Thickness between ceiling and roof - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gonebad2 · 11-10-2003, 03:16 AM

My upholsterer is making a leather covered headliner for my son's truck. I plan on attaching it to the interior ceiling panel with those plastic "christmas tree" fasteners. Does anyone know how much space there is between the interior ceiling panel and the exterior roof panel. I plan on using a stop on the bit so I don't go too far. That would really suck to have to go back and do a repair on the roof. Just trying to get a few things wrapped up before I go in for major surgery on my neck. I'm gonna be off work for about 3 to 4 months. Hopefully I'll feel good enough after about a month to tackle some of the light work.

**Canadian694x4** · 11-10-2003, 04:03 AM

you may wanna watch when drilling that you don't generate too much heat as I think there's insulation between the inner and outter roof that may smolder or catch fire. I don't know how thick the roof of the cab is tho...

Hotrod70C10 · 11-10-2003, 04:18 AM

I can't help you on the thickness but, I was planning on using those same fasteners for my door panels. I've just gotta wait for the power windows and locks to install and upolster the panels. I would like to see some pics of your headliner after you're done!

lost wages · 11-10-2003, 04:58 AM

my cab had a sunroof in it at one time and i would say 2-3 inches would be safe, use a step up bit so you dont go all the way through, the ones that drill different sizes, not sure what they are called

lost wages · 11-10-2003, 05:07 AM

here, this is what you need, they are great to have around

crazy4chevs · 11-10-2003, 01:52 PM

actually i think it is more like a 1/2" not 2-3" and there is a tar paper type insulation. hope this helps

Mudder · 11-10-2003, 03:16 PM

Its more like 5/16th of an inch...... to be safe.

Longhorn Man · 11-10-2003, 05:41 PM

Yeah, be VERY carefull...don't do what the dope smoking old man did to min.

Hotrod70C10 · 11-10-2003, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
Yeah, be VERY carefull...don't do what the dope smoking old man did to min.

Man, that sucks.... I watched a tech at the dealership I worked at run a screw through the roof of his car just like that. It's funny to see the person's reaction when they get out of the cab and see threads coming out.

Gordo · 11-10-2003, 06:58 PM

Directly (within 3 to 4") above the windshield, door openings and rear seam above the cab light, allow 1/2" to 3/4" to be safe, directly above your head you have very little to work with, allow zip!

BtnkBndt · 11-10-2003, 07:08 PM

I would set the stop (very tight, you don't want it to thread the hole and dimple the roof) for the thickness of the metal myself, 1/8" or less should penetrate. Just take it slow with a good bit and you shouldn't have any problems with heat buildup. Remember to lock dope smokin old man in the house

Chad · 11-10-2003, 07:10 PM

If there are any holes up there, take a piece of wire and guage the thickness. Then you will have a better idea. If you do not have any holes just set your drill stop as short as it will go and guage then.

crazy longhorn · 11-10-2003, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
Yeah, be VERY carefull...don't do what the dope smoking old man did to min.

....I had to weld up a hole that some "dope head" put in the center of the top on a 72 for a CB antenna(dick head:p )....at any rate, I didnt catch the truck on fire(lucky ,I guess). My guess is , dont go deeper than about 5/16" like Mudder said......crazyL

Huck · 11-10-2003, 11:09 PM

I measured where some roof lights were and the depth of the roof to the inner is less then 3/4". I wish the guy who mounted the lights bothered to measure as the inner has holes where the butt head ran his bit right through the inner!!! I would not allow my drill to go beyond a 1/4 to 1/3".

gonebad2 · 11-11-2003, 12:37 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will set the stop at 1/8" then use the depth gauge on my caliper to be on the safe side. Then set the stop on the bit about 1/16" above that. I'll post a few pics and let you guys know how it went when it's done.

**1971Stepside** · 11-11-2003, 01:03 AM

I just cut the windshield lip area out of my cab and I would say it is more like 5/16". Not much room at all between the roof and inner liner at all.

gonebad2 · 11-11-2003, 04:19 AM

Hah...I just got a brainstorm. I will go to the local pic-n-pull this weekend armed with a cordless drill and find a trashed cab and do some practicing.

ChevLoRay · 11-11-2003, 07:50 AM

Didn't the factory headliners (an option) use a metal retaining "ring" to hold the headliner in place? I think that part used a series of slotted-type holes, not in the highest part of the cab, but around the perimeter of the cove.

Would you NOT want to use that original-type trim? I know some are going for a custom look, and I understand that the christmas tree fasteners are easy to use.

The question may be rhetorical, but I just had to ask.

11-10-2003, 03:16 AM	#1
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Thickness between ceiling and roof My upholsterer is making a leather covered headliner for my son's truck. I plan on attaching it to the interior ceiling panel with those plastic "christmas tree" fasteners. Does anyone know how much space there is between the interior ceiling panel and the exterior roof panel. I plan on using a stop on the bit so I don't go too far. That would really suck to have to go back and do a repair on the roof. Just trying to get a few things wrapped up before I go in for major surgery on my neck. I'm gonna be off work for about 3 to 4 months. Hopefully I'll feel good enough after about a month to tackle some of the light work. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

11-10-2003, 04:03 AM	#2
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	you may wanna watch when drilling that you don't generate too much heat as I think there's insulation between the inner and outter roof that may smolder or catch fire. I don't know how thick the roof of the cab is tho... __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

11-10-2003, 04:18 AM	#3
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	I can't help you on the thickness but, I was planning on using those same fasteners for my door panels. I've just gotta wait for the power windows and locks to install and upolster the panels. I would like to see some pics of your headliner after you're done! __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

11-10-2003, 05:07 AM	#5
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	here, this is what you need, they are great to have around Attached Images

11-10-2003, 01:52 PM	#6
crazy4chevs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Des Moines WA. (Kent, area) Posts: 668	actually i think it is more like a 1/2" not 2-3" and there is a tar paper type insulation. hope this helps __________________ 70 chev c10 swb fleet 72 grill, sb 400, 2/4 drop. 68 chev c10 swb fleet Early classic 4/6 drop with 4wheel disc brakes 9"rear 67-8 buckets tilt and A/C Classic GM Truck Club of Washington .

11-10-2003, 04:58 AM	#4
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	my cab had a sunroof in it at one time and i would say 2-3 inches would be safe, use a step up bit so you dont go all the way through, the ones that drill different sizes, not sure what they are called

11-10-2003, 03:16 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Its more like 5/16th of an inch...... to be safe.

11-10-2003, 05:41 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yeah, be VERY carefull...don't do what the dope smoking old man did to min. Attached Images

11-10-2003, 06:58 PM	#10
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Directly (within 3 to 4") above the windshield, door openings and rear seam above the cab light, allow 1/2" to 3/4" to be safe, directly above your head you have very little to work with, allow zip! __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

11-10-2003, 07:08 PM	#11
BtnkBndt Pennyless Fool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Forney,Tx Posts: 439	I would set the stop (very tight, you don't want it to thread the hole and dimple the roof) for the thickness of the metal myself, 1/8" or less should penetrate. Just take it slow with a good bit and you shouldn't have any problems with heat buildup. Remember to lock dope smokin old man in the house

11-10-2003, 07:10 PM	#12
Chad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Midlothian, Tx Posts: 199	If there are any holes up there, take a piece of wire and guage the thickness. Then you will have a better idea. If you do not have any holes just set your drill stop as short as it will go and guage then. __________________ Chad ------------------ 69 Short Fleetside 72 2wd Blazer 70 4x4 Blazer 67 Chevy(big window) Just a cab for now 64 Chevelle SS (2dr Ht)

11-10-2003, 11:09 PM	#14
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	I measured where some roof lights were and the depth of the roof to the inner is less then 3/4". I wish the guy who mounted the lights bothered to measure as the inner has holes where the butt head ran his bit right through the inner!!! I would not allow my drill to go beyond a 1/4 to 1/3".

11-11-2003, 12:37 AM	#15
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will set the stop at 1/8" then use the depth gauge on my caliper to be on the safe side. Then set the stop on the bit about 1/16" above that. I'll post a few pics and let you guys know how it went when it's done. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

11-11-2003, 01:03 AM	#16
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I just cut the windshield lip area out of my cab and I would say it is more like 5/16". Not much room at all between the roof and inner liner at all. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-11-2003, 04:19 AM	#17
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Hah...I just got a brainstorm. I will go to the local pic-n-pull this weekend armed with a cordless drill and find a trashed cab and do some practicing. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!



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11-11-2003, 07:50 AM	#18
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Didn't the factory headliners (an option) use a metal retaining "ring" to hold the headliner in place? I think that part used a series of slotted-type holes, not in the highest part of the cab, but around the perimeter of the cove. Would you NOT want to use that original-type trim? I know some are going for a custom look, and I understand that the christmas tree fasteners are easy to use. The question may be rhetorical, but I just had to ask. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

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