Headliner bow dimensions

jefbro · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:43 pm Post subject: Headliner bow dimensions

Hi, I'm about to install a new headliner in a 66 deluxe non sunroof. I have decided to use new stainless bows but don't have the dimensions. Could any of you guys help? I need diameter and length. (no jokes please! ) Jeff

novetti · Samba Member Joined: August 15, 2004 Posts: 469

I had the same question 8 years ago...

What I end up doing was trying out with a 5 mm brass rod (welding rod), got a measuring tape and checked the dimensions from the roof outside from gutter to gutter where roughly the bows would stay.

I cut the rod to that dimension and tested out inside (rod was longer, bowing out from the panel and very hard to fit). After a shaving 3mm off each time I found the perfect fit length where the rod would stay in place arching with substantial pressure against the roof metal.

I remember 2 or 3 bows in the middle where pretty much the same length, but the front and the last rear one had to be shorter as the roofline was a different pattern.

Bows are still in the same place after I installed 8 years ago.

jefbro · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 12:44 am Post subject:

Thanks for the reply, so the bows need to be that tight against the roof?

novetti · Samba Member Joined: August 15, 2004 Posts: 469

Having the bows as tight as possible against the roof while wedged at the ends and been straight (no warping) worked for me.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

This is how I installed my headliner. Masters of the OG universe said it is not correct but the results I got been the first ever headliner I sew from scratch and installed, I was happy.

If I would do that again one day, I would repeat the method.

splitty_64 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: headliner bow dimensions.

looks good! do you have any dimension of the fabric and/or bows?

flemcadiddlehopper · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: headliner bow dimensions.

I have a set of roof bows for my '67 standard bus that I purchased from CIP1.ca . I could pull them out and get measurements for you if my model applies to you?

Gordo.
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left_coast*9 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: headliner bow dimensions.

I just installed my first ever split bus headliner, finishing last month. I have a ‘66 sea blue 13W deluxe. The headliner material was TMI brand that I bought from CIP. I found that the OG bows were slightly too short for this headliner kit, so I ended up buying new bows from CIP and cutting -very carefully- to length I needed. My headliner bows are not quite as tight to the roof as shown in the pics above, but they are definitely touching the roof for the majority of the roofline. My bows were somewhere about these lengths: long 56-5/8”, short 22.5”. All that being said, I am not an expert as this was my first bus headliner. I have also done one in a 65 bug (see pics of that project in my sig) - so At least this job was not my first rodeo Smile

Good luck!
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jtarr72 · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: headliner bow dimensions.

What kind of insulation did you use to line the roof?


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