[JhnBrackett]

I'm finding lots of links for preformed carpets and how to install them, but nothing on how to make your own carpet and install it. I am also curious if anyone has some good recommendations for a donor door sill plate (to hide the carpet) for a 30/40s pickup. My truck came with nothing to hide the edges and hoping there is something out there that wouldnt' look tacky. I don't want to just screw down some plates of aluminum, but don't know enough about past cars to know what would look nice. Thanks for the help.

[Rob Keller]

i would think it would be a totally custom experience
ive heard of cutting and hand sewing the carpet to custom fit
as far as the kick plate you could use diamond plate maybe w/ a emblem and some engraving
good luck ill be interested to see what others will post too

sr66

[1982 SS]

Could use some Body by Fischer plates of of GM's. I think they might come in various sizes and I bet one of those should fit, or cut up a nasty one and find some nicer ones for the finished piece.

[ckucia]

Can't help with the carpet, although if you find some sites, I'd be interested in hearing about them. There are a lot of sites that sell carpet that you can use, but I wouldn't know how to sew it.

On the sillplates...

I think your best bet is to hit a junkyard and see what's available. My suggestion would be to look for a 60's or 70's big car with 2-doors. The sill plates are very long and metal. Even if they're scratched/dinged, you might be able to paint them or possibly restore the thin metal easily.

Another alternative would be a more modern care with plastic sill plates. Those are a little easier to customize, I'd guess. If you can find one off a four-door truck (I have a 2000 Sierra four door - the doors swing in a "suicide" fashion so the sillplate is very long) that would be good.

Reason I'm suggesting a long one is that you can proably cut off the two ends and make it fit whatever opening you have. Typically, the sill plates are pretty homogeneous in the middle - its just the ends and lenghts that are customized to the vehicle.

Cadillac made some long-door FWD two-doors in the 80's and 90's. You could also try those - Eldorados and Coupe DeVilles. Ditto the FS RWD Caddy's from the late 80's - they made a two-door up until the mid/late 80's in the FS body. Also might look at the last model of Riviera if you can find one. Might also try full-size trucks.

Worse case, if you find one that you like, but can't find it in good condition, you can always use that knowledge to look for nicer ones on e-bay.

[S10Fan]

How about 1" wide 1/8th" thick aluminum strips from Lowes? I was looking at some earlier this afternoon for my truck. They had lengths from 2' to 8'. Cheap. A little Mother's polish and it should look really good. Maybe use some button head bolts to hold it down.

[Interiors by Shannon]

I go to the hardware store and buy the long strips like you would put in your home. I cut the fit them to the car with a pair of tin snips. I then cover the with leather ( vinyl will work also ).

[NXS]

Man, that ^^^^ looks good!

as far as the premolded carpets, they have heated vacuum molds/presses that form them.

[1982 SS]

Wow, never thought of that...
I like that idea, I'll stash that one away for future use.