Hello here is the install procedures that I use to install my kits. I have done a few so far and just did my Indy today. here we go.
Step one look at that crappy headliner that you have an decide to get it the heck out of your car.
Remove the sunroof gasket by just pulling it out
There are 4 T15 screws holding the dome light up. there are two behind the far light lenses and two at the end of the visors channel
You will then end with this a hanging dome lamp
Disconnect the plug and remove the dome light
Remove the three screws from the visor holders on booth sides
Grab the headliner from the sunroof gasket channel and pull it out. This is where is gets messy. The old foam will just flake out.
Next you need to ask your Pug to move from her riding spot.
Now you only need to remove one side of the panels on the car. This helps when you install the headliner back in as it will hold half up while you work with the other side
On the seatbelt there is a cover.
Pry the over from the bottom and be careful not to break it. there is a small hinge on the top that can break easy. Just flip it up and there is a T45 bolt there.
Remove the bolt
Next there is a LONG screw in the side of the panel. You can see it when the door is open. it is in plain view
Remove the screw
Slide the panel towards the front of the car releasing a pin that holds it to the body of the car. Then pull towards the center of the car
Remove the panel
Pull the trip on top slightly down and towards the outside of the car. this will release two clips
End up with this
In this photo you can see the removed trim on the inside. This old dust itches so I alway try to wear a long sleeve shirt ot keep it off my skin.
This is now for a sunroof car. Remove the one screw that hold the latch cover
Slide the panel out the drivers door and end up with this
Now the key to a good headliner to stay up or a long time is the prep work. Poor prep work will kill your headliner in a week or two. it will fall. There are many ways to prep you liner. In my kits I state to use the sandpaper to clean off the liner. Get a vacuum while you do this to pull off any dust that comes off the car. Now I use a coarse towel for this. it gets everything off. If is a special towel and I don't know where you can get this thing anymore. So use the paper
This will show you a completed boardd with heavy duty tape for the week spots. This liner was in 4 pieces. apply the tape after you sand the cover and end up with this
Apply your spray adhesive to the board and you do not have to use a ton. If you use a ton then what will happen is the foam on the liner will absorb it and the foam will stick to itself and make divots in the liner and they will not come out.
Now slide the cover back into the car and push it into the passengers side trim. and secure it with the dome light.
Then do the same with the sunroof hinge cover. Now I have cut the sunroof whole out in these shots but do this a bit at a time as you put the liner back in. First install the other trim back into the car to hold the liner in place going forward.
Press in the sunroof gasket while you pull the headliner out through the top of the car.
Here you want to use a razor knife to remove the extra material.
Cut at an angle and tuck the remainder of the material in the gasket.
Go all the way around to the other side and cut what you need but not to much. in the corners you will have to put two or three cuts in to make the turn.
Then you are done. Here are the photos from the outside looking at the clean gasket.
Now th completed cover from the inside of the car
Now is a good time to vacuum the car out as there will be dust all over
Total time about 2 hours to complete. Next I will be putting my Visors in and I will add how to do that next time.
Just installed one of my kits and a set of visors in a car and wanted to share. He got this 87gt t-top with no motor for 50 yes I said 50 dollars
That's pretty much how I did mine. I used a different adhesive though. I used Loctite headliner adhesive. 3 coats on each side with 5 minutes drying time. Just a matter of preference.
Very nice product though! I will post a pic of mine tomorrow
Nice write up. + to you. Did you fix the water leaks to keep it from happening again?
for the water I had to work with the gasket that was on the car to seal it back up. I did this a ways back when the car got there and what I did was puff the gasket up in certin areas wit a tuck here and there.
You can also look inside of the corner of the sunroof gasket (The rubber on top of the roof) and drill a hole through the roof panel. Just put a 3/16 or 1/4" hole in there. All the water that makes it past the gasket will hit those holes and roll off the frame onto the ground.
HUGE improvement. No more leaks for me.
IP: Logged
02:03 PM
vballman Member
Posts: 454 From: New Durham, NH, USA Registered: Sep 2005
Excellent article AND you get your girl to help!!!! I'm envious.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. 87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
IP: Logged
09:28 AM
PFF
System Bot
Mar 14th, 2009
kevin Member
Posts: 2722 From: Elk Grove, CA USA Registered: Jan 2000
Great write up I appreciate it. Oh, did you consider adding the coat hooks? Or, did you just want to leave it exactly stock? Minor question yes, but inquiring minds want to know...
Kevin
IP: Logged
01:11 PM
Fiero Thomas Member
Posts: 4669 From: Round Lake Beach, IL Registered: Jul 2005
I did not put the hangers in as I thought that it looks better without. To put the hangers in there are two small wholes in the headliner board that you can feal with your hands. put a small hole there and screw away.
Nice thread. If I have a non sunroof headliner that is nice and clean, but sags in both coves above the head of the passenger and driver, is there a fix that lasts and dosn't look bad? Or have to replace it?
IP: Logged
04:13 PM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
Nice write-up, but here's a hint. I think you'll find the job much easier if you remove the seats, then put them back when the job is done. That's what I did.
IP: Logged
04:41 PM
Fiero Thomas Member
Posts: 4669 From: Round Lake Beach, IL Registered: Jul 2005
you have to replace it. the foam is falling apart that is what makes it sag
quote
Originally posted by TopNotch:
Nice write-up, but here's a hint. I think you'll find the job much easier if you remove the seats, then put them back when the job is done. That's what I did.
I leave the seats in as there is a place to rest the headliner board when installing. If you take the seats out you risk cracking the board if there is nothing to hold it up with. This is what I have found.
------------------ 1985 Fiero GT 4speed 1986 Fiero GT 1994 BMW 530 V8 2005 Cobalt with a twist
This is a great write-up! I have an 86 that has a slightly droopy but not completely falling down liner that I want to spruce up and this will help. What is your opinion of laying a layer of fiberglass on the back side to strengthen the board? Also, I coul dnot tell but was there padding added to the underside of the cloth liner?
Trevor
IP: Logged
05:37 PM
Dec 23rd, 2011
Fiero Thomas Member
Posts: 4669 From: Round Lake Beach, IL Registered: Jul 2005
I've moved it to the new F&H section, but please do not keep bumping it to the top. If people are interested, the thread will find it's way to the top by itself.