I read somewhere that the easiest way to get a headliner out of an XJ (mine is a '92) is to remove the top rear trim just forward of the rear hatch door and pull it straight out.

This would be after removing the sun visors, upper console and dome light of course.

Anyone ever do it this way? Mine needs to be recovered.

You will also need to pull all the trim around it and the rear seatbelt shoulder straps.

LOL! Yeah, after I do all that, it'll come right out!

That's about what I was afraid of.

On my 1998 you have to make sure you don't break the tabs on the cross-piece that holds the speakers in. Push up on the headliner so the tabs can clear 1 side at a time.
After you take the trim out all the way around as was stated.
Mike

i just pulled mine straight out then scraped all that crap off than spray painted my ceiling

I just pulled mine to recover it and I kind of like it without. I'll give it a couple of weeks to see if i still like it.

I've had mine out for a couple weeks, I didn't realize what job that headliner also does insulating the car. The AC just won't cool the cabin with it out, and I can't wait to get the fabric back on it so i can stick it back in!

I pulled the drooping fabric out of mine, but left the foam and sprayed it with about 3 cans of undercoating. its still quiet that way.
(I don't like the tin can sound)

You need to remove ALL the metal and plastic trim around the roof. The visors. The upper seatbelt mounts and the dome lights.