Appreciate you all who took a little time to read my post.
Finally getting the 1949 Chevy 3/4 ton truck looking a little better. Sprucing up the interior led me to install a new headliner. Only after trying to install it did I realize putting it in wasn't as straight forward as it seemed. I understand the 1949 Chevy truck came in two variations; the early 1949 models and the later 1949 models. I am pretty sure mine is the early model 1949 as the headliner center bow is screwed to roof of cab instead of the "floating type" . I am real sure I specified this when I order the headliner but now I am not sure which truck I have. The rear piece was a pretty easy to figure out but the front piece I am a little perplexed about how it would be supported in the center. Also, the two headliner pieces I have are both too big in depth. I think if I were to trim them back they would fit but trim back by how much? The original headliner is long gone so no template. Any ideas of the size I would need to trim these down to? An installation video, wedsite or a diagram would be really helpful or just some old fashion advice on what to do would be great to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
That was in use from 1947 until remaining stocks were consumed in early to mid-1949. This was replaced by the floating “S” bow in use through 1st Series 1955 models.
Far be it from me to challenge the honorable Mr. Allen, but I zoomed in on your pic and I do not see any screw holes in the metal at the top of the door opening for the early '49 metal windlace retainer. I am thinking that you have a late '49, and the original c-channel windlace retainer has been removed. Someone may have screwed the early center headliner support on to a later cab. 2 cents.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
That bow is spot welded in place as per original not screwed in, can you confirm that Barnfind? I cannot see enough of the windlace to comment on that.
I will confirm when i get home but i do believe its spot welded in. As for the windlace that was something i was also gonna ask for help on because I honestly don’t understand it. I see people speak of it all the time but mine looks like theres no way to attach. Only channel i see is over top of the door where it looks like the headliner sits in??
*****didnt mean to change subjects on the thread but i just posted my pic to try and learn/identify the early/late headliner theme because i too will be doing this soon.
These are the only pics i have saved of that area.
Barnfind, look for evidence of old spotwelds on the inside perimeter of the door opening where the old windlace c-channel used to be. You should see 1/8th inch dimples in the metal, spaced somewhere around 2-4 inches apart. If you find them, then your truck would have come with the floating center headliner bow.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Ok.....im gonna make a new thread about the windlace confusion but back to the original topic of the headliner. Mine would be considered the “early style screw in bow” type correct?
