How To Replace Truck Carpet
Often times people will keep the outside of their trucks looking pristine while neglecting or simply forgetting to take the time necessary to keep the interior looking nice. It's easy to do, the exterior has more eyes on it and is the most satisfying part to clean. After the umpteenth spilled cola and forgotten half eaten donut become permanently fused to your truck's carpet, it might be a good idea to consider replacing or at least cleaning it.
If you're reading this because your truck's carpet smells, take a look under the seats. Leave a half eaten triple cheeseburger hidden long enough and you will smell its lovely aroma. Moisture can also cause bad odors. Clean the interior of all debris then pull out the rugs and search for dampness. If you find any moisture you may need to remove the carpet following the steps below and allow the vehicle to air out. Some trucks have carpet padding which can become saturated with moisture. You may need to remove this as well.
If the carpet is in fairly good condition, you may just need to air it out. While it's drying clean the interior with a shop vac and spray with some type of odor neutralizer. If the carpet has seen better days, then it may be time to replace it. If you purchase the truck carpet from a dealership you're going to pay an arm and a leg. We recommend doing some research and ordering something comparable online. There are several vendors that sell high quality generic truck carpet.
Replacing truck carpet is usually something that an amateur do-it-yourselfer can accomplish with a minimum of hassle. It just takes some time and patience. The first thing to do is lay the new carpet out for several hours so it can air out and lay down. Try to smooth the wrinkles out. I laid mine out on the kitchen floor overnight.
Hopefully you've got a shop manual for your truck. When purchasing a new vehicle the first thing I do is order a manual. If you've got one on hand, read up on how to remove the front seats. It's usually fairly intuitive.
The front seats are usually bolted to the floor pan from below. Spray the bolts with WD-40 if necessary then remove and lift the seats out of the truck. Toss the bolts and fasteners in a labeled zip lock bag and place somewhere obvious. It's important to keep everything organized for easy rein-installation. It's a horrible feeling to be close to finishing a job and not being able to remember where you placed the last few remaining bolts.
If you've got an extended cab, remove the back seat. In most cases you can simply lift the back seat cushion out and unfasten which ever bolts and screws are holding the seat in. Check your shop manual for specific directions. Don't forget to save the bolts in a zip lock bag.
Now you've got your seats sitting neatly on the driveway. So far so good. It's time to work on the interior trim. Remove interior panels as necessary. Most simply pull out or are affixed with screws. Consult your shop manual as necessary. Remove the sill plates along the door with a screwdriver. Remove the center console via the tabs along the base. Carefully remove any other accessories that are in the way.
Now pull up the old stinky carpet working inwards from along the edge. It's very important that you make sure that the new carpet matches the old. Once you've cut into it, you usually can't return it. So take the old carpet and lay it right on top of the new. Make sure all contours and holes line up. The new carpet is going to be a bit wider than the old. This excess will be trimmed away.
Before installing the new carpet in your truck, thoroughly vacuum the bare interior being careful not to pull up or damage any wiring inside the vehicle. Use a wire brush to remove any rust spots on the floor pan. A mild solvent may be necessary if the floor pan is particularly corroded. Ask a salesman at your local auto supply store which product they recommend.
Once the interior is sparkling, lay the new carpet inside and center carefully. Take one last glance to make sure everything lines up. If it looks good, then go ahead and makes holes for bolts in the correct locations using an awl or utility knife. When cutting start small. You can always enlarge a hole that is too small. If it's too large, you're out of luck. Be sure that the holes line up precisely in the correct locations.
Now working in reverse order, replace all accessories and components. Carefully trim any excess carpet using sharp scissors before reinstalling the trim and door sills. Be sure not to cut too much off.
Now replace the seats. Use a torque wrench to make sure that the seats and seat belts are attached to factory specifications. Check your shop manual or call the dealership to find the correct torque for the nuts and bolts . Double check them to make sure they're secure.
Congratulations on successfully installing carpet in your own truck! If your truck is anything like mine, it now smells MUCH nicer. Although I do miss being able to fish out a donut or two from under the seats from time to time. I miss discovering those tasty little treasures.