Ok guys...takin a break from my tranny problems....replacement on the way.....gonna do some interior work....mostly fine inside.... Gonna work on headliner.....One bad spot......actually one whole seam is no longer sewed together......can i just use needle and thread....sew it all up then tighten everything when im finished??...or is there another way to do this??If anyone has worked on something like this your experienced info would be greatly appreciated.....The fabric is in great shape so i don't really wanna have to replace it all....Probably take a break today wait on some responses.......Gotta get it out of the shop here at work soon so i wanna get something accomplished while it's here.... hope you guys have some hints for me... Jeremy tranny problems can def lead a guy to !!!!!
Same thing happen to my headlinder (dry rot seams, hey the car's old) Only real way to fix it is to replace it. A new headlinder will cost about $87.00 (any color) Both front and rear windows have to come out to do the job right. Now being that the car is old that means the window gaskets are old and dried out (kinda like some of the guys on this board) They will fall apart,so you need new ones. Figure about $100.00 for both. Now if you have the time,tools and skills to do this job by yourself you make the replacement for less then 2 bills. Now if you have it done for you (like I did) It's cost me $212.00 labor to install the linder, and $250.00 to remove and replace the glass .Not cheap, it looks good and has new gaskets, no leaks etc. So which way are you going to do?
Correctly installed ... the headliner wraps around the windshield openings. It is glued down and the further held in place by the windshield gaskets. Pull the weatherstripping around your door jams ... it wraps the same way around the windshield openings ... Unfortunately ... this is another job best left to the professionals if you want it to look nice ...
ok it's the seam located if you are sitting in the cab and look up and back...right behind the dome light......it seems to me that with heavy duty thread a guy could sew it back together....would take like an eternity.....but i think it could work......once again i need wife's digital camera to show ya.......the headliner is in awesome condition except for that one seam......btw....nothing is gettin worked on by a professional....lol....at least not the first go round...lol.....im either gonna get this done myself or die tryin..... Jeremy
If you are gonna take it out ... just replace it ... there are sure to be areas that are dry rotted .. like back by the flipper windows ... it may look great but the once strong vinyl will now be more like a thick piece of paper ready to be ripped. Many guys here can tell you how easily they put holes in the headliner while working inside and pulling panels since they tear so easy after 30 years ....
I have to agree with Tom and recommend replacing the whole headliner. Once one seam seperates due to the threads being dry rotted, they all tend to be dry rotted as well, even if they don't look it. The original headliner in my 77'Maverick was in great shape except for the one seam seperating. All I had to do was push up on the other seams to discover they were all dry rotted. Sewing them back up really doesn't work too well. It's a lot less frustrating and will last much longer to just go ahead a replace it.
Anyone know where I may be able to get some header bows (the little wire thingys) that hold the headliner in? The owner before me thought it a good idea to remove and bend the ones in the old Mav. What a putz.
ok all, will take your advice and replace it. where is the best place to look for new headliners? Probably something im not going to jump into right away.... Thanks for all the info everyone... Jeremy
