Headliner Removal Question

[elmariachi]

For those of you who have removed the headliner (and yes I have the FSM diagram):

Are there any surprises in removing it? I assume after removing all pillar panels, handles, sunroof trim, lights and door edge trim that it comes out fairly easily?

Thanks.

 

[e9999]

I took mine out.
Serious pain and time-consuming because of the risk of costly damage (can you say $1000?), although not technically difficult.
I used several sawhorses and adjustable supports inside and outside the truck, basically building a scaffold with 2x4s, and still had to marshall 4 people to help take it in and out.
It's tricky because the thing is very flimsy in the middle and very awkward to move around. I'm surprised I didn't damage mine...
I must have done more than one thread venting about this a year ago or so...

 

[RavenTai]

There were some past threads biggest part is don’t let one part of it sag before it is ready to come out, it makes a really ugly crunchy noise as it creases, the headliner without support of the truck is very stiff and brittle and just generally weak, IIRC a new one is about $1200. You will want a helper to take it out, store it in a safe place.

I started from the back and worked my way forward, after you get the first few feet of the back done carefully close the upper hatch and let the headliner rest on the center brake light,

What do you need to get to? About everything foreward of the 2nd row will still be covered by the sunroof pan.

 

[RavenTai]

I must have done more than one thread venting about this a year ago or so...

you and me both

 

[e9999]

you and me both

yup, between you and I, we must have more than a few hours -errr... days- in that and the roof rack...

I'll use a little voodoo headliner to stick pins in from now on if any 80 cruiserhead ever shafts me on something...

 

[elmariachi]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I need to flip the truck upside down to remove it without damaging it.

I am asking because I JUST tonight bought a replacement for my wrecked 40th and the only "possible" issue is that the headliner in this new one may have some lingering funk from cigar smoke. Maybe, maybe not....he had it cleaned so we'll see. If its too bad, I'll swap it out of my wrecked truck when I get back to Texas.

 

[RavenTai]

Congrats on the new Rig , I'll bet that the smell will evenutally disapate. if you do pull the headliner delete the rust breedign roof rack at the same time. are you going to part out your 40th?

E keep your needles away from the black LX doll wearign pink panties, I do not want to repeat that task.

 

[elmariachi]

Congrats on the new Rig , I'll bet that the smell will evenutally disapate. if you do pull the headliner delete the rust breedign roof rack at the same time. are you going to part out your 40th?

E keep your needles away from the black LX doll, I do not want to repeat that,

I am happy to have the replacement truck issue put to bed, especially after flying to Jacksonville last weekend to find acid rain on that one. I'll post up pics after I retrieve it from Cali this weekend, but its a done deal, white '97 with 97K miles, one owner.

I am unsure about the 40th. I think I may sell it whole and let whomever wants fix it or part it out. Just unsure at this point because it really should be fixed, no more than is really wrong with it.

 

[notyourmomslx450]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I need to flip the truck upside down to remove it without damaging it.

I am asking because I JUST tonight bought a replacement for my wrecked 40th and the only "possible" issue is that the headliner in this new one may have some lingering funk from cigar smoke. Maybe, maybe not....he had it cleaned so we'll see. If its too bad, I'll swap it out of my wrecked truck when I get back to Texas.

*HIJACK!* Does that mean that you'll be getting rid of the 40th? Or (drool) parting it out?

 

[elmariachi]

*HIJACK!* Does that mean that you'll be getting rid of the 40th? Or (drool) parting it out?

I will be starting a separate thread in a week or so, but yes, I have just about decided that I am going to sell it whole. It needs about $1000 in used parts and another $1500 in paint/body work to be 100%. Too much truck and too close to being back on the road to part out, IMO. The pics were deceiving.

 

[notyourmomslx450]

Great! I'll be waiting for the start of that thread. Congrats on the new purchase. Hope all goes well with it.

 

[elmariachi]

Great! I'll be waiting for the start of that thread. Congrats on the new purchase. Hope all goes well with it.

We need to meet sometime...maybe get the Houston 80 owners together.

 

[notyourmomslx450]

i agree. I'm thinking of going to this club membership drive (see picture a little down in the link) on Saturday, Feb. 4th. http://www.tlcc-houston.org/forums_NEW/