Headliner - Complete removal & replacement

[dcscott]

My wife and I agreed to babysit her sisters dog this weekend. They forgot to tell us that the dog had serious separation anxiety issues. We left her in the truck unattended for about 20 minutes and she managed to shred about 1/4 of the headliner. Has anyone removed the entire headliner from a gen 3. I know some of you have dropped one end or the other for clearance lights, satellite radio antennas etc. but I've not found where anybody took the entire headliner out of the vehicle. Also, what are the odds of my finding one at a wrecking yard. Hate the thought of paying DC prices.

 

[DBrickel]

I haven't done it on a 3rd gen. but have on a 2nd gen. It was a piece of cake. Its been a while since I did it and can't quite remember the steps . I took off the visors, overhead console, A pillars, and the hooks etc. The headliner came out pretty easy with a little gentle coaxing.

I think its a pretty good chance of finding a replacement in a bone yard. I got mine for $75. I was quoted $125 to recover my old one at an auto apolstry shop if I removed and installed the new one

 

[DBrickel]

I just noticed You are in Sammamish. the shop I got the qoute from was a while ago but it was Hoglands in Everett. they are on Evergreen way. they do a lot of custom hotrods etc. and do nice work. Its a little bit of a hoof for you but thought I'd pass the info along anyway

 

[dcscott]

Thanks for the info on the shop in Everett. Unfortunately there isn't much left to recover. The dog not only ripped the fabric to shreds but she also shredded up the fiberglass and foam as well. One of my concerns is how the heck to even get a new headliner through the doors.

 

[ThomasLawrence]

One of my concerns is how the heck to even get a new headliner through the doors.

It's certainly a trick. My '95 club cab was similar. You'll drop the seat backs down, drop the headliner, tilt the steering wheel all the way up, rotate it 90°, and get the front of it underneath the steering wheel. It should then come out on a diagonal through the front door.



Well, actually, you'll just crumble the old one and yank it out, but installing the new one will follow the same process. In fact, better to practice with taking the old one out in one piece - that way, you'll see what works and what doesn't.



-Tom