Charcoal colored headliner

[dagenham]

Has anyone seen the headliner offered by Fox Mustang Restoration yet?? They have charcoal cloth headliners listed along with sunvisors. The sunvisors however are listed for '85 and '86 only though. Is there a difference for '84s??

[Kendal Coker]

The factory 84 sunvisors are vinyl along with the headliner and do not have a the extra mounting clip.

[dagenham]

What extra mounting clip??
Kendal, can you show me a pic??

[MikeFleming]

The 84 sunvisors only mount by the rod/pivot on the outer end, retained by 4 chrome Phillips screws.

The 86 ones have a center support slip that the inner end of the visor mounts to, when it's in the folded-up, out of the way position. Earlier cars did not come with the inner clips and the visors are different - later ones have a place in the visor body for the clip to retain the visor.

If you search the Redd Baron Mods thread you can find pics of the Taurus double visors I installed. There are some pics of the inner mount clip used with those visors. once you see them, it will make sense.

[dagenham]

Thanks Mike, I have '91 or newer sunvisors in the car now thanks to a p/o. Unless SVO's had airbag warning stickers on them back then.
Who ever put them in put the clips in also and wired up the lights in the visors. One thing that bugs me is the map light doesnt work, and I am not totaly sure what the problem is. I think it is the button switch that the light pushes up against.

[Raven855]

The SVO had lighted visors. As for the stickers they come off with a little help of a hot air dryer. By law now, the dealer will put them on if they are missing and come in for service.

[daspuma]

Not all SVO's came with lighted visors- my 85½ didn't

[Raven855]

Are all 84 headliners vinyl?
On the 85, 85.5 and 86 cars are the headliners vinyl on sunroof cars and cloth on all the others? What about the comp preps?
Are all of the visors on the 85, 85.5 and 86 cars lighted and are all sunroof 85, 85.5, 86 cars non lighted. I assuum all CP cars are non lighted?
Do all cars with lighted visors also have the map light?

[rodster]

I believe all 84's are vinyl. My understanding was after 84, cloth was used. If someone has a 85+ car with a vinyl headliner I'm sure they will chime in.

On lighted visors, sounds like some 85 1/2 cars didn't get them. Not sure if they were optional on 85+ cars?

Your assumption on CP cars sounds correct but again, CP owners would have to verify.

Keep in mind the changes may not have transitioned in one day so I wouldn't be shocked to find a late 84 with a cloth headliner or an early 85 with vinyl.

[dagenham]

Ok, I have been looking and looking, and I haven't been able to locate the correct color in tier grain. So I'm thinking about getting a light color of the tier grain and dying it the right color.
Any thoughts and/or opinions on this idea??

[rodster]

Might be your only option. If you go that route keep us posted on your progress.

[Tonys 85.5]

My 85.5 has vinyl.

[dznj]

My 85.5 has vinyl.

Sunroof car? My 85.5 was/is cloth. It was falling down when I bought it, but replaced with FMR piece.

D

[KevinK]

The vinyl headliner is pretty hard to find. It took me a couple of years to track it down. Thanks to another member, I was was able to get what appears to be the last one. My 84 was a late build 5/1/84 but they continued I think until July for the 84 model (something like another 100 cars).

[rodster]

My 85.5 has vinyl.


Sunroof car? My 85.5 was/is cloth. It was falling down when I bought it, but replaced with FMR piece.

D

Interesting...... original cars? Surprised to hear vinyl in a 85.5.

[Kendal Coker]

So far all the 85-86 headliner cars I have seen had vinyl. The hard tops had cloth.

[dznj]

So far all the 85-86 headliner cars I have seen had vinyl. The hard tops had cloth.

Me thinks you mean Sunroof cars had vinyl. The non-sunroof cars had cloth....

D

[Kendal Coker]

Me thinks you mean Sunroof cars had vinyl. The non-sunroof cars had cloth....

D Yep, brain fart.

[bluemax]

Me thinks you mean Sunroof cars had vinyl. The non-sunroof cars had cloth....



This applies to Comp Prep optioned cars as well.

[Tonys 85.5]

Yeah my 85.5 is a sunroof car...

[Kendal Coker]

This applies to Comp Prep optioned cars as well.

Two of m 85.5 comp preps have sunroofs with vinyl headliners.

[rodster]

This applies to Comp Prep optioned cars as well.

Didn't realize later sunroof cars and CP's got the vinyl....

[dagenham]

I contacted TMI and asked them to send me several samples of their silver gray tier grain material. Hopefully I can find some charcoal colored dye and dye the material the correct color and put back on the headliner panel.

[Raven855]

Matt at FMR is sending me the TMI samples also for the carpet and headliners. Should have them next week.

[SnakePlisskin]

Vinyl headliners,what is this the 70's?? haha. can someone post a pic, inquiring minds would like to see.

[dagenham]

I would love to, but some p/o put a light grey cloth one in it.

[escogt]

Vinyl headliners,what is this the 70's?? haha. can someone post a pic, inquiring minds would like to see.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/e0wAAOSwc3ZUovCV/$_57.JPG

[dagenham]

Vinyl headliner w/ cloth sunvisors ??
There seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in what these cars came with concerning what had vinyl and what had cloth.
I am more confused now than when I started this thread.

[Kendal Coker]

Vinyl headliner w/ cloth sunvisors ??
There seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in what these cars came with concerning what had vinyl and what had cloth.
I am more confused now than when I started this thread.
Here is the simple explanation, All sunroof 84-86 had vinyl, all 84's had vinyl. The rest had cloth.

[Chalky]

I may have mentioned this before, but my '93 LX had a sunroof, cloth interior, cloth visors and a vinyl headliner. Both of my t-top cars had vinyl laid over the cloth. My theory is that the vinyl is stronger than the cloth and easier to wrap around the sunroof/ t-top opening.

[dagenham]

The '88 LX that I have is a T-Top car with vinyl also.

[SnakePlisskin]

looks pretty good. Is it smooth or a textured vinyl?

[rodster]

I may have mentioned this before, but my '93 LX had a sunroof, cloth interior, cloth visors and a vinyl headliner. Both of my t-top cars had vinyl laid over the cloth. My theory is that the vinyl is stronger than the cloth and easier to wrap around the sunroof/ t-top opening.

Sounds like a good theory.


looks pretty good. Is it smooth or a textured vinyl?

Slightly textured.


7994

[dagenham]

Rodster, is that the vinyl headliner material in your svo? If it is, it doesn't look anything like the swatch from TMI. They sent me "tier grain" vinyl.

[rodster]

Yes it is. What does "tier grain" look like?

[dagenham]

It looks like this.

[dagenham]

Obviously not the same texture. The sunvisors I got have the same texture as your headliner so it looks like I am back to square one in the hunt for the correct headliner.

[rodster]

Good luck on your hunt. I think it might made of unobtainium. I'm determined to reuse my original although everyone says it can't be done. Figure I'll get a new ABS backer board, some foam and give it a try.

Don't know if you checked this site out but they list some charcoal vinyl.

http://www.acmeautoheadlining.com/abshema.html

Keep us posted on your progress.

[dagenham]

All anyone lists is tier grain for vinyl. I don't know where they are that because I don't remember ever seeing that in any fox body mustang. So now the big question I guess I should have asked a long time ago is what is the name of the grain of vinyl that is used in our cars??

[rodster]

I don't ever recall it being called anything other than 'Impossible to Find' Will have to pull out the SVO book and see if anything is mentioned. I went to an auto upholstery shop awhile back and don't think their trim books even showed a sample of vinyl for 84's. You could check a local upholstery shop to see if you have better luck.

[TheSVOTrust]

OH sure get out the book (s) ! LOL
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/svo2scj/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpsd0b58bd7.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/svo2scj/media/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpsd0b58bd7.jpg.html)

Kendal has it correct - but remember items changed by owners asku opinions! (even owners that THINK their car is all original) Some photo's in this thread are a good example. (It's akin to restoring a 69 Mustang based on what you see at a show - not knowing they built differently at different plants)

I think this is what you mean by name of grain. The next time I visit Kevin I will look at all of the fabric books and see if it has a name.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/svo2scj/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps93e507b7.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/svo2scj/media/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps93e507b7.jpg.html)

I tried to help with someone needing a 84 non sunroof vinyl - but felt this was too ratty for use.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/svo2scj/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps6adca919.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/svo2scj/media/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps6adca919.jpg.html)

Not a great shot ( Iphone 5s) but this is the "grain"
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/svo2scj/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps59637178.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/svo2scj/media/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps59637178.jpg.html)

Mark

[rodster]

Not the book I was thinking about, didn't even know an SVO specific book existed! Very cool! Know my car is original and the clear picture of the grain seems to match the blurry picture of yours. ;)

If you get a chance to look at the book again snap some more pictures.

[TheSVOTrust]

Not the book I was thinking about, didn't even know an SVO specific book existed! Very cool! Know my car is original and the clear picture of the grain seems to match the blurry picture of yours. ;)

If you get a chance to look at the book again snap some more pictures.

A thief charged me $500 for that book ! (But I thought it would be helpful SVO people some day) LOL

When combined with the RED BOOK 2/15/1982 , Process sheets for production changes (over the years) and Assembly Operation Instructions (all the torque specs) it is all important. (at least to me and visitors)

Mark

[dagenham]

I tried to help with someone needing a 84 non sunroof vinyl - but felt this was too ratty for use

I think we talked about it earlier. What is wrong with it?? Does it have holes in it, or is it getting dry rotted?

[rodster]

A thief charged me $500 for that book ! (But I thought it would be helpful SVO people some day) LOL

When combined with the RED BOOK 2/15/1982 , Process sheets for production changes (over the years) and Assembly Operation Instructions (all the torque specs) it is all important. (at least to me and visitors)

Mark

That's a great collection of documentation. Would love to see some examples (pictures) of the different documents.

$500 is a lot for that book but I've never seen another one.

[TheSVOTrust]

That's a great collection of documentation. Would love to see some examples (pictures) of the different documents.

$500 is a lot for that book but I've never seen another one.

EVERYONE is welcome to visit THESVOTRUST Museum when visiting Detroit (or just driving past on I96) ! I even had the HotRodTour detour a few years ago (at least the Ford guys)

Much of the static displays are either Nascar items, Elvis owned items or SVO specific. (Dealer promos, prototype parts, and collectibles)

Mark
P.S. Better hurry if you want cars though - have sold 4 SVO's in the last 5 months! ( At least the MacTools Race car and Mac "giveaway" is still here)

[rodster]

Will keep that in mind when I make a trip to Dearborn. :)

Care to share a summary of what cars you sold and their future? Sounds like SVO sales are hotter than in 1984-86!

[70b302cat]

EVERYONE is welcome to visit THESVOTRUST Museum when visiting Detroit (or just driving past on I96) ! I even had the HotRodTour detour a few years ago (at least the Ford guys)

Much of the static displays are either Nascar items, Elvis owned items or SVO specific. (Dealer promos, prototype parts, and collectibles)

Mark
P.S. Better hurry if you want cars though - have sold 4 SVO's in the last 5 months! ( At least the MacTools Race car and Mac "giveaway" is still here)

Sounds like you made some space to work on the 67.

[rodster]

Are you going to be posting progress on the 67 anywhere? As a 67 owner, it's something I'd enjoy.

[Kendal Coker]

EVERYONE is welcome to visit THESVOTRUST Museum when visiting Detroit (or just driving past on I96) ! I even had the HotRodTour detour a few years ago (at least the Ford guys)

Much of the static displays are either Nascar items, Elvis owned items or SVO specific. (Dealer promos, prototype parts, and collectibles)

Mark
P.S. Better hurry if you want cars though - have sold 4 SVO's in the last 5 months! ( At least the MacTools Race car and Mac "giveaway" is still here)

Been there, it is a site to behold.

[TheSVOTrust]

Will keep that in mind when I make a trip to Dearborn. :)

Care to share a summary of what cars you sold and their future? Sounds like SVO sales are hotter than in 1984-86!

Because you respected their future in the question and I want new owners to be as excited for cars value and use I will suggest we all talk about SVO's .......... in a new thread!

I will start it and I expect Kendal Dave and maybe Chad to comment! In fact it may be a "sticky" on sales/values and changing hands of SVO's if you think ! Racing pedigree made Shelby's but "registry" with info and sales didn't hurt lineage!

Mark

[ccmcelroy]

Sounds good Mark. Oh and Kendal both yours and Marks place are impressive.

[dagenham]

I don't want to get my hopes too high yet, but I sent an email to Matt at Fox Restoration. He thinks he has some "unobtanium" for my headliner. I'm waiting to see if he can send me a swatch to verify.

[rodster]

If it's "unobtainium" the swatch will probably be $1000. ;) Good luck and keep us posted.

[dagenham]

I received my 2 yards of material today from SMS. I am marginally happy with it. The grain is not very deeply pressed in like the swatch they sent me. It is not tier grain at least.
I'm going to use it, but it will probably not suite me 100% though.

[FinnSVO]

Here is the simple explanation, All sunroof 84-86 had vinyl, all 84's had vinyl. The rest had cloth.

Back to old discussion. Maybe not that simple... I have early 84 (10/83) with cloth headliner, vinyl sunvisors, no sunroof.

[Kendal Coker]

Back to old discussion. Maybe not that simple... I have early 84 (10/83) with cloth headliner, vinyl sunvisors, no sunroof.

I bought mine new no sunroof and it was built in 11/83. Did you get yours new?

[FinnSVO]

No I didn't, bought it two years ago. And yes of course there is a chance that headliner has been replaced in past. But I have pretty detailed service history of car from very beginning and no markings that such operation would have been made. And otherwise car is very original from inside, never restored or nothing else replaced. Just made me wonder if cloth headliner is original. This is first week production SVO. Could there be chances that some of these very early ones had recieved cloth headliner for some reason, lack of material etc?

[rodster]

Not saying it couldn't be possible but knowing how the headliners sag and not knowing another 84 that had cloth, 100% proof positive, my guess it has been replaced at some point in it's life.

[dagenham]

It looks like SMS is sending me another batch of material (hopefully more correct this time).
I'll keep everyone posted.

[rodster]

Thanks. Was there any explanation on the issue with the first batch?

[dagenham]

No explanation. Trying to talk to a human at SMS is nearly impossible. I got the correct material on Thursday. Looks like NOS, but not sure.
I'm very happy with this batch. Now have to find the foam material to go underneath.

[dagenham]

Can someone verify that there is foam padding under the headliner or not. The material obviously is nos, but there is no foam on the back side and I cant seem to locate a source for foam that thin.
Every upholstery place I talk to tells me it should be on there already.

[Kendal Coker]

Factory headliner has foam on the back. Most headliner material already has it on the back.

[dagenham]

Thanks Kendal.
I found the foam I needed on Ebay. Now I have to put everything together and I'll have a new headliner.

[Kendal Coker]

cant wait to see how it does.

[rodster]

Me too...thanks for the the work you are putting into this dagenham and for keeping us updated.

[unicorn]

can anyone turn me on to a new vinyl one for my sunroof 85 car?
Tony

[dagenham]

What does the vinyl look like in an '85??

[unicorn]

it has a very light grain to it and is of course charcoal. Mine is still decent but the backing that contains the foam/adhesive is dried and it is falling. I don't think mine can be saved because I don't think any adhesive would hold now.

[dagenham]

Go back thru this thread and look for the pics. See if that is what you have. If it is I got the material from SMS auto.

[dagenham]

Here are a couple pics of the finished headliner.

85168517

[rodster]

Looks good. Are you happy with it and how close to original do you think it is? Thanks for the update!!

[dagenham]

Looks good. Are you happy with it and how close to original do you think it is? Thanks for the update!!
I am very happy with the end results. Other than the closed cell foam backing, I used an original '84 headliner board and NOS material, so it is for all intense purposes an original headliner.

[dagenham]

If anyone wants to see it in person I'll be at CJ Pony parts Saturday for their customer appreciation day.