The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Headliner...Old topic new question.

I am planning on buying a two piece black headliner for my 55.1. Do I need any rubber seals or is there a floating bow that I need? I talked to my upholstery guy and he said he can put sound deadener inbetween the liner and roof.

All tips would help.

Thanks,
Chris

I await responses too because I have the same truck and a headliner will be going in soon. I'm really thinking of putting in a one piece plastic headliner that can be painted/covered, like the ones ChevyDuty sells.

You just answered another question that came up. Where to order the headliner and is there a one part.

In talking to Chevy Duty, they recommend the 1954 one piece they have that comes in black. I will most likely go that route and have it covered with the same carpet material that will cover the floor and door panels. $139.99 for the one piece.

Does this one piece need the rubber that goes around it?

I was just pokin' around on my '54, running wires through the door post, up over the headliner, to the new dome light I put in ... and I was surprised at how simple it looks.

The PO of my truck not only has a headliner in, but also covered the whole back (around the rear window) and rear-sides of the cab. The headliner is one piece, then the left and right rear-sides are 2 more pieces, and the back (around the window) is just glued to the metal.

The back material (glued down) is just tucked under the window rubber and looks nice! That rubber isn't easy to pull up and tuck material under, but with a couple of putty knives (one wide; one narrow) it looks manageable.

The 2 rear-side pieces really surprised me because they're made out of 1/16" cardboard ... and though they look fantastic and form a nice cupped curve in the top corners of the ceiling, it was all done with a simple 45-degree cut in the cardboard! I guess you can shape that stuff better than I thought! These two pieces form the corners behind and on the sides of the seats ... the back seam is secured with a chrome interior screw (top and bottom) and the side edge is just tucked under the door rubber.

The headliner is secured across the back seam with 4 - 6 chrome interior screws (hardly noticeable because it's thick button-tufted stuff) ... the sides are tucked under the door rubber, and the front is tucked under the windsheild rubber.

This is the first time I examined how it was all done, and it was just a quick look-see for now -- I was mostly concerned with running my wires.

I'll be replacing all the above with new designs, and when I do, I'll go into much greater detail with photos, etc. at my site. I was getting pretty excited about the whole idea though! There are some fun possibilities running through my mind -- can't wait to get to it for real.

If you are going with an original style headliner (two piece front/rear) there is no rubber seal that goes specifically with the headliner. As already mentioned, it tucks behind the top of the windshield rubber and the door windlace. The back is secured with a curved brace and 11 sheet metal screws. For the center (between the two pieces of the headliner) you would need a floating bar. That also is supported behind the windlace of both doors. I believe the floating middle bar is available through some vendors.

I do not know much about the one piece plastic version that is being sold other than some folks swear by it as easier to install. I was going for an original/simple look so I installed the cardboard original.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the responses. It looks like I am going with the one piece and per Horvath's tip carpet all the way around the back window and down the the gas tank. Custom cover to be built later.

I'm outta here,
Chris

We found a center piece for one of the 2 pcs headliners at a swap meet for $10.00 and got the headliner from ChevyDuty. Take a deep breath.... putting that headliner in is a 2 person witch! Looking back I'd glue the front pcs of the headliner into the metal brace first and then do the back half. Make sure the headliner fits into the bracket on both sides before you start. Either way it's no fun

"Peal&Seal" is a great sound deadener. (sold at roofing supply places) It's just like the "Dynamat" they sell for big bux. I did the entire cab and it works great!

Hey Russn, can you describe that Peel&Seal a litte more? How thick is it? Does it have foil on one side? Self adhesive or do you have to spray on something like 3M's spray adhesive? I've been using that felt stuff, about 1/2 to 3/4" thick and foil on one side. It works but it is not readily available. I will check local building supply outfits for Peel&Seal (Home Depot doesn't have it).

I had one installed in my truck about 2 yrs ago but we the extreme hot TX weather it did not last to long,,it is sagging, thought about re-glueing it but figured it would come down again, now I can use it for extra storage space,I can slip my cap in it when I need to keep it out of sight,,,,,Fred

3M Super 77 is great adhesive for interior work, but NOT for ceilings.

Gravity and hot temps will bring stuff DOWN ... what you need to use is 3m Foam Fast -- THAT'S the stuff that will keep things UP (roof-wise).