Ever since we first placed our small (19”) LCD TV on the front chest, I couldn’t help but notice how the plastic moulding which houses the 12V, 240V and aerial sockets prevented me from pushing the TV all the way back so that it almost touches the window. The moulding has a large central section which seems to serve no purpose other than being a “trinket tray”, which, as a total clutterphobe I would never use.
So, during one of our trips, I took one of the polystyrene packing blocks out of the JVC CD/Radio box which was left in the van when bought new, and cut it down with a Stanley knife, angling the lower face, and making a piece which fits into the central section and provides a flat surface onto which to place the TV. We have used it ever since, as it leaves the entire top surface free. At a guess I would say the TV is approx. 6” further back than it would otherwise be. Whilst this doesn’t sound like very much, it really does make a difference in terms of available space, although it is necessary to pull the TV forward just slightly at night to allow the front blind to be raised.
Now, of course, the unsightly polystyrene block is not the permanent solution, but I am going to use it as a mould or die to make something much more aesthetically acceptable which will fill the complete centre section. Before I do, I have two choices which will determine how I go about this. I can either rather selfishly make one, or make a mould which will then enable me to make many of these at very little cost indeed. If I was to do this, I would probably use one of the types of expanding foam as the material, meaning for the circa £5 price tag of a can of expanding foam, I could make many !
So, before I choose which way to go, I would appreciate feedback from others as to whether they would find such an item useful. Of course, I would have no interest whatsoever in trying to profit in any way from from this as the price per unit would be negligible, but would love to help others out if they feel that this may be useful for in their van - ours is a 2017 Swift, and I would imagine that many Swift models of that age share the same plastic fascia, and maybe even some other models ?
Or, maybe such a thing already exists ? - I did have had a look but was quite surprised when I was unable to find such a thing.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
Ic.
P.S. Thanks for moving to correct section Damian
So, during one of our trips, I took one of the polystyrene packing blocks out of the JVC CD/Radio box which was left in the van when bought new, and cut it down with a Stanley knife, angling the lower face, and making a piece which fits into the central section and provides a flat surface onto which to place the TV. We have used it ever since, as it leaves the entire top surface free. At a guess I would say the TV is approx. 6” further back than it would otherwise be. Whilst this doesn’t sound like very much, it really does make a difference in terms of available space, although it is necessary to pull the TV forward just slightly at night to allow the front blind to be raised.
Now, of course, the unsightly polystyrene block is not the permanent solution, but I am going to use it as a mould or die to make something much more aesthetically acceptable which will fill the complete centre section. Before I do, I have two choices which will determine how I go about this. I can either rather selfishly make one, or make a mould which will then enable me to make many of these at very little cost indeed. If I was to do this, I would probably use one of the types of expanding foam as the material, meaning for the circa £5 price tag of a can of expanding foam, I could make many !
So, before I choose which way to go, I would appreciate feedback from others as to whether they would find such an item useful. Of course, I would have no interest whatsoever in trying to profit in any way from from this as the price per unit would be negligible, but would love to help others out if they feel that this may be useful for in their van - ours is a 2017 Swift, and I would imagine that many Swift models of that age share the same plastic fascia, and maybe even some other models ?
Or, maybe such a thing already exists ? - I did have had a look but was quite surprised when I was unable to find such a thing.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
Ic.
P.S. Thanks for moving to correct section Damian
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