, and other parts deeply discounted all the time. I got my trim for $150 in shale. I saw a gray one that was otherwise identical to mine go on ebay a couple of months ago for $24 - new.

-B