68 el Camino Resto-Mod
- Thread starter Dean Jenkins
- Start date
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
Decided to try and save some money and put the carpet in myself.
Halfway through I'd almost decided that was a mistake. Carpet is awkward and hard!
But stuck with it and it came out OK.
No question Mike would get it better, but he's $100/hour...
Now I need them seats! That's where he earns his money.
Decided I better put the drivers side kick panel in to make sure I trimmed the carpet correctly.
And, turns out I had to pull the parking brake pedal to get the panel in.
It's never easy...but got it done and back together.
Halfway through I'd almost decided that was a mistake. Carpet is awkward and hard!
But stuck with it and it came out OK.
No question Mike would get it better, but he's $100/hour...
Now I need them seats! That's where he earns his money.
Decided I better put the drivers side kick panel in to make sure I trimmed the carpet correctly.
And, turns out I had to pull the parking brake pedal to get the panel in.
It's never easy...but got it done and back together.
dhutton01
Backyard Hack
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
I use C.S. Osborne hand punches--the kind the leather workers use up to 1 1/2" diameter. Good American made tools. They will slice clean holes through 3/8" thick leather with a couple of good mallet raps fast. Using end grain on a piece of wood (4" x 4") for the back up lets these punches sink into the backing well after punching the material and get fast clean holes. Works well on carpet and linoleum for a clean punch.
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
Passenger side had 2 as well.
The mystery was bugging me, so I did some research.
The reproduction units cover 68-72 cars,
In 70, Chevy added a flapper vent in the cowl, in addition to the vent inside the cabin, the second knob controls the cowl flapper.
On my 68, the second knob is not connected to anything, which doesn't bother me, it looks fine.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
Looks good. I might get carpet installed on mine this weekend. Curious what are you doing for floor mats. Folks sure want alot of money for floor mats these days.
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
Just ordered from Lloyd's. By the time I added embroidery and premium edging it was $200. Not too bad.
www.lloydmatsstore.com
Lloyd Mats Store: Custom Car Floor Mats, Truck Floor Mats, SUV Floor Mats
Shop Lloyd Mats Store to discover a wide range of custom car mats with a custom fit and stylish protection for your car, truck, SUV, crossover, or classic vehicle.
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Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
There were some good tips folks provided on using something heated, like a soldering gun, to poke holes. Wish I'd heard that earlier. My seat rails will cover the holes I cut, but it could've been cleaner.
Kawickrice
Promoted Users
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
yessir. it is a good tip that i plan to use!
dhutton01
Backyard Hack
Put bolts in the seat mount holes sitting an inch or so proud of the floor before you install the carpet. Then you can locate the bolts and melt the holes in the correct location once the carpet is laying where you want it.
Don
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
Got the seats back from Mike the upholstery guy yesterday. Couldn't be happier! I think they look great.
He is still finishing up the headrests, but brought the seats by so I could work on getting them installed.
The stock seat heater elements wouldn't work with the new seat covers, so we installed some aftermarket units.
I talked before about having to wire in a square wave generator to "lie" to the seat controller so it thinks it is connected to the main body computer and enable the seats to work. All still working good.
Got all the wiring finalized into a quick connect pigtail.
And got them installed. Powered and heated BMW seats, with new leather upholstery in a 56 year old car!
Looks a little off without the headrests, but they will be here soon.
And, Mike "signed off" on the custom console I fabricated and took it back to his shop to wrap in leather. Can't wait to get that!
Between the new carpet and the leather seats, it smells like a new car inside. Nice!
Now to install the seat belts. I bought a factory 3-point set but they wouldn't work with these seats. Had the receivers modified by SeatBeltPlanet and now they should be perfect.
And, now that the seats are in, it can be a driver. Just have to bleed the brakes.
I'm going to do that in the next few days and take it for first drive. And then down to Victor, the local Go To exhaust guy and get the exhaust installed.
He is still finishing up the headrests, but brought the seats by so I could work on getting them installed.
The stock seat heater elements wouldn't work with the new seat covers, so we installed some aftermarket units.
I talked before about having to wire in a square wave generator to "lie" to the seat controller so it thinks it is connected to the main body computer and enable the seats to work. All still working good.
Got all the wiring finalized into a quick connect pigtail.
And got them installed. Powered and heated BMW seats, with new leather upholstery in a 56 year old car!
Looks a little off without the headrests, but they will be here soon.
And, Mike "signed off" on the custom console I fabricated and took it back to his shop to wrap in leather. Can't wait to get that!
Between the new carpet and the leather seats, it smells like a new car inside. Nice!
Now to install the seat belts. I bought a factory 3-point set but they wouldn't work with these seats. Had the receivers modified by SeatBeltPlanet and now they should be perfect.
And, now that the seats are in, it can be a driver. Just have to bleed the brakes.
I'm going to do that in the next few days and take it for first drive. And then down to Victor, the local Go To exhaust guy and get the exhaust installed.