This week I replaced my 96 Ranger's Headliner. This forum has been great in helping me out with several problems, so I thought I'd just list this quick, easy, and inexpensive fix for others. My headliner was not only sagging, but smoke filled, and dirty when I purchised it. I had called around and been given quotes for over $100. A friend suggested that I do it my self, which I decided to do. The entire cost for me was a little under $50.

Materials-
1. Headliner replacement fabric (either from local fabric store, or local parts stores, make sure you get enough fabric and good color match, also note that fabric stores probably wont take back if it's cut, so double check) Price-$18-29.99
3M Super Adhesive (note: do not use the lighter strength adhesive, nor a cheaper or generic brand. Believe me, you want the 3M Super Adhesive) Price-$9.99-14.99 (depending on can size)

Steps

1. Remove all items attached to headliner (visors, dome light, hooks, handles, and plastic interior pieces)
2. After this, the headliner piece should be ready to fall right out.
3. Take headliner out of vehicle (some seat folding, or rearview mirror adjusting may be neccesary).
4. Remove old headliner from the fiberglass/cardboard form cut-out (note.the material usually loses it's bond with the foam backing, the foam backing usually is still stuck to the cardboard piece).
5. Make sure you remove all old foam from piece as well (this is tricky, take your time and try to do as little damage to the cardboard as possible, remember that you'll have to use it for the new fabric).
6. When all fabric and foam backing is removed from cut-out, spray a generous coat of 3M Superadhesive bond to the back of the new headliner. (let set for about five minutes)
7. While new fabric is setting, spray a generous amount of the adhesive onto the cardboard piece. (the bottle says to let each bond set for about 5 minutes to an hour, I suggest only about five minutes)
8. When about 5 minutes has passed, take new fabric and cut and apply together, make sure you use your hands to ensure a good bond, also to press out any air bubbles.
9. Fold about 2-3" of extra fabric behind the headliner and apply the adhesive to it as well (cut excess fabric off)
10. Let underliner set for a few minutes (within a few minutes, the bond is about as good as it's going to be)
11. Put back into vehicle and reinstall removed objects (adhesive will have it's maximum bonding stregth within 24 hours, so while you're driving, if you see any bubbles or small pieces hanging, apply pressure)

And that's it!

Let me know if you decide to do it yourself, how it works for you!

 

Thanks for the information, I'll add a link to this in the tech info thread so everyone can find it in the future.

 

I just installed a foam backed headliner in my daughter's '89 Bronco II. $15 for the fabric and $7 for spray adhesive. As the new layer is slightly heavier, there are slight sags. (I didn't anticipate this before installing the headliner.) If I knew where the lateral roof support channels were, it would be nice to drill into those and employ the same type plastic retainers as is used near the middle rear. The retainers are readily available. Does anyone know the location or pitch of the channels? If someone has a truck with the headliner exposed that would do the trick or is there construction details available on the web or in books. The techniques offered in the basic thread were followed and very helpful - even for a 77-year old on a "Daddy Do" project.

 

it would be much much easier just to fix it the right way as he explained.

 

That's what my wife said but she does not know where the support channels are either.