[BrainBucket]

Without an entertainment option for the wagons yet and an $1100 quote from Car Toys I set out to make my own system. I am pleased with some things I have done and would probably change a few others.

I wanted a Blu-Ray and a good TV. There are very limited options for Blu-Ray in the car audio world. I had 2 plug-in power inverters, and with our family vacay less than a week away, I opted to get a TV and use our home stuff. I used a makeshift mount from floor to ceiling and used ratchet tie downs to hold it forward for the trip. That worked great but when we returned home I was looking for a more permanent solution.

I made a mount out of 1" square tubing and 1/8" plate and got a folding mount for it. This is the one: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Mount-It-Folding-Cabinet-Ceiling-37-inches/dp/B00CO753UY/ref=pd_sim_229_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0P7QRYZTN09893VFDCG4&dpID=31OsnipkNvL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR170%2C320_[/ame]

The TV is a 32" Vizio and allows the rear view mirror to still be used while in use. I also installed a Rockford Fosgate 5 channel amp (P1000X5D) and put it in the side panel behind the front seat. I built a small sub box according to specs for a Rockford Fosgate 12" subwoofer (P3D2-12) and a shelf for storage in the back. I am still finishing the speaker mounts and then the headliner will go back in. I have attached some pictures of my progress.

If I had to do it over, I might find a 12v TV solution. Best Buy carrier Insignia as a house brand an a lot of those have the 12v brick and so you could just cut the cord after the power brick and wire it into your existing electrical. The reason I didn't do that was because I wanted an inverter anyway for other things, including hooking up a game console from time to time for my 5 kiddos. So, I still have to finish up the inverter, hide all the wires etc.

 

[airmengarrettm]

BrainBucket, I look forward to your finished product. I'm interested in your setup once I make my Transit purchase in the future.

 

[airmengarrettm]

I made a mount out of 1" square tubing and 1/8" plate and got a folding mount for it. This is the one: http://www.amazon.com/Mount-It-Fold...nipkNvL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR170,320_

The TV is a 32" Vizio and allows the rear view mirror to still be used while in use. I also installed a Rockford Fosgate 5 channel amp (P1000X5D) and put it in the side panel behind the front seat. I built a small sub box according to specs for a Rockford Fosgate 12" subwoofer (P3D2-12) and a shelf for storage in the back. I am still finishing the speaker mounts and then the headliner will go back in. I have attached some pictures of my progress.

BrainBucket,

I hope you haven't left the forum!
I'd love to see your finished or partial progress if you haven't finished.
You've done some things that I think would be very fun to add to a Transit Wagon...although I don't think I'd go with a 32" even though it's probably perfect size for the 4th row seat!
Can you post additional pics please?!

 

[BrainBucket]

Sorry for the delayed response. Since we haven't had any trips recently my project stalled a little. But we are gearing up for a trip to Disney, Lego, NASA in Florida and so I will get it done and closed up soon.

Around Halloween I made shelves in the back and covered them with carpet like the Subwoofer enclosure I made. Today the inverter came and I mounted it. I need to grab two additional ring terminals for the fuse and it will be test time.

I went with a 1000W Xantrex because it fit in the side panel. 2000 would fit vertically but they don't recommend that and I figured 1000W will run everything I plan on using.

I added a connection point with HDMI input and RCA input so we can connect the Xbox One if we want to.

I can't seem to post pics from my phone.

Try Flickr for my pics. If not I will try to post some from the computer.
https://flic.kr/p/Ex6iwt
https://flic.kr/p/EmDizJ
https://flic.kr/p/DYAZwT

 

[ilovehotshot]

I am in awe of all the great things that people are doing with their transits. Thanks for posting BrainBucket.

 

[airmengarrettm]

Wow BrainBucket!
Did you get a quote simply to save yourself some time, because your photos look as though a professional did the work!
Keep updating us, I'm fascinated by your set-up!

 

[BrainBucket]

Thanks for the kind words. The quote actually was a time vs. cost analysis. Last summer's trip was looming and we just got the van. The dealer said Car Toys gives "dealer's pricing" for their customers and so my wife headed on over there. My wife called me at work from the store and told me they wanted $1100 for a 10" screen. I asked if they had anything larger and they would have to order it and cost would be more. So, the quote became my noodling budget.

I told my wife I could get a big TV and stereo for that price. I have largely succeeded. The two overhead 6x9 speakers, the TV, Blu-ray, and the inverter are all stand alone. You can play the Blu-ray and TV off the inverter through the TV speakers, or through the overhead speakers and still fade the factory stereo to the front if the driver wants music while the kids watch. The equalizer in the overhead shelf controls the volume and sound of those speakers and selects between the Aux input I added and the TV sound. The 32" Vizio TV has an RCA out for second audio (very rare now). This allowed me to use a standard car audio amp to drive those speakers. Otherwise you would have to go with a digital sound processor which is very expensive to run an optical out of the Blu-ray or TV for your audio source. We can hook up any HDMI device and have power to run it. We have Xbox One, but don't want it to stay in the van all the time, so we have the other Blu-ray which is super light weight. I think my overhead shelf is not as sturdy as some others because I didn't like the idea of mounting to it. It moves pretty easily in the middle.

So, here is the rundown of what it turned out to be in the end.

Car Toys 10" flip down DVD screen playing through factory speakers
$1100 + tax
Total: $1190.75
vs.
My solution:
32" Vizio TV $220 on Sale
http://www.walmart.com/ip/VIZIO-E32-C1-32-Class-1080p-120Hz-Full-Array-LED-Smart-HDTV/43310242

Sony Blu-ray $85
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-BDP-S3500-2D-Blu-ray-Player-with-WiFi/43945969

Rockford Fosgate Sub (P3D2-12 $150
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Rockfor...962232?hash=item3f5077b5b8:g:JPAAAOSwMmBVqa0u

Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5D 5-channel 1000w RMS amp $305 used on eBay
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-u87mVCQ8i89/p_575P1000X5/Rockford-Fosgate-Punch-P1000X5D.html

Xantrex 1000W pure sine inverter and remote on with ignition lockout switch $235
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-806-1210-PROwatt-1000-Inverter/dp/B002I04A74/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1456871104&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=xantrex+psw[/ame]

Folding Mount $40
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Mount-It-MI-4222-Ceiling-Kitchen-Retractable/dp/B00CO753UY[/ame]

Audiopipe 9 band exqualizer $45
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/inde...scplp7957432&gclid=CNvslbbEoMsCFZWFaQod_6AEbQ

Oxygen free cable 4awg for inverter and amp power plus fuses and fittings $80.

Quality HDMI cables x 2, RCA cables x4, power receptical, RCA/HDMI input and miscellaneous bolts, 1x steel tube, 1/8" plate etc. $75

Infiniti Cappa 6x9 from my closet circa 1998 FREE!!?!?

Grand total $1235. In your face Car Toys!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, if I had to do it again, I might just stick with a 12v TV and use the factory audio. It certainly would save a ton of time and $. That setup would look something like this.

TV by Axess $204, or a more expensive Jensen $540
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Axess-32-Inch-Digital-Includes-TVD1801-32/dp/B00BCS1XZ0[/ame]

Mount, cable to tap into Aux port and miscellaneous hardware. ~$65

That would be between $270 and $600. But then my son wouldn't call it the MMC or Mobile Man Cave and ask me to play "Turn Down for What" all the time!

Seriously, the sound is like a movie theater. Kids love it.

 

[Lovemysan]

Do you have any issues the with tv movement or vibrations while watching and driving?

 

[BrainBucket]

I have not had any problems. There really are no notable issues. I don't think I could have made it any stronger. I will try to shoot some video this weekend maybe to give a visual of how it works.