I'm looking for ideas on how to cover the bare metal behind the seat, below the rear window. What have you guys come up with to make it look a little better? I'm readying to install a new stereo and amp, so I'll have sound deadener there, but I need something to cover that up with. I had thought about vinyl (pleather, anyone?) but that seems tacky. I need some more ideas.

 

Got pics?
Depends on what you use your truck for.
IF you want it plush (not "tacky") and use your truck as soccer-mom utility vehicle, then use velour/upholstery fabric.
If you use it as real utilitarian vehicle that real 4Runners were designed to be, Vinyl is not "tacky"; it's utilitarian. wipes clean, won't absorb spills/odors/pet hair.
If you want it utilitarian but semi-plush, cover metal with 1/8" ensolite (google it). This will add noise insulation. Finish with textured vinyl.

 

If you look really hard Toyota made molded carpet peices they are hard to find. I have one in my 89

 

this is a first gen I did ... carpet is fairly easy




.

 

My truck is more like this: it's my toy and my limo. Case-in-point I'm installing a Pioneer AVH 3600BHS stereo with navigation into it tomorrow (along with a sub and amp), then installing T100 brakes, 4:88s and going to crank up the torsion bars next weekend. Next comes the lift and 35s.

I'm installing the Fat Mat sound deadener tomorrow before I attach the amp to the metal behind the seat, so I would like to have something to cover the Mat so I don't have to remove the sub again. I like the idea for the carpet, and I had thought about that, but I don't know if I would like it. I will do some googling and see what I can find.

 

Slacker:

That doesn't look bad at all, what thickness pile is that cut?

 

Sooooo....

Went to the fabric store yesterday and got this white basket-weave material (kind of like burlap but thinner) and I think I'm going to use that. I've used the Dupli-Color fabric paint on the carpet, so I plan to do the same with this stuff. I'll post pics when it's done.

PS I kind of went off schedule this weekend. I was going to install new stereo but I put the brakes on instead. Must say, I forgot what it was like to actually be able to stop....