The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 41 headliner

My 41 pickup had a one piece headliner in it, who is the recomended vendor for a new one and was it originaly black? Any other feedback or pointers are appreciated. Thanks Scott

Scott,

I made a futile attempt to install the one piece fiberboard headliner from JC. I did not go well, and JC provided no useful technical support. They even sent me a Stovebolt link that in the text said that you need to buy a couple before you figure out how to install! Obviously no one there has any real hands on knowledge about the item. The poor support and no effort to work out an amicable solution from the vendor irrevocably soured my relationship with them.

It is difficult to get a good fluid compound bend in the rear corners without getting unsightly creases. Unfortunately the creases will be very visible every time you get into the truck. I believe the original fiberboard headliners were steam formed at the factory. You will also notice that GM changed to a two piece headliner in 1942, makes you wonder why they changed...

I have heard/read that fiberglass or ABS headliners are much easier to install as the bend is already formed into the headliner. I was waiting for you to make this installation so you can offer real life guidance!

Paul

Paul I have also heard of a type that requires some type of forming with amonia for forming? Ever heard of that?

Scott,

Yes, I tried the ammonia and water solution employing several different methods.

Paul

I spoke with a friend that had just as bad luck with a two piece headliner. Somebody must know the proper method I hope. Scott

Mine is a two-piece headliner and it was extremely easy to install, dry. There were frustrating moments, but it wasn't hard by any means.

Who was the vendor you purchased it from? I wonder if they all come from the same manufacturer? Scott

I don't know how different the headliner in my '38 is from your '41, but I used a 1-piece fiberglass headliner. I figured the fiberboard might be kind of difficult to do by myself, so I opted for the fiberglass. It required some trimming, and a fair amount of trial and error. I didn't want to make the mistake of trimming too much, so I did a little at a time and kept trying it until it fit. I brushed on some brown paint once I was done trimming, and am happy with the result.

It's quite a bit different, but the method you used of taking your time and going slow is exactly the way to do it.

Classy Chevy USA, I believe. They all look the same.

Extremely easy and frustrating seem to be directly conflicting words. Extremely frustrating perhaps? Details man, details.

Hoff, did the compound bends particularly in the back corners fit the contours of the rear roof trim and door garnish moldings? Also did the fiberglass headliner have the mounting holes pre-punched or did you have to measure and guess? It looks difficult to obtain a decent reference point on an item with no right angles for measurement.

The headliner is just too visible, so to me it must look good, not "good enough".

Scott, from my experience often these reproduction parts come from one manufacture. I have noticed that some companies share part numbers and even share incorrect measurements in their less than descriptive descriptions. For example, the 41-46 door check link is a part listed by most companies but is not currently available at any as I would presume the one fabricator has not made a run of them for a while. The guy that makes card board headliners is making good money as it would seem he makes two or more for every truck as the directions for installation are simply insufficient and many hobbyists trash their first one. Ethics in business?

Thanks,

Paul

Perhaps they are conflicting but not in the context that I wrote it. There were frustrating moments as it was the first time I had done it, but it was a very easy install once I figured out what I was doing. Happy?

I'm not putting details here as this thread is about one piece headliners, do a search I just posted in another thread.

I did my two-piece the first time, I don't think it's very fair to assume that there is an issue with the product and the manufacture of it just because some people have issues installing it. I highly doubt that when GM did it new they all looked perfect, they were trucks, after all!

Paul,
I was fortunate in that I had the old fiberboard headliner, and it was I good enough condition for me to use as a template for the fiberglass one. I traced the outline of it on the fiberglass (going a little oversized). Once I got the fiberglass close after a few trial fits, I used the old headliner to locate and drill the screw holes.

I know everyone doesn't have the luxury of having the old one available or in a good enough condition to use as a template.

Hoff,

Thank you for your input. Yes, you were fortunate to have the old headliner to use as a template. Was the reproduction headliner relatively close in size/contour to your original? Did you research the pros/cons of the ABS and fiberglass versions? I am still on the fence as to which one to use, but I am certain it will not be the crappy reproduction fiberboard version.

Paul