The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Burb headliner

Now with the sliding window saga almost complete I need advice on installing the headliner. I bought Classic Parts burb headliner kit. It came rolled up in a tube and I have had it in my attic for about a month now and it has flattened out pretty good. I also bought the headliner bows from a fellow Bolter on our swap meet. Are the bows installed first or are they put up one at a time as the headliner sections are installed? Do I start at the front and work back or vice versa? I assume panel headliners are the same so maybe you panel guys can help too. Awaiting some sage advice from Burb and panel Bolters out there. Thanks in advance. Weeds

Weeds,

I do not know if my adice is sage but I have done the install.

First: I worked faster and safer when I had an assistant.

The bows are installed one at a time.

You start from the rear and work towards the front. Each bow should be a slightly different size and/or shape/bend.

Each new bow screws into the rib in the roof, with the open edge of the bow facing forward.

Panel headliners are quite different. I do not think that there are really total-coverage headliners in Panels, as is the case with Suburbans.

Tim

My panel had the original strips glued to the roof. Sort of vinyl looking on the face and some sort of jute looking backing.
I saved a piece for reference and kept a pic of piece still on the roof. I imagine there could be different headliners for differnt years and styles. I'm wondering around in the dark somehtimes myself!!

Alvin and Tim, thanks for the replies. I am starting on the headliner this week. Need to get the bows painted first. Sliding windows are finally done. Will take pics of the windows. Weeds

Weeds hope you have taken a lot of pics of the sliding windows. That headliner won't be much fun and do have help. I have been waiting to hear any time now that weeds had made his sub into a panel. I just might before it's over. Your almost at the end, If there is one. If you can make it out to calif my sub and martys are ready for ya. Good luck on the rest GOOOOOO WEEEEDS

Jacksub51, My Route 66 plan is still on. I may make it to CA. after all. I have a long way to go on this Sub but I plan on hitting it hard through the winter and maybe a spring rollout. Nothing much else to do in the winter up here except shovel snow.

Weeds

Weeds,

Thanks for starting this topic. I am nowhere near this point yet on my '56 Panel, but headliners have been on my mind lately. PeeWee gave me some really good advice for TFs, but I don't know if he has done an AD. I really like your paint job! I know the roll out will be sweet!

best wishes,

Les

As usual I have questions. This time on the burb headliner installation. I have held the headliner sections loosely in position and they seem to all be too big. Are they actually die cut to size or must they be trimmed to fit? I understand that I should start at the back and work forward one section at a time and that the bows should be installed with the slot facing forward to accept the edge of the next section. What supports the leading edge of the previous section since there is no slot for it to fit into? Maybe dumb questions I know but I would like to avoid a repeat of the sliding window saga that about drove me nuts. Any help Tim or Pee Wee? By the way Roadmarks thanks for the paint job compliment but pictures typically don't show all the gaffes. It is strictly amatuer but it looks good enough for me. Weeds

Weeds,

The sides of the headliner pieces sit inside the groove/lip/channel that runs along each side from the rear door opening almost to the side door openings.

The rear-most piece of headliner fits into a groove/lip/channel above the rear door, and the sides fit in the channels/grooves/lips on either side.

The leading edge of the first four pieces are held up to the roof by screwing the bow into the rib in the roof, screwing through the headliner piece (and thus holding up the headliner piece).

I bought my headliner set from Jim Carter (about 6 years ago) and it did not have to be trimmed (except for the front piece - let's wait on that until you get there). However, the two forward pieces of headliner were cut too short in the corners.

Unfortunately, I did not take photos during the installation, but here are some photos after the installation.

http://www.1954advance-design.com/SubHeadliner/index.html

Tim

Got the bows blasted and primed over the weekend. Am now trying to figure out which ones go where. They are all different lengths but all of them seem too long as if they are for a later model wider sub. Should I try to get them all screwed into their respective places on the roof ribs before starting the headliner install or should I try to fit them up as I install each individual headliner piece? Any suggestions Tim or PeeWee? Weeds

Weeds,

I suggest you fit them all in without the headliners. Then you will know which one goes in which location AND know that the screw holes will line up.

After you find out which one goes in which location, mark them as you remove them. Each one gets installed after each headliner panel in put in place.

Take it slow - good luck.

Tim

Weed
I have all 5 bow from a burb. i srap out.
I # them as i took them out and wrote down the ribs to skip. If i can help in any way be glad to.
Steve

jos48chevy, thanks for the offer of help. Which bows are skipped? Tim, I will follow your suggestion. In the package of bows I bought in the swap meet there are 2 short pieces about a foot long. They each have 2 brass button like thingies that go through the piece with legs on the back that are bent over. Where do these go? Weeds

Weeds,

How many bows in your set?

My '54 has 4 bows. There is no bow in the front. There is a one-piece curved windshield in 1954. Maybe you have a bow or two in the front over the windshield?

Any chance you could post or mail a few photos of the two short pieces? All my bows are the "full width" of the roof.

Nothing is easy, is it?

Tim

Weeds
start from back one goes over the doors.
one on the next rib.
skip one rib.
one goes on next rib.
skip the next rib
thin one goes on next two ribs.
and the windshield molding holds the front up.
this is the way it was on a 1953 chevy sub.
Steve

From my experience with the die cut cardboard headliner...1st every piece will have to be trimmed (you need an extremely sharp cutting tool plus great patience). 2nd this is definitely a 2 person job. 3rd, if you have the availability of some steam it will greatly enhance your ability to fit the headliner.

Tim, I have 5 bows plus these 2 short pieces. jos48chevy, thanks for the rib sequence. Steveg, if I could find steam how would I use it? My headliner kit consists of 2 narrow pieces and 2 wide pieces. I believe the bows I have are all too long. I have the rear one screwed in position over the rear doors. I had to cut it off on both ends to make it fit. I am going to continue fitting bows onto the roof ribs and see what happens. Weeds

Weeds...you'll find the headliner cardboard doesn't like to be bent, particularly in the header piece that needs to bend in 2 directions. Further light steam in the right places facilitates the bends and eliminates cracking. As far as the bows are concerned...they are "go or no go"...if they don't fit they're not for your truck.