Saving the headliner

[elcaprerunner]

In a few days I should be starting the build-up of my 1993 Jeep Cherokee into a future JeepSpeed racer. Tonight I would like to start taking interior panels out so I can start measuring for the rollcage. I know the headliner is glued to the roof, but the edges are held in and protected by the inside panels. I want to keep the headliner to reduce noise, the rollcage will be built over it but the panels are coming out in order to get the cage closer to the body so I can tie it in with plate, so the cage doesn't move independantly of the body and to reduce noise as well. Any suggestions on what I can do to protect and edges of the headliner? Thanks in advance.

[ntsqd]

I would suggest that you lookinto some of the other noise reduction options as used by the hot rodders. Most of them could be installed after all cage work is done.

There are "welding blankets" made to protect flammable stuff near a weld. I got one from McMaster.

[mattb]

To be honest with you.. I don't think the headliner is really going to help you too much with noise reduction. You're gonna have rock's blasting beneath your floor boards for 200-500 miles each race. They're going to drown out any noises you may be trying to eliminate.

[Rocker]

Tear that thing out, build the cage, and then do like ntsqd said and use some sort of sound insulating material (foam, dynamat, whatever) then wrap the headliner around the cage. I went and talked to the guy who did Garrett's interior and he gave me some insight on how to build a headliner around the cage, I am in the process on my truck. When you are back down here, I'll show you, its super easy and looks better IMO when the headliner either hides the cage completely or shows half of the tube. Then when people ask who built that headliner, you know what you can say :)

[elcaprerunner]

Thanks Rick, I graduate in less than 6 weeks so I will for sure get some info about it from ya! And yeah... I know exactly what I'll say! LOL Thanks to everyone else too, the headliner is coming out for sure.

P.S. Hopefully I'll start on this thing by the end of this week, once I do I'll keep you updated with pictures through email.