There are customizing projects that the average do-it-yourselfer can easily take on by himself at home-and then are the specialized tasks that must be left to an experienced professional. That is, of course, unless we are talking about that rare breed of DIY guy who doesn't seem to care whether or not he did a sloppy job and ruined most of his new parts as long as he can say that he did it himself. For you fellows who don't fall into either category we have enlisted the help of Pete Engel and Mario at Pete's Westminster Auto Upholstery to reveal some automotive carpet laying tips that will help you to lay carpet in your truck at home like a pro. It wasn't easy for us to convince Pete to help us out. He was worried that he would be barraged with phone calls from people looking to buy a carpet kit from him or, worse yet, to answer a bunch of how-to questions. So please don't call Pete unless you are interested in having an award-winning custom interior done, like the ones he's done for Pebble Beach winners or the grand National Roadster Show.
The key to doing a good job, no matter what it might be, is to start out with high-quality parts that were designed to fit properly. This is where the folks at TrimParts of Lebanon, Ohio, enter the equation with their line of top-quality molded carpet kits. We've used TrimParts lenses and bezels in the past and we think a person would be hard pressed to find a more faithful reproduction. That said, this brings us full-circle to installing the carpet kit. So, study the following captions and photos. We are sure that if you take your time you will end up with a super clean job you will be proud to claim.
Thankfully we had a sunny...
Thankfully we had a sunny day. The very first step was to spread the TrimParts molded carpet kit out in the sun for about an hour. This is a very important step, as it allows the molded carpet to regain its memory (shape). For those who don't have the sun to assist them, spreading the carpet out on a heated floor or under a heat lamp will work fine.
Our subject vehicle was the...
Our subject vehicle was the Americruise Big-10 previously equipped with a kit from QuietRide Solutions. The TrimParts carpeting kit comes standard with padding, but additional padding can be used if desired.
To remove the stock bench...
To remove the stock bench seat, Mario removed the two bolts located on each side.
With the seat unbolted and...
With the seat unbolted and the seatbelts pulled clear, Mario removed the seat by pulling it out through the passenger side.
Everything located on the...
Everything located on the floor was moved out of the way before the carpet kit was to be trial-fitted.
Mario removed the seatbelts...
Mario removed the seatbelts and shoulder belts and then set them outside of the cab.
To ensure a clean installation,...
To ensure a clean installation, Mario trimmed the QuiteRide kit away from the edges. This step would be done to conventional padding as well.
Every area in the QuietRide...
Every area in the QuietRide padding that overlapped itself was trimmed to lay flat under the new TrimParts carpeting kit. This step would be done to conventional padding as well.
The next step was to use the...
The next step was to use the scissors to cut out squares for clearance around the seatbelt and seat mounting areas.
With the trimming completed...
With the trimming completed and Mario confident the fit was right, he then glued the QuietRide padding down.
Compressed air was used to...
Compressed air was used to blow the area completely clean (a vacuum cleaner could be used instead).
Installing the TrimParts molded...
Installing the TrimParts molded carpet kit was begun by spreading it across the cab floor.
The next step was to make...
The next step was to make sure the carpeting was centered over the transmission tunnel. After the tunnel was pushed by hand into shape, the driver and passenger sides were done (notice weights are being used to hold the carpet into place).
Confident the front half of...
Confident the front half of the carpeting fit right, Mario folded it back and then sprayed glue onto the back of the carpeting and onto the floor (for home use an aerosol glue can be used).
After letting the glue tack...
After letting the glue tack up, Mario started at the tunnel and then worked outward to lay the carpet for the final time (notice the weights are being used by moving them to the immediate area Mario is working on).
With the front completed,...
With the front completed, Mario then worked on the rear half of the cab.
To fit the carpet around the...
To fit the carpet around the Compushift computer used to control the Big 10's Gearstar 4L60E, Mario trimmed the QuietRide kit to allow the wiring to sit flush.
Then a horizontal slit (not...
Then a horizontal slit (not vertical!) was used to fit the carpet around the Compushift computer (the same would be done to fit an amplifier, etc.).
With the initial test fitting...
With the initial test fitting accomplished, the next step was to coat both sides with glue. Then Mario was ready lay the rear of the carpet for the last time.
A single-edge razor was used...
A single-edge razor was used to trim the carpeting away for the bolt-holes.
Notice how vertical slits...
Notice how vertical slits were cut into the edges of the carpeting to make them pliable enough to tuck in. This is step is critical to producing professional results.
These weights were a handy...
These weights were a handy tool as well.
The seat adjusting control...
The seat adjusting control cable (wire) on the Big 10's seat was hanging freely and presented a possible future problem. Mario attached it to the seat springs with a couple of hog rings.
From start to finish it took...
From start to finish it took Mario about two hours to install the TrimParts molded carpeting kit-double that time for a greenhorn.
The finishing touch was a...
The finishing touch was a pair of matching TrimParts floor mats.