defender cab headliner

Has anyone idea where I can get a tatty looking headliner for my defender 90 cab area only? looked on ebay but nowt! I take it there like rocking horse s--- to get hold of?

Yes - seem to be - certainly when I was looking so made my own - actually looks nicer than the original.

How did you go about making one mate can you give me any tips?

I did actually almost manage to make one from thermoplastic sheet - just by heating and shaping - using the original as a mould almost. The original I put a layer of fibreglass over it to make it really stiff, then placed plastic sheet over it and heated and shaped - took hours and was looking absolutely awesome until I overheated a spot and melted/blackened it. I was furious as it was looking like possibly the best thing I had ever come up with. Hand planned to line it with some sound insulation. But couldnt face the hours of doing it all over again so actually went for an alternative. I have used this to make bits for my kayaks and canoes in the past and it works fantastically but does take a long time.

I bought some of the specialist sound deadening matting - not the chunky carpet stuff. A real nice tight woven felt - has an almost twill like appearance.

Bought it from an acoustic specialist.

I very carefully cut sections out to a perfect fit for the roof. Cut them roughly and little too large to start - then trimmed down for perfect fit.

Used some fancy type spray adhesive after prepping roof surface (supplied by the guys).

Stuck it on section by section - if you take your time and butt in the sections it looks like one flawless piece.

It really does look much smarter than the original lining and feels much 'cosier' too. And I think it is marginally better at insulating sound.

I got black stuff as wanted to get rid of all the grey.

Spayed/dyed the sunvisors and other grey trim with specialist upholstery stuff (UV resistant) and have to say it is a giant leap in making the cab look much more up to date in a very understated way. what I mean is - it looks professional - you wouldnt for a moment guess it was not meant to be there.

I also fitted an LED interior light - the wires are underneath the matt and you would never know.

PS - it is stuck fast - the adhesive really does a good job.

It wasn't difficult at all, just took some time and is not a job to rush. Although this sort of thing is something I am much better at than the mechanical side.

I Was about £40 for the matting and £10 for the adhesive.

All the acoustic specialists sell the stuff in various forms and colours.

I did it as couldnt stomach the prices for interior trim bits. I think they are way overpriced - would rather spend that on my engine or bodywork.

But it actually turned out way better looking than the original - much 'sharper' looking.

Cant remember supplier - will try to remember to dig out invoice later in week.

Oh forgot to say - bought the led interior light from ebay - china - £2.30. Its just square black plastic surround but has 6 big LEDs and lights the cab up 5 times better - you can actually see those bits you drop at night!!!

Its actually stuck up there with 'no more mails'. Sounds botch it doesn't it...

But the light back is recessed few mm and the acoustic matt really grabs the adhesive strips.

So the light is completely flush and absolutely rock solid - it aint moving.

It looks completely factory.

Let see some pics

Yes I'll get some up as soon as get a chance.

I really wish the plastic one worked out. It was looking awesome. But this looks very smart.