Best way to install ceiling panels on early Westy?

[Mberglo]

We used original panels as templates to make new ceiling panels out of 1/8 baltic birch. I haven't put the poly on them yet, but I thought I'd do a trial fit. We inserted the panel into one side, but couldn't quite get the other side hooked without potential damage. And since they're not finished yet, I don't want to get in a situation where I can't get them out. So, we'll get them poly-finished and try again. In the meantime, maybe some of you can give me tips on the installation procedure. Thanks in advance.

[andrewtf]

you just gotta be brave.

Stick one side in the channel and bend the entire sheet into sort of an "S" curve so you can get the opposite side in. Then 'pop' it up.

Repeat in reverse for removal
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'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey

[HoboBus]

Yup - the panels have to be flexy.

If your material is less flexy than the original, you might have a problem getting them in.

Taking mine out for cleaning and such, I was surprised how flexy my stock material is, even after all these years.

Good luck.
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Salt air it ain't thin, it'll stick right to your skin,
it'll make you feel fine. Makes you feel fine.
And I wanna be there. -- Jimmy Buffett

Just a beach-oriented camping Hobo with a bus.

[ivwshane]

Are there early westy’s like the late ones where you need to remove the side trim pieces above the sliding door and the window on the opposite side and then slide the front headliner in from the middle of the bus with it in both channels? If so just be patient and make sure you push it in evenly.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[sodbuster]

[busdaddy]

If only someone would produce a book with descriptions of jobs like this, maybe even include some detailed clear pictures, you could call it something like Buntly, or Benty, or Bruntly....... Oh wait!.. how about Bentley?
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[richparker]

I had to open my channels up a bit to fit the slightly larger aftermarket material.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[sodbuster]

[dembus]

[Mberglo]

I have a Cabinet maker friend that got me 5x5 baltic birch panels.

[CanStan]