So I was completely re-doing the interior of my 83 4x4 shortbed and the original plans were to order the new carpet from ebay for $120-$150. I was getting estimates for the paint job, and one of the painters told me that I should keep the original carpet if it's in good shape and just have it re-dyed (black). Ok, not a bad idea. He didn't tell me how I could go about doing this but after thinking about it for a little, I figured I could dye it with the same stuff people dye their faded clothes with, they sell it everywhere. That was the plan, keep the carpet since it was in great shape (only 107K original miles on truck) and it was just faded really bad especially close to the console. I was at Pep Boys last week looking for spray paint to re paint some of the exterior trim which was not done when I got the truck painted. I happened to find some spray paint made by Duplicolor that is specifically for vinyl, fabric and carpet. I said what the hell I'll give it a try. I stripped the entire interior of the truck, washed the carpet with my garden hose, let it dry, then went at it with the spray can. Behold....my $7 new carpet!!!!

 

More pics...

 

 

Looks great but I've learned carpet in a truck is a bad idea unless the truck never leaves the pavement. I finally took mine out and went back to the rubber mat.

 

You're absolutely right...but since I'm restoring the truck to like new condition, I gotta have the carpet. I don't plan on doing heavy off roading so whatever I do should still be ok on the carpet. Check out the original seats!

 

Great job! I'd just put down some rubber floor mats mats and it should be fine. Those seats are AMAZING as well as the rest of your truck judging by the pics.

 

Thanks! I think it was well worth the work. Especially since I'm restoring everything. I'm glad I saved the cash too and it feels good knowing it's still the original carpet from Japan. As far as the seats go, I already installed some matching seat covers to protect the original fabric. Thats how the PO was able to keep them looking good when I bought the truck. Hopefully this will help someone else from buying all new carpet when all you gotta do is restore what you already have.

 

Very Nice work.. I agree after 25+ years the more OE stuff you got the better..I just restored the interior on my '83 and bought carpet, installing it myself.. not easy and of course not stock..but my '83 is DLX so no carpet anyway.. I noticed a little handy work on your fuel pedal..Mine rusted out and I did the same thing using a cabinet hinge...Your little buddy seems to like the truck..

 

Actually I haven't done anything to the fuel pedal. That hinge was there when I got the truck and I doubt the old lady I bought it from had it installed...Now you got me thinking maybe it's not original? It's gotta be

 

wish I had stock interior.

but I have rubber mats, seat covers

 

pedal looks exactly the same as my old 81.

 

Looks great and good looking baby too.

 

more pics of that truck plzzzz.

 

Are those the original seats??? I like em.

 

The truck is almost completely original, including the seats. I plan on keeping them in that condition for a long time so that's why I decided to get seat covers. The new covers are very nice, grey velour. I will be posting tons of pics when the truck is complete hopefully by next week.

 

Thanks! The plan is for the truck to be his for high school in about 16 years...but for some reason I think he's gonna want my 92 that I have pictured in my avatar.

 

Looks great, I have the same seats and console in my truck, unfortunately the vinyl on my seats is all cracked, they are mint otherwise.. Doesn't matter, the rest of the truck is toast, wish my floors were mint like yours.

 

Ok so the truck is completed...except for a few very minor details. I'll take some pics as soon as the snow clears up and I can get the truck washed. We never have rain here much less SNOW. The paint job looks great and the stripes will bring back memories for some of you.

 

WOW nice work!!
I wish I read this thread before I tore out my old carpet and bought a $250.00 new one.
Looks better than new!!!

 

WOW that thing is freakin clean! nice runner man

-matt