How to lower the headliner on a 24 Lightning?

[K6CCC]

Let's see if someone knows how. I am trying to install several 2-way radio antennas on my 2024 Lightning Flash. In order to do that, I need to at least partially lower the headliner enough that I can see where there is anyplace I can't drill holes, and be able to route the antenna cables down the C pillars. A Google search found a video with instructions, but unfortunately the truck used was a 2022 F-150 and almost everything he talks about is different. It honestly gave me nothing useful.

So, has anyone pulled down the headliner on a Lightning?

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[21st Century Truck]

There is a Ford Corporation diagram for official modifier shops floating around on this forum (where, I can't of course recall) that has the NO DRILL and the BE CAREFUL WHEN DRILLING areas blocked out in red and yellow colors. It shows most of these areas around the traction battery and its related electric systems on the underside... but it might be helpful to Your goals as well.

 

[K6CCC]

I have that. It is primarily talking about stuff below the body. Very little about the roof. I still need to get the headliner down a bit and open the C pillars in order to route the antenna cables.

 

[vorguy]

I used the Bulletproof Diesel mount for my antenna. They have a single and dual antenna mount. The cables go through the back of the third brake light and were easy to fish to either side and down. The headliner seemed easy to pull down a bit in the back to help with the cable.
Third Brake Light Antenna Mount - 2015 - 2025 Ford F150
Third Brake Light DUAL Antenna Mount - 2015-2025 Ford F150

 

[K6CCC]

I used the Bulletproof Diesel mount for my antenna. They have a single and dual antenna mount.

I am aiming for four or five antennas on the cab roof and three on the shell (may not use all three however). So something like that is not enough. Really need greater spacing than that offers as well.

 

[vorguy]

I use an aviation transceiver at work and 2M rig that I swap antennas as needed (should have bought the dual mount). Mag mounts worked great on my '03 F250, but getting a good ground plane on these aluminum trucks is something else. I wish I had a better solution for you. Please post a pic with the end result.

 

[K6CCC]

The complement I am planning on is:
Cab antenna 1 - VHF Q-wave for a VHF XTL-5000
Cab antenna 2 - VHF Q-wave for 2M & 440 with diplexor for Kenwood tri-bander
Cab antenna 3 - 220 Q-wave for Kenwood tri-bander
Cab antenna 4 - VHF Q-wave for scanner
Cab antenna 5 - UHF Q-wave for Low UHF XTL-5000
Shell antenna 3 - UHF Q-wave for High UHF XTL-5000

When I'm on trips out into the netherlands, some of the quarter wave antennas will get swapped with gain antennas - but those are a pain in the city with parking structures.

If I can't figure out how to get the headliner down by tomorrow, I will likely put some effort into the RF deck mounting and power system.

When I have the headliner down I will also pull several cables for control heads. A couple of the control heads will be mounted to the very top of the windshield - hence the cables needing routing.

I have decided not to install a work radio or two because I am retiring in October and would have to pull it out anyway. The work system does fine on handhelds.

And yes, I will document and report on this forum when I get it all done...

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