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Headliner Installation - A Wild Headliner For Your 'Glass Pickup

Install a Headliner in a Wild Rods or Downs Pickup Cab
By Ryan Manson
Photography by Ryan Manson, Brian Brennan
Headliner Installation
Headliner Installation
The first step in installing... 
   
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Headliner Installation
The first step in installing a headliner in a truck with no provisions for attaching material is to build the header and attach panels...
Headliner Installation
...Lance started with a rough... 
   
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Headliner Installation
...Lance started with a rough template and traced the outside contour of the door opening.
Headliner Installation
Once the rough shape was traced... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Once the rough shape was traced out, it could be cut from the rest of the material and further shaped inside.
Headliner Installation
With the template in place,... 
   
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Headliner Installation
With the template in place, Lance trimmed the top parallel with the bottom...
Headliner Installation
...and trimmed a bit away... 
   
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Headliner Installation
...and trimmed a bit away from the bottom to clear the windlace.
Headliner Installation
Once the fitment of the template... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Once the fitment of the template is sufficient, it's traced onto a piece of 1/8-inch Baltic Birch and cut out on the band saw.
Headliner Installation
The wood panel was then checked... 
   
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Headliner Installation
The wood panel was then checked for fitment over the door, with the area in the A-pillar and the curvature of the window carefully scrutinized.
Headliner Installation
Notice how the arch in the... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Notice how the arch in the panel follows the door perfectly. This will ensure a tight seal between the headliner, windlace, and door panel.
Headliner Installation
Since the body isn't flat... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Since the body isn't flat behind the panel, wooden blocks need to be affixed to the body so the panel has something to attach to. Again, Lance made a cardboard template and transferred the shape to a piece of wood to be cut to shape on the band saw.
Headliner Installation
Since Lance used fiberglass... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Since Lance used fiberglass resin to attach the wood blocks, the area needed to be clean and free of foreign debris to allow the two surfaces to adhere correctly.
Headliner Installation Resin
A small batch of resin was... 
   
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Headliner Installation Resin
A small batch of resin was made up...
Headliner Installation
...and the blocks were glued... 
   
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Headliner Installation
...and the blocks were glued into place.
Headliner Installation Sanding
After the blocks were allowed... 
   
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Headliner Installation Sanding
After the blocks were allowed ample drying time, they were sanded perfectly flush with the doorjamb so the headliner and door panel meet evenly.
Headliner Installation
The panel was checked once... 
   
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Headliner Installation
The panel was checked once again for fitment--a little trimming was needed in the A-pillar area.
Headliner Installation
A quick hit with the air ... 
   
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Headliner Installation
A quick hit with the air sander...
Headliner Installation
...and we're back in busi... 
   
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Headliner Installation
...and we're back in business.
Headliner Installation
Once the fitment of the panel... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Once the fitment of the panel was acceptable...
Headliner Installation
...it was drilled to accept... 
   
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Headliner Installation
...it was drilled to accept countersunk screws and attached to the wooden blocks.
Headliner Installation
With the foundation in place,... 
   
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Headliner Installation
With the foundation in place, it was time to attach the tack strip that will ultimately hold the headliner in place. This piece replaces the perforated steel strip that would normally be found in gennie steel bodies.
Headliner Installation
Small staples held the tack... 
   
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Headliner Installation
Small staples held the tack strip in place along its entire length from one end of the panel to the other.

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Headliner Installation  Headliner Installation
Headliner Installation  Headliner Installation
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