I don't know if everyone here knows it but you can not buy a factory Mopar headliner for a Second Gen Dakota now. I found that out myself today. My original headliner was in bad shape and getting worse by the day. The fabric was literally disintegrating into dust and falling like snow on the top side of my dash. I bought some headliner material and spray glue but it did not work very well. After scraping off the old foam backing from the original headliner the only thing left was a fiberglass type shell that was too flimsy to hold the new headliner up.

So I called a few local bone yards, no one had my headliner. I thought I might buy a new one so I called two Dodge dealers and they both said, "nope, that one has been discontinued, sorry I can't get it for you." I could not find a new headliner anywhere online either.

I called a couple of yards about 50 miles away where I used to live and each one said they had it. One wanted $90.00 and the other quoted $50.00. I went to the $50.00 guy, I have bought a fair amount of parts there over the years and they usually have a few Dakota's on hand. I went with him into the yard and checked the headliner out, it was in near perfect shape, kind of dirty but it was the correct light gray color. The only problem was the donor truck was a 2000 SLT and it had the overhead console. I bought the headliner anyway and the console too, $85.00 for everything. The console has the compass/temperature screen, map lights, sunglasses pocket and garage door opener pocket. I know a 2000 compass will not work in my 2001 but it does not matter to me. I might remove it some time and try to put something else there. I did wire up the map lights, they work fine and the console looks nice even if the compass doesn't work. The headliner cleaned up very well with 409 carpet cleaner and shout laundry stain remover and I used Meguiar's Quik Detailer on the console.

My point here is if your own headliner might be looking a little worse for wear right now, it might be worth it to get one at a bone yard now while you still can. Unless someone knows of a NOS supplier or some aftermarket retailer starts making and selling Dakota headliners, they may get pretty scarce soon. Oh and if you get a pre-01 headliner for a 2001 and up Club Cab, be sure to get the dome light from the donor truck too. I was glad I did because the two lights snap in differently and do not seem interchangeable, at least not to me anyway.

Jimmy

 

I think they have been gone for a few years now

DIY them most do anyway its easy well almost easy the removal is PITA and the removing the foam backer is not fun but not bad at all.

Google it lots of info shows up and kits are available you will never get it as good as OEM but not bad at all.

Also auto upholstery shops usually can do them for you around $130 I think

 

This will help to show you how to get some of the hooks and stuff off read down a bit its their.

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/...ad.php?t=96058

 

I got a new one for my 98 last year. There were 4 in the system at the time. I got in by the skin of it....


Did they search the "Vintage Parts" database at the dealer? Sometimes you can find a few stragglers.

 

I have never heard of Vintage Parts but will ask about it next time they tell me a part is discontinued. Thanks for the tip TN. I appreciate your help.

Jimmy

 

What did the OEM cost $200 or more not counting your employee discount?


I know how $$$ anything from dealer cost


DIY I like better more choices in colors I picked a lighter color to brighten up my dark gray interior the stock color was a dirty gray ash color.

 

Plenty of decent headliners sitting in trucks at u-pull-its. Bring along a hammer, so you can break the back glass to remove it (how I got mine).

It's strange how some will sag all over, and some will never sag at all. It seems like a bad batch of glue may have been used for the manuf process at some point.

 

Its not the glue that goes bad its the soft thin foam under the fabric that starts deteriorating

 

yeah about 150-200 is the going rate for headliner and the sunvisors to get redone around here.. but i choose on mine to just rip it out; carb cleaner and a scrub brush that foam off and then i painted it same color as my dash.. battle ship gray color.. Cost me about 30 bucks paint and carb cleaner brush and tons of elbow Greece

And it really does not look bad at all.. Just wish i would have sanded it down its alittle rough but it makes it look rustic lol

 

Yeah, around 200. If you go to some of the online Mopar parts sites, you pretty much pay the same as I do. Plus shipping of course.


I had originally wanted a custom made one in a darker color, but I changed my mind.