Any bucket seat guys replace their tank carpet?

[davepl]

I ordered LMC tank carpet. First annoyance was that the special wide copper washers that hold it are not included. That was almost 2 years ago and was my first lesson in "Never throw ANYTHING away until you're completely done", even if its stinky old carpet.

Anyhow, as you can see from the photo, the reproduction does not use the factory mounting, probably because only bucket seat trucks actually had the carpet and this reproduction can be use on any truck. It has plastic clips that hold it to the tank. The clips don't even line up with the bolts - I had to trim a bunch of the clips.

Now, however, you can see I have a line of screw holes where it mounted from the factory.

I'm thinking that I should take this carpet, fold the edge over, and mount it like the factory did - if it's long enough for that. I'll likely make some little aluminum strips to distribute the load, taking the place of the elongated washers that the factory washers.

Anyone been down this road and have suggestions?

My damn truck is so shiny I wind up in all of my photos. Good thing I'm clothed, unlike that teapot guy on eBay :-)

[FirstOwner69]

I did not replace the carpet. Mine was fine, but the factory "clips" (actually brass oval grommets were tearing out of the carpet. I used 2 pieces of hardware store aluminum about 1/8" thick by 3/4" wide to fashion side-to-side support for carpet. I butted them together a bit off center using the factory holes. It actually supports the carpet much better than the factory clips which resulted in sagging between attachment points. I did save the clips since I saw some selling in the parts for sale section for ridiculous prices.

The question is, is the reproduction carpet tall enough to make it to the factory mounting holes?

[leddzepp]

My aftermarket tank carpet is made by trim parts with the same plastic tabs that slip over the tank. It would not cover the holes if this were a factory bucket truck...but there is no gap between the top of the tank and the bottom of the cab. I am ver happy with the fit as it is secure and does not require screws to install.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

My son came up with the idea to use velcro tape to hold the carpet in place. It is easy to do, holds really well and can be removed for tank service.

Here is a picture of the carpet installed.

Jim

[davepl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of those look like original bucket seat trucks, as they do not have the row of screw holes for attaching the factory tank carpet. In both cases it looks like the carpet is just under that ledge, but the screw holes on mine are above that ledge. Don't take offense if I'm wrong, I'm just going by visuals.

Here's a picture of the exposed screw holes. The carpet -is- long enough to reach so I moved it up and used proper trim screws to hold it there. I wanted to fold it over ala the original style, but the two ends where the gas filler and fire extinguisher are have been sewn fitted, so you really can't go much higher. Plus the carpet is already doubled over, so you'd have to seam-rip it and take your chances.

If you were using raw/bulk carpet and knew how to sew, you'd be ok. Which is what I'll likely do if the screws bug me. But really the buckets themselves cover most of the ugliness and you'll only see perhaps 2 screws exposed when I'm done.

[71 super]

The two screws on the end are supposed to be exposed. I cut the tabs off the replacement and folded as original. You don't have much option as you have found, the correct fit is not out there.

[FirstOwner69]

Here are a couple pictures showing the original in my 69 installed as I described in post #2. The original was contoured to fit around the tank in the same manner as the floor carpet is contoured to fit the floor. Until I read this thread I assumed the new stuff was the same as the original. Glad my original is in good shape.

[Fitz]

Removed the carpet and the tank, built a custom console and a new rear panel covered with carpet and leather.

[BNeer72]

Originally Posted by davepl

Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of those look like original bucket seat trucks, as they do not have the row of screw holes for attaching the factory tank carpet. In both cases it looks like the carpet is just under that ledge, but the screw holes on mine are above that ledge. Don't take offense if I'm wrong, I'm just going by visuals.

Here's a picture of the exposed screw holes. The carpet -is- long enough to reach so I moved it up and used proper trim screws to hold it there. I wanted to fold it over ala the original style, but the two ends where the gas filler and fire extinguisher are have been sewn fitted, so you really can't go much higher. Plus the carpet is already doubled over, so you'd have to seam-rip it and take your chances.

If you were using raw/bulk carpet and knew how to sew, you'd be ok. Which is what I'll likely do if the screws bug me. But really the buckets themselves cover most of the ugliness and you'll only see perhaps 2 screws exposed when I'm done.

Hello, I just replaced the original panel in my 67 CST but the body shop threw away the original before I marked my holes for the carpet. Do you have the measurements for these holes? Thank you.

[72BBChuck]

This really is frustrating. I have four of these bucket seat cab trucks and only one had the original carpet and brass mounting rings. I kept the carpet in case someone could make a duplicate. It has the original manufacturers tag with part #. I have purchased two repops with the same result as you folks. I saw a very clean install of a repop carpet done the same as the guy above did with the aluminum strip. This guy used a strip of plastic like material made by Schuler for use by bathroom tile installers.

[FirstOwner69]

Read this thread, especially the last couple pages.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=268050

['68OrangeSunshine]

My truck never had carpet. I tossed out the thick cardboard from behind the seat after it got ratty.
I put in a bench/bucket-back electric seat out of a '69 T-Bird 45 years ago.
When I pull down the armrest you can see the tank and fuel sender. I call it the ''Industrial Look.'' It's a truck -- deal with it.