Headlining Removal?

[Gold Coaster]

I'm trying to remove the middle section of headlining on my 96 T4 but I'm not sure how to go about it. There are plastic strips at both the front and back of this section, where the roof braces are, that look as though they have to come off first but to the untrained eye I can't see how to get them off!



Also are the round plastic clips with the hex head insert reusable or am I better off replacing them with new ones?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Sunny43.5]

The cover strips just pop off you may find the clip might come out of the back of the strip you only have to slide it back on . The clips with the hex head are best removed with a cordless and a correct size hex drive push the drive in and then start backing out in reverse they come out very easily that way and no damage if you find the right size hex drive it should be a nice tight fit for best results . Sometimes a tight one will only come out part way just get a pair of side cutters and gently prise the centre out .

[Gold Coaster]

Thanks Sunny43.5, you've been a great help. Much appreciated!

[Sunny43.5]

if you get stuck give me a call I am down the coast once our twice a week with my work East Coast Sunroofs - Home

[SnowMotion]

I found that the clips that hold the plastic strips don't like being removed as when I went to put them back in they would sometimes fall out again. They did click in place but with less grip than the first time.
I purchased some replacements on ebay from the UK quite in expensively along with the grey roof plugs. I preferred to have extra's as it was easier to replace them the first time and then there was no redoing the same job.

[Gold Coaster]

Hi SnowMotion, I know where I can get the grey roof plugs from if I need them but I can't see a supplier on eBay for the clips that hold the plastic strips. Do you have a link for this? Thanks

[SnowMotion]

These are the ones I got;
VW T5 Transporter Roof Trim Strip Panel Lining Clips Interior | eBay
and this company has all the other clips you will need in your van.
The square piece slides into a track on the back of the strip and when in the right position just push it into the holes.
You will need to remove the old ones and they can be a little tricky to remove. I uses a combination of small screwdriver and needle nose pliers.
Hope you are putting some good insulation in there. Makes the vans much quieter and a little cooler/warmer.

[Gold Coaster]

Thanks for the link SnowMotion.
I going to remove the headlining to strengthen the area in readiness to install a drop down DVD player. It hasn't arrived yet so I don't know what the mounting bracket is like but as the unit itself weighs almost 4.5kg I pretty sure that it will need extra supports to secure it to.
I hadn't thought about putting in insulation at the same time so thanks for mentioning it.
Anyone have any recommendations on which is a good insulation to use?

[Gold Coaster]

Just came across this old thread http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/...0/IMG_6194.jpg
The DVD player that I've ordered is also 15". Sunny43.5 did you have to add extra support to secure this player?

[SnowMotion]

I used a foil bubble material that is got from a roofing insulation company. It works well. There is not much room in the ceiling. Otherwise you could use wool insulation.

[Gold Coaster]

Thanks for that SnowMotion, I'll have a look around and see what I can find.
Did you glue it to either surface or just have it sandwiched in?

[Sunny43.5]

Hi guys yes the photo is my sons van , the DVD player is a full 15 inch one I mounted the base plate to the roof cross member . The cross brace is very strong so no other reinforcing is needed .The sound deadener is called automotive underlay felt 900gsm 10mls thick its a very dense interwoven shredded wool blend 1.83 wide and can be bought by the metre from Nolans UDA at Yatala in Qld . I have used this product for over 40 years and by far the best result , all of our current and past vans have had the treatment and what a difference on the road . The best result is to glue it to all metal outer surfaces roof sides and floors etc check out these two conversions I have done ,our latest van http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...tml?highlight= . And a friends one http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...tml?highlight=

[Gold Coaster]

Hi Sunny, is this underlay felt also good for insulating against temperature or is it mainly designed for reducing sound?

[Sunny43.5]

Gold Coaster it works for both , as it will absorb the heat .

[Gold Coaster]

Just wondering what the purpose is of the 30cm x 30cm black squares that are stuck to the middle of the roof interior between each support strut?