I just installed one of those headliner kits from Mid Fifties. The kit is the ABS kit for Rod doors. It's really easy and basically snaps into the frame. I added foam and covered the top with suede leather. I'm having problems with the tabs that go on the sides (next to the window) They come down just below the bottom edge of the window and stop. I was wondering if this needs to be trimmed off or what? It doesn't look right extending pass the bottom edge of the window? I was wondering if anyone has any pics of their headliner install so I can see what to do or get recommendations. My back panel behind the gas tank is carpeting and it comes up to the rear window rubber seal. Any suggestions would be nice. I'll try and post some pics so you can better see what I'm talking about.

 

Excellent!
Now if you'd be so kind as to tell everyone what year truck this product worked so well in, that would be even better, thank'ee kindly.

 

I suspect roddoors leaves extra material to compensate for differences in assembly and years as well as upholstery thickness so you can get a perfect fit. The ABS trims very easily with a sharp utility knife. make ONE accurate score cut with the knife (doesn't need to be deep, just thru the surface, don't slip or go over it a second time) then bend the excess back and it will snap off clean. If you saw or sand it, scrape off any fuzz with the knife blade held perpendicular to the edge.

 

imlowrll
I have the Rod Doors Kit as well but was having trouble getting the side paels in.
Got any secrets to share?

GW

 

Colonel- We're talking a 56 Truck.
53- the side panels on mine snap on the edge of the door. the otherside is tucked under the rubber rear window seal. The top of the headliner and panels are buttfitted and basically snap together. The kit I got does not come with the trim that goes around the headliner. It snap into place on the edges of the headliner for a flush smooth appearance.
I'm trying to see some pictures of the back panel. I have carpeting going from the crossmember just above/ behind the gas tank and going up to the rubber of the rear window. To the left and right of the window is a small crossmember on both sides. The carpet comes just underneath that on the small lip (If I make sense here?) I'm wondering if the headliner panel should come up to this small crossmember revealing the crossmember and coming flush to the top portion of that crossmember? That's where I'm stuck at. Or I'm thinking about making a small 1" or so straight panel which will fit under the rear window. I'd like to find out what's right before cutting. I called Roddoors, but they are on vacation for two weeks. So, I thought I'd go to my best sources of info. You guys. I gotta get some pics posted.

 

Ed, since you said it was easy to install the headliner, I'm guessing you have the new one piece unit? I put in the 3-piece kit and it was a PITA!! The unit I used had the edges tucked into the Z rubber all around the side windows and windshield. In the back, it tucked under the rear window seal. The only edges visible are the two "fangs" that go down the back corners on either side of the rear window. They overlapt the bottom piece that was coming up from the floor by about 1". Keep in mind, mine is a 54, so you may have a totally different animal because of the gas tank. I recommend that you do not trim anything. My experience with Rod Doors is that they make everything just the right size so that it fits snug. Good luck, Jag

 

Jag, I have the three piece kit which I bought from Mid Ffties. Center piece and two side panels. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about. The rest of the headliner went in nicely and looks great. Not sure what to do with the back panel? BTW Jag, I love to eat PITA sandwiches.. LOL..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...123667.520.390

 

Ed,
I have the 3 piece unit as well, and found it a PITA as well
This link you posted isn't working for me.

GW

 

Ed, I think I see the reason you are having problems. From your link, it looks like you tucked the abs behind the metal edge of the door frame. Unfortunately, this is not the way the unit was meant to be used. There should be a long Z-channel rubber that is to be mounted on that metal flange that starts at the floor behind one door, goes over the door, around the windshield, over the 2nd door and down to the floor on the oposite side of the cab. The three piece head liner fits into this rubber on the front edge of the "Z". The distances are precisely engineered so that the ABS pieces fit snugly all the way around. The link you showed should have the long ABS piece tucked under the rear window seal on the back side and into the Z rubber next to the door. Look at my gallery. There are some good shots showing the realitive location of the headliner to the window and the door frames. I am surprised that Mid Fifty is still selling the three-piece unit. Rumor has it that the new improved one-piece unit is much easier to install. Good luck, Jag

 

Jag, I see what your talking about. The kit I have is a new kit that eliminates the Z-channel. My kit has slotted tabs that clip onto the edge of the door or top of headliner. Simply snaps in and no trim. I don't have the roddoors back panel and that may be the problem why the edges look odd. It may also be the contrast from the suede matter to the carpet on the back panel. Everything on the headliner kit came out nice. I just don't like the ends of the side panels. They stand out!

 

OK Ed, I see what you mean. The piece looks incomplete because you don't have the continuation of the bottom panel. I did not know that Rod Doors had this version of the roof. Maybe you could get some extra ABS and extend the corners down to the floor. If you warm it up you can bend it around a pole to get the arch you need. Jag

 

Jag, I was just admiring your truck in your gallery. Sweet ride. 2 questions; Is that upholstery sold by rod doors as a kit, and if so, if you don't mind my asking, how much do you have in it? (the upholstery). Secondly, your a/c compressor bracket; is that a York bracket with some sort of adapter for a Sanden?

 

Raerjim, Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but we just got back from Hot August Nights in Reno. I bought the material from my local auto upholstery shop for about $25 a yard (in 2003). Total cost for the interior was about $1100. (Memory fading fast) You need to get the expensive material so that it will stretch around corners and curves. I don't know the maker of the A/C bracket. It was supplied from the company where I bought the A/C unit. I believe that it was a company called ARC or ARP Good luck, Jag