[Losmega]

I have a 2005 Esv and i have two cadillac headrest with lcd dvd monitors installed. the monitors can push out so you can insert whatever dvd inside each individual unit. I recently moved some furniture and it messed up the screens. Both screens look fine while they are off but once on it looks like somebody took a phillips screwdriver to them, its a disaster!!! Is there a way to remove the screens and install two new ones or do i have to order the whole damn headrest again??? If So where can i get the best price on the ones with the caddy headrest?

 

[Sloppy D]

The screens themelves can be replaced depending on the models you have, it is a serious PIA your best bet is replacement. If you need the complete DVD system, Ebay will be your most affordable route finding some slightly used, If you don't need the dvd I.E your head unit controls the DVD you can simply buy some LCD's off of Ebay and replace your current complete system with the new screens minus the DVD Part.

 

[Losmega]

thanks Sloppy, that gives me alittle more hope, i didnt realize how sensitive those monitors are, very expensive lesson learned. I will take the truck to a shop here in philly to make sure they can take out and replace the unit i purchase. Thanks again!!

 

[oldworld]

I have a post from a few days earlier..........."head rest DVD's" that you might want to read.
Replacements from dealer are about $1800 plus.
Locally you might be able to get it done for $1500 or so.

If you simply replace them with exact caddy leather color and emblem, I found a source to buy them at $599, and I was asking anyone else here if they were interested in a group purchase, so maybe we could get a better group price.

Also, there are interfaces that allow that signal to be shown on your factory nav screen as well. Trying a group buy on that as well.

 

[Losmega]

Thanks old world, I did alittle running around today to different car audio spots here in philly, most places said no way to replacing them, one place said he is going to contact visuallogic to see if he can order the screens, i should know by tomorrow. If not I will be willing to do a group buy, i assume your talking of the envisions? Another option since im thinking of putting suede on the headliner is buy some after market monitors for cheap and take them to an upholstry shop and have them suede cover the headrest and embrioder the emblem, i found somewhere that will do the whole thing for around $600 including the monitors....

 

[Sloppy D]

Los,

Another option you have is if you dont need the unit that has the DVD player built into each headrest, and you just have the monitors, don't waste your money on buying a complete system or paying an upholstery shop to do it. They are super easy to do yourself. I have made countless sets and can say that even the novice can do them in an Escalade the headrest is super easy to work with and mount to. I will gladly give you a step by step if need be, but the first step is to go to ebay and grab a set of headrests, if you keep your eyes out you can find them for 30.00 to 75.00. then buy a set of monitors, I have a set of farenheit's in the caddy that I think where right under 200.00, you can have a complete set for the cost of the screens and the headrest no additional cost, if you want a little better monitor I bought a set of Alpines that I put in the wife's car that I picked up for right around 400.00 there is a night and day difference for me but the kids cant really tell or care as far as I know and the farenheit's are a good monitor. If you want headphones make sure that you buy a set with IR my farenheits are not the alpines are or with a headphone jack that you can plug a set in hardwired. There are IR complete kits available with monitors and headphones for a couple hundred bucks. Let me know if you need any help if you go this route I can try to get you some picks but if you simply need the monitors they truly are super easy.

 

[Sloppy D]

Here is an example with IR

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-New-RCA-RC80H...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[Losmega]

sloppy,

thanks for the advice, i saw the link and the monitors sold farely cheap ($170). I would need to see pics on how to install, my hunt begins now, any info or pics would be great. If its a 1,2,3 thing then i will probably go that route. i have been seeing headrest for sale so that shouldnt be a prob. Thanks for the idea!!!

 

[Sloppy D]

Here is a basic how to. If you need more detailed info I can pull one of mine out this week and give you some pics. It really is this simple. get your headrest and your monitors. Place your monitor housing on the headrest trace it and draw an X. Cut the X with a razorblade. Then remove whatever depth of foam you want from that square until they are at the flush level you want. Place the housing and screw it into the headrest backing. either run your wiring down the headrest pole or beside it. use a coat hanger or long rod to take the wiring from the top of the seat through the back to the bottom and wire it up from there. Place monitor in the bezel and There you have it 250.00 headrest monitors. Give it a try you will be glad you did. If they get busted again its a much cheaper fix. I have an EXT and use the midgate religiously I have replaced 3 monitors and this makes it alot easier to deal with when you can fix it yourself.


http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cda/a...IY_13690_4303447_ARTICLE-DETAIL-PRINT,00.html

 

[oldworld]

Here is my take on cutting up my original headrests............NO WAY.
I can buy exact leather match, color match, even with the cadillac crest........with 2 new screens both with DVD's, two wireless headsets and two wireless remotes delivered for under $600.
And I still have my original headrests that I can easily put back in and remove the monitor ones when I ever sell the vehicle, and sell them by themselves.
These add ons are really not worth much when selling the vehicle, but very easy to sell elsewhere for just about what you paid for them.
Why cut them up, install new monitors and then use a separate DVD??
To me...............NO WAY :thepan:

 

[Sloppy D]

Just had to say, you might want to read the article a little closer, I have never had to cut my OEM headreasts, as I usually buy another set on ebay so that I still have my originals for resale. Your are correct these do not add much to the resale of the vehicle but when you do sale the vehicle you can usually sale your 2 to 3 hundred dollar headrests on ebay for 4 to 5 hundred thats what I like to call profit. Plus I like the option of putting what ever screen I want in the headrest I can go 7, 8, or 9 inch and just about any screen I have seen from Kenwood, Alpine, even Farenheit generally has better pixel depth than any visualogic I have had. Just wanted to clarify this is a way to have the screens you want, actually make a profit on them when you go to sale and still have the factory OEM headrests, I have done this in every vehicle I have owned for the last 6 years and actually always turned a profit on my screens.

Here is my take on cutting up my original headrests............NO WAY.
I can buy exact leather match, color match, even with the cadillac crest........with 2 new screens both with DVD's, two wireless headsets and two wireless remotes delivered for under $600.
And I still have my original headrests that I can easily put back in and remove the monitor ones when I ever sell the vehicle, and sell them by themselves.
These add ons are really not worth much when selling the vehicle, but very easy to sell elsewhere for just about what you paid for them.
Why cut them up, install new monitors and then use a separate DVD??
To me...............NO WAY :thepan:

 

[Losmega]

Thanks for the link Sloppy, it was helpful in my thinking. I just got 2 new headrests from ebay for $50 shipped. I will most likely order two new screens online and try to do it myself, if i mess up, i lost $50 and can easily order more headrests or i can do a good job and start charging people to do it myself, thanks for the help sloppy and i will post pics when i start the project.:stirpot:

 

[Sloppy D]

No sweat, Let me know if you run into any speed bumps although once you see the ease you will see where I am coming from. The Caddies are easy, I have done several and the only trouble I had was a Land Rover Discovery that I had to build a plate for but the lades are a walk in the park.