As title says, I’m trying to clean up the interior of my 1997 F350 XLT CCLB, and I’m trying to get everything I need to start.

1. The plastic trim holding the headliner on the roof has cracked at the screw holes. Does anyone know what they’re called/where to find them to replace them? I’m able to find the rear one easily, the front piece is in perfect shape, but the side ones are badly cracked and hanging off the roof. If I can’t find them, I can probably fix it with some ABS plastic and some plastic weld, but I’d rather do a full replacement if possible

2. Has anyone attempted to replace the roof with vinyl? I did it once, but the material is so heavy and it’s so hot here (Odessa/Midland TX) that it’s falling off after less than a year. If it would be wiser to go back to cloth I will, but it would be nice to stick with vinyl.

3. A vast majority of my problems involve heat cracking plastic parts. Does anyone know of good ways to prevent this? I regularly keep a sunshade on and all 4 windows cracked open, but it’s still pretty bad. Its already pretty much destroyed the new radio I bought and I’m worried about my Interceptor, EGT, Water Temp, and Boost gauges being damaged too. If there is a plastic alternative, I’d love to know what to use. I thought about maybe replacing some of the broken plastic with wooden parts and treating that with UV stain. I don’t have a garage that’ll fit this big of a vehicle and there are no such thing as shade trees in West Texas to park under.

 

What color interior are you looking for? Several trucks being parted out around town.

Not sure about alternative material interior pieces aftermarket support for these trucks... Most people just replace with used better condition ones or NOS if they can find it.

 

You can get some stuff from LMC truck if you are willing to spend the coin.

 

Yeah I looked on LMC. Unfortunately, it seems they forget Crew cabs exist. They've got the front and rear pieces, but no side pieces.

I was looking at changing it from the factory light grey to black.

 

I cannot tell if your truck is tinted? That UV kills interior stuff, spend the cash for some ceramic 3M or Llumar film. As by product of that film, it helps reject heat. Estimate $250-350 to have a pro install it with a warranty. Cheaper film is just that, cheap. It rarely includes UV or heat rejection properties.

Here are some tips and products to purchase to help with cabin temps (and interior protection) that work for me, as I also reside in Texas.

1. TINT. I cannot stress this enough. Your interior will thank you. Your A/C will work less hard. There are no negatives. I was told we can do as dark as wanted in the rear and about 30% up front. I also do the windshield brow guy now on new tint, helps with glare and heat. I like only about 15% out back, I did 5% on my F150 and it is way too dark at night.
2. Dash mat. https://www.coverking.com/custom-das...ash-cover.html These help the dash from becoming hot and also keep glare down a pile.
3. Silver windshield reflector. Use this everywhere and everytime. Consider one for the rear to keep light from coming in the back of the cab. I seem to recall the rear seat can move some in the crew cab trucks, you may be able to wedge it in there to keep it supported. I put them in the rear windows of all my cars, huge help with heat and interior protection. It seems silly on first observation, until you try it.
4. Mesh window shades for rear side glass. These should fit your rear glass I would think, too. I have two side ones on the rear glass of my dually. The larger unit did not fit well. These were a whopping $5.

 

Thanks! I guess I'll rebuild the plastic parts that are already broken and paint them, and then look for places that can do the UV coating. I'm getting the headliner done professionally and they tint as well so I'll have them do both!

 

3M has some really badass headliner and hood pad adhesives. I use them on all of my Mercedes, now that is one hot environment post shutdown.

Good deal on tint, hope I gave ya some ideas!

 

Honestly, I think a shell in the back helps a lot. The 01 F350 I recently bought came with one on it and i drove around for a few weeks with it on and that was beginning of may/june when it's at the hottest usually here in phoenix. After I pulled it off, it feels like the A/C doesn't work as well and it feels like it takes way longer to cool down, and it's hotter when I get in my truck after sitting for a long period of time.

Dash mats are great. I wish they could look better because I think the bare dash looks the best, but some dash mats out there aren't too bad. Honestly, Ford has done a great job with interior plastics. They are like the only manufacturer I can think of that I haven't seen with a common plastic piece somewhere inside a vehicle that is common to breaking. Dodge has the cracked dash, chevy has door handles and sometimes their dashes as well to the point where it seems common, and even some of their door panels have issues.

Tint is probably your best bet overall.

I have not tried vinyl on the roof, but I do know some vehicles have parts manufacturers making ABS plastic roof liners and they look really good and they last a long time. Might want to look around for that. I only know of the ones for the third gen camaro.

 

Tint the windows, use armor all and your set.

 

car-parts.com and uneedapart.com are good places to find what you need. if you dont see it but find them having some parts , call them. also ebay.

 

So far i find craigslist and Facebook group part outs the best for finding cheap clean crew cab interior parts. And if its something really rare and need it bad ill keep an eye on ebay