Technical How to install a headliner in a fat ford!

Yeah I've seen a lot of people use bondo spreaders with the corners rounded. Regaurdless of what you use be carefull and pay attention

 

It's a few years since this was created, but searching the internet can be a beautiful thing. I'm installing a Mac's headliner in my '41 sedan now and this has been huge. I was winging it, mostly OK but there are some tips and techniques here that will end up with an easier, better end result, installation. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

Awesome that’s exactly why I posted this

 

I’ve also found this through an internet search... excellent and thanks... I spent Saturday doing the bows and basic install in my 40 Ford... need to finish windlace first which I would not have guessed without your post.

Great contribution....

Some pics...




Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B. View attachment 5038772 View attachment 5038774 View attachment 5038775

 

Fantastic

 

Excellent, excellent tech thread, Tim. This is not a job for the faint of heart. You have great patience.......Don.

 

Helped that I did it before we had kids lol haven’t had a single issue with the head liner since instal! Have yet to recover the sun visors and install them though :S yikes been a minute haha. I’ll add that bit when I get to it. For now a hat works to block the sun thankfully

 

Thanks Tim
This write up was phenomenal. Good enough to make me sign up to say thanks. I have a 41 ford business coupe I'll be trying this on soon and now i think i can tackle it. Great job!

 

Glad it’s come In handy!

 

After looking through this post many times, I kept telling my self no way. I have a 39 ford standard 2dr sedan with only parts of the headliner and wind lace left. All of the bows where still there. After going back to this post, page by page, many more times, I decided to give it a try.
I bought a MLS 7 bow headliner with 20 feet of wind lace. I have no experience with headliners! It kept just sitting in the shop.
With the help from Tim, I was able to go step by step with his post. Wind lace first, hang the headliner, start tightening front to back. Took a lot of patience and going back to fix things. Finally got to the end, done! with out Tim's help, I would have been lost. THANKS Tim for taking the time to write, take pictures, and explain the steps. My headlinner is not perfect, but very presentable . After all these years this post is still going strong!!!!
THANKS TIM

 

Yep....thanks Tim - I'm reading through this again when the time comes to do mine !

 

Awesome! The entire reason I made the post in the first place is the huge lack of the information and photos online. Glad you conquered it!

And it really is largely patience. You can do it

 

What do we do with the two sets of thin wires on either side of the rear window on my 46 short door Business Coupe? I do not see this addressed on any forum or install video. Thanks in advance.

 

Think about the poor bastard at the factory that had to do that all day long...

Nice work on your little car, Tim. Glad you took the time to document it, seems to have helped a bunch of folks.

-Abone.

 

Thanks @flamedabone

@winesmith got a photo?

 

Thanks Tim I just stumbled on this post and I will be installing the headliner in my 46 Delivery soon and this post is perfect timing for me lots of good tips and pics .

 

...Some people use them, some don't. Ideally, I like to see them used as they can help keep the headliner nice and tight in that kinda complicated area in the curve to the back window.

 

What did you do with the two sets of short wires between the quarter windows and the rear glass ?

 

Your headliner needs pockets for them, just like the rest of the bows. I favor using them.

 

I really appreciate your input since WLS Headliners doesn't respond to my emails or calls.
BTW, I just purchased a dozen orig 42-48 headliner bows. Not sure their specific body application but they all have the proper bent end tabs for installation. I only need one (had to buy all 12 to get it) so if anyone out there needs bows, let me know.

 

Yeah I’d assume They have pockets/ listings/ tubes for those to slide threw just like the others?

 

...Be sure to number your existing bows before taking them out as there is a correct order. Just FYI..

 

Does your '46 4 door sedan have courtesy lights on the B pillar?

 

Had I known the headliner was going to go as smooth as it did I would have done a write up. I assumed it was going to be like five monkeys tryna violate a football in the mud lol

 

not sure who your asking, but my 2 door sedan did have lights on the B pillar but I removed them for the shoulder belt anchors