2012 Dodge Journey Headrest Monitors

I have a customer that would like to add rear seat video in a 2012 Dodge Journey. I could install a overhead flip-down monitor but I would have to relocate the rear seat climate controls. I would rather not deal with the hassle of the relocation and the customer doesn't really care to pay for the extra labor to do so. I would like to add pre-fabed headrest monitors but the vehicle is equipped with active headrests. So my question is does anyone know of a company that makes replacement monitors for vehicles with active headrests? Is there a way that I can place a resistor in the 2-pin active headrest monitor plug so the vehicle thinks the factory headrests are there and the rest of the airbag system isn't disabled. I tried unplugging the active headrests and starting the vehicle and the airbag light pops up on the dash. Has anyone had any experience with the active headrests? I know I can probably make a template to mount a screen on the backside of the factory headrest but I would like to find a less labor intensive solution. Any advice?

-------------
I drink current, eat ohms, and bleed voltage

I think you're S.O.L. Best bet is probably to just make a template as you said. But cant you just cut into the headrest and pressure fit the monitor into the headrest provided you have enough room to fit the monitor in there depth wise.

-------------
BP

I can't cut out the back of the headrests because the whole thing is a place shield that protects the mechanism for the active headrest. From what I have gathered, the active headrests are designed to prevent head injuries caused by a person(s) getting into an accident and the front passengers heads are thrown back against the headrests. Of course, the airbags must deploy in order to activate the active headrests.

-------------
I drink current, eat ohms, and bleed voltage

Oh, okay. Yeah, then I think the only thing I think you can do at this point is just make a template for the monitor unfortunately. But wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just move the climate controls provided there aren't any HVAC lines going to the controls in the back and mount the overhead instead?

-------------
BP

Yeah it would be cheaper. I was just throwing ideas out there to see if anyone has tackled this obstacle. I'm thinking that relocating the climate controls is gonna be my only option provided there isn't any other aftermarket solution. FYI, there aren't any HVAC lines in the headliner on this vehicle.

-------------
I drink current, eat ohms, and bleed voltage

Ok. I would just do the relocation of the climate controls therefore if anything happens later down the road with the SRS system, on the customers end, they can never blame it on you. So yeah, your best bet is to just relocate the controls and put the overhead in its place, BUT I would get some sort of consent from the customer stating you hold no liability nor responsibility for any damages as if the customer decides to change their mind after the install, you aren't stuck paying for new panels that you had to modify for the controls, as well as the headliner. Just my $.02. Good luck and post some pictures of it when you're all done.

-------------
BP

Thanks for your $0.20 lol. I will talk to the customer and see what they want to do. Hopefully its a go and I'll have the chance to post some pictures.

-------------
I drink current, eat ohms, and bleed voltage

We do these all the time. Rosen makes a system for this car(same as the Caravan and some Mercedes active headrests) that mounts to the posts instead of the headrest itself. They never touch anything above the plastic that the posts slide into. Check out this link...

https://www.rosenentertainment.com/AV7700%20Sell%20Sheet%20-%20Oct%202011.pdf

-------------
Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

I have seen screens that mount like that from every brand and every budget, but I personally think they look really, REALLY chinsey and cheap. But to each their own and it is entirely up to the customer to see if they want it. Even Pyle makes them and the picture is just as good as Rosen...just because they are such small screens, you wont notice a difference between an expensive brand and a cheap brand, at least not much of a difference and I have had Rosen and Pyle lol that's how I know.

-------------
BP

Thanks for the input. I wasn't aware that these were available. I'll have to do some further research and see how the customer feels about them. By the way, does anyone have a install manual for the Rosen AV7700? I couldn't find one via Google or on Rosen's website.

-------------
I drink current, eat ohms, and bleed voltage

Pyle and Rosen comparison? Not likely. The screen on the Rosen is far superior. These have been built by Rosen and sold by Mercedes for years under the Mercedes name. Rosen also made screens for Boeing for years.

The monitors you buy from Rosen are the identical ones you get from the Mercedes parts for a dealer installation with a Rosen name attached to it.

As for install, a little tricky on the first one but not bad at all. The plastic clips that hold the monitor slip under the factory posts, then the monitor slips on to them. You don't have to disassemble the factory headrests at all. Just pull the seatback to run the wires.

-------------
Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

Once the screens are adjusted they are very close. Obviously, which I didn't say in my last post, is the difference isn't really work the several hundred dollar difference because one they're all adjusted for the brightness and contrast and color, they cant be told apart that easily provided you don't see the brand, but again to each their own.

-------------
BP