Posted on November 11 2026
A starlight headliner turns any cab into a Rolls-Royce-style night sky. The install takes patience more than special skills: it's mostly careful trim removal, a lot of small holes, and clean fiber routing. This guide walks through the whole process for our Starlight Headliner Kit, so you know exactly what you're signing up for before you start.
Before you start: pick the right star count
Our kits come in 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000-star sizes, and kits can be synced together for builds up to 10,000 stars. Smaller cars look full with fewer stars, while crew-cab trucks, full-size SUVs and vans need more to get the same density. Not sure where your vehicle lands? Read our starlight sizing and cost guide, or call us at (833) 325-3250 for a free sizing consult before you order.
What you'll need
- Your FCKLightBars Starlight Headliner Kit (fiber optic bundle, light engine and Bluetooth control)
- Trim removal tools and the screwdrivers or sockets for your interior trim
- An awl or fine drill bit for the star holes
- A fabric-safe adhesive to hold the fibers in place on the back of the headliner
- Flush cutters for trimming fibers
- A clean, flat work surface big enough for the headliner
Step 1: Remove the headliner
Pull the parts that hold the headliner up: sun visors, grab handles, dome and map lights, and the upper pillar trim. Take photos as you go and bag the screws and clips by location. Unplug any lights, then ease the headliner out through a door (or the rear hatch on SUVs) without folding or creasing it.
Step 2: Plan your star layout
Lay the headliner face-up and decide on the pattern. Random spacing looks the most natural. Avoid areas behind grab-handle and visor mounts. Our kits use a blend of fiber diameters, so mixing big and small stars across the whole surface gives the deep, layered night-sky look. Lightly mark the hole positions if it helps you keep the spacing even.
Step 3: Poke the holes and feed the fibers
Work from the face of the headliner, poke each hole, then push a fiber through from the back so a short length sticks out the front. Secure each fiber on the back side with a dab of adhesive. Work in sections and keep the bundle organized. Tangled fibers are the number-one cause of slow installs.
Step 4: Mount the light engine and route power
Gather the fiber tails into the light engine's port and choose a mounting spot that stays accessible. Common choices are above the headliner near the rear of the cab or behind a pillar trim. The power supply module is compact and fully serviceable, so leave yourself a way to reach it later. Run 12V power to the module and test before anything goes back in the vehicle.
Step 5: Test everything with the app
Before reinstalling, power the kit and check every effect from the Bluetooth app: Twinkle, Dimming, Color Morph and Music Sync, plus pure white. Fix any dark fibers now. It's much easier with the headliner still out.
Step 6: Reinstall and trim
Carefully guide the headliner back in, reinstall the trim, visors and handles in reverse order, then trim each fiber flush with the fabric. Leave fibers slightly long at first. You can always cut shorter, never longer.
Want motion in the sky?
Add our Shooting Star Headliner Kit (420 shooting stars) during the same install to get streaking meteors across the night sky. Running both from one install is far easier than coming back later. Pairing the headliner with an Interior Ambient Lighting Kit completes the cab.
See it in real builds
Check out real starlight installs in our Build Gallery, like this 2022 Ford F-350 Limited and this 2003 Ford F-450, or browse the full Build Gallery.
Starlight install FAQ
How long does a starlight headliner install take?
Plan on a full day or a weekend for a first install. Larger star counts take longer because every star is its own hole and fiber.
Does it work in boats, RVs and side-by-sides?
Yes. The kit is marine-rated with UV-resistant fibers and installs in boats, yachts, RVs, buses, side-by-sides, and even home ceilings.
Will the fibers yellow over time?
No. Our fibers are a UV-coated polymer that won't oxidize, yellow or turn brittle like standard plastic fibers, and every kit carries a lifetime warranty.
Questions before you start? Call (833) 325-3250 and talk to a real person, or shop all Starlight Headliner Kits.