Hello,

Has anyone here replaced the headliner in an XJS convertible with the top installed and intact? Any tips or suggestions?

Also, can anyone provide photos of what a properly installed headliner looks like? (Especially the edges)


I've done dozens of headliners in the past, just never in a convertible like this. This car's top is in too good of condition to want to replace it.

Thanks!

Tony K.

 

Sorry to break the news, but no can do properly. I replaced the top, headliner on mine a few months ago, and it must be installed prior to top. You "may" could take the top loose from the front header, pull it back, and rivet the headliner fastners in, then put it back, but will take lots of time, patientce, and luck

 

Installing it on the two cross-bars will be no problem. Attaching it at the front will be no problem. Attaching it at the rear will be awkward, but doable.

So far, I only see two rivets, at the front. Are there more?

How does it stay put along the sides, above the windows?

How does it attach along the bottom, behind the rear quarter windows, where the back seats would be in a coupe?

What specifically is not doable?

Thanks!

 

Does anyone have any photos of what one looks like installed?

Thanks!

-Tony K.

 

Hi Tony,

I too have replaced the top and headliner on one of my convertibles. I agree with the others that trying to replace the headliner without removing the top would be very difficult.

Take a look at this link to see some pictures I took during the install;

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cement-142542/

I'm not saying it's an impossible job but I think it would be difficult to have a good outcome. If I had to do it I would remove the top, install the new headliner and then re-install the original top.

Mark

 

check out this post. The forum member Sarc was able to replace the headliner with the top intact, although it appears he wouldn't do it that way again.

I looked into this process for an XJS I considered buying to factor it into the purchase price, but ended up not buying that one.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-liner-117915/

Good luck.

 

In the middle, there is a flap sewn into the headiner that glues completely around one of the bows. I can't imagine how this could be done correctly with top already installed. The top, in my opinion, was given little consideration in replacement by the folks at Jaguar. If you look at replacing the top in the factory manual, you bought the assembly complete, and replaced frame and all. It is a major job. The headliner is installed first, then the pad, then the top itself.

 

I have my old headliner in my 95 mostly out. I may remove the rear seat to see the corners in the back. I'm not sure about rivets, as all I have found so far are screws. Mine has foam under the top and a layer of very sketchy horsehair. I haven't heard/seen anyone else mention horsehair yet. I'm going to remove all horsehair remnants and attempt to put the headliner back in with the top and frame in place.
Seems to be more of a job that I thought with the top in place, but I'm pretty sure I can do it. If not I'll take to an upholstery shop as I have no intention of removing the top myself.