Carpet or rubber for floor?

[tucsonjwt]

Anybody use LMC's 1/8" thick molded industrial polyvinyl(MIP) floor mats instead of carpeting on your floor? It's about $200 with s&h, but I can't tell if it still needs a pad under it. The other option is regular carpet with pad installed locally for about $140, and I would put Huskyliners in for about another $63, but the Huskyliners don't go over the hump. I don't care for carpet but the stock vinyl floor liner is too flimsy. I had a 76 C20 which I had Rhino lined sprayed on the cab floor and that was a bad idea - surface wore down where my feet went and was too slippery, plus the heat from the transmission hump was too much for me (with no insulation).

[displacement4me]

I used that on my K20 Reg. Cab. It was hard to work with, it didn't seem like the mold was quite right, and I ended up working from the middle to the back, and then middle to the front. I know there is insulation in mine, but I can't remember if it came with it, or if I reused it from my carpet. Something tells me there was a small 4x2ft piece that came with it, but don't hold me to it. After some time it fell nicely into place, and I like it. It is the perfect choice for my 4x4.

Take your time, especially with the trimming around the rocker/foot panels and it'll look very sharp.

[tucsonjwt]

Thanks for the response. Does the mat cover all of the area that the original carpet would cover (under the seat, up under the dash?) In the catalog it looks like the center hump portion is very shallow - is it molded deep enough to cover the hump properly? Do you use any other floor mats on top of this one?

[displacement4me]

The amount of material it comes with is wayyy excessive. It's trim to fit so I have it up high under the dash tight, and it reaches under my seat towards the back further then the carpet did actually. The center hump was the part that worried me because it didn't seem to take the shape of it and had air pockets. After some time and normal driving with the heater on it took its shape and looks great, especially around the hump. My dad isn't a fan of vinyl floor but after I installed this myself he said he likes it. You wouldn't have to, but the rubber mats I had over the carpet I threw back in on top of the vinyl just because I had them.

[Benelli]

Previous owner did it to my truck a few years ago, I'm not a big fan of it because once it starts tearing....there's not stopping it.

I have just regular floor mats on top of it, and there seems to be that "rats nest" crap between it and the floorboards.

[tucsonjwt]

This sounds a lot like what the local upholstery guy who just did my headliner told me about generic rubber flooring he could get. Basically, it sounds like he can get thick sheet rubber and he said he would cut it at the front/sides of the hump and glue the seam (maybe at the curve at the outside edge of the seat also.) But this LMC one is actually molded, at least to some extent, around the hump and the bump up under the seat - correct?

[tucsonjwt]

Originally Posted by Benelli

Previous owner did it to my truck a few years ago, I'm not a big fan of it because once it starts tearing....there's not stopping it.

I have just regular floor mats on top of it, and there seems to be that "rats nest" crap between it and the floorboards.

When you say "starts tearing", is this like foam rubber which tends to come apart in shreds, like old seat foam?
I am guessing my local upholstery guy would be using different material (he said it was about 1/4" thick) and maybe real rubber. Downside: about $300 installed.

[CG]

My truck is a 71 so not sure if this is relevant to your question. I use my truck as a truck. Its a 4x4 so sometimes I get a little extra dirt and mud on it, nothing harsh. I recently ripped out the carpet. I painted the floor with Lizard Skin heat shield (kinda like under coating) and then I installed an after market formed rubber mat I got from a board vendor. I love it. Will it tear someday? ... probably, but Ill just replace it again. Carpet and mats just get all worn and crappy looking too so I don't see any difference, the both wear or tear etc.

[tucsonjwt]

Sounds like the lizard skin undercoat was what I needed when I had my 76 floor Rhino lined. I think Line-X would have been better (smoother). That was actually the best overall floor covering for durability, but heat and slippery quality was the downside. Cleanup was quick soap and water - even shot the hose on it a couple of times

[donut]

I used the floor mat I got from http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/me...ory_Code=FLRNG
It came with a small pad that did the floorboards and over the trans hump. They can be ordered for different size humps.

[Oilbrnr]

I put the vinyl molded one from ACC in my Blazer, and I'm going to be taking it out and putting 73-74 style loop carpet back in. (loop is stays cleaner IMHO than cut pile)

I never could get it to lay right, as it is barely molded, and it is actually shrinking here in the AZ heat. Not to mention it always looks dirty and will actually lock moisture underneath. (not a big issue were I live)

Very disappointed.

[tucsonjwt]

Originally Posted by Oilbrnr

I put the vinyl molded one from ACC in my Blazer, and I'm going to be taking it out and putting 73-74 style loop carpet back in. (loop is stays cleaner IMHO than cut pile)

I never could get it to lay right, as it is barely molded, and it is actually shrinking here in the AZ heat. Not to mention it always looks dirty and will actually lock moisture underneath. (not a big issue were I live)

Very disappointed.

I guess it would be better in Tucson because we are much cooler down here
From what I am reading, the vinyl/rubber mats require some tweaking and have some issues, and the stock OEM vinyl mats are just too thin for me. I don't like the cut pile either - too much like shag carpeting or dog hair. The local upholsterer said he would add vinyl to the carpet where I wanted it (like a larger heel pad.) If I go carpet, I want a vinyl insert on the transmission hump next to the accelerator pedal - that area always gets worn out because I rest my foot against the tunnel when I drive.

[displacement4me]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

This sounds a lot like what the local upholstery guy who just did my headliner told me about generic rubber flooring he could get. Basically, it sounds like he can get thick sheet rubber and he said he would cut it at the front/sides of the hump and glue the seam (maybe at the curve at the outside edge of the seat also.) But this LMC one is actually molded, at least to some extent, around the hump and the bump up under the seat - correct?

Yes, the LMC mat, exactly the one I ordered as well, has some molded definition to it. I didn't glue anything. How it sits is how it settled. It is thick. I can't see it tearing soon, but it is well worth the protection in the mean time.

If you'd like I can get a pic of the hump and area.

[tucsonjwt]

Yes - please snap a pic of the hump and the raised area of the floor on the outer edge of the seat near the door. It seems that these would be the potential trouble spots. Thanks.

[displacement4me]

Sorry man, I sold the truck faster than I could dig out the camera.