Front headlining
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Front headlining
How easy is it to remove and replace the fairly small front grey headlining that was originally fitted in the basic tintop van? It doesn't seem obvious where to start.
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garyd
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- Location: Wells, Somerset
The back edge (along the roof frame joining the 'B' posts) and the sides (above the doors) of the roof lining are fixed by having the fabric edge turned back under a soft metal strip which is then pushed out against the shell. So, removing it is a case of carefully levering the fabric and strip away from the shell until the fabric can be loosened and untucked. You'll have to pop out the interior light as well and feed this back throught the hole in the fabric.
The front edge is more difficult. It is trapped under the mirror and sun visor fixings but, more importantly, is wrapped around the windscreen opening before the rubber and glass are installed. Removing it properly (or -reinstalling it) means taking out the windscreen.
Hope this helps
Garyd
The front edge is more difficult. It is trapped under the mirror and sun visor fixings but, more importantly, is wrapped around the windscreen opening before the rubber and glass are installed. Removing it properly (or -reinstalling it) means taking out the windscreen.
Hope this helps
Garyd
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ermie571
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I cleaned mine last night.....it was white under all the grey... 
But as it is a converted panel, there is not much padding underneath it by the feel of things.....all I could feel was the tin roof!!!
So, I am thinking of removing it and replacing it with the same grey that the vehicle cushions etc are trimmed in.....(I bought a rather large roll off the bay of fleas) The material has an added bonus in that it was advertised as fireproof - although I hope never to have to put this to the test.
However, I don't want to cut it and I don't want to take the widscreen out til I have too. So I was thinking that I would fold it back to the windscreen, and somehow fix the new headlining just next to the windscreen rubber on the inside, but with enough material tucked away to fit "properly" when the windscreen is removed! That way, the original cab lining is still available should anyone ever want to put it back. Then again, I do have a little rust in the corner....so perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to take it out and deal with the rust at the same time....
Also - it wasn't expensive to have the windscreen taken out - we were charged £40 to come to use to change our broken screen (just labour - we had the new screen). Would be cheaper to go to a windscreen place.
But as it is a converted panel, there is not much padding underneath it by the feel of things.....all I could feel was the tin roof!!!
So, I am thinking of removing it and replacing it with the same grey that the vehicle cushions etc are trimmed in.....(I bought a rather large roll off the bay of fleas) The material has an added bonus in that it was advertised as fireproof - although I hope never to have to put this to the test.
However, I don't want to cut it and I don't want to take the widscreen out til I have too. So I was thinking that I would fold it back to the windscreen, and somehow fix the new headlining just next to the windscreen rubber on the inside, but with enough material tucked away to fit "properly" when the windscreen is removed! That way, the original cab lining is still available should anyone ever want to put it back. Then again, I do have a little rust in the corner....so perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to take it out and deal with the rust at the same time....
Also - it wasn't expensive to have the windscreen taken out - we were charged £40 to come to use to change our broken screen (just labour - we had the new screen). Would be cheaper to go to a windscreen place.
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
Front headlining
Thanks for the info garyd. As my intention is to put sound-deadening
bitumen pads above the headlining I may be able to manage without loosening the front and doing all the windscreen hassle. How exactly does the metal strip across the back fit at each end?
Do you think the original lining will go back in place (and not look too bad) if I go carefully?
bitumen pads above the headlining I may be able to manage without loosening the front and doing all the windscreen hassle. How exactly does the metal strip across the back fit at each end?
Do you think the original lining will go back in place (and not look too bad) if I go carefully?
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garyd
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- 80-90 Mem No: 2934
- Location: Wells, Somerset
The strips at the back & sides are about one inch wide with cuts are 2 inch intervals from one edge to the centre line. They are spot welded to the body along the continuous half of the width. Each 'tab' then has its outer edge curved up towards the bodyshell.
You need to work your way along using a wide blade (screwdriver?) to carefully lever down each tab. When I did mine recently I was replacing with a full length lining so didn't worry about any damage to it. I reckon that done carefully you should be able to get it released without significant damage.
Putting it back should also be straight forward - just take you time. I haven't done it but suggest the following. Probably start in the centre of the back and tension the lining from the front fixings. Tuck it over the tabs (blunt 4" bolster chisel, perhaps?) and push them up again to grip it. Work your way out to each side.
Good luck with it. Post up any good or bad points you find.
Garyd
You need to work your way along using a wide blade (screwdriver?) to carefully lever down each tab. When I did mine recently I was replacing with a full length lining so didn't worry about any damage to it. I reckon that done carefully you should be able to get it released without significant damage.
Putting it back should also be straight forward - just take you time. I haven't done it but suggest the following. Probably start in the centre of the back and tension the lining from the front fixings. Tuck it over the tabs (blunt 4" bolster chisel, perhaps?) and push them up again to grip it. Work your way out to each side.
Good luck with it. Post up any good or bad points you find.
Garyd
Front headlining
Wasn't to bad to remove and replace after all .... thanks to the advice given. The rear side (that goes across the cab) had a cardboard stiffener sewn to it which helped considerably when replacing it in the bent back cut-outs.
The only disappointment was that the added sound deadening bitumen pads which I stuck to the roof above the headlining have made little or no difference to the general level of noise in the van.
If any body else is thinking of doing this I would suggest that they don't bother!
The only disappointment was that the added sound deadening bitumen pads which I stuck to the roof above the headlining have made little or no difference to the general level of noise in the van.
If any body else is thinking of doing this I would suggest that they don't bother!