advice on changing carpet...

Final5pt0 · Jan 17, 2007

i am in need of changing my stained old floor and hatch carpet in my 87 GT... anyone know if this is something that is an easy- mildly not difficult job?
any advice?
any one have a link to a step by step article on how to do it, i found one for changing my heater core and it made my life a lot easier.

Glaze · Jan 17, 2007

Go for it! Ive done the fresh carpet in a couple past cars. Its not to bad just a little time consuming due to taking interior pieces out in order to pull carpet out. This includes the center console. Make sure you purchase box of ziploc bags to label all screws and small parts you pull off panels. If you have a hatchback car you might want to go ahead and knock out rear hatch carpet too (seperate purchase) so as it match your new front carpet. Make sure to properly color match as different years had different shades of colors. I like the ACC carpet which is pre molded and fit perfect. Just had to knock out the holes for seatbelt, seats, and shifter. I believe 5.0resto now offers the ACC carpet with extra jute backing for noise and temp control (more than stock carpet). Good luck.

Fett · Jan 17, 2007

Yes, buy preformed carpet made, do NOT buy generic crap.

When you are ready to install, take the new carpet and lay it out, flat, in the sun on a warm day while you strip out your interior. This will help the carpet settle, and make it much easier to install.

v8only · Jan 18, 2007

the best advice I can give is to lay out the carpet in the sun as mentioned, this is ESSENTIAL! After it smooths out, take the old carpet and lay it over the top of the new carpet. Use the old carpet and trace all the existing holes onto the new carpet with a pen or something that won't stain bad. don't cut anything.

lay the new carpet in the car, and carefully poke a small hole in the traced areas making sure you're over the right bolts, the cut it out.

Final5pt0 · Jan 19, 2007

i have the dark gray/ black interior (1987 GT)...it has grey carpet, i was considering going with a black carpet since it usually looks cleaner, anyone ever seen this or think it would look good since there are black accents in the interior

? i would match the carpet in the hatch too

bit · Jan 19, 2007

I have put ACC carpet from 50resto in two cars and I guess it is ok for aftermarket carpet. My recommendation was be to find some OEM carpet whether it be NOS or used. I bought some used black carpet(20k miles) off eBay for $50 about a year ago. The difference is incredible. The ACC carpet looks great but it is thinner and lower quality than OEM. Also, the OEM carpet has all the holes in it. Holes alone make finding the OEM stuff worth it.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

Brent

GearHd6 · Jan 19, 2007

bit said:
I have put ACC carpet from 50resto in two cars and I guess it is ok for aftermarket carpet. My recommendation was be to find some OEM carpet whether it be NOS or used. I bought some used black carpet(20k miles) off eBay for $50 about a year ago. The difference is incredible. The ACC carpet looks great but it is thinner and lower quality than OEM. Also, the OEM carpet has all the holes in it. Holes alone make finding the OEM stuff worth it.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

Brent

I agree on the quality difference. The ACC is thinner thats for sure. The new ACC carpet with the added jute backing may be a little better but I dont have any experience with that.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Jan 19, 2007

#1 thing to make this easier would be to let the carpet sit in the hot sun for a few hours right before you install it.....that is unless it's cold where you live and then that won't help much. Maybe try a heat gun or something to soften it up.

Final5pt0 · Jan 19, 2007

anyone have any pictures of a grey interior with black carpet?
its kind of cold in NYC right now so the laying out in the sun wont help much, but i may waituntill spring to do this

QUICK91LX · Jan 19, 2007

Here are a few of my buddy Scott's 88 GT. Having black carpet works better with the rear seat delete because of the way it comes up the back of the rear seats (assuming you have a hatch and not a vert) the carpet ends on the fold-down panels but the backs of the seats are still gray...makes for an awkward transition...i personally like keeping the factory gray color, unless the car is black. then it works a little better.

Sure hope Scott doesnt mind me posting his pics! His car is a-freakin-mazing.