Bucket Seat Gas Tank Carpet

[LockDoc]

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The corner piece in my '68 CST is attached to a piece of heavy backer board shaped to fit in the corner. It is a separate piece. I will take some pictures of it tomorrow if it isn't raining cats & dogs....

LockDoc

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

I don't know if the adhesive was from the factory but I suspect the zinc screws and washers may have been added later to reinforce the carpet later on...but I don't know.

Mine had nothing but the screws and "clips" when new. Where is the adhesive used other than to hold the pad to the back of the carpet?

Regarding the "clips", can someone can provide all dimensions? Unfortunately, all but one of mine are still attached, but not used. I'd prefer to not remove everything to get at them.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

...Where is the adhesive used other than to hold the pad to the back of the carpet?...

Regarding the "clips", can someone can provide all dimensions? Unfortunately, all but one of mine are still attached, but not used. I'd prefer to not remove everything to get at them.

This (see outlined area in pics) looked to me like adhesive in the passenger side B-pillar. Of course if that's what it is, that could have been added like the extra screws as you suggested to stop sagging.

And just to be clear Jim, you want the dimensions of the oval brass rings-correct?

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

And just to be clear Jim, you want the dimensions of the oval brass rings-correct?

Correct.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

This (see outlined area in pics) looked to me like adhesive in the passenger side B-pillar. Of course if that's what it is, that could have been added like the extra screws as you suggested to stop sagging.

Could be. This page from the assembly manual shows it in the driver side (#193) and apparently glues the carpet to the tank. My carpet fits very tightly into that gap and doesn't really need the adhesive. I also didn't glue it on the passenger side and will see if I can get a look for residue without damage within the next week.

[DeadheadNM]

I'm impressed! Two great members teaming up. Is ACC doing this as a one-off or do they anticipate offering these wholesale? I'd pile in for a black example if possible.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I'm impressed! Two great members teaming up. Is ACC doing this as a one-off or do they anticipate offering these wholesale? I'd pile in for a black example if possible.

I expect this to be something they offer. They are building tooling to do these. This 67-72 community is no joke and I think they know that. It makes sense to me that this would be a product they would want to have. I could be wrong but the way they've approached us totally makes me think it'll be available for purchase soon. For ours I've asked them to give me a little excess on every edge so we can dial in the fit. Hopefully it turns out. I'm gonna let you know either way.

[IronCanine]

Here's something to make you go hmmmm. This pic is from the 1970 truck brochure. It appears to show the tank carpet WITH a finished edge seam at the top. It's not clear to me how this would have attached, though it does appear to extend above the tank to the level of known originals as previously documented. Of course I guess this could be a promo or prototype or pre-production situation. Everything I've seen(and documented here) so far of factory A50 trucks is a rolled upper-unfinished edge.

[FirstOwner69]

It's just an advertising brochure. Who knows how the picture has been doctored.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

It's just an advertising brochure. Who knows how the picture has been doctored.

Completely agree...but interesting non the less. I think it is a little funny though that that is what the current reproduction carpet looks like.

[Tuff Gong]

Any update on when these will be available to purchase? I just installed my original carpet and it is not in that great of shape

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

Any update on when these will be available to purchase?...

They are basically ready to go. They've got the tooling and have done two prototypes. The ball is my court and I have spent the last two days trying to get the A/C installed in our truck instead of fitting the carpet. I wanted to trim one of the prototypes and send it back to ACC to fine tune their cut. Once I send that back...it's game on. I will work hard to get it in the mail this week. We are thrashing on the project anyway...we've targeted a show next month we're going to try and make.

[DeadheadNM]

Brian did you reuse the brass grommets?

[Tuff Gong]

They are present on the carpet but I decided not to drill holes in my cab. I used high strength magnets instead.

[Tuff Gong]

Thank you for the update

[IronCanine]

Fit and trimmed the prototype carpet. It'll go in the mail tomorrow back to ACC...they'll cut Derrick's (Dirt's72) carpet and then I'm assuming it'll be for sale. I am encouraging them to leave plenty of excess at the top (to give you maximum attachment options). The other 3 sides were pretty close as they were, though I did trim a small amount on them. This carpet came from the factory with no finished edge and I think it's nice to have a little slack to allow you to trim/custom fit it to your truck. I don't think it's a hassle at all. When we install the carpet on the truck we are restoring, I'll post pics of our method. I'm basically following Jim's (FirstOwner69) lead on how to attach it without using the brass rings.

[beadblaster]

I bought a piece of bulk acc dark green carpet (same colour as acc floor carpet) cut it to match the area behind the seat,but I wrapped mine right around the back to the door jamb,bought the matching dark green edging,plus a roll of 3m stick on velco. I had the upholster sew the edging and velco to the carpet, stuck the other side of the velcro to the back of the cab. Fits like a glove and cover the complete area from door jamb to door jamb.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by beadblaster

I bought a piece of bulk acc dark green carpet (same colour as acc floor carpet) cut it to match the area behind the seat,but I wrapped mine right around the back to the door jamb,bought the matching dark green edging,plus a roll of 3m stick on velco. I had the upholster sew the edging and velco to the carpet, stuck the other side of the velcro to the back of the cab. Fits like a glove and cover the complete area from door jamb to door jamb.

That's smart. This will go from jamb to jamb too.

[IronCanine]

I fit and installed the final version of our tank carpet today. I thought it'd be better to outline how we did it in this thread. First we offered up the carpet to the truck and lined up the molded bits and clamped it in place. Then we marked and trimmed the lower edge. Next we rolled down the top edge and pulled a tape line to represent the desired position of the top edge. I used pics of original trucks (most already posted in this thread) to gauge the position of the top edge. We put it 4-1/2" from the metal edge of the window opening (of course that's not a readily available reference point if your glass is in, but it gives you an idea of where we are). Instead of metal strapping to hold the top edge, we went with plastic strapping because of its obvious flexibility and its limited potential to scratch the paint. We cut it to length, positioned it along our tape line and marked the best screw positions (tighter screw spacing in the corners). We also traced the window edge to give us a reference line to aid in trimming the excess at the top.

[Tuff Gong]

Anyone install this carpet?
Posted via Mobile Device

[KevinK7]

Jumping in since I plan to order... and thanks to the board members for making this happen


Have others seen the price variations on the carpet?

I took a screen grab from one vendor and directly from ACC, ...$85 vs $157 (and did confirm the vendor is selling ACC)

Molded tank cover: $85 vs $157 and carpet (w/Mass backing) : $187 vs. $358

[Tuff Gong]

Got my carpet today. Looks pretty good but the molds are creased so I’m not super happy about that
Posted via Mobile Device

[Astro-Balls]

That shouldn't be that wrinkled, ask the supplier about an exchange.

[darkhorse970]

I am great full for all the work that went into getting this done. Is there any word from ACC on doing a 67-68 version too?

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Tuff Gong

Got my carpet today. Looks pretty good but the molds are creased so I’m not super happy about that
Posted via Mobile Device

I agree that I'd bring it up with ACC. They have been very nice and accommodating with me. The first one they made...the mass backing was crooked and it had creases (It's all in how they handle it when pressed). The second one (which we installed) was pretty perfect. Two things (if you don't want the hassle of sending it back): 1) You may be able to steam it out. 2) Where it's located, once you trim it, fold down the top and work it in...it may be imperceptible.

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

I am great full for all the work that went into getting this done. Is there any word from ACC on doing a 67-68 version too?

I think if you want a factory appearing two piece it will probably need to be a member driven affair. I don't think there's market pressure for ACC to do it. We tried to make this one a no-brainer for them. The passenger side cove piece wouldn't be correct if made from our mold....it'd be too short. So you'd have to make a new mold of a non vent tube truck. I don't know what backing they'd use on that piece.

It may be possible to make this carpet appear factory correct for buddy bucket trucks. There may be enough "tail" on the bottom of our carpet that you could carefully cut out the cove and slide it up. I'd have to think about how you'd adhere backing to it secondarily.