Confused again!

[Toyz]

The subject of test fitting Irl's headliners to the earlier Slicks came up again at Grub with the Club.
In preparation to trying one in my uni, I started taking measurements. As stated, that quickly became confusing!
I just discovered I no longer have any 61-63 non-uni F100 cabs. Ah, but wait, I have the mixed-vintage F350 tow truck, which is definitely a 62 rolling chassis, with 63 trim and 66 grille and upper valance .
It is a "flat-roof" cab with the big truck floor and steps. This led me to believe that, with the exception of the floor panels, the cab panel dimensions would be the same as the early non-uni slicks.
I started out measuring windshield headers, and found that the dimensions were all similar.
I then measured seam to rear window rubber on the trucks without a headliner in the way and found a difference of ~ 3/4" between the uni and my sun-roofed '66. Ok, let's check a couple of the other "high-roofs" ! The '64s, the stock '66, AND the big-window conversion ALL appear to have the same center brace, although the BBW has a spacer in the dome lamp area.
Not getting any concrete evidence here, I decided to measure the outer dimension from cab horizontal seam to rubber window moulding. The unis differ from the "high-cabs" by -3/4".
Well, let's check the "low-roof" tow truck! The seam to rear rubber dimension is the same as the "high-roofs", maybe even an 1/8 more! You may say, "well the rubber surround may differ". This is certainly true, in reality I'm measuring to the "crease" where the rubber fits.
So, are these findings standard on the bigger trucks, and if so, does that affect headliner fit on the F250's/350's, etc.? It is entirely possible this is the result of 50 years of potentially mis-matched parts. I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed this.
I'm still inclined to think the 'glas headliners will fit the earlier trucks.
Bronco Tom has kindly offered a test-fit prior to his installation, so we should be getting back with concrete information in the future. I do know that suppliers offer differing headliners for the earlier trucks; I just haven't found anything to indicate the custom headliner will not interchange.
Thanks in advance for any experiences or comments!
Paul

[Uncle Skip]

Paul. I'll bring my Rod Doors headliner at the same time... Answer a lot of questions all at once.

[graybeard]

Well that's confusing! Good luck & don't let it ruin your meal!

[62galxe]

Havent done much with mine yet. It will take a lot of trimming to make it fit the uni.

[deadheadno1]

My '66 f 350 has the early floor and the '64 and up roof.
Tom

[Toyz]

That is what I expected to see on the '64 and up; basically the '64 cab, other than battery box and tunnel cover. This one has the flat roof but taller dimensions.
I need to pay close attention to the next early F350; this may be the configuration on the '61/63 big trucks.
The other possibility is that mine has had a later vertical rear cab panel cobbled in. If so, it was an excellent job wih no visible splice externally.
I'll get some more vertical dimensions to compare.
The headliner has a console for controls and radios, so I am reluctant to pull it; but curiousity may require removing the rear headliner section.
Paul

[Broncotom]

Paul I'm back in town from my tour of Oklahoma and North Texas maybe we can get together this weekend?

[Toyz]

Sounds good, Tom!
I should be at the shop most of the weekend.
Paul

[Toyz]

Well, we have conclusive proof the headliners will NOT interchange. Irl's pattern naturally was the high-roof cab, which means the headliner is deeper and shorter front to rear than what is needed for the uni. I "thought" removal/ modification of the cross-cab support brace would make the later 'liner usable; that thought proved in-correct. There is a bunch of differences.
The only good news out of Tom, Skip and I repeatedly measuring everything is that if IRL choose to make a 'liner for the BBW as we had discussed; it could easily be fitted to the regular early cab if moulded to meet the side panels at the same location as the stock headliner. The only difference would be different side covers beside the windows for each application. I did not bother to remove the existing console and headliner from the F350, so I have no idea as to whether the later headliner will fit the "high but flat" roof. I suspect it might, but still don't know whether my truck came from the factory with this configuration.
I'll touch base with Graybeard; I'm pretty sure he was expecting just what we found
Hopefully, there will be enough market to justify the significant effort to tool up for the earlier applications.
BTW, this was my first opportunity to examine the un-installed headliner (I'd previously seen it installed). IMO, Irl has made it just thick enough to be robust without being too thick to install without "bulging" the window seal! The as-delivered finish is of such quality that it would be hard to justify covering or "graining".
Paul

[Toyz]

Checked the Hollander manual; it verified what I already "thought" I knew. The roof panels are the same on '61/'63- all conventional cabs. '64-65, all conventional cabs, including the N- series. For '66, the N-series as well as all 700 and up series got a new higher roof different from the F-100/350, which remained the same as the '64/'65. This roof is listed as a "higher-headroom" direct replacement for the "lighter" of the heavy duty conventional cabs.
I no longer have a Ford master parts manual covering the '64 and up, so I have no clue if this was available as a DSO, or if my truck was modified later. I will check to see if it were available on the earlier cabs, but with a C4 part number I would not think that likely, unless the number was superceded.
Paul