The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors ABS Headliner

I know this topic has been beat up a bit but I am having trouble installing the one piece plastic headliner I purchased from Classic Parts. Instructions are not included and the description only has this tidbit ** MAY HAVE TO TRIM SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON YEAR **. Is 1950 a year that needs to be trimmed a little? Does the leading edge need to be under the windshield seal like the cardboard does or does the trim hold it in place?
I have only a handful of things left to do and this will become my daily driver so this headliner needs to just bow to my wishes.

Jackie

http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban183.jpg

It might be easier to make a paper template first.

I'd imagine the windshield garnish mouldings would be sufficient to locate the front edge,as far as I know the sides locate under the windlace trim inner lip.
Not sure how the rear edge is finished/attached though.

Jackie, I recruited the wife to help with my abs headliner a couple years ago. It's a bear even with 4 hands. As I recall we trimmed front and rear corners. Also removed the rubber trim that finishes out the cab to door area, or as Jockbolter50 more accurately said "the windlace trim inner lip" this helped a lot. We had to trim both sides a bit, then replaced the windlace trim, hiding the edges.

One of my better moves was to glue 3/4" black closed cell foam rubber (similar to an exercise mat)to the cab roof before we installed the headliner. This was part of a total cab insulation projection that really helped with winter comfort and sound mitigation.

The rear is secured by the original cardboard trim, same in the front.

Good Luck, Ron

I used the windlace retainers to kind of "snap" the ABS edges in to place and give the piece some form. Then again, my ABS headliner piece was cut from a 4x8 sheet. That's why I mentioned making a paper template.

Were and did you get your sheet of, is it abs plastic and how much was a sheet. Those pre cut ones listed are pricey and i would like to keep my metal bow in tbe centre to keep the origional look.

A local plastic (or sign) supply and it cost me $33 for the sheet.

Thanks i will be looking for a sheet thats a lot better than the price of a. Aftermarket liner. From the pictures yours looks perfect.

Thanks! Almost perfect. I redid the front piece when I took apart everything to paint the dash and jambs. Now it's closer to perfect.

Well the 1-piece headliner is installed!
We trimmed just a little at a time, checked the fit and did it again. Must have been in and out at least twelve times and still there is a 1/4 inch gap near the back of the door seal on the drivers side. It is only about 1.5 inches long, could have been much worse I suppose. We used a box cutter to score the ABS material and it just breaks off cleanly. Any ideas on a patch for the gap. I have a piece that was cut off that maybe can be used to repair?

Jackie

Jackie

You may be able to weld the scrap piece on with a soldering iron.

I need to install a headliner in my '47. The cardboard headliners have a bad reputation of not fitting very well, so I'm looking at the ABS type.

MNSmith, I also like the idea of making my own headliner out of a sheet of ABS. How thick was the sheet of ABS that you used?

Thanks,

1/8"