[IronCanine]

I do want to quickly go through something that I've found little of in the way of detail on in existing threads...but got great help via PM to members. I purchased new rear side panels from TruckWorld through Truckseats (Tim). The most common refrain on these is that they are difficult to fit over carpeted tubs and that you must be sure to purchase CST carpet that is cut to stop at the panels and not extend to the bed wall...both true.

However on my initial fitment, I could not get the panel fully seated even though I had no carpet at all on the floor. Two things: 1. My bed wall and tubs have been replaced. 2. My truck was originally a base truck, I had to procure and install trim strips and panel bracketry. (I don't think this had much bearing if at all, but for the record)

My biggest concern was at the B-pillar, where I didn't think it could go from the trim strip to the B-pillar, making an S-bend and still adapt flatly to the B-pillar.

livrat (Mark) gave me the best advice. He had the same problems...he shaved the lower portion of the panel to go over the carpet and he widened the groove in the trim trim by gently prying it open.

Since I was not going to put carpet on the tubs, I didn't have to trim the panel. But the panel fit into the groove was my biggest problem. The panels are thick, and of course I had re-chromed my strips. I figured out how wide the groove needed to be by gently prying it open until I could just wedge the panel in. I made myself a gauge with a paint stick to confirm it was wide enough throughout the length. The fit was so snug on a partial try in, we elected not to install the floor L brackets, only the wall A brackets. I decided I didn't want to punch holes for screws and grommets a while ago, so we just put velcro on the brackets.