Headliner Ideas...Crew Cab

[cole_boy]

My 75 crew cab needs a new headliner, I still have the 2 "cardboard" pieces and all of the edge trim (don't have the middle divider trim piece). I don't see any HL kits in the catalogs that are for crew cabs. I'm actually more interested in just cleaning/painting the ceiling, but I thought that it would be too loud? Any ideas? (crazy ideas welcomed!--think 'outside the cab').
Thanks,
Brian

[crewcab77]

I went to wal-mart and got fabric and used automotive spray glue on mine and it actually looks real good. I have pics on my gallery if you want to look.

[kaotikedge_111100]

I have a new crew too and the front carboard is missing it's liner as well. I was going to go to menards and buy some cheap black carpeting and use that same adhesive, i've done it to a couple of peoples cars for them already and it looks very very nice if you take your time and do a nice job!! I'd also like some new ideas, the interiors of these trucks can really be spiffed up for not a lot of cash if your creative!

[crewcab77]

I glued mine on the existing cardboard headliner. I believe a regular cab headliner is the same size. But not 100% sure though.

[I_Thnk_Ford]

I would go with the leather look materieal. I mainly see seats covered with it. I wish I could think of the name, but it escapes me now. First go to your local hardware store.
Purchase a piece of styrofoam sheeting. (1/8) should work. Measure it up to your old liners, if you have them. If not measure both pieces to the roof; making them a little larger. Then take them inside with a roll of duct tape and cut to fit. Glue a thin piece of cardboard over it, then what ever kind of material you wish, to the cardboard.
The insulation acts as a insulator (duh). To help keep the inside to your desired temp, via your a/c or heater. The cardboard protects the foam from being hit and permantly dented, as foam will only give one way when pressed.

I'm not sure how much noise will come from an unprotected roof, being there is no wind obstruction on your roof. But this should take care of all that.

Robert P.

[Scot]

Go buy a sheet of ~1/16" ABS plastic. Use the original as a pattern or make one out of cardboard. This is the material Rod-Doors uses for their interior panels. I bought a 4x8' sheet of 1/8" for ~$35. 1/8" is too rigid to make the corners.

[bushman]

Ok guys, I have been working on this one for 2 months now. I have a 79 Crew that I have been going through complete. The headliner was kicking my butt. I had the original cardboard, but it was really warped. I had all of the surround trim but didn't have the divider trim. Then I thought I would go to a 1 piece headliner. Then I realized I wouldn,t be able to get it in the truck. I started looking around for some new headliner cardboard .
I searched the web, auto stores, upholstry shops, and even upholstry supply houses. They all said the same thing. They didn't know where to get new headliner cardboard. They had doorpanel board, but they said it should not be used in headliners . they said headliner board is usually wax impregnated to avoid damage from moisture. It was suggested to go back to the wrecking yards and find one bigger and cut it down. Since I am no stranger to the wrecking yards back I went. I seached all over and found a Dodge van had large enough pieces to cut down(the Ford vans were to small) . I pulled a couple of them and was standing there daydreaming and realized that the trim piece dividing each section looked familiar. I pulled one and bought it. Took it home and matched it up and it was the same trim piece as the crewcab didvider piece, only longer so it could be cut down. I went back to the upholstry supply house and asked him if I could order some brand new. He said no, that style had been discontinued for quite a while. I then went ahead and purchased real headliner material from him and got instructions on how to lay it properly. He also said that the van headliner board was a great candidate to use. I just got done cutting the boards and will be test fitting them this weekend before I glue the material on. The vehicle that has the headlinerboard and the divider trim piece is late 70's to mid 80's dodge full size window vans or passenger vans.

I hope this helps and sorry about the length of the post but I was proud of the background work

[Torque1st]

You can use that reflective bubble wrap insulation above the headliner and other places.

[warren b]

thanks bushman. My headliner is crapping out too. I thought I'd just have to live with it.

[73Custom]

I recently reupholstered my headliner too, it's a regular cab, but the process it the same. My cardboard was warped and wavy, so I glued a piece of 3/16" panel board to the back of the cardboard - making it a little smaller than the cardboard because the panel board wouldn't make the bends at the ends. Then I bought some headliner material (made with thin foam backing) and spray glued it (be sure to get the correct glue or it will seep through) to the cardboard. Looks great and only cost $20.

Marty

[Mike W]

That 1/16 abs plastic sounds like a good idea. Where can you buy it?

[reddogracing]

can be done. How do I get it in the truck? Easy enough, the rear glass can be removed pretty easy, than slide it in from the back. Even though the rear window is not as wide as the liner, it is tall enough to allow you to arch the liner to fit it through.

[Torque1st]

1/16" ABS plastic is available at plastic supply houses in larger cities. One of the brand names is "Kydex" if I remember right...

Thanks for the post Bushman! Keep it up and some of your posts could get as long as some of mine