Project: Papa’s Dodge, stage one.

[DofD]

The floor mat should be repairable. The floor mat has probably gotten brittle with age, causing the cracks. If you steam it, it might soften up some so you can fix the cracks and other weak areas.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I see how heating it would help. But how would I repair the damage?

 

[ScottyBoy]

For the floor, I would see if you can find a replacement/ reproduction carpet mat for the floor. If its too hard to locate one or if you find one but its way too expensive, then you still have another option. And this is probably what I would end up doing. I had a friend with a base model work truck with the rubber mat floor but wanted carpet. But he didn't want to pay over $175 for a new carpet kit. So what he did was buy a roll of cheap carpeting from the auto parts store, and he glued it to the rubber mat with contact cement. When he put it all back in the truck, I was surprised at how nice it turned out. I was making fun of him for trying to use cheap autozone carpet, but it DID look like new factory carpeting. Now I can't say for sure how long it would have held up, but it held up just fine for at least two years, because he sold the truck about two years after putting the carpet in.
I would scrub the factory mat VERY well with Simple green or a similar degreaser or All Purpose Cleaner, and then wipe it completely with Isopropyl Alcohol before spraying the contact cement on it. That will help the glue stick much better.
And you also have the option of searching for a better quality carpet roll than the parts store stuff. I know they sell some pretty durable carpeting for boats. Look around, I bet you can find something nice for what you are willing to spend. The

 

[Lonesome7.3]

That is a hell of a good idea. I never would have thought of that.

 

[ScottyBoy]

So you'd essentially just be using the old factory mat as a backer for your new carpet. And it's a template too. A LOT easier that trying to just cut carpet from scratch.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I like the idea.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

This was the last thing I could get done before I had to leave. I found a good spare under a Chevy. Because the rim had the Chrysler emblem I grabbed it. That is all for now. the truck will at least be sitting in the shop while i am gone.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I had about an hour last weekend when I was home and this is all I had time to accomplish. As I mentioned before, I have been working on an HEI conversion. I found a GM coil, HEI module, and heat sink all on one bracket. I have been trying to figure out where and how to mount it. I know it is hard to see, but I think I found the perfect place. I drilled out one of the holes one bit size up and bolted it down in the same hole the hold coil bolted to. I can leave it at that, but I would like for it to be a bit more stable. A simple bent piece of steel bolted into the other coil hole will fix that. Now I just have to wire it up. Oh, and it does not interfere with the stock air cleaner at all.

 

[OldCracker29]

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Slow and steady.