Another headliner installation - FINALLY

[PortHeadlight]

Finally got it together. I picked up in Bow, New Hampshire from Kal-Lite. They don't make headliners, they make Fiberglas Reinforced Plastic. Went there because they offer several choices of color and pattern, and I wanted to see what they looked like in real life. FRP is the same material used in other headliner install threads. You can get it at big box stores - only in limited colors and patterns. Went with the Hexpin pattern in gray because it was exactly what I wanted when I saw it, but they offer many choices. I used the .060 FRP because .090 thickness of the Kal-Lite product was simply too rigid and less flexible.

http://www.kal-lite.com/frp-products/frp-colors.html

Used my own pattern from old headliner and cut to fit using 32 teeth / inch blade in saber saw. Other threads describe the process of "cutting to fit" and making adjustments, and that's what I followed. Also two pairs of hands often needed. Measure twice, cut once. Actually, measured like 10 times and cut slightly big, then trimmed to fit. HA!

Was lucky to have plastic bows BUT they were very brittle and already cracked. Tried superglue. No joy. A couple missing edges but aint perfect, but it's up and not coming down soon. Did warm up with heat gun and that helped...BUT when somebody starts making these will definitely get a set.

And added a rear dome light by splicing into the front dome light wire and installing a front bracket I got from a member and the dome light kit from one of our vendors.

[PortHeadlight]

Also added "fit trim edge" from Grainger. Item number 48RM13 comes in 25 foot rolls which is enough to do sides and front above visors.

[chris mc bride]

Looks good. Sounds as if fairly economical also. Hard pair to beat right there.

[nastety92]

Headliner looks good, nice job. Got any more pics of your truck? I'm hoping to have my Suburban on the road soon and we spend a lot of time up in York, ME.

Nick

[nate_g_2003]

Looks really nice. Thanks for the write up, information, and pictures.

[LuckyScott]

Looks great

[Average Joe]

Beautiful

Great job!!

[HO455]

Looks real nice (as does the rest of your Burban). I was looking at their stuff on line and trying to find a local distributor just to check it out. Lucky for you they were local. Thanks for the tips on the thickness of the product and cutting it. If you don't mind what was the cost?

[Hart_Rod]

Well done!

[PortHeadlight]

Looks real nice (as does the rest of your Burban). I was looking at their stuff on line and trying to find a local distributor just to check it out. Lucky for you they were local. Thanks for the tips on the thickness of the product and cutting it. If you don't mind what was the cost?

I don't mind. Picked up at the plant, a 4 x 8 sheet was $48.00. As you may know... the width of the headliner is such that it takes a sheet for the front piece, a sheet for the back piece, and a sheet to make the two middle pieces.
they do sell the material in rolls, but I think that would be in a quantity purchase. the guy that helped me was Brian Barker at Kal-Lite. Don't know if I should post any more info to avoid any problems with vendors and such, but I'm sure you can find him easy enough. He wanted the pictures of the finished work and may post them on the company website.... who knows?? Good Luck!

[HO455]

Thank you for all the information.

[hdman6465]

Looks very nice. Thanks for taking the time to write it up, photograph, and describe the process so that some of us slower ones can follow you. Thanks, again.

[HO455]

You are really lucky to have the factory close to you. I have called every supplier in the area using my contractor discounts, they only able stock FRP in white or black in the bubble or smooth surfaces. Any other choices like the one you used would cost $4-500 for delivery to Portland. That puts it out of the budject for me. I may go the big box FRP route and try to paint it prior to installation.

[AnotherWs6]

How were your factory bows? Mine are kinda rough, would love to find some replacements...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

How were your factory bows? Mine are kinda rough, would love to find some replacements...

Don't know if you saw this thread or not.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=plastic+bows

And I don't know if anyone figured out exactly what year van they were out of....

LockDoc

[AnotherWs6]

Wow, interesting. Thanks. I wonder how they would look in 100% factory (read=not modern) interior.

[PortHeadlight]

Of the factory bows.... two worked out OK and the other was pretty beat up. Heating with heat gun was a good tip, but even then VERY brittle and none of them are 100% complete. But work. Would consider shifting if we could ID the van and find them.