Drilling into ceiling liner

[UNC4runner]

I bought a fishing rod rack for the interior ceiling. It came with some mounting hardware that is supposed to integrate with the interior cargo hooks. However, it's apparent that's not going to work. It occurred to me that I could simply screw the mounting loops into the ceiling and come away with a really clean installation. I figure if I ever took down the mount or wanted to sell the vehicle, I could just plug the holes with some clips like the ones that hold the ceiling liner in place.

My question is this: what would happen if I put some small metal screws into the liner? What is the structure of the liner behind the fabric? Would it support the weight of 6 fishing rods? Would I run into anything (sheet metal?) just behind the liner?

I'd appreciate thoughts from anyone who has done something similar or who has taken down the lining to do modifications (i.e. to access the shark fin).

 

[motioneffects]

there is nothing behind the headliner so if you were to drill screws into it, the screws would come out the roof. a definitely no no. btw, usually im lurking around as a guest, but i signed in to make this 1st post and hopefully it dont cost you a expensive mistake.

 

[Antman]

I bought a fishing rod rack for the interior ceiling. It came with some mounting hardware that is supposed to integrate with the interior cargo hooks. However, it's apparent that's not going to work. It occurred to me that I could simply screw the mounting loops into the ceiling and come away with a really clean installation. I figure if I ever took down the mount or wanted to sell the vehicle, I could just plug the holes with some clips like the ones that hold the ceiling liner in place.

My question is this: what would happen if I put some small metal screws into the liner? What is the structure of the liner behind the fabric? Would it support the weight of 6 fishing rods? Would I run into anything (sheet metal?) just behind the liner?

I'd appreciate thoughts from anyone who has done something similar or who has taken down the lining to do modifications (i.e. to access the shark fin).

This would not be something that could be done by simply screwing into the liner. It's only fabric covered fiberglass, and not structural. If you took the headliner down you could fab some brackets out of aluminum, and attatch them to the structural supports for the roof with epoxy, or even some stout zip-ties.. Then you could screw into them. This would still allow your small holes in the liner to be plugged. There's not a quick solution for this one, I think. Good luck though!

 

[UNC4runner]

Thanks for the responses. I would only be using 1/2" metal screws, and "drilling" was probably not the correct term. I'd just be screwing them into the liner. There's absolutely no chance I'd go through to the actual roof/outside of the vehicle. There's at least a couple of inches between the liner surface and the roof where I'm looking at doing this.

I really wanted to know whether the liner was structurally strong enough to support the 5-10 lbs of downward force that 6 fishing rods would exert. If it's really made of fiberglass, that doesn't sound unreasonable, but antman doesn't think it would support that.

Any other thoughts? Thanks again for the responses.

 

[Socco]

If you want to attach your rack to the ceiling, you just need to have some meat to screw into. If you drop the headliner and glue (epoxy, construction adhesive, hell even silicone...) a piece of plywood to the sheet metal behind it, then you will have something to attach to. Many moons ago, before cars came with drop-down monitors, thats how I used to install them. They will certainly take the weight of a few rods. Just make sure your screws aren't longer than your plywood is thick !

 

[Socco]

Sorry, just noticed this one:

If it's really made of fiberglass, that doesn't sound unreasonable, but antman doesn't think it would support that.

Its not like a hard fiberglass shell. Its more like wall insulation thats compressed into layers. It will not hold any sort of weight.

 

[nashman69g]

If you'd attach at the far edge, I'm sure it would be fine to hold some rods. Here are some posts with a few suggestions:

UltimateYota.com - Fishing Rod Holder Build

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69839-storing-fishing-rod.html

 

[Ryan_S]

I'd say more "cardboard" than "fiberglass" no?

Sorry, just noticed this one:


Its not like a hard fiberglass shell. Its more like wall insulation thats compressed into layers. It will not hold any sort of weight.

 

[SeattleMike]

I really wanted to know whether the liner was structurally strong enough to support the 5-10 lbs of downward force that 6 fishing rods would exert. If it's really made of fiberglass, that doesn't sound unreasonable, but antman doesn't think it would support that.

Any other thoughts? Thanks again for the responses.

I pulled down the back portion with my finger when accessing the sharkfin nut. It's formed to retain a shape but it will not support weight. I'd be concerned that if you had to brake hard, you might turn the rod holder into a missile, as there isn't enough thickness to retain a screw with any side load applied to it.

However, like others have mentioned, you can use industrial adhesive to glue a 1"x2" length of wood to the actual interior roof and have several mounting points along that length. Pulling the headliner down without damaging it isn't easy but it's not beyond most people's abilities. When you have it down, you'll see some polystyrene blocks Toyota uses to ensure an airspace remains. You could just align the wood with those and avoid any bulges.

Good luck.

 

[UNC4runner]

Thanks guys. Helpful as usual. I think I'll opt for trying to find a way to incorporate the mounting into the cargo hooks/ohsh*t handles, which ostensibly have enough support behind them to carry the load. I'm not brave enough to try to get behind the lining.

After looking at it last night, my main concern is now headroom. Anyone riding in the back seat would not have much clearance under the rods, thanks to the ceiling drop from the sunroof and the elevated rear seats ("theater" seating). Additionally, the ceiling drop for the sunroof creates an alignment issue where the rods will want to angle down from rear to front, putting the tips right in the driver's face.

I thought this was going to be simple...

 

[SeattleMike]

It always seems simple... until you start in on it and you realize that "planning" and "doing" are two different things. My own cargo build out has been stalled for weeks now.

But if you need inspiration, this guy has a sweet set up:

 

[harper7]

One thing to keep in mind about the headliner is it's not cheap. If you just try to shortcut it and get one side and pull it down it will crease and look like crap.I got a couple of little creases in the back where I was pulling it down just a little to try and put sound deadener and insulation. There is an airgap up there between the liner and the roof.

The msrp is $1503.32 for a new one and it's really just molded cardboard with a felt/fabric glued to it.Won't support hardly any weight, but then it's not made to.Wish it was fiberglass!

I was going to take mine completely out and sound insulate it with butyl rubber. To get it out without risk of creasing the cardboard you have to take all the interior panels out first and to do that you have to take everything on the floors out first. The headliner was one of the first parts of the interior to go in at the factory and has to be the last thing to come out.

 

[Socco]

I'd say more "cardboard" than "fiberglass" no?

My bad. I was thinking specifically about all the Astro vans I had, not the 4runners :hatsoff:

 

[zacksc]

So is there anyway to attach something to the ceiling just to hold something very light weight? If so, what is a good way to attach?
Thanks very much.

 

[DEERUNNER]

No real need to glue anything in place under the liner. The item you attach to the wood will sandwich them into place. Use quarter inch plywood cut to smallest size you need. Thin plywood is easy to maneuver into place and will not cause bulging or deform the headliner. Much. If you are mounting something larger then you would need a larger piece to aid in distributing the weight across the headliner. If it is really light weight even thin Luan ply will work.

 

[Gjinckxs]

5th gen ceiling mount solutions

So, I've been lurking for over 3 years... first post. Also I've been searching for a method of mounting anything to the ceiling of my fifth gen without removing the headliner, as this is obviously a time consuming headache. I struck gold with this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/231409-discreet-secure-rifle-carry.html

I took this idea and ran with it! Below is a rundown of my parts list.
10x L - brackets
4x 5ft modular 18 gage angle aluminum
4x 3ft modular 18 gage angle aluminum
8x Teflon auto body inserts
10x auto body bolts (found in my scrounge)
Box of bolts, box of nuts

I've only just finished this thing, so I've not tested it too much, but as far as headroom is concerned, I've had no issues, and I'm a 6ft tall person myself. When it comes to weight, I'll have to admit that I'm only using Teflon inserts for the handle mounts, but from all the tugging and pulling I've done, no movement, very sturdy, and I can confirm that the back two mounts actually screw into the frame of the car. Not sure why toyota didn't do this for all of them.

It looks rough, but I'll tell you what, I'll be adding, removing, and modding this thing for a long time to come! I hope someone finds this helpful.

 

[nb rob]

But that's where you and your passenger's heads go....


Maybe review it for safety. Rollovers happen. Accidents happen.... That all just seems very sharp. All around your heads.

 

[Gjinckxs]

5th gen ceiling mount solutions

I'm not done with it yet, my wife and I both agree with that same assessment. We will be updating with further progress.

 

[5280 TRail-Runner]

So, I've been lurking for over 3 years... first post. Also I've been searching for a method of mounting anything to the ceiling of my fifth gen without removing the headliner, as this is obviously a time consuming headache. I struck gold with this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/231409-discreet-secure-rifle-carry.html

I took this idea and ran with it! Below is a rundown of my parts list.
10x L - brackets
4x 5ft modular 18 gage angle aluminum
4x 3ft modular 18 gage angle aluminum
8x Teflon auto body inserts
10x auto body bolts (found in my scrounge)
Box of bolts, box of nuts

I've only just finished this thing, so I've not tested it too much, but as far as headroom is concerned, I've had no issues, and I'm a 6ft tall person myself. When it comes to weight, I'll have to admit that I'm only using Teflon inserts for the handle mounts, but from all the tugging and pulling I've done, no movement, very sturdy, and I can confirm that the back two mounts actually screw into the frame of the car. Not sure why toyota didn't do this for all of them.

It looks rough, but I'll tell you what, I'll be adding, removing, and modding this thing for a long time to come! I hope someone finds this helpful.

Like the idea but execution could use some work... The danger outweighs the benefits but do keep us updated. Curious to see the end result.

 

[chris_1001]

Just a quick tip I remember... when drilling through fabric (carpet for example). Cut a slit where you want to drill into and use a heavy straw or similar to put the drill bit through.

This way you don't end up with the fabric getting caught in the bit. YMMV.