Head liner fell down and can't get back up again

[tkerrigan]

This question is for a '91 reg cab w250. The head liner is almost completely loose. It's only stuck on in the middle 6" front to rear and around the edges. What would be a reasonable cost to get this problem fixed? Glue old one back up? Have new one installed? I owned this truck for fourteen years then sold it to a friend in 2004. He got cancer last year and just passed away last month. This is about the last thing to fix on this truck before I sell it for his wife. Thanks in advance for any information on this.

 

[Paychk]

Permanent fix would be to have it re-glued at an automotive upholstery shop, get by fix would be a spray can of contact cement.

 

[JLEONARD]

I had no luck trying to reglue it with contact cement.

However I was successful in removing the entire headliner and backing, scraping off the old loose layer of whatever the backing material is, glueing in new material and reinstalling.

It didn't take that long and looked very nice afterward. I had grey interior so I just bought some grey felt looking material out of a "Joann Fabrics" store.

 

[rumblefish]

i did the same in my ramcharger. in fact, some of the larger fabric shops have headliner material, with the foam backing. here is what i did:



remove your headliner, and get rid of the fabric. use a stiff, nylon bristle brush to "scrub" the old glue of, but dont damage the cardbard headliner itself. spray it with adhesive. i used the 3M stuff in the red and black can. its pricey, but works great. lay your material on it, and trim it out. reinstall you your finished. the one in my ramcharger still looked great when i sold it 4 years later. it was not difficult at all. judging by the number of people that ask about this, looks like i need to put together a how to.

 

[tkerrigan]

Thanks, that's just what I needed, I didn't realize there was a liner that could be taken out. Thought it was glued to the metal, what a mess that would make.

 

[rumblefish]

take down all the plastic trim, and it should come down. its MUCH easier to work with out of the truck. dont be afraid, its actually pretty easy. when i did my RC, i think i had $75 or so in it, but you will need alot less material. last i checked it was around $11/yard, and the spray adhesive is pricey, but dont skimp on it. i tried some other stuff and it wasnt sticky at all.

 

[tkerrigan]

I took it down this morning and took it to a body shop. They think that it will be easy to repair.

 

[Ncostello]

Awwww.. .come on tkerrigan!! 1st geners have to do things themselves! Anybody could have done that!



Actually... I recently bought some 3M spray. Mine is on its last leg too... or rather last inch of bonding agent. I basically got the whole interior out except the dash frame. Now is the time for that pesky headliner that makes me feel like I'm in a chop top 50 Mercury all the time. That and those weak seat springs on the driver side.

 

[tugboatphil]

3M Spray Adhesive

It's been about 10 years now, but there used to be one type of this stuff that said on the directions, "Not for use with auto headliners. " I know they have different formulas, so check the label before you buy it.

 

[LBARTLETT]

my experience when I fixed mine was I over stretched the fabric, it all then fell down after time, if you use plenty of the spray adhesive and don't overstretch the fabric it will last a very long time, good luck and sorry for the loss of your friend

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That and those weak seat springs on the driver side.

I thought the springs was the issue on my '91 too - but turned out that the foam rubber material had simply "settled" down into and past the support spring below - the fix was an appropriate piece of carpeting inserted between the springs and the foam rubber to restore proper support - seat was then good as new...

 

[Ncostello]

Gary... I absolutely appreciate the tip. I'll give that a try. I was going to buy some more long springs from McMaster and stretch them all over under there in hopes to improve the seat height. But this sounds better! Mine's not horrible... but my passengers always seem taller than me.

 

[Greenleaf]

My vote is to remove it. I know knowbody likes that, but it sure is a load off my shoulders when I removed that stubborn liner from both my trucks.



The "reglue" method was a waste of time and money.

 

[JDietz]

If you have'nt fixed your headliner yet, you may want to try what I did with two of my cars. Get a box of 100 3/8 philips head stainless steel wood screws. Start in the middle of the liner and screw the liner into the foam back board, keeping the headliner pulled tight. The screws don't need to be real tight and if you make neat rows, with the screws about 5 or 6 inches apart, it won't look bad at all. Plus it's inexpensive. I drive a 1990 Cadillac that I did I did like that and people who ride in it don't even notice. Or are afraid to say something.



2004. 5 2500 lwb black quad cab

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary... I absolutely appreciate the tip. I'll give that a try. I was going to buy some more long springs from McMaster and stretch them all over under there in hopes to improve the seat height. But this sounds better! Mine's not horrible... but my passengers always seem taller than me.

Hope it works for you - all mine had was thin cheesecloth-like material between the foam and the springs - once the "fabric" wears thru, the foam rubber starts getting worn/cut into by the springs, and the seat settles with it. Certainly, the springs may well go bad too - but that wasn't the problem with mine. Any thick and stout material would work, canvas, denim - etc. , I used the carpeting because it was what was at hand at the time... Good luck!