The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1951 Suburban Headliner Question

I searched old topics but I don't think I found a clear answer. How many of the support rod/brackets came in the Suburban, specifically the 1951 model. These are the brackets that go above the headliner material and support the material by means of split pins. So all that is visible inside the cab is the button head.

I'm pretty sure I had all of the fallen headliner pieces when I got my project and there were only three brackets there.

Mark,

Send a PM to KCMongo. He sells a replacement/reproduction set of those strips and split pins. His set/parts look very nice.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/users/335.html

Does anyone know if those strips/pins were used on all 47-55 years' Suburbans (GMC & Chevrolet).

Has anyone found a listing of those parts in a Master Parts Book.

Thanks Tim. I saw that when I researched the old threads. I will keep Mongo in mind if my headliner requires more than the three I have. I looked through the assembly manual but found no document, suburban, truck or otherwise. If I have time today, I'll see if I can dig through the Master Parts Book.

I would guess that the headliner offered by Jim Carter and others WOULD NOT have the holes pre-punched? I would base my guess on how others have had to fit and trim their purchase ( as an example, when Weeds bought and installed his.) Otherwise, that could pretty much show how many were required.

Mark,

Please take photos of what you do.

I have no idea how you would know where to make the holes for the "pins".

I will. I still have a ways to go, paint the walls and little parts. Doing a lot of patching and paint removal right now.

I am starting to entertain the idea of using .090 ABS sheet with haircell finish on one side instead of the available cardboard versions. Thoughts?

Mark, I have limited experience with the ABS but with what little I do know I think you'd like it? Sure would last a long time and look kool.

Ok. Got some work done. Small parts and trim at powder coaters. Time to start working on the headliner. I have 2 sheets of .090 ABS haircell material. I still have more painting to do but no time at the moment. Got to be at CHRR in a week.

http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban168.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban169.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban170.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban171.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban172.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban173.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban174.jpg

I really need to get my bows back from the powder coater to size the sections properly. I can, at least, cut the two bigger pieces. I learned that I need a circular saw blade with finer teeth as the combo blade tends to take chunk out. Nothing that won't hide behind the side lip. The first piece was a bit on the tight side. I'll make the next piece less snug. That will be for tomorrow.

http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban175.JPG
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban176.JPG
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban177.JPG

I'll have to wait and see but I don't think I'll need any additional support.

Not as hard as I thought it would be. A lot of measuring and pattern making. I made the ABS do my bidding. Couple of glitches here and there but overall, I'm satisfied with the job.

http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban178.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban179.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban180.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban181.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban182.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban183.jpg

very nice job. Thxs for the pic's

Absolutely beautiful, Mark

You ought to be satisfied with the job.

Would you please post information on the material you used? If there is an on-line vendor, would you please post the name of vendor and product, and the Internet link?

Your efforts and results should guide and inspire many people in the future.

I have to replace my warped and poorly cut 12-year-old headliner (from JC) and I have been putting off installing the replacement set. The replacement set will now become my rough-patterns to make good patterns for making the final cuts.

Congratulations and thanks very much.

Thanks Tim.

The material is an .090 black ABS, haircell pattern one side, smooth on the other. My job required 3 ea, 4' X 8' sheets. The local shop could cut it down, but they would charge me for the cuts and wouldn't sell a partial. So I just took the whole sheets. Figured I can make side and door panels, maybe even back door panels with what is left over.

There are plenty of online sources:

http://www.sdplastics.com/abs_extruded_sheet.html
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23013

But I found it was much cheaper to source locally. Almost 1/3 the price. And, double the cost to add the shipping for the online sources.

The headliner has been in place for a coupe of weeks now. With the change in temperature, I have noticed no changes/sags or any trouble. I also put over three hundred miles on the Suburban and everything stayed in place. I'm still happy with the job and have received a lot of compliments.