FarAway
Well-known member
- First Name
- I.
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2022
- Threads
- 56
- Messages
- 740
- Reaction score
- 1,682
- Location
- Central Virginia
- Vehicles
- TVR, Jeep Jk Sahara, Audi Q7, CyberBeast
- Thread starter
- #1
I purchased my screen swivel from @Anysix . There appear to be other sellers now, also.
The package arrived well packed. There were tools included but I did need additional tools for the installation. I was impressed with the build quality and the way the plastic parts' colors matched up with the OEM plastics. The included instructions were actually quite good with a couple of exceptions. They neglect to really go into how to remove the OEM trim from the back of the monitor, that center of the tab is very difficult to get to release. The instructions also depict the female end of the USB cable plugging directly into the male TESLA portion. This is not possible the way the OEM cable end is secured. My temperature sensor also had a very short wire which made it difficult to work with, MUCH shorter than depicted in the instructions.
If I had to pick a weak point in the swivel kit it is the USB cable they include. It seems to me to be about an inch or two, too short. Also during the install, I had it pull loose once at the dash end (pay close attention to the way the instructions show the zip tie attached and do it like that, it holds and keeps the cable attached, it is not there just to "bundle" the wires). The cable end also pulled out of the monitor while trying to do the final install, a couple of times. There is a tremendous strain on the monitor end of the cable as it needs to bend 90 degrees in a very short distance in order to exit out the center of the new monitor trim piece. Others here have suggested buying a small 90-degree USB extension cable, this is a GREAT idea. An even better idea would be for @Anysix to source a better and more appropriate cable to include in the kit. Ideally with the same bullet proof end connectors that TESLA uses.
As far as additional tools, evidently TESLA changed the main screen bolts at some point. I had two hex head bolts without the hex hole as depicted in the instructions. I needed a 10mm socket, ratchet and extension to remove (and re-install) them. I also used a small 90-degree pick to release the tab on the screen's plastic trim. Additionally, I laid a moving quilt over the center console to rest the monitor on and a piece of cardboard on the dash to lay tools and parts on.
I did find a couple of install videos on the internet. I recommend watching them, but don't trust them completely. One has some glaring mistakes in his install video, I pointed these out to him in a message and he gave me the verbal equivalent of a shrug. Another video says it is a simple 20-minute install, and I call BS on this, too. It took me well over an hour, between getting other tools and messing with the different connectors and tabs. I also had to partially disassemble it when the USB cable disconnected at the dash. I did take my time, trying to be extra careful to not break anything, even the OEM parts that were being replaced, in case I didn't like the swivel and wanted to return back to the original setup. If I had to do it again, I would also buy and install a screen protector first.
Finally, I got it all installed. There was initially a green line running vertical down the edge of the screen. Yikes. It went away after rebooting. I am sure that was caused by the strain on the USB cable. I drove around with it all day and have to admit it is a huge improvement for me. Before I had difficulty reading the small font on the screen without putting on reading glasses. Now with it both tilted and a little closer I can read the screen much easier.
Does the fact that it is lower bother me? No, not really, I probably wouldn't even notice except now if my right hand is on the wheel, it blocks the lower left comer of the screen. See picture below. I may even attach a Magsafe phone holder above the screen now and it would not block any view out the window. So, yes, it is a big improvement on the original design and probably the way it should have come from the factory, IMO. Not only is the screen easier to read but items on the far side are now easier to reach. I am glad I purchased and installed it, one of the more beneficial accessories I have added to the truck.
Here are a couple of pictures from eye height.
The package arrived well packed. There were tools included but I did need additional tools for the installation. I was impressed with the build quality and the way the plastic parts' colors matched up with the OEM plastics. The included instructions were actually quite good with a couple of exceptions. They neglect to really go into how to remove the OEM trim from the back of the monitor, that center of the tab is very difficult to get to release. The instructions also depict the female end of the USB cable plugging directly into the male TESLA portion. This is not possible the way the OEM cable end is secured. My temperature sensor also had a very short wire which made it difficult to work with, MUCH shorter than depicted in the instructions.
If I had to pick a weak point in the swivel kit it is the USB cable they include. It seems to me to be about an inch or two, too short. Also during the install, I had it pull loose once at the dash end (pay close attention to the way the instructions show the zip tie attached and do it like that, it holds and keeps the cable attached, it is not there just to "bundle" the wires). The cable end also pulled out of the monitor while trying to do the final install, a couple of times. There is a tremendous strain on the monitor end of the cable as it needs to bend 90 degrees in a very short distance in order to exit out the center of the new monitor trim piece. Others here have suggested buying a small 90-degree USB extension cable, this is a GREAT idea. An even better idea would be for @Anysix to source a better and more appropriate cable to include in the kit. Ideally with the same bullet proof end connectors that TESLA uses.
As far as additional tools, evidently TESLA changed the main screen bolts at some point. I had two hex head bolts without the hex hole as depicted in the instructions. I needed a 10mm socket, ratchet and extension to remove (and re-install) them. I also used a small 90-degree pick to release the tab on the screen's plastic trim. Additionally, I laid a moving quilt over the center console to rest the monitor on and a piece of cardboard on the dash to lay tools and parts on.
I did find a couple of install videos on the internet. I recommend watching them, but don't trust them completely. One has some glaring mistakes in his install video, I pointed these out to him in a message and he gave me the verbal equivalent of a shrug. Another video says it is a simple 20-minute install, and I call BS on this, too. It took me well over an hour, between getting other tools and messing with the different connectors and tabs. I also had to partially disassemble it when the USB cable disconnected at the dash. I did take my time, trying to be extra careful to not break anything, even the OEM parts that were being replaced, in case I didn't like the swivel and wanted to return back to the original setup. If I had to do it again, I would also buy and install a screen protector first.
Finally, I got it all installed. There was initially a green line running vertical down the edge of the screen. Yikes. It went away after rebooting. I am sure that was caused by the strain on the USB cable. I drove around with it all day and have to admit it is a huge improvement for me. Before I had difficulty reading the small font on the screen without putting on reading glasses. Now with it both tilted and a little closer I can read the screen much easier.
Does the fact that it is lower bother me? No, not really, I probably wouldn't even notice except now if my right hand is on the wheel, it blocks the lower left comer of the screen. See picture below. I may even attach a Magsafe phone holder above the screen now and it would not block any view out the window. So, yes, it is a big improvement on the original design and probably the way it should have come from the factory, IMO. Not only is the screen easier to read but items on the far side are now easier to reach. I am glad I purchased and installed it, one of the more beneficial accessories I have added to the truck.
Here are a couple of pictures from eye height.
Sponsored
Last edited:
