Headliner and wiring

[DonaldSmith]

My Friday the 13th started Thursday afternoon when I discovered a short in the wiring to the lights on the "B" posts.

I had added a switch on the left post, so it may have been my past catching up with me, but I could see that the original wire was bare where it went through a hole in the metal to get into the post. When I turned on the switch, the lights shorted out. Not good. The switch was hot. I got up in the middle ot the night and cut the ower at the battery cable disconnect. Friday afternoon I discovered the battery run down, either from long periods with th wire shortee, or from me playing my resurrected radio. Anyway, on with the trickle charger.

That evening, after a quick fix was not successful, I faced headliner removal head on. I had worked around the edges when I put in windlace at the doors, when I put in the sholder belt anchors, and when I fiddled with the wiring earlier. It was tough to undo the edges of the headliner without tearing them, but while I was at it I primed and painted the metal retains tih the little pointies.

So I removed the windshield molding and the staples, and worked my way back over the doors, prying the retainers out a bit as I went. The moment of truth came at the first rib. It pushed back easily and I sprung it out of the rubber grommets with no trouble. The edges of the headliner disengaged more easily from the retainers with the tension on the headliner relieved.

I dropped the headliner back past the back doors, to gain full access the wiring. I'm going to pull the wire out without completely removing the headliner. We'll see.

When I started the removal and mouse droppings started to appear, I got my real good rubber-edged respirator and the shop vac with the HEPA filter. Starting at the second rib, there was a glass fiber mat with paper face, in detriorated condition. Along the edges was loose, fluffy glass fiber, and some newer fluffy strips from an earlier headliner replacement. The shop vac went "floop" and swallowed most of the loose stuff, but choked on a mummified mouse.

Since the headliner is looking a little ratty, I may decide to completely remove the headliner and buy new. I know J.C. Whitney sells it, but someone else has been mentioned before, so ...

Who's a good source for headliners?

[eric wissing]

Donald, with your previous radio work you have already proven your braveness, now the headliner, when will it end!!1 When you mentioned the shoulder belt harness it got me thinking about seatbelts. How does one work around the foot rest behind the front seat? Do you have any pictures of how you did that? Do you go in front of the foot rest by removing the seat cushion? Thanks, Eric

[DonaldSmith]

The Suburban does not have a footrest for the second seat. The previous owner had seatbelts, so I used the same locations, with suitable inspection and reinforcement. Incidentally, the Suburban has a second layer of floor at the second seat, to close off the jump seat well for the long sedans and limos.

For the shoulder belt anchorage, I drilled through the ends of the cross brace just above the "B" post. It should be strong enough, with several layers of heavy metal, but it drapes the belt over the post light and hand grip. If I get a new headliner, I will locate the anchorage forward of the "B post, with suitable reinforcing, of course.

I got the cheap seat & shoulder belt from J.C. Whitney, when I should have bought the deluxe retractable seatbelts from J.C. Whitney. Maybe I'll buy the retractables for the front and move the others to the second seat, and use the plain seatbelts for the middle of those two seats. For the third seat, I don't know how I would work seat belts eith the wood cargo floor.

Oh, I took out the complete headliner. Might as well clean everything out and get good access to the wiring. I bnought a few hundred feet of wire in assorted colors, so my afternoon is penciled in.

Somebody out there knows who makes the headliners for J.C. Whitney. At your convenience . . .

[Lou Earle]

what type car- if 46-48 plym 4 dor I have source for about 90 buxks

[DonaldSmith]

It's like the long wheelbase sedan with a tweak not found in the long wheelbase sedans or limos. Since the trunk is open, there is a leatherette covered cardboard piece at the bottom of the rear window that extends to the trunk lid. The piece has cutouts to fit around the hinges.

[eric wissing]

Donald, you are another of the slackers around here without a picture of the car in your profile!! I am sure I am not the only one who would like to see it. Eric

[Norm's Coupe]

I bought my headliner from JC Whitney (vinyl one). Cloth ones come from the same place. In the process of installing it now, no problems with fit.

[DonaldSmith]

I'll try to post photos of my 47 DeSoto Suburban: lessee . . .

[JohnS48plm]

Don, are you going to bring your Desoto over to the Mopars at the Red Barns in Hickory Corners MI July 28? It's all chrysler products at the Gilmore Car museum and you get admission to the barns full of restored cars. JohnS

[eric wissing]

Thanks for the Pics Don, fantastic looking. How that little 6 moves those things is amazing. Eric

[DonaldSmith]

Donno if I can get my do-do list whittled down by then, so I can go cross state without trouble.

Went to Gilmore last year on the way to my son's place in Indiana. I contacted the museum first, and they gave me free range of their 47 DeSoto Suburban.

[DonaldSmith]

drat