Monday, May 6, 2013

Mercedes Benz ML 350 Overhead Installation


 I recently had the pleasure of installing an overhead LCD/DVD player in a new 2013 Mercedes Benz with a sunroof. Not to much different from any other vehicle with a sunroof, just had to really pay attention to details.   
Mercedes Benz ML 350 Overhead DVD Player

Mercedes Benz ML 350 Overhead DVD Player Installation Jeremy

Mercedes Benz ML350

Mercedes Benz ML350 Sunroof

Mercedes Benz ML350 Sunroof Overhead LCD DVD Player
I placed the overhead up to the headliner, to get an idea of where it would look and function the best. Once I had an idea of where I wanted it, I checked for clearance by dropping the driver side of the headliner. I then placed the metal mounting plate in the center of the chosen location, and double checked my measurements.

Mercedes Benz ML350 Sunroof Overhead LCD DVD Player
Once I had it centered, I traced it onto the headliner.

Mercedes Overhead LCD DVD Player Installation
Time to cut the headliner, I slowly cut the piece of the headliner out with a razor.
(Always make sure the sun roof and sun shade are in the closed position!)

Mercedes Overhead LCD DVD Player Installation
Once the piece was cut and removed, I checked for proper fitment.
The back of the overhead mounting plate will be secured to the roofs re-enforcement bracket that runs across the roof of the vehicle. The front will be supported by the headliner.

Mercedes Overhead LCD DVD Player Installation
I riveted a piece of ABS plastic to the front egde of the metal mounting plate. This piece of ABS will rest on the top side of the headliner so when the overhead LCD/DVD player is mounted to this plate the headliner will be sandwiched in-between.

Overhead LCD Monitor DVD Player Installation
The dome light is a positive trigger system.
Constant 12 Volt - Pink/Black
Positive Dome Light Trigger - Gray/Black
Ground - Brown

Overhead LCD Monitor DVD Player Installation
On the back of the center consul there should be a power outlet that is switched power. 

Mercedes Benz ML350 Switched Power
That's where I tapped into switched power.

Overhead DVD Player Install
I used short steel rivets to secure the back side of the mounting plate to the vehicles re-enforcement braket. I had a little less then 1/4th inch to work with and using screws was just to risky. 
One other thing you must be carful with is where you run your wires, I ran mine in the little channel of space I had between the headliner and the re-enforcement braket that runs across the roof. If you don't run your wires properly you will get marks/scratches on the sun shade. 

Overhead DVD Player Install
Once I had my wires run and mounting plate secured, I mounted the overhead and tripple checked clearance. 

Audiovox Overhead DVD Player Mercedes Benz ML350
It was a tight fit but came out perfect!

Audiovox Overhead DVD Player Mercedes Benz ML350

Car Audio Tips
Jeremy

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