Before |
After |
 Before we can install our...  Before we can install our new headliner we must remove the old one. We will be replacing our B-pillar interior panels as well, so they had to come out. The cardboard backing of our panels disintegrated during removal, so new panels were ordered from Year One. |
 The plastic covers simply...  The plastic covers simply slide off the clothes hanger hooks in the rear of the passenger compartment. The metal hook is held on by one Phillips head sheetmetal screw that can now be removed. Take note of the position of this hook as you'll have to locate it after installing the new headliner. |
How to make this . . . Look like this in less than a day
Of all the flaws common to a thirty-year-old car's interior, there is probably no more annoying problem than a sagging headliner. Sure, it looks bad, but even worse, a damaged headliner is a huge distraction to the driver; it can cause the driver to rip the headliner from the car in a fit of rage, depositing dry asbestos insulation into the driver's eyes, and sending the car careening into a kindergarten playground . . . Well, maybe we're getting carried away, but a sagging headliner does look bad and is easier to fix than you think. Even if you've never tackled a headliner job before, you should easily be able to accomplish the task with less than a day's work and common hand tools.
The headliner in our '71 Road Runner is typical of headliners found in most Mopar musclecars. It is constructed of fabric and is supported by metal rods or "bows" that keep it tucked against the roof of the car. The edges are held in place by glue and the interior trim. Over time, it's common for this style of headliner to show wear. The glue dries up and loses its adhesive properties; the fabric becomes dry rotted and brittle, tearing at even the slightest touch. The resulting rips and holes in the headliner expose the insulation underneath, which then is free to drop from the ceiling, covering driver, seats, and carpet in a layer of asbestos (ok, fiberglass) dust. While the health risk is questionable, the resulting mess is unavoidable and detracts from a car's appearance.
How do you fix it? Easy, order a new headliner, a bottle of glue, and replace it. We found everything we needed in Year One's catalog and also decided to replace our side panels, sun visors, and package tray at the same time we replaced the headliner. We suggest you carefully inspect the items adjacent to the headliner and replace or refurbish them at this time. Worn or discolored trim next to a new headliner can look just as bad as a worn headliner.
Your headliner will probably arrive as ours did-folded up in a small box. Don't worry about the creases in the fabric caused by the folds. Parking the car in the warm sun a few times after the installation will smooth the wrinkles nicely. Also, don't worry if the headliner seems too big, most headliners are manufactured larger than they need to be so you'll need to trim the edges during the installation. If it's too small or the wrong color, however, you probably have the wrong headliner so check your part number. When we ordered our headliner, we discovered an interesting fact: B-body cars in 1971 came with either a four-bow or six-bow headliner. we had to count the metal bows in our original liner (ours had six) prior to placing our order. If you have any questions when ordering your headliner, the staff at Year One is well equipped to help. These guys are the original aftermarket suppliers of restoration equipment, and there's a good chance they've worked on a similar project.