Headliner installation problem

willem · Jun 5, 2018

Hi there,

Some time ago i bought a headliner conversion kit from SMS autofabrics to install into my '72 Dodge Coronet Wagon. Recently i finally got to doing it, but quite quickly i realised that the kit isn't going to fit! They sent me a piece of cloth and a bow kit. The cloth is ok i guess, but there are no spots to where i can attach the bows to the roof! Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? In the message i have inserted a few pics to show you my situation.

regards. Willem

PurpleBeeper · Jun 6, 2018

Hey Willem, I have never installed a headliner myself, but my friend used to do it for a living, so I know "a little".
a) Did your car come originally with a cardboard backing? If yes, then find some similar material, cut/bend/crease it to fit, then install the cloth on it (working inside to outside, using a plastic squeegee to get out air bubbles, dry, cut off excess & install.
b) If your car did NOT come with a cardboard backing, the headliners attach to the bows you already have in the your wagon. I don't know how you do that, but some of the guys on this website with early 60's car do.

Either way, I think you will be using the cloth & throwing away the bows you got in your kit.

p.s. We would love to see pictures of your wagon. You may have the only one in the Netherlands.....everyone has a BMW or Mercedes, but I'm sure not many have a 72 Coronet wagon there!

Wietse · Jun 6, 2018

Hallo Willem,
Good to see another Dutch member here, where do you live?
And yes, you really need to add a picture of your ride.

As per manual i can only find the 4-door installation procedure being similar as for the hardtop version, which is with the use of small clips that hold the metal bows.
As Purplebeeper mentions, it was also possible that it came backed with cardboard which i never seen or worked with.
I did my headliner myself as well not long ago, but mine is a Hardtop version, see in the picture if you have these small metal clips?

Edit: You might want to do something on the roof first before installing the headliner?

PurpleBeeper · Jun 6, 2018

Wietse said:
Hallo Willem,
Good to see another Dutch member here, where do you live?
And yes, you really need to add a picture of your ride.

As per manual i can only find the 4-door installation procedure being similar as for the hardtop version, which is with the use of small clips that hold the metal bows.
As Purplebeeper mentions, it was also possible that it came backed with cardboard which i never seen or worked with.
I did my headliner myself as well not long ago, but mine is a Hardtop version, see in the picture if you have these small metal clips?

Edit: You might want to do something on the roof first before installing the headliner?

View attachment 613780 View attachment 613781 View attachment 613782

Hey Weitse, that is some good information! So, it looks like there is not cardboard at all & those clips make the cloth tight, correct? Does it get glued to the bows already in the vehicle? I think you will be a HUGE help.

Wietse · Jun 7, 2018

First thing to do is install the bows in the new headliner, either reuse the old ones or have a set of new ones ready.
All bows are different and you need to have the in the correct sequence.
These bows are supported by these little clips.
Do a search here on the forum because i learned from here, i could not find it just now but if i will i post it here.
Lost of info and pictures.

Wietse · Jun 7, 2018

Here is some:

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/need-some-advice-opinions-tips.65610/

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/66-coronet-headliner.5030/#post-36295

Below some pictures of my headliner replacement, buy i set of these small clips to hold the liner in position.
I followed the tips and tricks of the above topics and it got the job done.

willem · Jun 8, 2018

PurpleBeeper said:
Hey Willem, I have never installed a headliner myself, but my friend used to do it for a living, so I know "a little".
a) Did your car come originally with a cardboard backing? If yes, then find some similar material, cut/bend/crease it to fit, then install the cloth on it (working inside to outside, using a plastic squeegee to get out air bubbles, dry, cut off excess & install.
b) If your car did NOT come with a cardboard backing, the headliners attach to the bows you already have in the your wagon. I don't know how you do that, but some of the guys on this website with early 60's car do.

Either way, I think you will be using the cloth & throwing away the bows you got in your kit.

p.s. We would love to see pictures of your wagon. You may have the only one in the Netherlands.....everyone has a BMW or Mercedes, but I'm sure not many have a 72 Coronet wagon there!

Hey PurpleBeeper,

To answer your questions: Yes, my car came with cardboard backing, when i bought it it had one piece of that still left inside (i pulled that one out). The bows still in there are pretty different from the ones in the kit, do you think i can attach the cloth to that somehow? Here's a few pics of my wagon, she's not a beauty but hopefully will be when i'm done with it

willem · Jun 8, 2018

Wietse said:
Hallo Willem,
Good to see another Dutch member here, where do you live?
And yes, you really need to add a picture of your ride.

As per manual i can only find the 4-door installation procedure being similar as for the hardtop version, which is with the use of small clips that hold the metal bows.
As Purplebeeper mentions, it was also possible that it came backed with cardboard which i never seen or worked with.
I did my headliner myself as well not long ago, but mine is a Hardtop version, see in the picture if you have these small metal clips?

Edit: You might want to do something on the roof first before installing the headliner?

View attachment 613780 View attachment 613781 View attachment 613782

Hey Wietse,

Thanks for the info! that looks very usefull indeed.
I live in Amsterdam, you?

I wonder though, the clips look great - but can you see spots on my roof where i could mount those? And where did you get them? I might order a few and test-fit them.

What do you mean with do something on the roof before installing the headliner.. like insulation?

Wietse · Jun 8, 2018

On the new headliner should be several white cloth lines where the bow should be installed in to hold the liner.
You can see a part of it in post #3, last picture.
If that is not on there i guess you have to glue it against the cardboard backing, but you probably will have to buy that new and i never came across any.
FYI, check Moparshop.de, very good place for us to buy parts from as shipping costs are low compared with buying from the US.

I live in the farmer land of Friesland, not really in the neighbourhood unfortunately .
Take care of the rust, add some insulation if possible. (I use POR15 paint, very good ****!!)

willem · Jul 11, 2018

Hi Wietse,

I followed your advice and started by putting some por 15 on the roof - great stuff indeed! I also stuck some sound insulation over the por 15, i hope it will stick when the sun is shining.

For the headliner i bought clips for the bows and for the cloth. I haven't gotten to installing it yet, but as soon as i do i will post an update with pictures!

Wietse · Jul 11, 2018

Just be prepared and have patience when starting this job.
If it is not going well, walk it off and try again later...i did that several times

Headliner installation problem

willem

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PurpleBeeper

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Wietse

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PurpleBeeper

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Wietse

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Wietse

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willem

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willem

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Wietse

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willem

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Wietse

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