Author Topic: Headliner installation  (Read 15704 times)

Offline Stacked440

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Headliner installation
« on: April 08, 2007 - 09:33:08 PM »
71 Challenger headliner install I've heard from a few people they are a REAL pain.  Anyone have tips, pics, tricks, advice?  I think I'm going to attempt to put it in tomorrow.
-Kyle-
1971 Challenger R/T clone 440/5-spd
1973 Duster - 5.7L Hemi swap project




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2007 - 08:09:46 AM »
Sorry I have never attempted one

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 71bigblock

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2007 - 11:21:08 AM »
Im curious too.  I want to know if I can remove the one thats perfect in there now, and put it back in.  Either way, its a good question   :clueless:

Offline 72hemi

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2007 - 11:48:30 AM »
I've done several headliners in several types of cars including 3 e bodies, and for me it is worth paying the 300 bucks to send the car to an upholsterer, and that includes the price of the headliner.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline VTMopar

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2007 - 07:09:31 PM »
I copied the below a few months ago from a previous post from somewhere...   YOu might try a search as there were photos that went with it.   I hope it helps!   
Vermont MOPAR


A how-to on installing a sewn type headliner with bows:

With a few tricks of the trade and a fair share of patience, headliner installation is a job that can be done by an amateur with professional results.

1. First step is to make a sketch of the positioning of everything fastened to the headliner. This includes items such as the rearview mirror, visors, seat belt clips, coat hooks, shoulder belts, dome
lamp, etc. If possible, a couple pictures can be very helpful, too.

2. After removing the original headliner, be sure to note the correct order of the bows. They are different and must be reinstalled in their original place. If they were previously removed and mixed up, they can be laid out side-by-side and sorted for position.

3. If the car already had the headliner removed, be sure that the dome lamp wiring is in place correctly and if your model has brackets for the shoulder belt clips they should be there as well.

4. At this point insulation should be glued to the roof skin.
Seen here is a polyester filter media that is light and gives the desired sound deadening effect.
 

4. The new headliner comes folded in a small box. The headliner may be laid out and warmed in the sun to relax out wrinkles, but it is not absolutely necessary.

5. Start by sliding the bows into the listing pockets and centering them. At this point carefully trim the listings so that about 1" of the bow is exposed. (This step is done outside of the car.)
 
 

6. Now move the headliner with bows into the car. Place the rear-most bow into the hanger clips. On the rear bow there are 2 small wires with hooks on the ends. One end hooks on the bow and the other presses into a small hole in the rear-most roof crossmember. There's one wire retainer used per side. I like to hook them slightly inboard so that as the headliner is stretched to the sides it will pull them straight.
 

7. Continue placing the rest of the bows working forward.

8. Now for the most important trick!!!... you need about a dozen or so small spring clamps. Some refer to these as Pony clamps; the ones with the orange dip coating on the tips and handles. These are used to clamp the headliner edges WITHOUT stabbing it onto the gripper teeth. These will allow you to work your way around the headliner gradually pulling it tight and drawing all the wrinkles out.

9. Start in the rear by verifying that the centerline marked on the headliner is lined up with center of the rear window opening. Pull the headliner rearward and clamp it in place. DO NOT PRESS IT INTO THE GRIPPER TEETH AT THIS TIME!!!

10. Again, in the front verify the centering and pull the headliner forward and clamp it in place. Once again don't press it into the gripper teeth.
 

11. Now work down the sides, pulling it gradually from each side, clamping it along the way. As the headliner is pulled outboard, the listing pockets will need to be re-trimmed; trim so that approx. 3/4" of bow is exposed up to the roof side crossmember. Be consistent with this dimension so that the point where the side-to-side stitch seams curves is the same down the whole side. Continue pulling & clamping around the perimeter until the headliner is taught.
 
 
 
 

12. When the entire headliner is tight and looking good, you can go to the next step. First check that the front and rear side-to-side seams are straight. Uneven pulling can make them uneven, this is easily corrected by readjusting. It should look nearly perfect at this point and be taught. Small tight creases from packing folds will come out easily with careful heating. Overheating will melt the material! Practice on a scrap piece if you're unsure of how hot you can make it. It's also important to keep moving around with the heat to prevent overheating a spot. Time in the sun will also relax out these packing folds. Soft wrinkles by the visor corners will be pulled out as these edges are glued.

13. Starting in the rear, pull slightly and press the headliner material onto the gripper teeth. Start in the center and work toward the outsides.

14. Repeat step 13 on the front edge.

15. The sides are done next. This area has to be glued with trim adhesive. I use a special glue gun with a pinpoint spray pattern, but it can also be brushed on. Glue between the clamps and install headliner clips at each seam. Trim edges to approx. 5/8". Remove the clamps as each section is dry enough to hold.

16. Trim and glue down areas in front next to the visors.

17. Pull headliner to eliminate wrinkles and push down onto gripper teeth in the sail panel areas. Supplemental glue is recommended along the bottom. Trim as needed.

18. Finish trimming around the front and rear edges being careful not to cut too close to the teeth.

19. Carefully locate the dome lamp position. Refer to your drawings or pictures to be sure. One wrong cut here and its back to square one! On many cars, the dome lamp can be attached in front or rear of the center roof crossmember. Be sure you have it in the right place... make a small slice and locate the wiring & socket. Only trim the slice large enough allow the lamp to be screwed on without distorting the headliner. Cutting an opening is not necessary or recommended.
 

20. Visors, mirror, etc. can be located by feeling through the material to find the indents for the screws. A small needle can also be used to check if you're unsure. Take your time! I haven't scrapped one yet, but I've come close!


VT MOPAR

Offline SilverChally

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2007 - 12:50:22 AM »
My old man helped me do the first one, then I was good from there.  I dont think its that hard to do.  Not sure if I could be much help, but its honestly far from difficult in my mind.  I think its much easier than covering bucket seats for one.
70 challenger project
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Offline 72hemi

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2007 - 07:49:34 PM »
That's funny. I find recovering seats is way easier than installing a headliner and not getting any wrinkles in it.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline 71bigblock

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2007 - 08:00:00 PM »
My old man helped me do the first one, then I was good from there.  I dont think its that hard to do.  Not sure if I could be much help, but its honestly far from difficult in my mind.  I think its much easier than covering bucket seats for one.

So SC, are the steps above good?  Anyone else? 

Offline SilverChally

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2007 - 12:12:53 AM »
That's funny. I find recovering seats is way easier than installing a headliner and not getting any wrinkles in it.

Well only did buckets once and reused the foam.  It was a 70 runner so had the metal rod running around the center where the welt was.  Thats the hard part. 
70 challenger project
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Offline Stacked440

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2007 - 10:04:14 PM »
hm...I just unpacked my headliner and its 4 bows not 5 bows...I understand from what yearone says that 71 had both? :dunno:
-Kyle-
1971 Challenger R/T clone 440/5-spd
1973 Duster - 5.7L Hemi swap project

Offline 72hemi

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2007 - 10:10:16 PM »
It depends on the production date of your car I believe, one of those mid year production changes.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline farmboy70

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2007 - 05:28:57 AM »
Resto Rick,s web site has a good out line on the install also. A couple of things I would add is to put the new liner in a cloths dryer along with a damp towle for a few minites to remove the packing wrinkles.
I found not to try and get all the wrinkles out in one try,just keep going around working a little at a time.
Dave

Offline 71bigblock

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2007 - 07:18:53 AM »
Can a person take out a headliner to put the same one back in?  Mine is almost perfect, no reason to replace it.  But when I do the resto, I want to take it out to clean everything up.   :clueless: :dunno: :1zhelp:

Offline farmboy70

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2007 - 04:49:42 AM »
Can a person take out a headliner to put the same one back in?  Mine is almost perfect, no reason to replace it.  But when I do the resto, I want to take it out to clean everything up.   :clueless: :dunno: :1zhelp:

Possibly, but I would think the material would not strech to pull out the wrinkles being it is so old.
 I would give it a try and if it won't work headliners are not very expensive if needed.
Dave

Offline purple1

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Re: Headliner installation
« Reply #14 on: April 15, 2007 - 12:48:01 PM »
Can a person take out a headliner to put the same one back in?  Mine is almost perfect, no reason to replace it.  But when I do the resto, I want to take it out to clean everything up.   :clueless: :dunno: :1zhelp:

I tried that back in the 80's. A 74 Charger headliner. I got it out but it ripped in a few places. A 30 some year old headliner will rip VERY easy. Better just to get a new one.

Dave  :wave:

Dave


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