Headliner Installation tips

[AKcharger]

Hello

I just finished installation of headliner in my '72 Charger and thought I'd pass on lessons learned:

- I've seen some people say to pull the seats out...I don't know why? I left them in and it made it much easier to have something to sit on
- DO NOT TRASH YOUR OLD HEADLINER...you'll need it to help find the holes for all the accessories after installation

- As for insulation I used this stuff from Home Depot

[AKcharger]

- For side clips I used these little paperclips available from office depot. They worked great, once in position just remove the stem and their "perminante"

- This was weird, the shoulder belt retainers have diffrent positioning posts for forward and aft...they are NOT interchangeable

- This is why you save the old headliner...where are the screw holes?

- A scribe is a must, using the old headliner as a templet I was able to find all the holes pretty easy

[AKcharger]

Here's all the stuff installed

[Nacho-RT74]

[Charger-Bodie]

just to add a bit of a tip before you install the headliner put all the acc screws in place , its easier to find the heads than the holes with the headliner in place.

[Nacho-RT74]

well I was able to do it just touching everywhere

[AKcharger]

just to add a bit of a tip before you install the headliner put all the acc screws in place , its easier to find the heads than the holes with the headliner in place.

hmmm that would have worked too I guess. Did you have any problems when you were pulling the liner tight? wouldn't the screw prevent a snog fit/possibly rip the liner?

[Charger-Bodie]

just to add a bit of a tip before you install the headliner put all the acc screws in place , its easier to find the heads than the holes with the headliner in place.

hmmm that would have worked too I guess. Did you have any problems when you were pulling the liner tight? wouldn't the screw prevent a snog fit/possibly rip the liner?

you want them in MOST of the way .....i actually got that tip from the pro that puts them in for us here at the shop.

[Nacho-RT74]

just to add a bit of a tip before you install the headliner put all the acc screws in place , its easier to find the heads than the holes with the headliner in place.

hmmm that would have worked too I guess. Did you have any problems when you were pulling the liner tight? wouldn't the screw prevent a snog fit/possibly rip the liner?

I don't think if you get them completelly fastened able to touch just the heads

[AKcharger]

Gotcha! 

[BlueSS454]

I'm working on this myself right now and am at the point where it's time to deal with the sail panels or C pillar area.  Any of you guys have any tips or suggestions or a quick how-to with these.  Does the liner get glued to the sail panel board??  Also, which side of the metal piece that is attached to the speaker shelf do the boards go on?

[AKcharger]

Sorry blue, the 3rd Gens used plastic trim in the C-panle area and I haven't done my '70 yet, so I can;'t help...but I know people do hate doing those 

Good luck!

[ACUDANUT]

Need some better tips on installing headliner.  Bow placement and the 2 wires the hold the rear bow.

[resq302]

When I did mine, I hung the headliner up using just the bows and then tried to center it left to right.  I then attached the clips at the rear at the top of the rear window and started working my way forward pulling it tight.  A blow dryer or a heat gun is your friend with this too!  Once you get up to the windshield area, you tighten it up and attach it to the teeth.  Then you go back and work on the sides pulling it tight (you will need glue in this area to hold it in place.  I then went back and did the C post area which were the biggest pain in the butt!  I have heard it is A LOT easier with the front and rear glass out as you can pull it nice and tight that way but since my glass was in place and did not leak, there was no way I was pulling the glass out and then chancing a leak.

Hope this helps!

[ACUDANUT]

 Well. no really. I am working on a 72 Charger and the have colored colored bows...I just can't find out the order (from front to back)
Thanks though.

[AKcharger]

More PB repairs...I hate those guys!

[ACUDANUT]

PB repairs ?? 

[Alaskan_TA]

Resto Rick has a great article on installing headliners at http://www.restorick.com/tech/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5

[AKcharger]

PB repairs ?? 

Photo Bucket, I have to go back  and replace ALL my pictures due to their greed! Luckily I never trusted them and have everything, just a pain to resize and repost

[gtx6970]

Ive tried to do headliners a couple times.  Hated them both and neither looked good once done.

Sorry, but this is one area I pay the pros to do For a couple C notes its money well spent IMO

[HeavyFuel]

I think sometimes they turn out like crap because of manufacturing quality......or lack there of.

Look at mine.....how in the heck can one panel be tight and smooth, and the adjoining one be puckered like crazy?  This pic was taken right after install, and the liner has smoothed out considerably in the last few years, but it still has variations from panel to panel.  Dumb.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=95015.0;attach=186195

[krops cars]

I paid $200.00 for a guy to come to my house and do it. After seeing all the work that was involved. Best $200.00 ever spent.

[birdsandbees]

Honestly the headliner has been the most satisfying part of my restoration to date! 2 days, or so, of puttering putting the headliner in my Bee. Bought it from Legendary, used clips and clamps to lock in place and then just glued the outer perimeter after it was in place. No spraying glue, no fuss, no high tension. Biggest hurdle was just the thought of "doing it" in the first place ! More detail in my 'Bee restoration thread in Car guys discussions

[AKcharger]

looks great!