Love my 2008 JK but really felt the wrath of the sun last summer. Decided to go with some kind of headliner and spent some time researching the options. Should I DIY or do BoomMat or go with Rugged Ridge or Mopar? What about Bedrug? Did a lot of reading here and other places and all have their defenders and all have their detractors. The primary complaint seems to be that the glue lets go and then the headliner falls off the ceiling. What to do?
Then I encountered this on Amazon:
CHEAP HEADLINER - $75.99
That seemed too good to be true. Since all the other commercial options run over $200 this is quite a savings. Even a DIY option would easily get to $75 in materials and then I need to cut it out, etc. So ... esp since the Zon is good with refunding if stuff isn't good I ordered it. Here's a quick review:
* the material is thin. Black fabric with a "nap" to it and foam sewn between layers. Looks nice. Seams are taped and sewn. However, workmanship not A+. Pieces are a little erratic in places. If you are looking for something that is a perfect factory fit this is not your headliner. This is your headliner if you are in the "good enough and I saved a lot of money" category.
* comes with a ton of velcro strips that have a sticky backing. You stick them on the back of the headliner pieces and then peel the backing off and up it goes. The seams all have velcro sewn on them. Easy!
* they look great. They just look great. Who looks carefully at the ceiling anyway?
* And they ARE STAYING UP. The two pieces on the freedom panels have been up two weeks in the searing Texas heat and they have not fallen off (of course, they'll fall tomorrow!). Full disclosure: I park in the garage and under a carport shade at work so the Jeep hasn't been out in the sun all day long like it would be if you had to leave it in a parking lot all day while at work. However, it's been outside plenty and it has gotten plenty hot and they stay up. I'm pleased.
* I think a lot of the success with them staying up is because the wife cleaned the tops very thoroughly with Windex and rubbing alcohol. That's huge for making them stick and stay stick.
I also got a ten pound barbell weight and used it to just crush the headliner onto the ceiling as hard as I can push it. I went over every adhesive strip HARD. They are UP THERE. Hope they are gonna stay put!
* And they MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. That's the big question people have about these headliners. Well, we put the freedom panels up one day and didn't get the rest up for two weeks. So as I went down the road (on a 104 degree day in Dallas) I could put my hand on the black headliner panels and then reach behind me and feel the un-headlinered panels back over the rear seat. WOW. One day you could hardly touch the ceiling it was so hot but the roof over me as I was driving was not hot at all! I couldn't believe it. And while we did some temperature gun checks mostly the temp difference on the gun wasn't as big as I would have thought (and that may cause you to think "I don't need this") but it's not the surface temp so much as the heat the ceiling RADIATES. It's like an oven without the headliner - just a warm layer of hot air on the roof. I am so pleased with these headliners. THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
* Bonus: I've always had issues with a reflection in my rear view mirror because the ceiling was white. Guess what happens when you put a black headliner up? Suddenly the rear view mirror becomes sharp and clear! YES!
All in all, I'm really really pleased with this headliner kit. Cheap and it works! Yes, the adhesive may let go but if it does I'll just go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy some spray-on glue and stick it back up. It works and it works very well. Obviously I can't directly compare it to other products (which may work even better) but for the money I am well pleased. I don't think you'll be disappointed with these headliners - they aren't fancy or perfect but they leave a lot of money in your pocket!
I will update as things go along but so far so good!
Then I encountered this on Amazon:
CHEAP HEADLINER - $75.99
That seemed too good to be true. Since all the other commercial options run over $200 this is quite a savings. Even a DIY option would easily get to $75 in materials and then I need to cut it out, etc. So ... esp since the Zon is good with refunding if stuff isn't good I ordered it. Here's a quick review:
* the material is thin. Black fabric with a "nap" to it and foam sewn between layers. Looks nice. Seams are taped and sewn. However, workmanship not A+. Pieces are a little erratic in places. If you are looking for something that is a perfect factory fit this is not your headliner. This is your headliner if you are in the "good enough and I saved a lot of money" category.
* comes with a ton of velcro strips that have a sticky backing. You stick them on the back of the headliner pieces and then peel the backing off and up it goes. The seams all have velcro sewn on them. Easy!
* they look great. They just look great. Who looks carefully at the ceiling anyway?
* And they ARE STAYING UP. The two pieces on the freedom panels have been up two weeks in the searing Texas heat and they have not fallen off (of course, they'll fall tomorrow!). Full disclosure: I park in the garage and under a carport shade at work so the Jeep hasn't been out in the sun all day long like it would be if you had to leave it in a parking lot all day while at work. However, it's been outside plenty and it has gotten plenty hot and they stay up. I'm pleased.
* I think a lot of the success with them staying up is because the wife cleaned the tops very thoroughly with Windex and rubbing alcohol. That's huge for making them stick and stay stick.
I also got a ten pound barbell weight and used it to just crush the headliner onto the ceiling as hard as I can push it. I went over every adhesive strip HARD. They are UP THERE. Hope they are gonna stay put!
* And they MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. That's the big question people have about these headliners. Well, we put the freedom panels up one day and didn't get the rest up for two weeks. So as I went down the road (on a 104 degree day in Dallas) I could put my hand on the black headliner panels and then reach behind me and feel the un-headlinered panels back over the rear seat. WOW. One day you could hardly touch the ceiling it was so hot but the roof over me as I was driving was not hot at all! I couldn't believe it. And while we did some temperature gun checks mostly the temp difference on the gun wasn't as big as I would have thought (and that may cause you to think "I don't need this") but it's not the surface temp so much as the heat the ceiling RADIATES. It's like an oven without the headliner - just a warm layer of hot air on the roof. I am so pleased with these headliners. THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
* Bonus: I've always had issues with a reflection in my rear view mirror because the ceiling was white. Guess what happens when you put a black headliner up? Suddenly the rear view mirror becomes sharp and clear! YES!
All in all, I'm really really pleased with this headliner kit. Cheap and it works! Yes, the adhesive may let go but if it does I'll just go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy some spray-on glue and stick it back up. It works and it works very well. Obviously I can't directly compare it to other products (which may work even better) but for the money I am well pleased. I don't think you'll be disappointed with these headliners - they aren't fancy or perfect but they leave a lot of money in your pocket!
I will update as things go along but so far so good!
very eficient.
