Headliner (again)

[Reeds70]

I know this topic has came up several times, and I feel as though Ive read all/most of the posts out there. I am in the process of making a headliner for my 72....I ordered a kit from classics but dont really like it. And I have made panels, and a console and covered them so I would like to make a headliner and cover it with the same material. My problem is getting the right cut for the board I'm using in the front....I cant seem to get the angle correct and it also seems as though it is more narrow at the front...does this sound correct that it tapers as it nears the front?? Thanks for the help

[vectorit]

Yes, the headliner panel tapers at the front.
It takes a lot of trimming, and test fitting to get that section to fit right.

[Reeds70]

I can't believe that someone doesn't at least sell the panels or the dimensions to the panels...Thanks for the info. Do you know if the back also tapers? I'm no where close to that end yet

[vectorit]

It may taper a little, I can't remember. But I do remember I was able to make it work on the first or second try, and the middle panels are simple to do since they are squared. I fought with the front one for hours, and ruined a sheet or two by cutting to much off at one corner or the other. Mine still has a little area that doesn't fit right, but it's good enough for now.
I have seen people selling original panels, but they are so petrified they can crumble with the slightest bit of force. As well as the original plastic chrome strips, I tried using them, but they ended up chipping on me and thus became ruined for me.
I have seen on the original panels, they must have been hand fitted at the factory as well, because the original piece I found and tried using as a template didn't fit into my Suburban.
Good luck on your headliner project, it really helps if you have a helper too.

[Reeds70]

I was able to get the front fitted, I decided to make it into two pieces instead of one so here is a pic before I take it out and cover it.

[PortHeadlight]

I have a pattern I made from an original set of headliner panels. I also may have the dimensions in either a separate sheet or a photo. Gotta go search and will post what I have. If you want a front pattern, let me know. I have sent a few sets of patterns to memebers.

[Reeds70]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions..... I just checked the forumn this morning and I still may need some help but here is my progress so far...

[xman]

Looks good Reeds70. I am in the same boat as the 72 k10 that does not have a headliner and thinking about making my own out of luan and then covering it with headliner material.
I dont have any of the chrome headliner bows so trying to figure out what to do with mine. What type of material (white stuff) did you use to make it with.
Portheadlight what would it cost for for a copy of the pattern you made

[Reeds70]

I used FRP board...which is just plain old shower board and the strips are just the ones I found in the same section as the shower boards. I tried to use my original bows, but I chipped one a little and didn't want to totally ruin them in case I tried this again sometime down the road...plus I don't know if I could fit the boards in them after I cover them in fabric? Also I decided to use the dome light as to help support by front piece and that made the boards arc more than the bows do. I hope to cover and finish this weekend.

[Reeds70]

XMAN...I had trouble with luan board being too thick, I bought a small piece of that initially and some sections of the "tray" that the board fits into wouldn't work...(front and back)

[PortHeadlight]

If you want a full size template, I would have to make you one. I get a big piece of paper on the floor and take my original headliner and trace it. Happy to do so. I've made and mailed a few. No charge.

I also took some measurements and attached a copy of them here (the angles and such are NOT to scale on the drawings, but the measurements themselves are accurate). Some folks are able to figure it out from them. Zoom in on the photos to see if that's good enough for what you need.

[70sarver]

I also used FRP panels, but I used aluminum strips to cover the seams. Also reduced to 3 panels

[4shongo]

Originally Posted by 70sarver

I also used FRP panels, but I used aluminum strips to cover the seams. Also reduced to 3 panels

Can you tell us more about the aluminum strips you used? Looks like 1" wide stock from a local hardware? Self tap screws for installation? Any issues? My factory plastic strips are falling apart and it makes my new headliner look horrible. Any help would be appreciated. Been thinking about doing something like that but didn't know if it would work. I like it!!! Thanks

[70sarver]

Yea it was 3/4" or 1" from h-ware store. Used alum so it would be easier to make bends. Used #8 x 3/4" S.S. screws. Hardest part was the location of the screws.

[4shongo]

Originally Posted by 70sarver

Yea it was 3/4" or 1" from h-ware store. Used alum so it would be easier to make bends. Used #8 x 3/4" S.S. screws. Hardest part was the location of the screws.

How thick is the aluminum? 1/8"? I see Lowes has a 1"x96"x1/8" thick piece for $18.21! Is that what you used? I may have to try this out this weekend.

[70sarver]

Yes 1/8". I got from an Ace h-ware.

[Reeds70]

That over head piece in front looks great! I may have to include that before I cover mine

[Reeds70]

Finished it up tonight...

[Reeds70]

Try pic again

[70sarver]

Looks Good

[Reeds70]

Thanks man!! Now to save money for the ls swap lol

[Beach Burb]

70sarver-I picked up some FRP for my back panels but I really like how clean it worked for your headliner and I'm going to take that route as well. What did you attach the aluminum strips to under the FRP, original headliner hangers?

[vectorit]

Looks great! Good job.

[Reeds70]

I attached the frp boards themselves to the metal strips that run across top with black screws, spaced them out as uniformly as I could

[Huggerorangeblood]

I just bought my bath panels from Home Depot today. They were around $33 a piece. Thanks for the dimensions port. I have my originals but your dimensions will help a lot.