Replacing Headliner

[richgod]

I have a deteriorating headliner in my 93 D250 LE Extended cab. I'm having the bench seat re-built upholstered soon and want to get the headliner done at the same time. It is fabric over hardboard(?) I think.

How is this R&R best done? Can the headliner be removed through the doorway without breaking/creasing?

Any tips greatly appreciated.



Richard

Raleigh, NC

 

[TWorline]

Richard:

I did mine this past fall. The sponge backed fabric is glued to a fiberglass panel. After you remove all of your trim plus sun visors, tilt your steering wheel down as far as it will go, for an auto truck and manual trucks put the gear sellector in first gear, tilt your right seat back as far as it will go and gently take it out the passengers side door. After it is out set it up on some saw horses, take a whisk broom and whisk off all of the sponge that is still stuck to the panel after you remove the bad headliner fabric. When you go to buy the spray adhesive get the best they have and read the directions carefully. I used black subwoofer carpet on mine and it turned out real good.

 

[KOG]

Don't use the "best" contact cement you can get. There is a specific 3M product made for this, #88 if I remember correctly. The are others labeled for high temperature which sound good, but dry too fast for headliner application.

 

[richgod]

Thanks

Thanks for the help guys. I'll have the bench seat out of the truck when this happens so I should have a little less problem than some then.

I'm assuming it has to bend in such a way that the front comes out first, bending side to side. Looks like bending front to back wouldn't be enough to get it through the door.

I was going to get it done by the upholsterer when he did the seat... but it sounds like it is a fairly easy job to do at home. I may try it myself.

 

[KOG]

It's not too difficult, but you will need two people when you're putting the new fabric on in order to get it straight. If you want more of a challenge, try the headliner for a van. Just a bit larger.

 

[Greenleaf]

The fix is to remove the entire thing. Then, have a Mt Dew and relax.



I prefer the paint to the liner. Just me.

 

[rumblefish]

The 3M stuff I used was in a red and black can. I forget what number it is. I did the headliner in my Ramcharger, and just took it out the rear hatch.



I used the foambacked material from a fabric store. Take your significant other with you so the women in the store don't look at you funny, unless you like that sort of thing. Make sure you get a piece big enough, and don't cut yourself short (literally) in the corners. I did this, but luckily it was up in front and the sunvisor covered it up. Its not hard to do if you take your time, and definitely have a helper at least when you reinstall it.

 

[rumblefish]

I will also add that I used the "headliner adhesive" made by 3M I found at an autoparts store. That is exactly what it said on the can, and had a pic of a guy doing a headliner on it. The stuff was absolutely junk. It wasn't sticky right out of the can, nor was it after I let it set up for a while. Use the 3M stuff in the red and black can. My headliner still looked great after 3. 5 years.

 

[DBF]

I have a deteriorating headliner in my 93 D250 LE Extended cab. I'm having the bench seat re-built upholstered soon and want to get the headliner done at the same time. It is fabric over hardboard(?) I think.

How is this R&R best done? Can the headliner be removed through the doorway without breaking/creasing?

There are some things I leave to those who do them every day and thus can do them well & fairly cheaply. This is one.



My upholstery shop charged $75 to redo the headliner. Came out great, in a gray just slightly darker than the interior. Looks fine.



Regards, DBF