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I got a new molded carpet for my 85 because the old one drank untold quantities of rodent pee and coolant. The only way to do this right means taking off the dash cover, right? I want to make sure there aren't any cool hacks that can save a few hours of unscrewing 🤠
The dash pinches the carpet as the carpet runs over the trans tunnel. You will have to remove the dash to replace the carpet. Lifting the dash is possible but you will want an extra set of hands.
I'll just have to dig in and figure stuff out. According to my manual the heater core doesn't exist so I don't have any instructions on getting past the dash.
I haven't installed new carpet yet, but to get my old carpet out of my 1985, I removed two bolts that hold the dash center to the tunnel. I then cut the carpet from that brace toward the firewall.
I'll just have to dig in and figure stuff out. According to my manual the heater core doesn't exist so I don't have any instructions on getting past the dash.
I've done it in my 85, dash comes out somewhat easily. Hardest bolts will be the ones under the defrost vent, one of mine was rusted and snapped which made it slightly more difficult as it's a hard area to get to. All of the wiring connection are pretty simple to remove, driver side connection are the hardest as there is very little room to work with hands and bit/screwdriver. With some help you could probably get away with just taking the console out and the three bolts that secure the dash to the trans tunnel, there would be enough space to wiggle it trough and up to the firewall. Trimming it to fit correctly will take several attempts though and just taking the dash out might end up saving you time in the long run. I wanted to redo my dash in black to match the rest so It was coming out anyway.
If you got the carpet from Stock Interiors it'll save you a lot of hassle to lay your old carpet over it and with a bit of chalk outline all of the cuts you'll need for the shifter, console, dash, etc. Also make the outline of the old carpet itself. I used the formed parts for the seat mounts as my guide to center the old carpet, made my outline then cut that outline leaving an extra inch or so beyond the outline just to be sure I didn't cut too short. It's easier to trim it down during installation that way.
Last edited by duffman692002; 11-13-19 at 11:39 AM.
Absolutely - even with the brown interior, black floor carpeting throughout would make a nice contrast. Here in the AZ desert, having a black dashboard is a killer given the greenhouse heat that it has to absorb; even with window tint where legal, the interior soaks up that thermal energy and it takes forever to cool the car down with our dismal A/C output for volume & temperature. Looks nice, though!
Fixing all the faded 34 year gray bits transforms the car, I did the dash and all the hatch plastic. Got some period correct red leather recaros too.
Originally Posted by LongDuck
Absolutely - even with the brown interior, black floor carpeting throughout would make a nice contrast. Here in the AZ desert, having a black dashboard is a killer given the greenhouse heat that it has to absorb; even with window tint where legal, the interior soaks up that thermal energy and it takes forever to cool the car down with our dismal A/C output for volume & temperature. Looks nice, though!
AC? What’s that? I feel ya, Texas summers can be brutal. Took it all out of mine 15+ years ago and older me seriously wishes younger me had reconsidered that...
Thanks smj999smj !! Yeah i looked at Rock Auto also , just trying to decide which way to go , i live in the south so sand gets everywhere and makes keeping your floors clean almost impossible . I havent owned a vehicle with vinyl flooring and dont know anybody around here that has one that i can ask their experiance on ,, i was just thinking maybe it would be easier to keep up with and i hadnt even considerd how it feel on the feet comfort wise ! Thanks for the input !!!
Wow, I knew you Aussies were upside down and your toilets swirl backwards but,... you just replied to someone who doesn't exist on this old thread. But, I am also approaching a carpet replacement so I'm glad I saw this thread. After living under a tarp for years (previous owners) my interior looks great, but reeks of rat ****. 3 years of airing out hasn't helped so I've started stripping out all the carpet and padding.
Wow, I knew you Aussies were upside down and your toilets swirl backwards but,... you just replied to someone who doesn't exist on this old thread. But, I am also approaching a carpet replacement so I'm glad I saw this thread. After living under a tarp for years (previous owners) my interior looks great, but reeks of rat ****. 3 years of airing out hasn't helped so I've started stripping out all the carpet and padding.
Have you tried soaking the carpet in alcohol followed by heavy amounts of baking soda? I cleaned a bad oil spill in my Nissan that way .
No, no I haven't. When I bought the car it smelled like fabreeze or some kind of air freshener. That quickly faded, revealing the stench of rodent toilet. The air vents were filled with grass and seeds and as I dig deeper to repair it I find more and more little nests, mouse pellets (poopie) and stench.
I've started stripping out all the carpet and padding and hope to replace it all, after the mechanics are sorted. It's a shame since it looks so nice, but it f'in reeks.
11-11-19, 10:38 AM
I feel ya, Texas summers can be brutal. Took it all out of mine 15+ years ago and older me seriously wishes younger me had reconsidered that...
Didn't realize I was looking at an FB. I like it better than the FC center console. Is it me or does it seem more modern?
