Quani

I'm thinking about installing a new complete carpet kit in my 77 and was wondering how hard this would be. As well as were to buy it. Thanks

wbulick76

I prefer Auto Custom Carpets kits, which is what most companies carry. Not a very difficult job, just time intensive.

ratflinger

About as hard as it was with my 79.

It's not hard, just tedious. Carpet fit seems to be anywhere from close to good luck. Al Knoch has a good reputation, but I've heard fitment complaints there too. The fronts seem to fit fine, but the trick seems to be in the rear, where some massaging is needed to get the correct fit over the wheel wells. Hair dryers seem to help the final mold fitting. Mine fit reasonably over the wheel wells but poorly behind & to the side of the seats.

Jay-Dog

I've done it twice on a couple 76's. It's pretty straight forward and can be completed in one Saturday. Unless you find problems with the floor boards, the screws on the sills are rotted, the seats don't look as nice against that new carpet, you decide to upgrade the sound system, etc... then it could be the following summer.

Easy Mike

You're ahead of the game if you spend a little more and purchase good quality carpet. Al Knoch is about as good as it gets. Eckler's Restoration Quality carpet is good; I installed a complete set in my '68.

I have a complete set of ACC carpet for my '80 but I'm not going to use it when the time comes. It's poorer quality compared to what I got from Eckler's.

The AIM is helpful since it has diagrams of how the original carpets were installed.

Stewart's74

As others have said buy from Al Knoch.
Tip: Before installing, let the carpet sit out in the sun to get warm and plyable before you start. It makes it much easier.
Additionally, i had to drill out the screws holding the sill plates and then had to re-tap the holes. No biggie, just another PITA in the restoration process....

77BuffaloVet

The hardest part on my '77 was getting the old carpet out. The second hardest part was cutting the slots for the seat belts and the holes for the seat bolts. I did a better job on the passanger side.

If you are going to do this job, definitely consider putting down reflectix or some other heat/sound barrier. It makes a huge difference.

Good Luck!!!
Chris

ptroxx

I have just completed my carpet and stereo uprade on my 77.. I have never done this before in my life.. I use Al Knoch carpet with reflectix and the hardest part was the area behind the seats. making that curve just right.. But i did it and it came out great.. Oh yeah.. The 3 doors can be a pain.. My carpet is glued to the doors so good i cant get it off yet. But i might do something different with that area? so im holding off on buying the doors just yet. I would do the passengers side first this way when you get to the drivers side you have done one already.. Take a ton of pictures....That realy helped me..

Here are the pics of my complete install.. I did newcarpet, new stereo system, new painted interior trim. for a rookie i did ok i think

http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t...radio%20stuff/

rustler12

As said before, they don't always fit well. Just make sure you measure at least twice before cutting! Putting some of the interior parts back in was more of a pain than the carpet. Good luck

Hvymtlc5

Use a soldering iron to "cut" seat bolt holes, seatbelt holes, etc. Makes life easy.

crazcorkath

I just finished putting new carpet in my '72 and it was harder than I thought. It took a lot longer than I thought and I wasn't too happy with the carpet from ACC. I got it for a good price, but I now wish I had paid the 50 or 60 $ more. Kathy

darebren

ptroxx, do you have your photobucket pasword for the carpet and radio install pics?

427-390

Here is a link that outlines the process for removing and installing carpet in a '74. Hope it helps.

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001.../carpetpg1.asp

vette54728702

I replaced the carpet in my '75 last summer, it was a little bit tricky with my rear defrost option getting it cut around that, but I went with Al Knoch and it was very form fitting and it didn't take long and it looks great! Good luck!

AllC34Me

I don't think it is really hard, just take your time and do it right the first time. My son and I did my 77 over the summer, carefully measuring before cutting and using our old carpet for clues on where the holes should be. We installed black front and back and we bought ours from Willcox. We used the 3m spray adhesive on both surfaces, let them tac up and then placed them in place. We also did a new stereo and a complete interior re-do. Came out very nice and we are quite happy with the outcome.

We removed the carpet front and back first. Then cleaned up the surfaces.







We then began in the back. Right rear first.



Then we did the Left rear, then the riser.

AllC34Me

Then we added the rear pad.



We added the rear carpet.



We added the storage compartment.



We finished the left rear.



Then we finished the right rear.



From here we moved to the front carpets. Do front carpets last, then you don't track on them when working on the back.

AllC34Me

Front carpets were very easy to install, just measure twice, cut once around the seat belt area and take lots of pictures as you pull the old carpet.



Interior as it was nearing completion.



Added the speaker box to the rear to complete the install of carpet and sound.



Came out pretty good. If you have any questions shoot me a PM, be glad to share more.

Best regards and enjoy,

David
77Sleeper

darebren

sleeper thanks alot, i have my carpet arriving any day now and just wanted to see a few pics and know a good install order to follow. i am also dying all my trim since i took most of it out to remove the carpet, i just kept going and now have all the trim inside warming up to be dyed this week. i ordered a new compartment with carpet already on it as well, that seemed to be the best route too.

SanDiegoPaul

LOL it took me a week. But I did send the seats out to have them re-leathered and rebuilt the dash at the same time too. So it was a while but WOW was it worth it!

I took two days just grinding the old OEM glue off the floorboard so that I could glue down Reflectix under the new Al Knock carpet.

AllC34Me

David (77Sleeper) here following up to see how the install of carpeting has been going for my fellow 77 owners (or any other year near it anyway). If there is anything else I can help with will be glad to try.
Send pictures when you can, we can all learn from these projects.
Cheers and best wishes.
David