For Those of you With Headliners...

[terd ferguson]

How did you attach it to the roof. And for goodness sakes, let's see some pictures.

[protrash64]

I have NOT done this, but have some experience. You would make a fairly stiff panel out of fiber board. Go to your local upholstery place or, near me my body supply stocks fastners, and get some 'Chrstmas trees'. Line up your panel and make holes. Finish of the panel over the fastners and pop it in when finished.

Similar to a door panel. Thats how a custom headliner was done in my 90SS454 I used to own.

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I have NOT done this, but have some experience. You would make a fairly stiff panel out of fiber board. Go to your local upholstery place or, near me my body supply stocks fastners, and get some 'Chrstmas trees'. Line up your panel and make holes. Finish of the panel over the fastners and pop it in when finished.

Similar to a door panel. Thats how a custom headliner was done in my 90SS454 I used to own.

I wanted to avoid drilling holes in the roof if possible. I like to use 1/4" luan for door panels and such. For headliners, I just use fabric. But on our trucks, it's only a partial headliner panel. I'd imagine I would make a panel out of luan or fiberboard and cover it with foam and vinyl. The only thought I've had so far for attaching it to the roof is velcro (to not have to drill holes in the roof). I was just wondering how others have done it in our trucks.

I definately don't like those christmas tree type fasteners. Especially under the vinyl. The edges that hold the trees in the hole always break off. And if they're under the headliner material, you can't easily replace them. And nothing sucks more than a saggy headliner.

[terd ferguson]

Nobody's got a headliner panel up top?

[ChiefRocka]

My headliner is primer black...never thought about it

[markeb01]

I am also watching this thread for ideas. I'd love to install a diamond tufted headliner in my truck, but don't relish the idea of drilling holes in case it doesn't work out, or having the headliner fall on my head while driving.

The following link

http://www.roddoors.com/images/INSTR...0HEADLINER.pdf

is the installation instructions for the RodDoors headliner for the 60-66 trucks. They use Dualloc which I understand is like industrial Velcro. I've also found Dualloc recommended for attaching streetrod door panels, and read just as many posts suggesting it doesn't work well.

I thought about using those screw in upholstery snaps like they used on tonneau covers, but alignment would be difficult, plus how many holes would have to be drilled.

The only headliner I've actually seen in real life in this style truck is this show truck. He upholstered panels that fit between the ribs and made stainless strips in between. It looks great, but not what I'm after.

[bigsnookmaster]

Hey guy's, I'm in the 67-72 group, but I recently made a full headliner shell out of fiberglass. I was fortunate enough to have another cab, that I hung upside down from my shop roof, and used as a mold ,but there was some tweaking to do to fit my cab. As a shell, the sunvisors and rear cargo light will assist in holding it in as well as the door and window rubbers also. It stays in place pretty well. I haven't upholstered it yet, but will try to post some pics soon.Good luck.

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

Hey guy's, I'm in the 67-72 group, but I recently made a full headliner shell out of fiberglass. I was fortunate enough to have another cab, that I hung upside down from my shop roof, and used as a mold ,but there was some tweaking to do to fit my cab. As a shell, the sunvisors and rear cargo light will assist in holding it in as well as the door and window rubbers also. It stays in place pretty well. I haven't upholstered it yet, but will try to post some pics soon.Good luck.

Thanks. I look forward to seeing your pics.

My situation is a little different. I am only doing part of the roof. In our trucks, there's a rounded rectangle shaped indention in the roof. I am making a panel just to go in that indention. I could see where a fiberglass shell would be good for the complex curves of a whole roof. But mine will be toatlly flat. If you look at the green truck, the part that is black is the size of the panel I'm making.

But thanks again.

[darkhorse970]

I've thought about this in the past, but never took the dive. Would magnets work? I was thinking of the flexible kind with glue on one side. Not sure how strong these are or where to get them...I too will watch this post for ideas.

[jonzcustomshop]

what would work is the same stuff that they use to mount those rod doors (I think that isthe company) door panels, those abs plastic shaped ones that are sold.
what they us is an industrial velcro.
pretty much takes a screw driver to seperate it.

the only headliner in a truck I have is held in by a UGLY sun roof, it is a shame because except for that it is a good cab...

[terd ferguson]

Anybody else wanna weigh in?

[1964C10]

Not sure if this is any help, but I have used that industrial velcro in the past, you can buy at Lowe's now and it will definitely hold up! Just make sure you clean the glue areas real well for the spot where the velco will go, and also do it out side so the metal is warm and it will allow to adhere better. I have been thinking about it myself because I want to eliminate some of that tin can sound, but I am nowhere near that point so it hasnt been a priority. I think your idea of luan/fiberboard covered in fabric should work just fine. At least if you velcro it you can always take it out if you dont like it. My 2c.

[markeb01]

Here's another pic of a show truck headliner. Unfortunately the owner wasn't around to ask how he did it.
URL=http://img43.imageshack.us/i/30030.jpg/][/URL]

[Captainfab]

I was going to post a pic of that one but you beat me to it......

Originally Posted by markeb01

Here's another pic of a show truck headliner. Unfortunately the owner wasn't around to ask how he did it.
URL=http://img43.imageshack.us/i/30030.jpg/][/URL]

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Here's another pic of a show truck headliner. Unfortunately the owner wasn't around to ask how he did it.
URL=http://img43.imageshack.us/i/30030.jpg/][/URL]

This is along the lines of what I want to do (shape wise). I wonder if this guy's using the velcro?

[1964C10]

If he is then most likely he is using filler blocks or something to make up for the difference because that looks like too much of a drop for just velcro.

OK Crazy idea:
What if you make the panel and then put that insulation foam in a can on the back of it in certain spots, press it in place and use like a few pieces of wood to keep it in place over night? That foam should adhere fine to both sides.

[markeb01]

I thought about the same idea, but maybe using panel adhesive (like something shown on the link below). It would certainly stay in place, but would be a nightmare to remove if you changed your mind.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/3m/duramixadhesive.aspx

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I thought about the same idea, but maybe using panel adhesive (like something shown on the link below). It would certainly stay in place, but would be a nightmare to remove if you changed your mind.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/3m/duramixadhesive.aspx

That 3M adhesive is supposed to be really good stuff. Body shops are using it to glue patch panels instead of welding. I think I heard the auto manufacturers are using similar stuff instead of welds. One thing to think about with the 3M stuff is the price of the gun. It is CRAZY expensive. It's kind of like a caulking gun, but with two tubes and two plungers.

[Chevy Fleetside]

The crappy dude that did mine sprayed glue all oiver and glued up the fabric. The center is from rod doors and it was supposed to stay up with velcro but it was to heavy so the dude used 4 screws to hold it up. He didn't tell me he was doing this. The main thing I was so unhappy with in my truck was the interior. The fabric is pulling away from the cab now. I am ripping it all out and painting. I will probably use the upper piece though. I will find a better way to anchor it.

[Eagar1]

I think you could just use the magnets as suggested before, but make sure it lays flat, and use a lot of em, the weight of the headliner should not overcome it if done properly.
The other thing you can do is to weld 1/4" bent washers to the roof and run 3/16ths rod thru them that you can have a stitched headliner made to thread the rods thru, and design to cover the washers. Kind of like a VW.
If you want to change back later, simply grind of the washers, no holes to fill.

[Nailz]

Here ya go Kevin. It was in when i bought it.....gonna change it up from brown but keep the diamond stitch.

[bigsnookmaster]

Digging up an old thread, but I said I would post pics, but... I don't have them as yet. Couple days or so. We finished my headliner install on Thursday 1/28, and it came out beautiful! It's a full fiberglass shell,covered in 3/16ths landau foam,black Ultra-leather, with a 1/2" pleated insert to match the seats and door panels. I will post pics in a few days, Greg

[harry]

was in the truck when i got it, I will have a look and see how it was done

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by harry

was in the truck when i got it, I will have a look and see how it was done

Please post a photo of the seat and door panel(s) if you can. It looks like the doors are done all the way up to the window. I'd really like to see how they did it. Thanks.

[harry]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Please post a photo of the seat and door panel(s) if you can. It looks like the doors are done all the way up to the window. I'd really like to see how they did it. Thanks.

here you go this pic was already on my computor. can take a better pic of door panel if you want