E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Interior => Topic started by: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:08:43 PM

Title: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:08:43 PM
Hello All:
In the spirit of sharing as Cody always suggests, I am posting some pictures of my handywork. I received some help from him yesterday on my 70 Challenger headliner and sail panel board rebuild. I was having problems trying to fit the sail panel boards behind the rear windows. I had purchased these with the headliner from Legendary Interiors a few years back. Could not get the panel boards to fit so I shot some pics, sent them to Cody and he promptly suggested they are for a 70 Cuda and why do they have fabric attached? He also alerted me to some missing parts. Many thanks to Cody for his continued patience and help to the community. As always...this board rocks :yes:

Turns out I had to create a template and cut the panel boards which fit perfectly the first time....rarely ever happens. I celebrated with some tequila. I think we simply got the wrong headliner and sail panel boards sent to us....I hope Legendary with exchange them.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
And the drivers side....
Now I just have to find the missing galvanized lower teeth sheet metal that runs along the bottom of the panel board which holds the sail panel portion of the headliner below the panel board
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: Topcat on March 26, 2017, 02:21:28 PM
Looks great.

What material did you use?

I bought the reproduction sail panel boards and they didn't have the form curve to them.
So when I put them on, the clip holder that's teethed onto the cardboard, broke off.

Eventually I found a place that had the material already on and it was pre curved.
Someplace up in WA. Don't remember the  name.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 04:07:48 PM
I used about 1/8" thick waterproof construction board. Is very pliable...within reason and conforms to the compound surface. According to discussions with Cody, the panel board should not have material on it for a 1970 Challenger. The headliner is cut big enough to fit to the bottom of the panel board and is glued to it at the time of installation of the headliner.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: Cuda Cody on March 26, 2017, 05:51:51 PM
Nice work!!!   :twothumbsup:  You might be covering up one of the headliner bow clips?    :notsure:    I'll share some photos of originals just for future reference too.  This post might help too:

https://forum.e-bodies.org/reference-material/18/headliner-bow-colour-chart/702/

Have you found the lower metal teeth that go behind the rear interior panel?  You'll need one on each side and then you'll want the 2 small clips that hold the last headliner rod in place as you install it.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: kent_goins on March 27, 2017, 06:39:36 AM
Awesome pics!!...thanks Cody and yes I have the two rear clips for the last bow. We are looking for the two plates with teeth. Should have those by next weekend. Thanks for the heads up on the covered up bow pocket...I will have to cut those out next weekend. Not a biggie.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: 71TA on April 01, 2017, 06:40:17 PM
I'm waiting for my steel rule die tools to come in next week for these. I've had a very patient customer waiting for me to find time to reverse engineer these in the correct shape and with the correct creases, to have the round head wireform clips made from stainless, to order the correct thickness tan (and black) chipboard and again have the tools made. Wish I could make things faster but all that takes time. At my shop now reverse engineering parts.

Below is a picture of the reference parts I had with the new clips shown.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: RUNCHARGER on April 01, 2017, 07:19:58 PM
That is awesome! It will be nice to have correct ones available.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: cataclysm80 on April 01, 2017, 09:31:48 PM
That's great news Jim.   Always nice to have more good parts available!
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: Cuda Cody on April 01, 2017, 11:28:16 PM
You are a true asset to the hobby Jim.  Thanks for all your hard work!!!   :worship:

Quote from: 71TA on April 01, 2017, 06:40:17 PM
I'm waiting for my steel rule die tools to come in next week for these. I've had a very patient customer waiting for me to find time to reverse engineer these in the correct shape and with the correct creases, to have the round head wireform clips made from stainless, to order the correct thickness tan (and black) chipboard and again have the tools made. Wish I could make things faster but all that takes time. At my shop now reverse engineering parts.

Below is a picture of the reference parts I had with the new clips shown.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: RusTy/SE on April 02, 2017, 02:44:44 PM
Quote from: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
And the drivers side....
Now I just have to find the missing galvanized lower teeth sheet metal that runs along the bottom of the panel board which holds the sail panel portion of the headliner below the panel board

These are from my R/T SE for location reference..
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: cataclysm80 on April 02, 2017, 08:07:02 PM
If I recall correctly, SE sail panels are different and have different metal "teeth".
It's neat to see them.

It looks odd to have the dome light wiring going over the teeth though.  Is that how it's done on SEs?
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: Cuda Cody on April 02, 2017, 10:44:50 PM
 :banana:  That's the first time I've seen a RT/SE set up for the headliner.  Thanks for sharing!!!   :slapme5:

Quote from: RusTy/SE on April 02, 2017, 02:44:44 PM
Quote from: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
And the drivers side....
Now I just have to find the missing galvanized lower teeth sheet metal that runs along the bottom of the panel board which holds the sail panel portion of the headliner below the panel board

These are from my R/T SE for location reference..
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: kent_goins on April 03, 2017, 05:39:25 AM
Are the upper set of teeth only for SE? Just want to make sure I get it right for my 70 RT

KG
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: RusTy/SE on April 03, 2017, 03:45:17 PM
Quote from: cataclysm80 on April 02, 2017, 08:07:02 PM
If I recall correctly, SE sail panels are different and have different metal "teeth".
It's neat to see them.

It looks odd to have the dome light wiring going over the teeth though.  Is that how it's done on SEs?

I'm not certain but I believe that wiring leads to the trunk, part of the A01 Light Package?


Quote from: Cuda Cody on April 02, 2017, 10:44:50 PM
:banana:  That's the first time I've seen a RT/SE set up for the headliner.  Thanks for sharing!!!   :slapme5:

Quote from: RusTy/SE on April 02, 2017, 02:44:44 PM
Quote from: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
And the drivers side....
Now I just have to find the missing galvanized lower teeth sheet metal that runs along the bottom of the panel board which holds the sail panel portion of the headliner below the panel board

These are from my R/T SE for location reference..

Welcome Cody, always glad when I can help out :)


Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: cataclysm80 on April 04, 2017, 08:09:46 PM
Quote from: RusTy/SE on April 03, 2017, 03:45:17 PM
Quote from: cataclysm80 on April 02, 2017, 08:07:02 PM
It looks odd to have the dome light wiring going over the metal teeth.  Is that how it's done on SEs?

I'm not certain but I believe that wiring leads to the trunk, part of the A01 Light Package?

The rear body wiring harness plugs in near the drivers kick panel, and runs rearward along the driver's side of the car, over the wheel well into the trunk for the rear lights.
The dome light wiring comes off this harness and goes up the C pillar to the roof bracing where the dome light is located.
IF the car has a trunk light, I think that does plug into the dome lights wiring.

Regardless of what the wiring goes to, my concern is that it's placed on top of the metal teeth.  Pulling the wiring into the metal teeth could cause a short.  It should probably be routed differently.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: 71TA on May 08, 2017, 08:35:43 PM
Finally received my tooling for the 2nd time. DAMN these are expensive to do correctly. Worse part is 2 tools are required unlike some of the other bodies. I had the round clips made from stainless too. These are made from .080" tan chipboard just like OEM. I also have them in black chipboard. Has all the correct creases too.

Did I hear somewhere that just 70 & 71 had these sail panels or do all the Challengers use them?

Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: cataclysm80 on May 09, 2017, 09:23:12 AM
If those are the style for the SE headliner, it was only available in 70 & 71.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: 71TA on May 09, 2017, 09:33:06 AM
These were from a 70 or 71 (non SE). After scouring the web it looks like they weren't used (but could be) on 72 an up.

Looks like the SE panels were different and covered in that foam backed suede like material.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: headejm on May 09, 2017, 01:23:58 PM
 :iagree: SE sail panels are different. No cutouts and one panel clip attached to the back. Same clip that holds the bottom of the door panels.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: RUNCHARGER on May 09, 2017, 01:59:24 PM
Terrific looking panels.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: 750-h2 on August 14, 2018, 06:07:33 AM
Quote from: RusTy/SE on April 02, 2017, 02:44:44 PM
Quote from: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
And the drivers side....
Now I just have to find the missing galvanized lower teeth sheet metal that runs along the bottom of the panel board which holds the sail panel portion of the headliner below the panel board

These are from my R/T SE for location reference..

I am about to install the headliner on my SE. I also have the "teeth" behind the sail panels but have no idea what they are for? My sail panels are hard moulded cardboard with a single push on clip. The back of the original cardboard sail panels are smooth and clean. Teeth appear to have nothing to do with the actual sail panel?  Are the teeth used for something else like maybe insulation? :notsure:
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: 1 Wild R/T on August 14, 2018, 06:26:44 AM
Quote from: 750-h2 on August 14, 2018, 06:07:33 AM
Quote from: RusTy/SE on April 02, 2017, 02:44:44 PM
Quote from: kent_goins on March 26, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
And the drivers side....
Now I just have to find the missing galvanized lower teeth sheet metal that runs along the bottom of the panel board which holds the sail panel portion of the headliner below the panel board

These are from my R/T SE for location reference..

I am about to install the headliner on my SE. I also have the "teeth" behind the sail panels but have no idea what they are for? My sail panels are hard moulded cardboard with a single push on clip. The back of the original cardboard sail panels are smooth and clean. Teeth appear to have nothing to do with the actual sail panel?  Are the teeth used for something else like maybe insulation? :notsure:

Those teeth don't seem to do anything on an SE...
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger Rear Sail Panel/Headliner Rebuild
Post by: 750-h2 on August 14, 2018, 02:54:26 PM
Thanks, that's what I was originally thinking but was unsure after seeing this thread.