People rarely think about the ceiling in their cars until it stops prettifying the roof and starts sagging as it ages. It’s sure to happen when the glue holding the headliner’s backing starts deteriorating.
The same can happen to your prized Jeep Cherokee over time. And it might seem tempting at first to try quick fixes like twisting in pins when the headliner begins to fall, but it can damage the board badly.
While investing in a new one is the most logical solution other than hiring a professional repair service, trying a few alternatives might also be worthwhile. But, what are the headliner alternatives of a Jeep Cherokee?
Let us walk you through five possible options.
1. DIY Headliner with Suede Fabric and Adhesive
If you are not going to replace your Cherokee’s headliner, a sheet of suede fabric and a few cans of headlining fabric adhesive can be the cheapest and most sensible alternative. While you can always glue up the sagging one you currently have, you will get a lot more enjoyment from a complete redesign, especially when it’s affordable.
A standard polyester-spandex fabric with polymer foam backing can come as cheap as fifty bucks, whereas a can of 18-oz 3M adhesive spray costs you less than twenty.
However, there’s no denying the potential trouble measuring and cutting the stretchy fabric according to your Cherokee’s compound roof curves without prior experience. Nevertheless, it’s pretty much feasible since you can always hire a repairer for the job and still keep the costs far lower than an actual replacement.
2. Fiberglass Resin Headliner
Jeep Cherokee does come with a thin liner board under its roof, and you can take full advantage of it by fiberglassing it. You can remove it entirely, peel off its old fabric lining, and then reinforce the board with fiberglass resin.
Like many people are doing these days, this process is similar to making resin-based DIY speaker enclosures. But you will likely find building your headliner from fiberglass resin much easier than that.
The process involves putting a coat of resin and fiberglass fiber mixture over a fleece fabric and then stretching it over the headliner’s shape. Since the thin board match the roof perfectly, shaping is easier than you might think. And when it all dries up, you’re left with a far sturdier product that is near as heat- and sound-resistant as the original one.
3. Adhesive-Backed Insulations
You might want to consider adhesive-backed insulation, such as Fatmat or Dynamat if you are not that concerned with appearance and just need some solid heat and sound reduction characteristics instead.
It’s also a sensible idea to turn to those adhesive insulation systems used in household HVAC units. You can get these 15-20 feet long rollable panels from any online shop. And at around 20-30 bucks, they are a steal over Dynamat or any other adhesive soundproofing.
4. Wooden Slat Headliner
A wooden slat headliner is probably the most favored option for Jeep customizing enthusiasts. While it does bring in all the artistic elegance, superior comfort, and retro vibes, it’s also the toughest one to install. Preparing the slat for going along with your Jeep’s roof requires a skilled pair of hands, patience, and plenty of time.
If you find that tedious, a few mini bamboo blinds may be a more accessible solution. Like a wooden slat, they are aesthetically appealing and also reasonably comforting. Moreover, you can adjust them to fit your Jeep’s roof curves and screw them in place without much difficulty.
5. Swap the Headliner for Vinyl Decors
There’s something controversial about this, but many people are dumping their Jeep’s worn-out headliner for vinyl decors. And you can do that too, depending on where you’re driving your Cherokee; if it’s hot, the stripped roof will scorch like tin. While vinyl wraps are the least protective of all the headliner alternatives, they sure allow you to be more creative.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How do you remove the headliner from a Cherokee?
Answer: The removal process of the Jeep Cherokee’s headliner is pretty straightforward. You begin with prying off the sun visor cap and pulling out the mounting bracket. Then disconnect the wires before prying out the root control cover. Finally, unscrew the screws from the sideways and unhinge the board by pulling down the attached bolts.
2. How difficult is it to replace a Jeep Cherokee’s headliner?
Answer: You can reattach a new headliner right after removing the old one by simply reversing the removal process.
However, it may not be as easy as the removal. Adjusting the hinges and screwing them in may prove challenging because of the board’s weight. You can have an even tougher time if you’re only replacing the fabric. Incorrect measurements or bulk imbalances will always result in faulty joints.
3. How do you fix a sagging headliner in a Jeep Cherokee?
Answer: There are several variations of fixes, each requiring different equipment and techniques. The simplest one is to remove the headliner and peel off the sagging fabric before reattaching it with a heavy-duty adhesive spray.
4. How wide is a Jeep Cherokee headliner?
Answer: As with most cars today, the Jeep Cherokee’s headliner measures 54 inches wide, except for the Grand Cherokee, the brand new 2021 model, which has a 60-inch width.
5. How much does Jeep Cherokee headliner replacement cost?
Answer: Around 450-600$, depending on the model. And not to forget you must pay an extra 100-150$ for the labor if you’re not doing it yourself.
Finel Thoughts
So, that’s that. If you were looking for answers to ‘what are the headliner alternatives of a Jeep Cherokee?’ you have them by now. Here’s a couple of things I would like to remind you.
Always remember to use the right tools for your job. You must use the right set of snap-on picks, fabric scraper, and bolt joiners to avoid damaging the lining board. And before trying anything else, you should always pay attention to keeping your Cherokee’s headliner moisture-free to make it last longer.
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