I’m installing a headliner in a 1980 F250 Ranger, that has never had a headliner in it until pretty much now. I custom made some B pillars from the seatbelt covers and some B pillars from a 1988 junkyard ford truck, and A pillars from the same truck, and the headliner trim above the rear window, and the visors with the center supports as my old ones sagged like a SOB. the only thing I’m having an issue with is trying to find a headliner board for cheap. I looked all through my local pick-n-pull, and nothing. The only ones I can find are online, and cost an arm and a leg. I’d also like to wrap the headliner in a flag, and it doesn’t make any sense to pay $300+ on a nice, new headliner that I’m just gonna cover anyways. This is a stretch, but could I possibly make a headliner board out of scrap cardboard? Would anybody have dimensions for a headliner board? Has anyone done anything similar to what I want to do? Thanks In advance

 

Thing is as the cardboard get damp from humidity it will sag so you would have to treat it with something to stop that as a start.
The thing is the head liner is not flat so you would hav eto deal withthat.
Dave ----

 

The headliner in my '80 F-150 is in good shape but needs the fabric covering (which is gone). However, I'm not concentrating on the interior right now and it may be a few months until I get to it.

Dave (^^) is right, they're not flat and carboard isn't the best material for this application. I seriously considered removing mine and just painting the interior of the cab roof. I haven't decided what I'm doing though. I can get some pics, if that might help.

 

I just replaced the headliner on my 94 extended cab f 150. The hardest part is removing the old foam. There are several u tube videos which worked for me.
One tip that will help is to start from the front using the 3 sunvisor holes on each side to Aline the headliner then work to the rear.

 

I just did a 94 Bronco and I found a wire brush used cautiously was the best way for me to get that foam off the back. I used 3M spray adhesive to put the cloth back on.

 

Look at how headliners were treated in REAL big trucks, even the cheapest versions, and follow their lead.

Diamond Pleated Button-tuck with every button concealing a screw that is screwed into the roof.

Completely ditch the factory-original approach and custom make the whole thing and you will have something people will notice instead of something just about everybody already has.

Curiously, the headliner in my 1985 has remained in excellent condition with a few applications of Maroon spray-paint over the years; nothing special, just plain old Dollar Store spray paint at a buck-a-can.

As for a backer, there is this old guy who shows up at stockyards and flea-markets, and the like for years and years and he always has his old pickup loaded to dragging the ground with these 5 x 9 sheets of a textured white substance, 1/4-inch thick, that is rigid yet flexible and contourable, five bucks per sheet.

He always shows up with the bumper dragging the ground and always leaves empty with a pocket full of five dollar bills.

The stuff is completely weather-proof and I figure even fire-proof and is most likely Asbestos or something worse; but, it is handy stuff to have around.

I never see it anywhere else and have no idea what it is nor where he gets it but it would make great head-liner backer.

 

"I’m having an issue with is trying to find a headliner board for cheap?" Does this sound like the answer to her original question? I'm not poor and would not spend this kind of money on a daily driver, maybe a show vehicle, not everyone has unlimited funds.

 

Where is all the expense if you do this yourself ?

 

Just how many just reupholster seats let alone pleated button tuck. You doing that pleating by hand or with a sewing machine the will do that heavy material. My wife has 5 machines in her shop and has sewed since she was a teen, each machine does something different from straight stitch, embroidery, a long arm quilt, and a heavy duty of some kind that will do canvas. Yes she does upholstery but not sure she could do pleated button tuck, maybe with YouTube university. This sound like someone that has that talent? "This is a stretch, but could I possibly make a headliner board out of scrap cardboard?" ""I’m having an issue with is trying to find a headliner board for cheap?" Just how much would just the material cost for your fix? Plus the sewing equipment or does she hand sew all this? Trust me I'm no expert but I know what the machines cost me, the quilting long arm was over 10K. Embroidery 5K the cheapest machine was was 2K or and a surger, est she's got 20K in machines. Then there a work area wife works in a converted over size two car garage, door gone windows in and finished inside. I post pictures of some of her work, currently or a full size Bronco refurbish and a top for a buddy's RV.

 

I said I would post some of her work so here is the latest project. Yes it's an outside toy hauler that travels with a Suzuki Samurai on the deck. The top will have screens on the sides to enclose and become the "outside patio." That tops on slides so it folds against the back of the camper portion for travel. (that be his wife in the background) Here is the lady does all the amazing sewing and she's not beyond coming to my shop and helping refresh our 94 Bronco. She excellent at detail so she has repainted all the inside plastics, repaired the cracked dash, installed the headliner and new carpet, I do the mechanical stuff.

 

The factory board is more like a very thin masonite. Regular cardboard would probably not be strong enough. The easiest thing to do is get one from the junkyard, though you said you tried that and could not find one. What area of the country do you live in?

GM used a compressed Styrofoam. It is really hard to work with, the Fords with the pressed cardboard/masonite are easier and regular glue does not attack them.

 

I see you live in New Mexico. Any of these places close by?

1990
Headliner
Ford Truck F250 PU,RED,FLR X J209D $Call 5 J's Auto Parts USA-NM(Albuquerque) Request_Quote 1-800-456-0065 Request_Insurance_Quote
1562 1990
Headliner
Ford Truck F150 PU,RED X J168C $Call 5 J's Auto Parts USA-NM(Albuquerque) Request_Quote 1-800-456-0065 Request_Insurance_Quote
1562 1992
Headliner
Ford Truck F150 PU,RED X J102B $Call 5 J's Auto Parts USA-NM(Albuquerque) Request_Quote 1-800-456-0065 Request_Insurance_Quote
1562 1991
Headliner
Ford Truck 350 XCAB,GRY,BASE, NICE A 500738 $Call A-1 Auto Recyclers USA-NM(Kirtland) Request_Quote 1-505-325-1994 Request_Insurance_Quote
1621 1989
Headliner
Ford Truck 250 2DPU,XLT LARIAT,BLUE A B53360 $Call Highway 64 Truck and Auto Salvage USA-NM(Kirtland) Request_Quote 505-598-5584 / 866-334-5092 Request_Insurance_Quote
1621 1988
Headliner
Ford Truck F150 TAN X A16219 $Call Highway 64 Truck and Auto Salvage USA-NM(Kirtland) Request_Quote 505-598-5584 / 866-334-5092 Request_Insurance_Quote