Is this 97 headliner board salvageable?
 

Tried taking out my old headliner and there are some big tears in it. The material doesn’t seem to be the same material as the majority on YouTube repair videos. Can I salvage this and first use 3m 77 on the tears and then try to redo the whole thing with fabric. None of the junkyards have any spares.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f7f78162c.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2d983363d.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...42ba5975c.jpeg

So guessing the older '97's that have the separate sound bar are a different construction then newer ones.
At least it looks like it to me.
I gotta say from the pictures I am thinking I am not trying to chance it.
But there might be other alternatives if you are open to them.
Guys have painted headliners.
Some guys have bedlined them.
Thinking those ways, especially bedlining it, would hide most if not all the repairs.

yea my 97 has a separate sound bar, I was thinking about maybe fiberglass resin kit to put it back together

I wish I could be of more help.
I did get curious and found this:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hea...repair-247681/

Like usual the original poster did follow up on it so......
And from those pictures I can definitely see it is a different construction.

I once saved a headliner by laying a light fiberglass over it and then painting the resin into that with a brush. New fabric of course.

I'd be tempted to lay on some resin first, to soak into the board, letting that cure, then following up with your method.

Is the separate sound bar only applicable to the 97 model year or 97-01 models? I would like to install rear speakers in my headliner on my ‘99.

Do you have like an SE?
I thought all had them with the exception of the most basic models.

Yeah that’s me, most basic model and the PO left the overhead light out when they replaced the headliner. No speakers with overhead light delete mod.

So I am guessing that your headliner does not have these contours in the back where speakers would be?
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bdb378c3d2.jpg
Or does it?
Is there one of these between the headliner and the roof?
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7aeec910af.jpg
Any wiring back there for them?

Nothing in the rear, thanks for the photos, now have a better idea of what I am looking for. My new to me overhead console, wiring harness and brackets showed up yesterday.

To bad you are so far away.
I have extra overhead console headliner and the plastic speaker piece I showed in that picture that I might be willing to part with.
Headliner needs new cloth but pretty sure it is OK shape otherwise. Have to look at it close though.
I am wondering if you even have the wiring for the speakers back there.
And if not can the harness be added cause I think I might have one of those too.
Do you have power locks?

I have minimal options. Np power windows or locks. But my ac blows cold the heat gets hot and it starts. Where are you located?

Yeah I am in CT.
Considering that you do have the most basic of XJ's is the connector for the ambient temp sensor up front on yours?

I did not know it has a ambient temp sensor and would not know where to look for one. Is this an input to the ignition module or does it just provide a temperature indication?