SOR vinyl headliner. Has anyone fitted one?

[Eurasiaoverland]

Has anyone bought an SOR headlining and had success fitting it without modification?

Back in 2020 I bought an SOR headliner and it has been sitting on the parts sofa ever since, waiting for the final fit on my BJ60 build. That day came today.

I hate using aftermarket parts, but there is no OEM option, so I had little choice but to go with SOR. I hadn't so much as opened the package until today, so I was pleased to find that it is at least a 60 headliner in the correct colour/material. In fact, I would say the material looks quite good.

But whoever has been tasked with recreating the item seems not to have looked very closely at an original head liner. My issue is with the tunnels sewn on the top side of the headlining. Let's ignore that the lengths of the tunnels are all over the place (see below) such that some of the original rods completely disappear in the material; that is easily fixed with a tape measure and a pair of scissors. The problem is that the tunnels are huge. Measuring the flattened tunnel (i.e. without the steel rod in), the original is 11 mm, and the SOR repro is around 24 mm. What kind of a margin of error is that? In old money, that's a 1/2" of slop at each support rod. I've not even bothered trying to smoothen out the wrinkles as it's going to look like an elephant's arse no matter how much pulling and tweaking I do. I'm going to take it to my local upholstery shop and have them run a line of stitch and close the tunnels up a bit, so that the thing will at least have a chance of hanging correctly. See below for pictures:

OEM headliner:

SOR headliner:

I'm guessing their build quality is all over the place, so maybe others got a better item, or they have updated the design? Their ridiculously slow website has no reviews.

For reference, the tunnel lengths. On the original they are all 1200 mm apart from #5 (above the C pillars), which is 1240 mm.

Here are the SOR lengths:

#1 1310 mm
#2 1285 mm
#3 1285 mm
#4 1330 mm
#5 1422 mm
#6 1370 mm
#7 1340 mm
#8 1410 mm

 

[jclark]

Try installing it. Trimming is part of it. You may find that the manufacturer actually knew what they were doing, and you “might” learn something about bow-clip tension systems work.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Just in case anyone is interested, or ends up with one of these things, an update.

Second installation. I trimmed the tunnels to the correct factory lengths and the headliner looks a lot better. I've clipped it around the door and window apertures and am letting it take shape in the equatorial humidity outside.

I can say that the panels are very well sized, but I still don't like the saggy oversized tunnels which 'hang like sleeve of wizard' and reduce headroom, but because the panels are trimmed to pretty much the correct size, if I sew up the tunnels I'm worried there won't be enough material to wrap around the pinch seams.

 

[Spike Strip]

I believe SOR makes those upholstery products on-site. They have an upholstery shop across the street from the main building, where they make seat covers, etc. I've never seen more than one guy in there... I wouldn't be surprised if they make those headliners to order.

 

[Hokie LX]

I put one in my truck to replace the stock stained one after my roof off rust mediation project. Fits excellent. This was the first time I've ever done a headliner so there are some wrinkles, not the fault of SOR. I trimmed most sides a little bit as it seemed SOR gives you a little extra which is appreciated.

Headliner is nice and taught to my eyes so even if the rod holders are a big bigger, it doesn't seem to matter...

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

I put one in my truck to replace the stock stained one after my roof off rust mediation project. Fits excellent. This was the first time I've ever done a headliner so there are some wrinkles, not the fault of SOR. I trimmed most sides a little bit as it seemed SOR gives you a little extra which is appreciated.

Headliner is nice and taught to my eyes so even if the rod holders are a big bigger, it doesn't seem to matter...

View attachment 4068338
View attachment 4068339

That's looking really good, thanks for sharing.

What sort of adhesive did you use, and where did you put it? Just on the pinch seams, or did you also put it on other metal surfaces?

Also, what order did you install it? Did you work on the straight edges above the rear quarter window and doors first, then install it down the C, B and A pillars? Ot did you work completely from one end to the other?

Thanks!

 

[Hokie LX]

That's looking really good, thanks for sharing.

What sort of adhesive did you use, and where did you put it? Just on the pinch seams, or did you also put it on other metal surfaces?

Also, what order did you install it? Did you work on the straight edges above the rear quarter window and doors first, then install it down the C, B and A pillars? Ot did you work completely from one end to the other?

Thanks!

The video in my thread post HERE shows the methodology both I and @CenTXFJ60 used doing our headliners. I also have more details about my install process in my thread linked.

I used a spray adhesive which I would not use again. Use a brush on adhesive.

Start at the front by ziptie-ing the front bow to the header panel then glue the rear edge then work your way forward slowly.

 

[deltapine1]

I installed one in my 60 somewhere around 2010 and it was a very nice quality headliner that looked very nice. It did take some Summer days to get all the wrinkles to disappear and you want to take your time and trim very small amounts at a time when pulling, clamping and cementing to the pinch welds. I stated from the Windshield and went to the back. Wish I still had my 60!

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Just in case anyone is interested, or ends up with one of these things, an update.

Second installation. I trimmed the tunnels to the correct factory lengths and the headliner looks a lot better. I've clipped it around the door and window apertures and am letting it take shape in the equatorial humidity outside.
View attachment 4065736

I can say that the panels are very well sized, but I still don't like the saggy oversized tunnels which 'hang like sleeve of wizard' and reduce headroom, but because the panels are trimmed to pretty much the correct size, if I sew up the tunnels I'm worried there won't be enough material to wrap around the pinch seams.

I’ve never used the SOR material, but have installed several Cruiser Corps versions. Have never compared or measured the tunnels. Will do that next time. You referenced it and I do the same thing trimming the ends of each tunnel. I do it at an angle and take a bit of time trimming and pulling from the side once the rear and front bows are locked in. This allows me to keep sizing and trimming until each sides look right and slope correctly prior to the final pull/gluing on the sides. For. Me, I had issues with the last two Cruiser corps headliners being off a bit on the “B & C” ” pillars. Was able to barely make it work even though there was no excess material to trim on one side of the pillar. Hopefully this all makes sense. If not glad to dig a bit deeper and share my experiences.

 

[himhj60]

you can make by your self