Headliner replacement - 72 Fury

[Analog Kid]

Since I've started driving my Fury the odor of the interior is starting to wear on me. It sat in a barn for ten years before I got it and it looks like mice had been living in the headliner. I didn't realize how bad it was until I took a trim piece off and mouse turds started pouring out.
So needless to say....a new headliner is now a priority here.

My question is - what is the degree of difficulty in replacing a headliner in this car? Does the rear window need to be removed? Is this something I can take on myself or should I take it to an upholstery shop? I have never replaced a headliner before but if it is not worse than rebuilding the suspension then I can probably do it.

 

[Davea Lux]

Since I've started driving my Fury the odor of the interior is starting to wear on me. It sat in a barn for ten years before I got it and it looks like mice had been living in the headliner. I didn't realize how bad it was until I took a trim piece off and mouse turds started pouring out.
So needless to say....a new headliner is now a priority here.

My question is - what is the degree of difficulty in replacing a headliner in this car? Does the rear window need to be removed? Is this something I can take on myself or should I take it to an upholstery shop? I have never replaced a headliner before but if it is not worse than rebuilding the suspension then I can probably do it.

View attachment 179844 View attachment 179845 View attachment 179846

I would suggest that you read the section in the FSM that covers the replacement and judge for your self. The back window does not need to come out. The trim around all of the edges, the dry cleaner hooks, sun visors and dome light all need to removed. The fabric is held up by either steel or plastic rods that run thru pleats above the seams that are lifted up and out of their sockets to take them loose. I would suggest locating some of the plastic sockets before starting the job as they sometimes break. Be careful with the plastic trim around the edges also as it is often very brittle as well.

Dave

 

[FURYGT]

Mouse dropping remnants are VERY unhealthy as are those odors that you have been inhaling. I suspect that the consensus will be to have a professional install the new headliner. You can save money by pulling the seats out. Good luck.

 

[Big_John]

Mice will destroy a headliner once in there. To remove, tear some holes and stick a shop-vac hose in to suck out the padding and mouse poop... A mask is in order. Tear and vacuum as you go.

Installation can be tough. It depends on your patience and how good you are with upholstery. I'm OK with both and have done a lot of that type of work.... and I'm having a guy come over next weekend to do the headliner in my Barracuda. If you still want to do it, search youtube for installation videos.

Stock Interiors is a decent dealer for Acme Headliners. Get samples first, but they probably won't match exactly. SMS will probably have the correct material, but it will be 3x as much and will take longer to get.

 

[MYSINBIN]

This might give you some insight:

'67 Newport headliner, windlace, and trim

I had never done a headliner before. I took a lot of patience pills to get through it.

I'm glad that I tried it and would probably do another.

Hope the input helps.

John

 

[HWYCRZR]

I bought one of the 2x too much ones from SMS. It was about 5 weeks to get, but a perfect match. I read through the FSM and was going to do it, but my paint guys asked if I was installing the headliner or if they were. They could easily talk me into it.

 

[LeBaron1973]

I bought one of the 2x too much ones from SMS. It was about 5 weeks to get, but a perfect match. I read through the FSM and was going to do it, but my paint guys asked if I was installing the headliner or if they were. They could easily talk me into it.

Since you're already paying for the paint job get them to do it.

 

[Big_John]

I knew I had some stuff bookmarked.

Restorations by Rick Kreuziger - Headliner installation

and some videos.




This is Ford stuff, but it's close and I always consider their videos as being really informative with good tips. Skip over the first minute or so of nonsense.

 

[Analog Kid]

Update here - so I went ahead and removed the headliner. It was a messy job. Definitely needed the mask and gloves.

I'm glad I did it though. Not sure a professional shop would have cared enough to get all the mouse crap out that could be found. There was a lot of it....even buried behind the sail panels.

I'm leaning towards doing the replacement headliner myself so I'm getting some samples sent from Stock Interiors. I might also take the opportunity now since I've got most of the interior out to do some rust prevention on the floors and maybe install some sound deadening material. Might also look at new carpet.

Question here - any ideas on what to use to replace the card board backing behind the sail panels? I cleaned these but they are still a bit nasty.

 

[Big_John]

I watched the guy put the headliner in my Barracuda today... My advice is to have it done. It was a lot of hard work and you have to pull and stretch in just the right directions to get it right. You need a heat gun, but you can destroy the headliner pretty easy if you don't know what you're doing.

 

[Davea Lux]

Update here - so I went ahead and removed the headliner. It was a messy job. Definitely needed the mask and gloves.

I'm glad I did it though. Not sure a professional shop would have cared enough to get all the mouse crap out that could be found. There was a lot of it....even buried behind the sail panels.

I'm leaning towards doing the replacement headliner myself so I'm getting some samples sent from Stock Interiors. I might also take the opportunity now since I've got most of the interior out to do some rust prevention on the floors and maybe install some sound deadening material. Might also look at new carpet.

Question here - any ideas on what to use to replace the card board backing behind the sail panels? I cleaned these but they are still a bit nasty.

View attachment 180900
View attachment 180898 View attachment 180899

The sail panels could probably be coated with clear lacquer on both sides. That would seal any remaining foul odor.

Dave

 

[HWYCRZR]

A quick wipe with vinegar and ammonia (mixed in water) will help some, but as said above maybe clear lacquer on both sides to seal the remaining smell in.

 

[Joesportfury]

In the past I have coated cardboard door panels with fiberglass resin.Waterproof and makes them a lot less delicate to work with.

 

[Analog Kid]

Hey guys,

I've got the car at an upholstery shop now getting the headliner installed but the guy just called me and said it doesn't fit. This is what I bought from Stock Interiors - Model 21300 - 1972 Plymouth Fury Bow Style Headliner, Sport Fury, Gran Fury, 2 Door Hard Top Sports Roof Fastback

1972 Plymouth Fury Sport Fury, Gran Fury, 2 Door Hard Top Sports Roof Fastback Bow Style Headliner Kit

Should I have gotten this one?
Model 21301 - 1972 Plymouth Fury Bow Style Headliner, Fury II, 2 Door Hard Top Formal Roof

1972 Plymouth Fury Fury II, 2 Door Hard Top Formal Roof Bow Style Headliner Kit

The car is a PH29 - doesn't that mean Sports Hard top? But it also means Formal roof as well - right?

I'm a bit confused here. My guy is calling ACME who is actually the manufacturer of the headliner to try and sort it out but I wanted to run it by the forum to hear what you guys say.

 

[HWYCRZR]

PH29 is the 2dr sports H/T per the 72 Parts book. Also per the book the H should be a Fury III.
I honestly don't know which of the pictures below are the PH23 or the PH29. The Fastback is on top. The pictures are not that clear, but can maybe tell from the window profiles.

 

[Analog Kid]

Just wanted to close out this thread with an update.

Headliner is done. It was at the upholstery shop for about a month. The shop was able to locate me the right headliner with the original material however the first one they received was for a Barracuda so that didn't fit either. I am not sure where the headliner came from but it was someplace in California. Price was very reasonable too.

Also want to give a plug to the place I used. New Look Auto in Haymarket, VA. Very good work and they were very accommodating with finding the right headliner. In the end I'm glad the one I bought didn't fit. It was a vinyl material and the color was close but not an exact match.

As seems to be the norm, this process was a wild ride but in the end things turned out better than I had expected.

 

[tbm3fan]

Looks very nice. When I had the one done in my Polara I went to my guy Forrest Steele, who works out of his garage, and went through the books for pattern and color. I then left it to him to do the ordering so there were no miss orders or mistakes. A week later he calls to tell me to bring the car over and in three days I have a new headliner and new vinyl top. Visited him a month ago and saw a 64 Valiant convertible he bought from the original owner out of the Berkeley Hills. Quarters needed help and it was a stick. When he saw me he immediately told me he had been looking for my number so I could look the car over. Offered it to me for $3500 but had to decline as now is not the time to bring another stray home making 11.

 

[Big_John]

I am not sure where the headliner came from but it was someplace in California.

Acme Headliner in Long Beach makes most of the headliners that are available. They do not sell direct to the public, but an installer would be able to buy from them.