Headrest monitor installation

[Big Tone]

I have looking on eBay to see what the going price is for headrest monitors and see some nice deals. I'm more interested in buying a headrest with the monitor already installed. Can anyone tell me how to install them? I know the wires run down through the pole, but I don't know how to get the wired through the seat! I'm really having a ball with doing some of this work by myself and since I was able to get the head unit installed on my own I figured this couldn't be any more difficult. Am I wrong? Here's a link to one of the auctions:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-x-INNOVA...wItem

So far, these are the only headrests I've seen where the seller states the headrests are leather. My assumption is a lot of the other ones are vinyl. I'm not against buying some used J30 headrests and trying to install LCDs in those, but I don't want to risk ruining my own headrests on that kind of experiment! Any ideas and advice is welcome!

[DominickJ30]

I wouldnt try installing monitors in the J headrests, they are defenitely too small.

Just buy the pair on ebay, and to install them you have to remove the panel on the back of the seat. That will give you good access to the headrests.

[Big Tone]

Thanks for the info! My only concern with the eBay units is I've only seen one company that states they sell leather headrests, the rest appear to be vinyl. The problem with that company is they are in Canada and people who buy from them have had to pay duties up to $50 extra! I just have to keep looking, I guess.

I must have some mod bug because I continue to come up with ideas on how to change the car. I found a company in the city that will install an automatic start that lets you either start the car from the remote using the conventional method, or you can call a phone number! There is no monthly maintenance fee, either! $250 installed. I'm seriously considering it.

How can I be sure that the headrests these companies are selling will actually match the seat?

[Big Tone]

I just confirmed that most of the headrests on eBay are vinyl. I REFUSE to use vinyl. IT makes no sense to me. I'm going to take some measurements and see exatly what will fit in the J headrests. If I can get a 7" LCD in there then it's a go. If not, I'll have to figure something else out.

[devis]

Off note but if in the very unfortunate event that you get in a frontal crash and you have passengers in the back without seatbelts, you know where their foreheads are going right? Smack in the middle of them LCDs...

But I sincerely hope that you won't have to face that problem, ever.

[brandonjustice93J30]

Only $250 for that remote start installed?...hrrrm...Looks like I may be making a trip to to Chicago this spring. Do they offer alarms to integrate with that?

As far as it matching the colors, see if you can contact the manufacturer or seller directly and see if they can send you a piece of the leather they use on the headrests. If they want the sell, then they should accomodate you. If not I'd look other places, b/c if they cant do that much for you, then I'd be skeptical on their warranty/replacement service.

[Big Tone]

I agree with you about being able to ensure they will match. The more I think about it the more I'm tempted to buy another set of OEM headrests and see if I can install LCDs in those.

As far as the automatic start, I can double check, but I'm pretty sure the alarm is included. The owner of the shop is a very nice, but they get pretty busy so if you are interested, I'll track down the contact info for you so you can call him. I HIGHLY advise you make an appointment with them before you go. They are located on 79th street and have little to no space to work now that a strip mall has been built right next door to them.

[brandonjustice93J30]

I've seen monitors at Fry's Electronics for around $150 here in Indy, some maybe a bit more depending on size. But I know they had either 5 or 6 inchers that would possibly fit into the stock headrests for right around $150. At least that's what I remember from my last trip there. Might find them less on EBay. But there's another option for you to check out I just remembered.

That would be great on that info for the remote start, and I like smaller shops they tend to give you better deals and are a lot nicer people.

Yeah of course I'd make an appt for the install. I know my fiance wants to hit Chicago for a weekend sometime this spring/summer and that would be perfect opportunity to get it done. Take both cars and maybe surprise her with one too. If I can work the OT and get the spare cash to do both.

Thanks in advance.

[Big Tone]

Good deal. The store is called Safe and Sound. They are located at 317 West 79th Street in Chicago. The phone number is 773-651-6009. I forget the owner's name, but I'll get it and post it.

I'll have to do some measuring to see how big a monitor I can fit. I'd really like to get a 7" in there!

[brandonjustice93J30]

Thanks again man.

Keep us updated on that headrest install, b/c I've been thinking about it myself since I have a 4 year old. Would keep her occupied on trips.

[Big Tone]

Thanks again man.

Keep us updated on that headrest install, b/c I've been thinking about it myself since I have a 4 year old. Would keep her occupied on trips.

I have a two year old and that's exactly why I'm thinking about giving it a shot. I'm going to take some measurements today and see what will fit.

[Sarcastik]

<IMG SRC= "http://www.sarcastik.com/j30/DSC01069.JPG">

Yes, they fit just fine. 5.6 Inch monitors. People act like I don't even exist on this forum for some reason...

[Sarcastik]

[Big Tone]

Looks good! I need to compare the specs for the 5.6" and the 7" wide screen. It seems to be close to the same height as the 5.6, just longer. It looks like I might be able to sqeeze another 1/2" in there on the height. I've been looking at a few 5.6" monitors, too, just in case the 7" won't work. Thanks for the pics!

[brandonjustice93J30]

http://www.mp3car.com/store/pr...id=77

me and one of my friends are bored at work today looking around at things...check this out if it will fit... 7" screen(new and not from EBay) for $130

[Big Tone]

http://www.mp3car.com/store/pr...id=77

me and one of my friends are bored at work today looking around at things...check this out if it will fit... 7" screen(new and not from EBay) for $130

http://www.mp3car.com/store/pr...id=77

me and one of my friends are bored at work today looking around at things...check this out if it will fit... 7" screen(new and not from EBay) for $130

Looks good! I saw these on eBay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1

2 headrest LCDs and IR remotes:

2 pairs of wireless headphones:

The package also comes with the installation kit + instructions to install the screens in the headrest. Total price including shipping is $330. I'm thinking of stuff I can sell on eBay as we speak! Unfortunately I don't think I have too much good stuff left. I have an old Kenwood cassette receiver and 12 disc cd changer set, but I don't have the wire harness

I like that this set comes with IR headsets because my receiver allows two different programs to run at the same time. I can be listening to the radio in the front while my son can watch his favorite DVD in the back. I just need to figure out how to connect a CD or DVD changer to my system. I don't have CD changer controls, but I do have 1 set of RCA AUX input. Are there any DVD or CD changers that connect that way?

[Sarcastik]

Those are definitly hot and I know you're in chi and I am in the bay, but chicago is still a big city. If you search craigslists, personal installers with pictures of their work, or just shops out to undercut the compeition you might be able to find a deal like I did. No one really believes me on the price I paid for the tvs, but come to think I think I have the bill in my car or laying around somewhere. If I do I will scan and post it. Where I live all the audio shops are usually bunched together on one block and I went to 3 or 4 different cities and maybe 12 shops, but it was worth it.

[Big Tone]

The problem in Chicago is most of the shops buy from people on either the east or west coast, where the products arrive from other countries. RIms cost so much out here it's ridiculous. Back in 94 I had a set of roadsters I bought from San Fernando Wheel for like $1000 with tires. Shops out here wanted $600 a wheel and $700 per wheel with tires! THe same goes for electronics. I get better prices online from shops on the east or west coast and save money on labor by doing the work myself.