Ceiling cap over the cockpit

[Billygoat]

Went to the manual for how to drop the fiberglass ceiling cap and the disassemble instruction is pretty sparse.
Does the sunvisor nut spin loose independent from the sunvisor or are the two spin off together somehow? Trying to drop the cap to insert a wood piece at the draw curtain line behind the driver and passenger seats.

 

[Richard RV]

B

Thread 'Interior Front Cap Headliner Removal?'

Mar 18, 2017

Started chasing a leak and I need to remove the front cabin plastic headliner. I found a few threads on the restoration. I assume there is a "How To"
somewhere but I couldn't find one.

Can someone post up a link? Or just let me know the best removal steps?

Thanks,
--Bryan
--
1977 Palm Beach

• bryan hartman
• Replies: 14
• Subforum: GMCnet Archive

 

[Billygoat]

B

Thread 'Interior Front Cap Headliner Removal?'

Mar 18, 2017

Started chasing a leak and I need to remove the front cabin plastic headliner. I found a few threads on the restoration. I assume there is a "How To"
somewhere but I couldn't find one.

Can someone post up a link? Or just let me know the best removal steps?

Thanks,
--Bryan
--
1977 Palm Beach

• bryan hartman
• Replies: 14
• Subforum: GMCnet Archive

Oh boy, more fun with interior bolting and attachments.

 

[Richard RV]

Oh boy, more fun with interior bolting and attachments.

Pay particular attention to Ken Henderson's post in that thread about removing the sun visor.

Have fun with it! I'm probably on your heels because the cracks in my inner cap are continuing to grow.

 

[Billygoat]

Pay particular attention to Ken Henderson's post in that thread about removing the sun visor.

Have fun with it! I'm probably on your heels because the cracks in my inner cap are continuing to grow.

Ok, will do. Yep, in addition to fixing the cracks I’m going to provide a piece of wood to screw in the curtain track thats behind the seats.

 

[Tom Katzenberger]

If everything goes south , remember , Mike Sadlon fiberglass interior caps, I believe. Sor.\nRy , for any misspellings I am tired of fighting the autocorrect. You guys have a wonderful father's day. And if not , a father , simply have a wonderful day i'm gonna send healthy. Rich , I hope to see you in oklahoma.

 

[JPB]

Pay particular attention to Ken Henderson's post in that thread about removing the sun visor.

Here is a pic of what you are dealing with. Hope it helps.

One moment, please...

 

[JPB]

Not sure why the "One moment please". If one clicks, it's actually a link to the old GMC photosite and a picture of the visor nut. I fabbed a ceiling cap from a piece of FRP The vertical areas are trimmed with more FRP. So the visor nut was exposed. Normally the nut is covered with a PVC end cap which I removed for the pic. I also added a third screw to the visor mount.

If I ever get around to it... I'll install some rear view and side cams. Then mount the video screens on the vertical pieces of the ceiling cap.

 

[GlenC]

Went to the manual for how to drop the fiberglass ceiling cap and the disassemble instruction is pretty sparse.
Does the sunvisor nut spin loose independent from the sunvisor or are the two spin off together somehow? Trying to drop the cap to insert a wood piece at the draw curtain line behind the driver and passenger seats.

Yes, they just unscrew.

 

[Richard RV]

Not sure why the "One moment please". If one clicks, it's actually a link to the old GMC photosite and a picture of the visor nut. I fabbed a ceiling cap from a piece of FRP The vertical areas are trimmed with more FRP. So the visor nut was exposed. Normally the nut is covered with a PVC end cap which I removed for the pic. I also added a third screw to the visor mount.

If I ever get around to it... I'll install some rear view and side cams. Then mount the video screens on the vertical pieces of the ceiling cap.

Nice installation.

When I get a round tuit I think I'm going to cut the inner cap into 3 pieces to make easier to install and remove, run wiring, work in some overhead storage, etc.

My little projects always seem to turn into big ones...

 

[JPB]

Nice installation.

When I get a round tuit I think I'm going to cut the inner cap into 3 pieces to make easier to install and remove, run wiring, work in some overhead storage, etc.

My little projects always seem to turn into big ones...

Thanks. The original had a sheet of foam rubber glued to it (ugh...) and at that time new replacements were not available. The FRP solution turned out better than expected and I'm quite happy with it.

Every project with this coach turns into a big one. I just replaced my door gasket with a door frame mounted gasket and by the time I got through cleaning up the old one and repainting the door frame it was a week later. Had to remove the door to do it right. (tip: the door is much easier to handle if you remove the window first) Installing the new gasket was the easy part and it definitely looks and works better. All I have to do now is fab some covers for the door hinge slots...

If you do cut your ceiling cap into 3 pieces... where would the cuts be? It is a PITA to remove the cap.

 

[Tom Katzenberger]

Rich ,

if you cut the center section out of your cap on the interior when you go to replace it you can install an overhead console with outside air temperature , time , sunglasses holder and lights. There are a couple options out of existing cars that have the overhead console and just need minor modification to do this.

This will make it easier to take the cap on and off.And also provide clearance and conduit for future electric wires.

Take care in stay cool,
Tom K.

 

[Richard RV]

Rich ,

if you cut the center section out of your cap on the interior when you go to replace it you can install an overhead console with outside air temperature , time , sunglasses holder and lights. There are a couple options out of existing cars that have the overhead console and just need minor modification to do this.

This will make it easier to take the cap on and off.And also provide clearance and conduit for future electric wires.

Take care in stay cool,
Tom K.

Exactly what I was thinking, Tom.

Instead of making fiberglass interior components that are identical to OEM, which were made in large pieces for speed of installation and not for servicing, breaking the bigger components up into two or three parts would make a lot of sense.

Breaking them up would allow easy removal and also cut down on shipping costs.

 

[Richard RV]

If you do cut your ceiling cap into 3 pieces... where would the cuts be? It is a PITA to remove the cap.

I think lining up the two seams with the roof vent would look the best, probably angle the seams narrower going back to provide more headroom entering the cockpit.