Some late model Automobiles are equipped with a catalytic
converter shield on the floor. Do not remove the shield; install the auto carpet
over it. Your new Stock Interiors molded carpet has been produced slightly
oversize requiring some trimming for that perfect fit into your car. You
will need a good pair of scissors and a razor knife. Note! Please take your TIME! Your auto carpet has been
custom molded to fit your automobile. Plan to leave enough time for the disassembly
of your interior, removal of the old auto carpet, proper installation of the carpet
and reassembly of your interior. Approximate time 3 Hours.
Step 1 - Unbox Your new Carpet
Remove your new automobile carpet from the box, unroll and lay the carpet
in a warm area and allow it to settle for one to two hours before
attempting to install. This will allow the automobile carpet to regain
its molded shape. Using your hand, you can push the contoured sections
of your new carpet back to their molded position. Keep in mind, the carpet
may have wrinkles that do not relax completely before being installed,
and the molded contours in the carpet may look flattened from shipping;
this is normal. After being
installed properly, the carpet will regain and hold its molded shape.
Step 2 - Remove Your Old Carpet
Remove sill plates (metal or plastic strip holding Automobile carpet at
threshold of the door). Be sure to keep the screws.
Before you unplug any wiring or electrical components, disconnect the
battery cables first
Remove the front seats and seat tracks by removing the floor bolts in the
seat tracks. Be sure to check for and disconnect any electrical connections.
Some seat bolts go through the bottom of the vheilce. In this case, remove
rubber plug to access these bolts. A deep well socket may be needed.
If your car is a general motors from 1958 to 1964, you will find that the gas pedal
can be taken off by lifting pedal off sideways. This will permit easier installation
of the front carpet. When replacing the pedal, simply force it back on with your
hands or foot.
Remove rear seat cushions and center console if applicable.
In some vehicles, seat belt mounting will not affect carpet installation. In other
vehicles, seat belt floor brackets may have to be removed for total access for removing
old carpets and installing new. Sometimes these are held with standard bolts or nuts,
sometimes they are held wit a bolt that has a star shaped, recessed opening. These
can sometimes be grasped and turned by vise-grip pliers. Otherwise, most auto supply
stores have the star bits available for sale for use with standard sockets sets.
They are called torx or star bits.
It may be required to remove or loosen the kick panels and other moldings to
remove the old Automobile carpet.
Remove the old Automobile carpet but KEEP IT! Do not discard the old carpet yet.
Step 3 - Verify Your new Auto Carpet
It is very important that you verify your new auto carpet now, before you begin
the installation. Once you begin to cut your new carpet, it may no longer be
returnable, so now is the time to verify that the carpet you received is the
correct item for your vehicle.
The easiest way to verify your new carpet is to lay it overtop of your old
carpet and line up the molded contours of both carpets. Keep in mind, the new
carpet has just been shipped in a box and it will have some wrinkles that have
not relaxed and some of the molded contours will look flattened. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as a manufacturing problem. After being
installed properly, the carpet will regain and hold its molded shape. If your
old auto carpet is not available, you can also "dry-fit" the carpet to your vehicle's
floor pan.
At this point, if the contours in your new carpet in a different location
than the contours in your old carpet, do not continue with your installation.
Step 4 - Preparation for installation
Remove the old carpet padding, leave the body insulation on the floor
(do not remove the catalytic converter shield if the vehicle has one on the floor)
Vacuum or sweep the floor, remove all loose matter
Use a stiff wire brush on rust spots and a mild solvent to clean the floorpan if necessary
Place the old automobile carpet over your new molded carpet.
Mark any holes or additional cutout on the carpet with chalk
Do Not Cut the carpet Yet!
Step 5 - How to Install Your New Auto Carpet
Carpets with holes cut in the wrong place will not be
acceptable for return. This procedure should be done carefully to avoid cutting
holes in the wrong place. When cutting or trimming, always make minimal cuts.
You can always make a second cut, but you can not undo a cut once it has been made.
It is best to wait until the very end to trim around the edges of your new carpet.
Lay carpet flat outside the vehicle. Fold in half by pulling front edge
back over to meet rear edge
Center folded carpet over the transmission hump just in front of the front seat
Slowly unfold the carpet toward the front firewall and underneath the pedals
Do not make any cuts until you fully undersand the carpet layout, and you are
sure it is in the correct place
Match the contours of the auto carpet with the floor; be sure the heel pad is
under the area for the brake pedal.
When you reach a shift lever cut a small "x" shaped slit just large enough
for the shift lever rod to fit through
It is best to wait until the very end to trim around the edges of your new carpet.
Lift the carpet up and slide it down over the lever through the "x" slit
Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 if a second shift lever exist
After the full installation of your carpet is complete, return to the shift
levers and cut the holes larger. Be careful not to cut the hole larger than
the boot or console that will cover the area
Use the same "x" slit system if your vehicle requires a cutout for the
floor dimmer switch
Cut holes for seatbolts
Center the carpet over the transmission hump and starting from the center of
the hump, work out towards each side smoothing out wrinkles and pulling the
carpet tight
Note: Some people also prefer to use brush or spray adhesive on the floor
to give a better, smoother fit which is less likely to move over time.
After correct fit is determined, fold back sections of the carpet. Apply
adhesive then smooth down and press into position
On some carpets you will find slight excess of material on both sides at
the sill plates and around the edges. This is purposely included to provide
for possible variations of individual installations. If excess exists on
your car, merely trim it off with scissors, being careful not to trim too much
Slip end of carpet under sill plate at either side
Replace Back Seat Bottom Cushion, Kick Plates, Console, Seat belt bolts, Front seats,
Front seat bolts and any other trim that you removed prior to installation.
Replace accelerator pedal, and smooth out carpet so that it lies flat.
Replace sill plate and screws
Slit to edge of carpet under valance, if your vehicle has one
Note: some models will require hole openings for steer post pedals,
mounting brackets, etc. These holes should be cut carefully after verifying
that carpet fits properly
CONGRATULATIONS! You have successfully installed another Quality
Product from Stock Interiors. Now complete your interior with a quality set
of custom fit floor mats made just for your automobile. Need carpeted door
bottoms or kick panels? We sell your original style replacements. Call,
e-mail, or visit us online for a complete catalog of other items made by
Stock Interiors.