Replacing carpet question

[Rubatoguy]

I need to replace the black carpet in my 1971 Chrysler 300. What is the best type of pile to get? It looks like the kind in the car now is just a loop carpet.
Also, do people usually install padding or sound deadening on the floor-pan when installing new carpet? If so, what padding do you use?

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Big_John]

Get samples.

Original is loop.

They used to offer a couple different versions of loop, but I see they now just have one, so that cuts it down LOL.

My vendor of choice is Auto Carpet for Car, Truck, Van - Stock Interiors

A couple suggestions for installation. First is to use an old soldering iron to make holes for seats and seat belts. Leave the edges by the doors long and let it sit a couple days, preferably in the sun, before your final trim.

 

[saforwardlook]

Hi Tom, I also recently ordered a carpet set for my 1971 Chrysler 300 2 door and after looking at all the offerings I also chose Stock Interiors just as @Big_John did. In my case I also included the mass backing for sound deadening and I like how well it is molded into the back of the carpeting. Stock Interiors also has the correct heel pad for our cars. I looked at all the other offerings and Stock Interiors was the best in my opinion. I will be installing mine soon once the car comes back from the body shop where mine will be painted in its original April Green Metallic (GJ4) color.

Your 1971 Chrysler 300 FQ5 Coral Turquoise metallic paint is also one of my favorite colors.

Before you bought the car I had talked with its previous owner and he told me he put urethane bushings on his strut rod ends - if that is indeed correct then that alone makes for an unbearable harsh noise even going over mild bumps that obliterates any hope of a quiet ride. I made that mistake once and I couldn't wait to get them changed to the standard bushings.

Best wishes.

Steve

 

[66/440]

Hi Tom, I also recently ordered a carpet set for my 1971 Chrysler 300 2 door and after looking at all the offerings I also chose Stock Interiors just as @Big_John did. In my case I also included the mass backing for sound deadening and I like how well it is molded into the back of the carpeting. Stock Interiors also has the correct heel pad for our cars. I looked at all the other offerings and Stock Interiors was the best in my opinion. I will be installing mine soon once the car comes back from the body shop where mine will be painted in its original April Green Metallic (GJ4) color.

Your 1971 Chrysler 300 FQ5 Coral Turquoise metallic paint is also one of my favorite colors.

Before you bought the car I had talked with its previous owner and he told me he put urethane bushings on his strut rod ends - if that is indeed correct then that alone makes for an unbearable harsh noise even going over mild bumps that obliterates any hope of a quiet ride. I made that mistake once and I couldn't wait to get them changed to the standard bushings.

Best wishes.

Steve

Just be aware that the mass backing while initially is great, has a tendency to delaminate from the carpet. I put new carpet with mass backing in my '70 Powerwagon 3 years ago and had to remove it a month ago when replacing my clutch ( large access panel on transmission tunnel) The mass backing fell off in pieces (about 70% delaminated) everywhere and was a huge mess. I ended up in removing the rest with a putty knife. Replaced with a peel and stick product similar to dyna-mat and a layer of original style jute.

 

[cbarge]

Did 2 C's with plans on 2 more to get done.
I use peel n stick Boom mats to quiet the cabin.
I just use the regular repop carpet without the extra matting.
There is only one manufacturer but many suppliers.
So shop around for the best price and if possible free or cheap shipping.
I mark the seatbelt holes and use an old soldering iron for the holes.
Hope this helps.

 

[saforwardlook]

Just be aware that the mass backing while initially is great, has a tendency to delaminate from the carpet. I put new carpet with mass backing in my '70 Powerwagon 3 years ago and had to remove it a month ago when replacing my clutch ( large access panel on transmission tunnel) The mass backing fell off in pieces (about 70% delaminated) everywhere and was a huge mess. I ended up in removing the rest with a putty knife. Replaced with a peel and stick product similar to dyna-mat and a layer of original style jute.

I have purchased carpeting from Stock Interiors in both 2024 and 2025 and I never saw this kind of mass backing available on either of those carpets. So I will try this out and report back if I experience such a problem as you are describing. Thanks.

 

[66/440]

ACC is the manufacturer for many other resalers under their own brand name. Their website describes the mass backing option. In theory it makes sense, in practice it leaves something to be desired. I have a friend that purchased the ACC mass backed carpet option for a project. It sat in the unopened box for about 4 years. He experienced the same issues when he finally got ready to install.

 

[xxcarguy]

Just be aware that the mass backing while initially is great, has a tendency to delaminate from the carpet. I put new carpet with mass backing in my '70 Powerwagon 3 years ago and had to remove it a month ago when replacing my clutch ( large access panel on transmission tunnel) The mass backing fell off in pieces (about 70% delaminated) everywhere and was a huge mess. I ended up in removing the rest with a putty knife. Replaced with a peel and stick product similar to dyna-mat and a layer of original style jute.

I had changed the carpet on my Tahoe. I had kept the original carpet. Test fitted the new carpet and found all the saggy parts that didn’t have the large pieces of backing. Took the original pieces off the old carpet test fitted before gluing to the new carpet. Now it’s firm and tight. The original backing I’d 3-4 times thicker.

Test fit for front. Put 40lb bags of salt on top to mold it on a hot day.

 

[xxcarguy]

Then added backing.

 

[66/440]

I should clarify that the peel and stick product was placed on the floor pan and NOT as a backing for the carpet. I'm not sure exactly how much difference the backing has made, minimal at best. However, the jute has made a significant difference in both the feel under foot as well as a sound deadener. I also think the jute has added some "felt" heat reduction in the passenger compartment. I have cast iron manifolds and dual exhaust with accurate mufflers so no real excessive heat to deal with. If you are running headers I would suggest some heat shields on the bottom side of the floor pan.

 

[xxcarguy]

I should clarify that the peel and stick product was placed on the floor pan and NOT as a backing for the carpet. I'm not sure exactly how much difference the backing has made, minimal at best. However, the jute has made a significant difference in both the feel under foot as well as a sound deadener. I also think the jute has added some "felt" heat reduction in the passenger compartment. I have cast iron manifolds and dual exhaust with accurate mufflers so no real excessive heat to deal with. If you are running headers I would suggest some heat shields on the bottom side of the floor pan.

No headers just crappy coffee stained carpet. Factory jute backing is 1-1/4 thick.
ACC carpet is about 3/8 and will never fit tight in the molded floor.

 

[66/440]

No headers just crappy coffee stained carpet. Factory jute backing is 1-1/4 thick.
ACC carpet is about 3/8 and will never fit tight in the molded floor.

The ACC carpet I purchase was pre-molded. Apparently they have floor pan molds for the various years and models. However, I suspect they use the same mold for similar vehicles. In my case the floor pans for '62 - '71 Dodge trucks are relatively similar. I am sure that there are some variations and small got-cha's that you have to work out. After I unboxed the carpet I unrolled and set it in the bed of my truck in the Texas heat for a couple of days. I would occasionally work out wrinkles as the heat make the carpet more pliable. ACC carpets always need to be trimmed when installing so I installed the carpet and let it sit loosely for a few days. Once it was close I used a heat gun to get the carpet to fit the pan as tight as possible. I let it sit for an additional day to get the best fit possible. I removed the carpet and installed the jute with some 3M trim adhesive on the floor pan side. Reinstalled the carpet and with the help of the heat gun did the final fitment.

 

[xxcarguy]

The ACC carpet I purchase was pre-molded. Apparently they have floor pan molds for the various years and models. However, I suspect they use the same mold for similar vehicles. In my case the floor pans for '62 - '71 Dodge trucks are relatively similar. I am sure that there are some variations and small got-cha's that you have to work out. After I unboxed the carpet I unrolled and set it in the bed of my truck in the Texas heat for a couple of days. I would occasionally work out wrinkles as the heat make the carpet more pliable. ACC carpets always need to be trimmed when installing so I installed the carpet and let it sit loosely for a few days. Once it was close I used a heat gun to get the carpet to fit the pan as tight as possible. I let it sit for an additional day to get the best fit possible. I removed the carpet and installed the jute with some 3M trim adhesive on the floor pan side. Reinstalled the carpet and with the help of the heat gun did the final fitment.

Understand the heat.
From Oklahoma.

 

[Snotty]

I got a real nice carpet kit for my '70 Newport from Legendary Auto Interiors. I bought self-adhesive padding through Amazon. Both worked great.

 

[66/440]

I got a real nice carpet kit for my '70 Newport from Legendary Auto Interiors. I bought self-adhesive padding through Amazon. Both worked great

Legendary makes a great product!

 

[xxcarguy]

Legendary makes a great product!

I believe Legendary sells ACC brand carpet.

 

[Snotty]

I believe Legendary sells ACC brand carpet.

They do indeed. That was the label on the box when I received the carpet.

 

[Snotty]

I'm at my main computer, so I can post a few shots!

Went from the back forward. Big John suggested using a soldering gun to punch the holes through the carpet and pad; it worked great!

This was the padding I bought through Amazon. Easy to use and worked great. There are "better" ones out there, but I am certainly not complaining. Kit comes with a roller too.

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-16-36...01LFJGT0O&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_6_cp_i&th=1