Aftermarket Flip Down DVD Screen and Head Unit

2012 Expedition EL Limited

I recently posted about getting video from my head unit to my head rests. Well, one of my kids pulled on the screen and broke the passenger side screen. Honestly, I don't really like the head rests and I think this will be my excuse to get a roof mounted DVD player.

I would like to do the following:

Add a Kenwood or Pioneer Head Unit
Add roof mounted flip down dvd screen
Connect audio and video between the two
Connect my rear back up camera
Add GPS antenna
Add adapter for steering wheel control

My concerns are:

Cutting into the headliner
Getting power to the DVD screen

I've installed head units in other vehicles before...but this will be my greatest adventure yet. Any suggestions? Harnesses and such?

Afterthoughts:

I'd like to sell the OEM head unit and the working headrest DVD player

I was quoted at store for this to be around $1500. Obviously, quality wouldn't be an issue at the store, but I'm pretty handy and think I could do it. Has anyone else done the same and would encourage or discourage my plan?

Just some thoughts. We've come to appreciate Ford's system allowing the kids in the back to listen to their DVD via headphones and the adults listen to whatever the head unit is turned on to. So if important to you, check into a head unit that allows dual play and maybe even dual control should you want to the second row to be in charge.

If I had to do it over again, I'd probably prefer dual headrest monitors over the single fold-down roof mounted unit because it can really limit your rear view mirror vision. I know how to use my side mirrors and have a back-up camera, but the fold-down screen IMO limits the rear view mirror too much of both the 2nd and 3rd rows in addition to rear window. Plus, I see value in screen #1 playing a movie and screen #2 a video game.

If you have reverse sensing system and think that its an important feature, might want to see if your replacement head unit will half or mute audio so the driver can hear the beeps.

Mentioned headphones earlier. Will an aftermarket head unit obsolete your rear audio jacks? Will the aftermarket DVD player support both wired and wireless headphones? How many supported, how many included, etc. versus what you need.

Only other comment I have is, if this kind of thing interests you, is to look for a head unit that supports iDatalink Maestro. You can add that module later if you are working with a budget. It, among other cool stuff, displays most of your OBD2 info into a clever gauge package on your head unit. iDatalink also might be your best source of the multiple wiring harnesses you'll need. Harness depends on your current audio system.

Great points you've made. My reasoning for not liking the headrests is because I have twin toddlers and their older sister. I've also got one more on the way, which means one of the twins will have to sit in the back making it so they can't see the video.

I personally don't mind an obstructed rear view mirror simply because I'm a cop and my cage obstructs it most of the time so I'm used to it.

When speaking with the Auto Store employee, he suggested the Kenwood DDX9903S as it has dual play ability. I currently don't have headphones for the kids as they are too young to keep them on, but he did say they could be used with this unit and the flip down monitor he was showing me. He also said there was an OBD2 input to the head unit.

I am curious to find out about the front and rear sensors, as I would definitely like the sound muted if those go off.

Thanks for the reply!

On the bright side, at least your truck has you covered even if you end up with triplets this time around....

Triplets...ugh, don't even joke about that!