What's a trend that was hot, is hot, and shows no signs of getting cold? Headrest monitors just make good-customizing sense. Monitor prices have dropped considerably with new technologies, most newer head units can support several monitors without the addition of signal boosters, and as we have found after visiting AudioToyz, in Las Flores, California, these type of monitors are simple to install.
We're sure you've seen the headrest replacements that include a monitor, some even with built-in DVD players, complete with matching colors and textures for sale. Also, companies like Roadwire, from Classic Soft Trim, sell replacement leather seat covers that include monitors. Those work and look great, however, what if your truck doesn't have headrests that are removable? The answer is: do it yourself.
We'll show you the easy and safe way of how to add two 7-inch DEI headrest monitors into the back of your seats. It's not hard, especially after watching Jesse from AudioToyz add them to our Project Sinatra F-150.
Starting with two 7-inch DEI...
Starting with two 7-inch DEI monitors, all parts were accounted for and it was off to video heaven.
Jesse from AudioToyz in Las...
Jesse from AudioToyz in Las Flores, California, began the install by tracing the inside of the plastic shell of the monitor after it was centered in the seatback. Notice how he used a pencil, so it could easily be removed if necessary, and he traced the inside, not the outside.
There was no turning back...
There was no turning back now. Jesse used a new razor blade to cut a small "X" into the center of the traced rectangle. He started off with a small cut to ensure the material would wrap around the monitor mount.
After sliding the plastic...
After sliding the plastic mount inside the leather, screws were drilled into the foam to keep the monitor secure.
With the mount secured, Jesse...
With the mount secured, Jesse was able to enlarge the "X," which brought the cut lines about a 1/2-inch from the corners.
Now, it was time to run the...
Now, it was time to run the video cables down the side of the seat.
A couple of hard presses and...
A couple of hard presses and the new HVM700 DEI monitor was mounted.
Next, Jesse ran the wires...
Next, Jesse ran the wires under the seat, under the carpet, and up to the head unit. As you can see, the wires supplied in the kit were too short, so Jesse simply cut some extra wire to extend it. RCA cables were not cut, just extended by using longer RCAs.
With the Pioneer D3 head unit...
With the Pioneer D3 head unit pulled out, Jesse used a "Y" adapter to splice the two monitor feed wires into the one video output RCA. Each RCA connection was wrapped with electrical tape to ensure they wouldn't come loose while driving.
On the driver side, a random...
On the driver side, a random piece of steel was found after the leather was cut. A grinder was used to remove the welds and an air saw cut the remaining steel out of the seat. The same procedure was then followed to mount the monitor.