2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Headliner material

[Kalaehina]

Anybody use anything on their headliner other then the foam backed material? I've always preferred easier to clean vinyl to the fabric we have, and am not looking forward to removing the separating material from the headliner board. When I do replace it I want something that will last and be durable. Any suggestions?

 

[BigPapa]

Just my opinion, I've redone mine, but how much more durable do you want? What's there has lasted 15 years, and as far as easy to clean, how does a headliner get dirty? I would think some kind of vinyl would be hard to work with and it's weight would pull it down prematurely. The foam backed material stretches well, it's easy to work with, and light weight.

 

[Kalaehina]

Good points, I've done my 96 headliner with the foam backed material, and yes it did go on easy, it was still not one of my favorite jobs I've done, and now I have a quad cab to do. And as for how it gets dirty, well I guess years of dust, driving with the windows down (cuz I want to hear the exhaust), and having a bunch of young nephews with wandering hands will do it.

 

[BigPapa]

Those nephews will get you every time.



I think the key to it staying up is wrapping and gluing it over the edges. From the factory it is cut right on the edge. No wrap.

 

[Matt42]

Just my opinion, I've redone mine, but how much more durable do you want? What's there has lasted 15 years, and as far as easy to clean, how does a headliner get dirty? I would think some kind of vinyl would be hard to work with and it's weight would pull it down prematurely. The foam backed material stretches well, it's easy to work with, and light weight.

Here in the Central Arizona climate, the foam-type headliner deteriorates beginning at about six years. The headliner in my 1996 is pretty bad now, and where the fabric over the foam is not peeling off, the whole thing is acting sort of like a synthetic snow, sprinkling itself all over the interior of the cab and landing on the unwary passengers like plastic dandruff. I'd be interested in some other sort of replacement, also. On the other hand, the visors and the paint are also shot.



By this point, I am relying on the sun to the initial phases of paint removal ahead of the truck's next repaint. I had it repainted with BASF base and clear in 2006. That was a mistake. It'll be single stage acrylic or urethane this time.



What is it like to live in a climate that does not destroy paint, headlining, visors, upholstery, tires, batteries, hoses, weatherstripping, license plates and any forms of plastic? :{

 

[mwilson]

What is it like to live in a climate that does not destroy paint, headlining, visors, upholstery, tires, batteries, hoses, weatherstripping, license plates and any forms of plastic? :{

You can move up here, the interior will remain pristine but you can hear the frame and body rusting on a quiet night from the road treatment chemicals.....



Not to mention brake lines, fuel lines, coolant lines. Need a torch to get anything apart after the vehicle is a couple of years old.



You buy Never-Seez by the 5 gallon pail.



The trick is to get something paid off before it rusts out.



Mike.

 

[DavidC]

You can move up here, the interior will remain pristine but you can hear the frame and body rusting on a quiet night from the road treatment chemicals.....



Not to mention brake lines, fuel lines, coolant lines. Need a torch to get anything apart after the vehicle is a couple of years old.



You buy Never-Seez by the 5 gallon pail.



The trick is to get something paid off before it rusts out.



Mike.

Boy do I remember those days. Nothing like watching your vehicle turning into the next red oxide computer hard disk material right before your eye's. You don't just change mufflers you change exhaust systems. Then one day you walk out of the house and there are 4 tires where you parked.



Dave

 

[Axtell3]

With 80% of thier tread left.

 

[sg5054]

It's kinda cold... ... .

 

[gcorron]

I reupholstered my headliner several times when it got dirty or ragged. It worked OK, but the cardboard type backer got very weak in spots.



LMC truck sells new headliners on a PVC back. Yeah, it's a little pricey, but much more permanent and won't melt when ready to replace.



Not figuring on replacing my ride anytime soon.



I've been very pleased with mine.



BigPapa is right, if you don't wrap it, it can/will come loose much quicker.



George