1986 Carpet Replacement
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
not difficult at all - replacement carpet comes already cut and molded; you'll have to cut out the speaker holes, targa roof brakets. Removing and replacement of the carpet on the door panels and hush panels is probably the most unpleasant part because of the glue and staples (door panels) but the glue that stays behind is still quite tacky and holds the new carpet just fine (at least it did on my 85) I got my replacement carpet from Wilcox
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I have redone parts of my 86. THe rear cargo area requires that you loosen the center console to slip the piece that goes behind the seats under the console. That is the most aggravating part.
The rest of it slips in pretty nice, just be prepared to find your rear speaker grilles cracked and broken under the cloth.
(so that's why the rear speakers sounded like trash!)
Be careful on the long rocker pieces that cover the bottom of the doorway, they are old and very brittle. Not difficult, but carpet can sometimes be stiff and unyielding, and delicate 25 year old plastic does not like being manipulated without cracking and breaking.
Do yourself a favor, and get some insulating material and cover everything that is covered by carpet, and you will be able to hear more of the frequencies that come out of the speakers. When I redid my cargo area, I was amazed at how much more I could hear what was coming out of the radio at a lower volume.
Yea it's extra weight, but it's worth it.
BTW, I have the original speaker grilles out of my car that aren't too bad. I'm looking to get $45 shipped if you are interested.
The rest of it slips in pretty nice, just be prepared to find your rear speaker grilles cracked and broken under the cloth.
(so that's why the rear speakers sounded like trash!)
Be careful on the long rocker pieces that cover the bottom of the doorway, they are old and very brittle. Not difficult, but carpet can sometimes be stiff and unyielding, and delicate 25 year old plastic does not like being manipulated without cracking and breaking.
Do yourself a favor, and get some insulating material and cover everything that is covered by carpet, and you will be able to hear more of the frequencies that come out of the speakers. When I redid my cargo area, I was amazed at how much more I could hear what was coming out of the radio at a lower volume.
Yea it's extra weight, but it's worth it.
BTW, I have the original speaker grilles out of my car that aren't too bad. I'm looking to get $45 shipped if you are interested.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Penna.
I've done my 85 carpet and i agree that the only part that can be tough is gluing the carpet in those areas hat require it. Get a couple cans of 3M adhesive, the one in the green can (99 I think). Spray both the carpet and the panel well, let them get tacky and then stick them together. This is contact glue so you really only get one chance to place the carpet in the right position.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: PHiladelphia pa
As everyone else has already said, it is a relatively easy job. I had an 86 years ago and changed that carpet and am considering doing so in my current 84. As everyone else has also said, the gluing of the carpet pieces that need it is the biggest pain of the project.
I messed up my 86 in one spot, I figure I would caution you about it. When I did the front, I miscalculated how much of the carpet was needed in the footwell passenger side and gave more carpet towards the center, after poking holes through for the seats. This left a gap at a passengers right foot of about an inch and a half where there should have been carpet in the end product, but instead was nothing. What I'm saying is, the plastic in the right side, footwell, doesn't cover as much carpet as I expected and may not for you either, just pay attention and you'll be fine.
I messed up my 86 in one spot, I figure I would caution you about it. When I did the front, I miscalculated how much of the carpet was needed in the footwell passenger side and gave more carpet towards the center, after poking holes through for the seats. This left a gap at a passengers right foot of about an inch and a half where there should have been carpet in the end product, but instead was nothing. What I'm saying is, the plastic in the right side, footwell, doesn't cover as much carpet as I expected and may not for you either, just pay attention and you'll be fine.
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