Just thought I would share my experience doing a proper 3rd row DVD install and how much work it was

Step 1 - tear it apart completely 4-6hrs



Step 2 - route wiring and fabricate a metal brace and wooden blocks to secure dvd screen to. It was measured to sit just a hair below the headliner once it was back in. Also insulated the roof while it was all apart with some 3M Super77 spray adhesive and some commercial grade carpet underlay. It very much quieted down the noise on the highway from wind and rain, and hoping it helps keep the heat in once we hit temps in the -30's here in central Canada.



Step 3 - modify heat/ac ducting in headliner to make room for wooden blocks. (this had ZERO effect on airflow) Measure about 20 times before cutting. Had help from the boss also used heavy duty hot glue with a 40w gun to re-seal the entire ducting around the edges, most of them were leaking after 280,000 km.





Step 4 - re-install headliner and hope your measurements were right! I absolutely nailed it but yeah I measured repeatedly. Its a lot of work and a 2-person job to install/remove headliner so didnt want to do it twice. Then connected and secured DVD screen (this one has self-contained dvd player)



Step 6 - (my preferences). I installed wired headphone jacks for 3rd row passengers, as we made this system totally independent from the middle row. Reason being is my 2 younger kids, who need all the assistance, are in the 2nd row close to the driver and passenger. My older 2 kids sit in the back and are old/big enough to manage things on their own, and was really tired of dead/frozen batteries in our last vehicle, so went with hardwired this time.

Also installed a switch to turn off the rearmost speakers when needed in the back. Kids switch them off when they are watching a movie, switch them back on if they want to watch the middle row dvd or listen to what music is playing up front.




Overall took me probably 24 hours of actual work time, but now everything functions exactly how I want it to. I used to do this kind of stuff for a living so wasn't scared of it one bit.

I am currently using a JVC dvd head unit up front as well, which works great with my back-up camera I hardwired and running the movies for the middle row.




Not really a how-to but just sharing my ideas. Enjoy

 

Well done! I put in a Kenwood ddx3 up front, didn't do anything to the rear yet. Still need to put in a reverse camera too, I've been relying only on the sensors which occasionally act up...

 

Nice job your going to have to do my Excursion I need one for the center section
Regardless nice attention to detail.

 

Very nice work and write up!

 

Heres a more clear shot, polished the lens on my phone's camera

 

Wow, that's a lot of work!!!

I might farm out my TV unit install to a shop...

 

Yeah there are a lot of "quick n dirty" ways of doing it, but I plan to keep this vehicle for a long time so no way I was cheaping out. Espescially when fastening the screen to the roof. Seen quite a few that were just fastened to the headliner... such a hack-job way of doing it.

We needed legroom with kids growing up, came from a Chrysler minivan that had 3 screens and 2 dvd players factory....so I was really missing all those features. Now we have it better than the "old" minivan lol.

 

Great looking work!!
Do you think the carpet underlay would ever have problems with moisture?Have you ever done any other sound deadening on your Ex? I would like to do some sound deadening on mine and I am not sure where the best place would be to start and what to use. I have been looking at some of the other sound deadeners but find them quite pricy.


Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks,

Rob

 

Underlay I used was moisture/mold resistant stuff.

I have used this deadening for years with amazing results and 1/2 the cost of Dynamat Sound Deadening Materials ? B-Quiet

I have a roll in my shop to do the floor of the Ex but havent had time to do it yet. But results have been fantastic on everything I use the stuff on.

I am going to try some absorbent under the hood and fender wells too, maybe this winter when I have time. B-Quiet Hliner

 

That's nice work; I'm going to rip apart mine for a middle section installation
what can you advise for me when running the rear camera and amp cables?
best run for the camera, where did you pull power for your camera?

 

Ran camera cable down the passenger side and all the way to the back under the plastic panels. Power (for most backup cameras) was connected directly to the backup lamp. Function being - when you put it in reverse, it powers up the camera and gives a 12v+ signal to your deck to let it know to switch to camera view. Make sense?

I dont have any amps currently but there are lots of ways to do that.

 

Great work. I want to do the same thing but for the heat. I am in Texas and it get hot and stays hot. I also have 4 kids so a third row lcd would be ideal. How hard is it to remove all of the plastic interior pieces without braking stuff? That is my main concern. I would hate to do all of that work and have an added rattle or noise afterwards.

 

Its a ford. I have never broke a panel or plastic piece on a ford. Back in my car audio days it was anything chev/gmc that would break plastic clips. We had a "chevy" bucket full of replacement clips, and lots of epoxy!

That being said, NO, none of the clips broke on the Ex. Keep in mind this is a big job that could take an entire weekend. If it was me and I lived in a hot climate, I would do a layer of sound deadening, and a layer of 1/2" xps insulation on your roof, instead of carpet underlay like I did. Just my 2c.

Have you seen the MAX a/c mod also? good luck