Overhead monitors with sunroofs, etc.
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Mobile Video, GPS, and Navigation
Forum Discription: Mobile Video Head Units, DVD Players, LCD and TFT Monitors, Navigation, GPS, PS2, PS3, XBox, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=52270
Printed Date: July 06, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Topic: Overhead monitors with sunroofs, etc.
Posted By: FYRHWK1
Subject: Overhead monitors with sunroofs, etc.
Date Posted: March 21, 2005 at 1:36 AM
Curious to see what the general consensus is here on overhead screens in cars with overhead venting, consoles & sunroofs? Officially my companies policy is no overheads with sunroofs, however I deal with alot of newer SUV's at work, most of which come with sunroofs and many with vents and ducting in the headliner. Whenever possible we try to obtain a factory overhead mount, but in certain cars thats not possible, and we have to rely on third parties, and the only one I've found to be worthwhile is audiovox and their prefabbed overhead consoles. Are there any other companies that have solutions to these problems? Or are there any good ways to do this with steel bar & plywood? I'm sure it's just a matter of mounting the plate below the sunroof tracking, but I've always worried it would bulge the headliner down too far. Any input would be much appreciated, I'd rather be able to go into doing these with as much knowledge as possible.
Replies:
Posted By: NowYaKnow
Date Posted: March 21, 2005 at 6:27 AM
Sunroof isn't a problem and in a lot of cases they are easier than non-sunroof vehicles. The only vehicles w/ sunroofs I can think of that are pretty tight and you have to be real careful are the Volvo XC90, Buick Rendezvous, and the Grand Cherokee. Some of the fords have the rear vents right where you want to put your tv. Not a problem just remove those access vents on the sides and slide your wood/metal whatever INTO the vent you don't even have to cut the headliner. Which is good because you don't want the air leaking out of the vents.
Normally I mount the rear side of the tv (side closest to the front of the vehicle) directly into the sunroof beam, and the front side (side closest to the rear of the vehicle) to a piece of wood or metal.
The newer navigators w/ sunroof you can set a piece of 3/4" wood in there and still clear the sunshade they have a ton of room. Other cars you can get away with 1/2" or just use metal brackets. For wood I like MDF or plywood. Make sure you have wood screws though self tappers aren't gonna cut it.
Another option is to bring bolts down through the headliner, put your tv up and put nuts on the end this way nothing is sticking up and there's no chance of hitting the sunshade.
Ohh and before you cut the headliner, make sure the sunshade is closed! I've seen guys leave it open and slice right into it when cutting the headliner..
The only ones I don't like to touch are the vehicles that have had aftermarket sunroofs installed. The headliner is usually just floating there with nothing behind it for a few inches and once you cut it your kind of stuck.
Almost forgot to mention if you have a lighter overhead definately push that one for the sunroof vehicles it will make life easier. We put those heavy Audiovox overhead in (705's, 715's) for the longest time and they aren't bad, but you have to get a little more creative on bracing with the heavier TV's.
Good luck,
Mike
Posted By: 5150azn
Date Posted: March 21, 2005 at 5:00 PM
I've never been a fan of having the monitor hang on the headliner. I've had to replace 1 sunshade due to a miscalculation. When I worked for Circuit, they would always sell it and force me to do it. So I rigged some and on others I was able to space the headliner down and flush mount the monitor. But one thing I am sure about is not using wood. Because once you screw into it and pull the screw back out to drop the monitor down for what ever reason. The hole gets too big for the screw to hold. So you have to make new holes. I use abs.
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