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Non-stock headliners/ warning
Posted: February 6, 2010, 8:11 pm
by Uncle Skip
Several weeks ago, Brian Taylor asked about non-stock headliners and it got me fired up to finish installing mine.
Thanks to the extra pair of hands from BroncoTom, we got-er-done.
Here are the pictures and you need to know that I re-glued the fabric before we put it in, and the picture of the map light shows it hanging down a little bit because its a trial fit.
I'll fix that when I install the over door trim and some other little stuff I have planned.
So here it is from start to almost finished.
U@ss
[albumimg]2598[/albumimg]
[albumimg]2594[/albumimg]
[albumimg]2595[/albumimg]
[albumimg]2601[/albumimg]
[albumimg]7587[/albumimg]
[albumimg]7588[/albumimg]
Posted: February 6, 2010, 8:14 pm
by ezernut9mm
ah, a headliner. dare i dream it? better not. i'm already in too deep. lol
Posted: February 6, 2010, 8:22 pm
by bird55
Sweeet.
Posted: February 6, 2010, 8:32 pm
by Anthony
looks nice and smooth Unc... 2 thumbs up...

Posted: February 7, 2010, 6:10 am
by GDG
Skip, is that a Roddoors head liner, how's the fit, etc? Looks good!! I've been bending card board for a few days and I'm having trouble getting something I like.
Thanks
Doug
Posted: February 7, 2010, 1:12 pm
by Uncle Skip
Doug.
Yes, its a Rod Doors and it fit pretty good. Bitch to put in, takes two people and you might have to trim or adjust the tabs to get it in. The very front where the windshield is seems to be the major sticking point.
Maybe someone else can install it by themselves, but I couldn't.
Once in, it looks really good.
I'm a happy camper.
If I had it to do over again, I'd do it over again.
U@ss
Posted: February 7, 2010, 1:59 pm
by Brian Taylor
Looks good Skip.
GDG I have been doing the same trying to make a headliner. My first attempt set to low but the one I have now sets fine and uses "L" shaped pieces above the doors and a single piece across the back and they set flat to the framing. Now like Skip I have to cover them the problem is color and material choices.
NOTE: I am also making a large gear and bolt to inset in the headliner.
Posted: February 7, 2010, 2:03 pm
by 64 f100
Nice work Skip. Lookin good.
Rich
Posted: February 7, 2010, 5:22 pm
by 65 CREW
Brian Taylor wrote: I am also making a large gear and bolt to inset in the headliner.
I can't wait to see that. I plan on stitching that same pattern in a section of my headliner when I sew it up.
What did you do for a gear and bolt pattern?
Posted: February 7, 2010, 6:14 pm
by Brian Taylor
Made a copy of the hood emblem and then took the measurements and made a x6 cutout in hardboard. It is about 30" tip to tip on the bolt. Gear is about 9" diameter.
Looking at Skips I have to figure out an overhead light.
Posted: February 8, 2010, 2:03 am
by 65 CREW
I plan on using a Bronco XLT dome light for mine. One for the front and one for the back.
Warning Will Robinson, warning......
Posted: February 8, 2010, 6:44 pm
by Uncle Skip
The headliner went in yesterday like I said, and I got the map lights installed today.
But......... I hit a little glitch. Nothing is easy.
What I want you to know is that when you choose a map or dome light, make sure it will mount flush with the surface of the headliner itself.
Mine did not.... and I'd already cut a big honking hole.
Sooooo, fall back to plan B.
I made a spacer out of upholstery foam, cut it oversized in the shape of the light fixture itself (the foam was the perfect thickness), covered it with matching headliner cloth, and put it in.
Fits perfect, but it does look a little clumsy if you stare at it for a while, but it was the only fix I had.
I'll put the over the door trim on tomorrow and take a picture and let you all decide.
I hope everyone considering a non-stock headliner will read this and not butcher it before it goes in like one guy I know did.
U@ss
Posted: February 8, 2010, 7:49 pm
by Brian Taylor
Skip do not stare for long at the light while you are driving.

Posted: February 8, 2010, 8:31 pm
by Michelle
Skip, I had the same problem when I put the headliner in my N truck. The headliner for that truck is a single piece fiberglass. I tried doing it by myself and may have eventually succeded had I used something to prop up one side while I got the other side secured. When I was trying to get it in a friend dropped by and he really made a big difference. It went a lot easier with a little help.
Posted: February 9, 2010, 7:16 pm
by TxSlick66
I could bring my 66 over to Pearland if you want to make a second attempt, just so you can say you finally got one in perfect! How much do those cost? I do not want to duplicate the old perforated cardboard box thing...
I was thinking of just having an upholstery shop build one.
Crown Vic R&P front suspension conversion starts next weekend! Can't wait to rip 'er apart and restore this truck!
Posted: February 9, 2010, 7:43 pm
by Uncle Skip
Steve.
They are about two bills shipped and come with a pair of sail panel covers.
I didn't use my sail panels because I like the ribs on the metal sails. I just covered them as is.
I'd be more than happy to help you cover and put one in if you want to come to the shop in Houston.
Be a great chance to meet another Texas member.
Maybe have a little throw down get together with the "regular suspects" while we're at it.
But if you're going to cover it with vinyl, you'd be better having a trim shop cover it because they will have to cut and sew the material to fit the molded contours.
The tweed I used can be stretched and pulled around the curves to get on smooth but I doubt you could do that with regular vinyl.
And like I said, be sure to find a proper over head light before you cut any holes.
U@ss
Posted: February 9, 2010, 8:02 pm
by Phil
Nice work!!
Posted: February 10, 2010, 4:43 pm
by Uncle Skip
Here is the map light with the spacer. Now that I know it works, I'll probably re-do it and make it better.
[albumimg]7604[/albumimg]
And a couple of folks asked about the over door trim. Here is what it looks like with the headliner in.
[albumimg]7603[/albumimg]
Now I have to finish re-wiring and get everything back in place so we can go to paint this spring.
U@ss
Posted: February 11, 2010, 12:14 am
by blackagatha
rats man, no offense, but that light spacer looks like HELL!!!!
Too bad you're kinda stuck with it....
oh, you say you might re- do it.... that would be good.
Posted: February 11, 2010, 10:02 am
by Uncle Skip
Aggie.
Thank you for trying to spare my feelings.
ROTFLMAO
Yeah, its what I have, like it or not. As I said before, I probably will make another stab at it later to see if I can clean things up a little bit and maybe try to make it fit in a little better.
Thanks for the comment,
Uncle Skip