I promised a writeup, sorry it took so long. I am not responsible for anyone cutting fingers off with razor or messing their headrest up. Do at your own risk. Is that the standard disclaimer?

This is a great how to that I read first. It even has pics. Cool thing about the Audiovox 5,6's was it had a template that grabbed the sides of the headrest making it centered and level.

http://www.rearseatvideo.com/installi.htm

This is what I did specific to TC headrest:

First of all, the Scion TC stock headrest will only work with 5.6" max size monitors. You might squeeze in 6", but it will cut into the seams on the edges of the headrest and probably fray away. The 5.6"s fit perfect.

The monitors I purchased are Audiovox 5.6" from ebay and after staring at the contents for about 5 minutes (little instructions and wondering if I bit off more than I can chew), I figured out the packing cardboard inside the box was actually a template for the back of the headrest. It's folded perfect for the sides to grab the headrest and fits perfect. I taped it to the headrest so it won't move. Make sure it is level, but it's pretty hard not to be level because of the template grabbing the edges.

Time to feel sick (at least my daughter felt sick cause I made her do the cuts, it's her car)

Take a razor and cut an X from corner to corner of the template. Audiovox housing for the monitor also had a 1 inch high by 2 inch across section on top for the remote sensor, so you will make an X here as well (it's on the template). Basically, the point being with the cuts is to not remove any fabric, only open it up. This makes for a clean installation and no gaps later on in the edges.

Now that the X is cut, remove the template and fold the fabric back and start cutting out the foam not going past the edges of the X cuts. You will carve out about an 1.5 inch or a little more. Test fit the housing by folding the fabric back into the foam section and place the housing into the headrest. Continue to cut and fit until you have a tight fit, but not too tight where the fabric will buckle or the housing gets pushed out. It should be snug and flush.

Once fit it good on both headrests, run the wire up the side of the rod into the headrest and into the housing and let them hang out. The wires fit perfect along the rod for height adjustment and there is even a slot to fit into the headrest from underneath. Push it thru. I tried to feed into the hole of the rod, but the rod is U shaped, so I didn’t want to cut the rod and reduce usability of the headrest. Really can’t see the wire.

On the passenger headrest, inside is a steel plate behind the foam. I took a piece of slotted flat steel strap (from hardware store), cut off a 4” piece and screw or zip tie the housing to the steel strap and I used 2 sheet metal self tapping screws and screwed the whole thing to the headrest for a tight/secure fit. I did have to drill a pilot hole for the screws into the headrest because it kept walking around.

On the drivers side, there is no steel in the headrest…nothing but foam. So, I did all the X cutting and carving, then to secure it, I used RTV glue and 6 plastic automobile anchors (any auto store) as follows. Placed the housing into position and marked the 6 holes with a marker on the foam (holes already in the housing from Audiovox…make sure your anchors will fit thru holes before applying RTV…gets messy later if not ). The RTV glue has a pointed tip applicator (like caulk) and I shoved the tip into the foam where I marked and squeezed pulling out filling the foam holes with RTV. I covered the back of the housing with RTV and then pressed it into position and pushed the plastic auto anchors into each hole. Took 4 zip ties and wrapped it around the headrest to secure it tight until RTV setup. 1 hour later, rock solid. Stinky, but solid. Smell goes away

Now, the housings should be mounted with the control wires fed up under the headrest into the housing. Install the monitors into housing and push excess wire back out the bottom of headrest.

To feed the wires down the seats, I took a piece of rigid wire (fish tape if you got it, coat hangar works too, but might punch a hole in your seat fabric if not bent to a circle at the tip.) and feed it down from behind the height adjustment button below the headrest, reached up under the seat fabric and there it is. It may take a few minutes of moving the rigid pull wire, but it will get to the bottom of the back seat cover. Tape your connector to the rigid pull wire on top, and pull it thru. You may have to pull out on the seat fabric a little to feed the connector thru, but it closes back in just fine. Now your wire is under your seat. There are already slots cut in the carpet under both seats (near the front of them), and take your cable where ever your player is.

It’s really an easy process, just take your time and go slow. I actually made all my cuts and test fits, then took a break for an hour, then came back with a fresh mind. Frustration leads to problems. I never did this before and if I can do it…anyone can.

 

This is worthless without pics. Personally, I don't like the ones wth the plastic housing that covers mistakes you might make (which is their real value). They take up space that could be used for a larger monitor. I like the icon tv ones that have no housing. True, they're more pricey, but worth it. I didn't understand how you did the wire either. Did you go through the headrest post (the only way you'll really hide the wire). Good, detailed instructions, but need pics and a little clarity on that one point. Other than that, decent DIY/write-up

 

Be nice...this is my first write up. Pics? Well I didn't take any pics as I was doing it, but I can pop the monitors out and take pics of the finished product?



I could have spent more for better monitors, but then I would have just bought after market headrests with preinstalled monitors, maybe 7". The pic and color is sweet, so no argument here. But then again, it was a cheap mod that looks cool. We're not entering any high profile auto shows with this car. There is a key, so you can remove the monitors from the housing if you choose to.

As I explained in the write up, you can't go thru the stock TC post without cutting a section out inside the headrest, then you loose function of the headrest tilt. It is merely a U shaped hollow rod with the"U" portion in the headrest. Would have been nice, but not happening. Shoot, I only spent $120 bucks total on the things. Some spend more than that on stickers

 

I guess ideally you could take pictures of sections that are already completed and edit them into the write-up... the main problem it's sometimes difficult to match up the vernacular you're using with actual locations or items in the project... that's why pictures help, because you can read a section and then see the picture corresponding to it, clearing up any confusion.

Other than that, excellent job on the writeup. We are all very grateful.

 

You can get through there without damaging the integrity of the headrest, I've installed monitors in 3 Scion tC's now. All of them thru the headrest. When I get mine, if I decide to go with headrest monitors (which I doubt I will, so the next one I do an install in I'll snap some pics). It's a lot of effort to get through there, and probably not worth it if you found a way to hide the wires with little effort, I just like to have it where it ooks factory no matter how close you look.

I wasn't complaining about the write up, I just was saying (for future reference now) that pictures during the process would be a nice idea so it'll help the users more than just words (because trust me, the other DIY's I've wrote for other sites, unless you have pics, you'll get a zillion questions, no matter how much you simplify the instructions).

As for the (what I assume you're referring to) Vizualogic headrests with the monitors already installed... don't. The monitors they use in those are of a very poor quality, and every set of those I've ever seen (about 100 sets installed) one of the monitors usually comes back burned out. Their quality is low, the screens often become blurry, or are from initial install. They use their lowest quality monitor in the install in order to maximize profit. Easy to use, easy to install? Yes. Decent, or merely acceptable quality? Not even close.

The "key" you described? Looks kind of like a duct board rubber (handheld tint squeegee, like a plastic spatula/paddle thing, resembles a bondo spreader). Yeah, if you loose it, you can take your wallet out and use your license, credit card, whatever. Might want to secure them in there by some method for security purposes. Theives like to make your monitors disappear by using that method. Just so you know of course. I'm not saying that particular feature is bad, because you can pop them out when you go in a place, or pop them out and take them in the house. Just wanted to make you aware of the fact that as easy as it is for you, it's also that easy for theives. Just be careful with it because youmight come back to your car in the parking lot and your monitors be missing and a window busted. Just a helpful hint.

I think I covered pretty much everything...

 

Not sure how you got them thru the headrest rod, first without cutting the wire because of the connector (not difficult, just a pain) and cutting the steel rod in the headrest. Just not worth all the hassle for me.

As for the premade headrests, yea, I heard they were pretty crappy, so I just went this route. Still not the best, but pretty good IMO.

Yea, the key thing is a flat piece of metal with a rolled edge for a handle. Pretty cheezy, but keeps the fools in the back seat from poping out the monitors and playing with them. Limo tint in the back and hatch hopefully keeps the people guessing whats in there.

I'll get better with the writeups

 

I would of added this to the tech section if it had photos!!!

 

I'll pop one off and snap some photos. The passenger side is screwed on, so it won't be too much of a hassle. Anything to help the community out. You guys have helped me a ton, it's the least I can do.

 

You have got to be the coolest Dad, your daughter is really priviledged. But honestly stop giving me ideas, now I want headrest monitors and fiberglass sub enclosure (well wanted to do fiberglass anyway).

 

Yea, she reads this board and gets the ideas from YOU all.

Thanks....She is a great young lady. 3 honors courses a year, works a job, cheerleader since freshman year, fast pitch softball pitcher. black belt in 2 martial arts. Really a sharp young lady. Since her and her sister were toddlers, I explained the need for mental tools and physical skills in life and my job is to help them gather all they can for adult options. I always worry about them over achieving, so I always work an exit option for activities before they start them. My step dad did it for me and I can only thank God I have the opportunity to pass it to my kids.

I always wanted to do fiberglass as well. Never worked with it. Same with the monitors. Never did them. Now, her and I both did them and she is learning fiberglass. No free rides, she either learns or no deal.

 

Cheerleader huh? j/k

 

That's why I spent 8 years with them in martial arts..... That was my rule while dating years ago....avoid girls that could whip my a$$

About 4 years ago, I bought a pool table for the basement. My wife says I just bought a boy magnet...I laughed and said, no...I already have a boy magnet, now I just provided something else to keep them busy....and it works. When her boy friend comes over....he wants to shoot pool and it ticks her off.

 

^^^

 

Tech articles need pictures of the whole process :?

 

Good install! I want to do this to my xB but the part I'm more concerned with is the wiring. Got any info on that? Later! :D

 

I'd like to know where did you get the monitors for $120?

 

HMM Good question.

 

Ebay guys...Ebay is the way (until you get hosed ). At this moment, there is 2 7" monitors for $106 with 4 hours to go. I watched and bid for 2 weeks before I landed them. If you can't wait, buy it now you can get them for $79 a piece. So I saved 40 or 50 bucks for playing the bid war.

 

The wiring is pretty easy. A separate ground and power I tapped into the cig lighter and and RCA plugs that run to your player

 

So the screens came with regular RCA jacks? Did you put a fuse between the power and the screens? And I'm assuming the screens were already wired to accept a 12v current. Let us know, later! :D