How bad is it to remove the headliner?

[lowcel]

I need to remove the headliner in my 2012 so that I can add some additional sound deadening. Has anyone removed one? If so how big of a job is it and do you have any tips?

 

[Jhalko]

I can only remember one maybe two folks that have done it and posted here, I remember the comments being that it is a major pain in rear as you have to take nearly all the side panels off first. Getting the part in the back off a little has been done here and there to fish wires around.

See these threads for a pic and comments.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/199427-any-pics-diagrams-ceiling-headliner-removed.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/190261-headliner-replacement.html

 

[lmturne1]

I need to remove the headliner in my 2012 so that I can add some additional sound deadening. Has anyone removed one? If so how big of a job is it and do you have any tips?

Remove rear 2nd and 3rd row seats, all interior paneling in the 3rd row/ cargo area, B-pillar trim, A-pillar trim, all overhead handles and hooks, then the fasteners retaining the headliner in place. Per the repair manual it is ~80 steps to complete depending on the model you have.

A thorough tutorial of removing interior panels (especially in the rear) is long overdue. I may make one as I am curious to know what lies beneath the panels.

 

[lowcel]

Thank you both for the tips and links, I appreciate them. I'm not looking forward to the job but I really want to do as much sound deadening as possible.

 

[blackie2]

Thank you both for the tips and links, I appreciate them. I'm not looking forward to the job but I really want to do as much sound deadening as possible.

Just turn up the volume dude.

 

[lowcel]

Just turn up the volume dude.

I compete in sound quality so I need the vehicle to be as quiet and as dead as possible. It sucks but the little things matter.

 

[lowcel]

Well removing it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I haven't reinstalled it yet though, hopefully it won't be too bad. I'll find out tomorrow. I still have a lot more work to do.

 

[Spanky052]

It would be awesome if you took tons of pictures while you've got it all open. Like 100 pictures, showing everything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Jhalko]

Well removing it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I haven't reinstalled it yet though, hopefully it won't be too bad. I'll find out tomorrow. I still have a lot more work to do.

Good photos, I think a lot of folks would appreciate your own write up of the process, maybe time estimate in how long it takes if you get the time, any other photos as you reinstall. This is definitely not covered extensively as you saw in those links and photos. Close ups of the pillars, roof, anything that looks interesting for future reference, if it's possible. I know someone will ask or want eventually.

 

[lowcel]

Unfortunately I already put everything back together. I was surprised at how straight forward it was. There weren't any hidden screws. The most difficult part to figure out was probably the clips on the "oh shit" handles. It probably took a couple of hours from the time I started until the headliner was down. A second pair of hands would have come in handy but I managed it by myself. I did use the front seats to help me manage the headliner a little easier.

I ran out of sound deadening material so I'll finish up next weekend. I just have to do from just in front of the rear seats to the front of the vehicle. I installed 62 feet of deadener and already had about 50 feet of different types of deadener throughout the vehicle. Once all is said and done it should be pretty quiet.

 

[raycie]

[MENTION=117778]lowcel[/MENTION] or anyone else..

Want to install a full length FR and thinking of using a nut on the underside rather than a rivnut.

Wondering how to just get the front area off..

 

[zonzin]

Unfortunately I already put everything back together. I was surprised at how straight forward it was. There weren't any hidden screws. The most difficult part to figure out was probably the clips on the "oh shit" handles. It probably took a couple of hours from the time I started until the headliner was down. A second pair of hands would have come in handy but I managed it by myself. I did use the front seats to help me manage the headliner a little easier.

I ran out of sound deadening material so I'll finish up next weekend. I just have to do from just in front of the rear seats to the front of the vehicle. I installed 62 feet of deadener and already had about 50 feet of different types of deadener throughout the vehicle. Once all is said and done it should be pretty quiet.

...

So did you finish the job? How were the results?



.

 

[Jhalko]

[MENTION=117778]lowcel[/MENTION] or anyone else..

Want to install a full length FR and thinking of using a nut on the underside rather than a rivnut.

Wondering how to just get the front area off..

It's one piece so you really can't, I remember reading a couple folks somehow popping a part down to get in there I think, but you likely wouldn't get enough room to work without taking it all down. Maybe there is a way someone hasn't posted about yet...

 

[Breadman03]

[MENTION=117778]lowcel[/MENTION], did you need any specialty tools for the job? My sunroof is having issues so the headliner needs to go while I get it sorted out.

 

[transistor]

How the hell... It took me like 4 hours just to take a couple panels off so I could snake an antenna wire above the headliner.

 

[lowcel]

[MENTION=117778]lowcel[/MENTION], did you need any specialty tools for the job? My sunroof is having issues so the headliner needs to go while I get it sorted out.

No, just basic tools and some panel remover tools.

 

[57buick]

Royal Pain, not hard just very time consuming to remove all the clips and screws for things all around the vehicle then remove panels.

I reupholstered my headliner cuz I hated the puke tan color.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

I reupholstered my headliner cuz I hated the puke tan color.

And that was the solution? Eye of the beholder I suppose. Good work nonetheless.

 

[Dukeronomy]

antenna?

How the hell... It took me like 4 hours just to take a couple panels off so I could snake an antenna wire above the headliner.

what'd you run? i just picked up a 5th gen and I'm looking to install my ham. I'd like to do a collapsable or foldable antenna on the roof.

 

[Sarge61]

Dukeronomy, I realize this is an older post so I hope you're still around. I'm currently scheduling some time to drop my headliner in a 2019 4R so I can mount a SO239 antenna mount through the roof. Instead of folder the antenna down, I'll just unscrew it from the mount. Anyway I'm installing an ICOM-2730.

Did you drop the headliner? How did you "snake an antenna wire above the headliner"? You had to go through the roof someplace. Any thoughts, tips, or tricks would be appreciated.

73s,

KA5UTN