Tool for installing headliner in a vehicle and method of installing a headliner in a vehicle

A locator tool for a headliner assembly, the locator tool comprising:

• a base, a top portion of the base including a top surface;
• a first finger, a proximal end portion of the first finger being fixedly coupled to the top portion of the base, the first finger extending in a first direction from the proximal end portion of the first finger to a distal end portion of the first finger, the distal end portion of the first finger defining a slot;
• a second finger, a proximal end portion of the second finger being fixedly coupled to the top portion of the base, the second finger extending in the first direction from the proximal end portion of the second finger to a distal end portion of the second finger, wherein the second finger is spaced apart from the first finger by the top surface, wherein the second finger extends in the first direction a lesser distance from the top surface than the first finger;
• a bracket movable relative to the first finger between an attached position and a detached position;
• and
• a magnet affixed to the bracket,
• wherein in the attached position, at least a portion of the bracket is received in the slot and configured to inhibit movement of the magnet in the first direction relative to the first finger.

A method of assembling a headliner to a roof assembly of a vehicle, the roof assembly including a lower roof panel below an upper roof panel, the method comprising:

• positioning a locator tool in an alignment position relative to the roof assembly, wherein in the alignment position, a first finger of the locator tool extends through a first roof aperture of the lower roof panel and a magnet attached to the first finger magnetically engages the upper roof panel, wherein in the alignment position, a second finger of the locator tool extends through a second roof aperture in the lower roof panel;
• positioning a headliner below the lower roof panel such that the locator tool extends through a headliner aperture defined by the headliner, a shape of the locator tool nesting within a shape of the headliner aperture;
• and
• attaching the headliner to the roof assembly while the locator tool is in the alignment position.