Vinyl floor install

[DandysRanger]

While I am working on the suspension I thought I might as well install the black vinyl floor I picked up from LMC. I have the interior out and the vinyl in but it is much bigger than needed. I think when you order the standard cab they send you the extended cab anway.
Any tips on getting this in besides a lot of patience and a heat gun?
TIA,
Jim

 

[ShiftRacing]

I had the exact same problem. First things first; I would go to a carpet store or home improvement store and pick up some of that foam padding that they lay down before the actual carpet. Put that down first, and this will fill in the dead space between the floor pan and the vinyl. Next, cut off any excess that you know is too much to fit in the truck. Once in, take a heat gun and carefully and gently shape the vinyl around the curves and shapes of the floor pan, while trimming off any excess rubber. Last, take a bunch of weight (bricks, books, crappy Christmas presets), and place them on the areas that need more shaping and continue to heat them with the heat gun. You may have to fasten the flooring down with something (I used aluminum strips about 1 1/2" wide and stuck them down with rivets to maintain the curves of the flooring.) but its up to you. Let me know if you need anything else.

PS: Now is a good time to cover up any open holes in the floor where water might get in.

 

[Tedybear]

Loved the "Re-Gifting" trick above. Nice one!

S-

 

[LIMA BEAN]

I used low- e insulation under mine, its closed cell so it wont soak up water. I also have it in the roof, doors and behind the seats.

 

[DandysRanger]

Great tips.

I think the best tip is not to attempt this in winter. It would make a lot more sense to do this when it is 90 degrees out.

What is low e insulation? I did buy some peel and stick insulation at Lowes that looks a lot like the expensive sound deadener I have in my Mustang.

Thanks, I'll report back my results.
Jim

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Great tips.

I think the best tip is not to attempt this in winter. It would make a lot more sense to do this when it is 90 degrees out.

What is low e insulation? I did buy some peel and stick insulation at Lowes that looks a lot like the expensive sound deadener I have in my Mustang.

Thanks, I'll report back my results.
Jim

Low e is good stuff.

http://www.low-e.com/application/application_view.php?Application_Name=Commercial Steel

 

[DandysRanger]

What a battle! But I think I got it figured out.

The mistake I made, besides trying to do this in Winter, is I assumed the front did not need to be trimmed. Once I took about 6" from the front and trimmed around the heater vent it formed up pretty good around the transmission hump. I think that is the key since the area around the throttle will not conform to the floor unless the hump is fitted correctly.

Here is how I am working around the cold issue. My garage is a comfy 55 degrees but inside the cab I can get it up to 90 plus.

I hope this helps someone else.
Jim

 

[PetesPonies]

I put a rubber mat down in my BII. But I got it from ACC. It came with jute padding just like their carpets do. It needed some trimming, but basically was preformed just like the carpets.