Anybody else ever modded a headliner?
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Newcastle & Gillette WY
Anybody else ever modded a headliner?
I am installing the overhead console from an Expedition in my Super Cab. It looks to be the same as the Excursion/Navigator consoles.
I have the front half of an Excursion headliner and the mounting bracket, and plan to cut the center portion out and "french" it into the SC headliner to use the part that is molded to the console. (I will already have the headliner out to repair hail damage to the roof.)
I'm planning to use a combination of hot glue, fiberglass (drywall) tape and fiberglass resign. Then smooth imperfections and blend as necessary with flexible body filler. I may also "stitch" the EX part to my headliner with a fine stainless steel wire or heavy thread, not sure on that idea yet! New foam backed fabric will follow.
I'm looking for suggestions from anyone who may have worked with these headliners before. Working with the fiber-glass/rigid foam board is all new to me!
I did find some great information here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-crew-cab.html .
I still would appreciate information about specific adhesives, protecting the foam from chemical damage, etc.
Thanks in advance! The People on this forum ROCK!
I have the front half of an Excursion headliner and the mounting bracket, and plan to cut the center portion out and "french" it into the SC headliner to use the part that is molded to the console. (I will already have the headliner out to repair hail damage to the roof.)
I'm planning to use a combination of hot glue, fiberglass (drywall) tape and fiberglass resign. Then smooth imperfections and blend as necessary with flexible body filler. I may also "stitch" the EX part to my headliner with a fine stainless steel wire or heavy thread, not sure on that idea yet! New foam backed fabric will follow.
I'm looking for suggestions from anyone who may have worked with these headliners before. Working with the fiber-glass/rigid foam board is all new to me!
I did find some great information here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-crew-cab.html .
I still would appreciate information about specific adhesives, protecting the foam from chemical damage, etc.
Thanks in advance! The People on this forum ROCK!
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: Garnett, KS
I put a Bronco overhead console in my ramcharger mud rig. I just cut out right outside the mounting holes and screwed it down. Didn't use any glue or anything fancy, and it looks like it's supposed to be there. No muss, no fuss 😉
Frank
Frank
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Newcastle & Gillette WY
Got pix? The Super Duty headliner follows the roofline in front while the EX drops down to the line of the console. Just placing the console leaves a gap of about 1-1/2 inches at the deepest point. That's why this project....
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: Garnett, KS
Ah, ok. The bronco console was fairly flat, and the ramcharger headliner is pretty thick and soft, so it took up the contour well. I'd almost think it would be better to modify your console to fit rather than risking screwing up the headliner though.
Frank
Frank
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From: Newcastle & Gillette WY
Yup, I know exactly what you are saying because I've waffled back and forth on this many times. I finally decided if I could find the molded part from an EX, I would go that way. I spotted the rollover in a salvage yard two days later, which led me to this point.
The console is about thirty-two inches long and has compound curves so a filler would be pretty tricky to make look right. Likewise, I want it to match "factory" as much as possible.
I might consider a building this on a salvage headliner from another Super Cab because mine is pristine for a 14 year old, and I could use one which didn't look all that good because I would recover it anyway. Your point is well made!
The console is about thirty-two inches long and has compound curves so a filler would be pretty tricky to make look right. Likewise, I want it to match "factory" as much as possible.
I might consider a building this on a salvage headliner from another Super Cab because mine is pristine for a 14 year old, and I could use one which didn't look all that good because I would recover it anyway. Your point is well made!
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Newcastle & Gillette WY
Good point! That is certainly worth checking out! This truck is dark colored (True Blue Metallic) and a daily driver so long hot days in the sun are part of its life.
On the thread by "dilan73" I linked in my first post here, hot glue was used to seal and repair the foam layer of the headliner.
That gave me the idea of using it in pretty much the same way to "seal" the cut edges I sectioned out of the Excursion headliner before fiberglassing the two parts together. My idea being that it might prevent deterioration of the foam from the solvents in the resin, which is my biggest concern. I'm still not sure of the reaction of older urethane foam to the epoxy....
Structurally, I am leaning toward stitching the two parts together with fine stainless steel wire, so if I use hot glue putting them together it would mainly be to hold them in place during the stitching process. The bracket bears the weight of the console. it fastens to the roof structure.
All that said, you've got me thinking....
On the thread by "dilan73" I linked in my first post here, hot glue was used to seal and repair the foam layer of the headliner.
That gave me the idea of using it in pretty much the same way to "seal" the cut edges I sectioned out of the Excursion headliner before fiberglassing the two parts together. My idea being that it might prevent deterioration of the foam from the solvents in the resin, which is my biggest concern. I'm still not sure of the reaction of older urethane foam to the epoxy....
Structurally, I am leaning toward stitching the two parts together with fine stainless steel wire, so if I use hot glue putting them together it would mainly be to hold them in place during the stitching process. The bracket bears the weight of the console. it fastens to the roof structure.
All that said, you've got me thinking....
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