1977-1991 Chevy / GMC Suburban
Please read these instructions completely through before starting the installation.
Sold as Complete Set
STEP 1. Remove sunvisors, dome lights, all plastic trim moldings around the headliner and the center molding that covers and overlaps the two headliner sections in the middle of the roof. Also remove the Air Conditioner housing in the rear.
Please note that when removing the sunvisors there are, on each side underneath the sunvisor bracket, three slide-on washers that allow the sunvisor screws to attach to the metal roof. When replacing the sunvisors you may have to use an ice pick or other pointed instrument to line up the holes in the sunvisor brackets with the location in the roof of the vehicle. Be careful because these small, nutsert type washers can fall off and out of place.
There are two types of center moldings in the Suburban, both of which measure 1-3/4” wide. One type is flat without an inner channel and the second type has a ˝” wide x 5/8” deep female inner channel that overlaps the male metal rib in the center of the roof. See Pictures Below.
On vehicles where the center trim has the ”inner channel” you will need to trim off approximately 5/8” off the length of the Front Headliner in the back where it will meet the rib in the center of the roof. This measurement is approximate and depends upon the Front Headliner section being placed correctly in the front of the roof. There is a scribe line on the backside of the Front Headliner where the cut needs to be made. Tin snips are recommended to get a clean cut.
NOTE: One yard of 2” wide adhesive back Velcro has been provided to help hold the headliner in place in the center of both sections. There are several support ribs welded inside of the metal roof. These support ribs will touch the backside of the headliner so, the Velcro strips, if needed, should be applied here. Make sure the area where the Velcro will be attached is clean and dry. Put the Velcro strip on the rib in the center. A piece 12” to 18” should be sufficient.
It is important to note that the support ribs are actually three ˝” wide ribs placed closely together. There could be three to five in the roof of your vehicle. The center support rib where the center molding is attached is a place where the Front and Rear Headliner Sections meet together. Depending on which molding you have, this will determine the position of the headliner against the support rib in the roof.
STEP 2. Install Front Headliner by attaching sunvisors loosely first to hold the front in place, then the side trim moldings and dome light, if present.
NOTE: Dome Lights - some vehicles have one in the front or, in back, or both. Front & Rear Headliners have scribe marks on the backside of part for dome lights however, it is recommended you use your old headliner as a template for the dome light opening.
STEP 3. Install Rear Headliner. It is recommended to re-install the air conditioner housing loosely to allow the Rear Headliner to slip between the air conditioner housing and the roof. This will help hold the headliner in place while you’re adjusting its position. NOTE: You may have to notch the headliner where the flange on the air conditioner housing meets the roof of the vehicle so that when you put the screw through the hole in the A/C flange you will be able to meet the hole already in the roof. The position of the Rear Headliner where it meets the center rib is important and must be located before tightening down the air conditioner housing in the rear. There is a scribe line on the backside of the Rear Headliner at the edge where the Rear Headliner meets the Front Headliner. This is where the cut should be made if needed. Tin snips are recommended to get a clean cut.
Once again, locate and mark any dome light openings that may need to be cut out. Secure the headliner with the upper side moldings to hold it in place.
NOTE: Some air conditioning units/motors are different sizes but, we test fitted the air conditioning housings from 1973, 1981 and 1990, and found these to be the same shape plastic air conditioning housings.
There is a pre-drilled hole in each side of the air conditioner housing that will need to be used as a template to secure the upper corner of the headliner underneath the housing in the rear. Please see picture below. Using the air conditioner housing mark and drill this hole with a 1/8” drill bit and then re-attach the factory screw.
And lastly, re-attach the center molding that should cover both edges of the headliner where they meet in the middle. Tighten all screws after both sections of the headliner are in place.
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