Suburban Carpet Thread

[tj43]

I think the next step on my burb will be all new carpets. I am leaning towards the mass backed, ACC, Essex carpets--but no decision has been made yet. I would love to hear about and see pics of the carpet kits y'all used in your suburbans. What did you go with, and why? What would you have done differently in hindsight? Any tips or tricks that would help make things go smoother or perfect the finished product?

Thanks in advance. Pics of my burb are here for reference:

TJ's 88 Burb Build Thread

 

[TotalyHucked]

I've never done a Suburban but ACC mass backed is always my go-to. I've put many of their carpets in over the years. The best tips I can give you are to do it on a hot day and let the carpet sit out for a couple hours before you start so it's softer/more pliable. Use a small pick/pointed punch to initially locate your holes and then use map gas torch and a larger punch to do your holes, that way the carpet gets melts around the openings and doesn't fray.

 

[Grit dog]

It would be interesting to see the difference between regular and mass backed and reg cut pile vs plush.
Both are up charges which is significant when doing a burb.
I can say reg looks great and unless doing a mega $ resto I’m not sure I’d find spending an extra $400+ on Essex and mass backing to be a good value.
The one bonus of mass backing is it may make the contours smoother with less work. But for $200 I can deal with it.

 

[TotalyHucked]

The main reason I always spring for the mass backing is for more sound deadening. But I'd imagine it's alot more of an upcharge for a 'burb than a single cab or a Mustang/Camaro

 

[tj43]

The main reason I always spring for the mass backing is for more sound deadening. But I'd imagine it's alot more of an upcharge for a 'burb than a single cab or a Mustang/Camaro

The upcharge is not insignificant. But, I would pay as much or more for something like dynamat if I didn't do mass backing--and that is a lot of added work. Add to that many reviews suggest it is easier for an upholstery noob (like me) to work with the mass backed carpet, I think I am pretty set on mass backed carpet.

The bigger question mark for me are: is it worth it to go with "essex." The factory carpet is a pretty deep pile. I suspect the essex is actually a better analog to OEM. I've ordered samples of the normal vs essex, but first-hand experiences would be very welcome.

Also open to options other than ACC if a better option exists.

 

[Grit dog]

The upcharge is not insignificant. But, I would pay as much or more for something like dynamat if I didn't do mass backing--and that is a lot of added work. Add to that many reviews suggest it is easier for an upholstery noob (like me) to work with the mass backed carpet, I think I am pretty set on mass backed carpet.

The bigger question mark for me are: is it worth it to go with "essex." The factory carpet is a pretty deep pile. I suspect the essex is actually a better analog to OEM. I've ordered samples of the normal vs essex, but first-hand experiences would be very welcome.

Also open to options other than ACC if a better option exists.

Good point. If you’re comparing to not doing dynamat stuff. It would be about $150 worth of Kilmat to do the whole floor in a burb. Plus your labor time. Took me a few hrs to do the floor on a single cab. A burb is a solid long day of work front to back imo.
I believe it will help the carpet lay flatter, with less work. And fit better. My carpet kit for the 86” was/is a little “big”. Ifn I was going for show quality I’d have needed to add some foam in non traffic areas to fill the contours molded into the carpet better. Mass backing will certainly take up some of that “loose skin”.
But remember the burb carpet only has the backing in the cabin area not the cargo area. So….
I’m really interested in seeing the difference in carpet quality. Or more accurately need to get off my ass and order some samples from OCC carpet for the ‘77.

 

[tj43]

Good point. If you’re comparing to not doing dynamat stuff. It would be about $150 worth of Kilmat to do the whole floor in a burb. Plus your labor time. Took me a few hrs to do the floor on a single cab. A burb is a solid long day of work front to back imo.
I believe it will help the carpet lay flatter, with less work. And fit better. My carpet kit for the 86” was/is a little “big”. Ifn I was going for show quality I’d have needed to add some foam in non traffic areas to fill the contours molded into the carpet better. Mass backing will certainly take up some of that “loose skin”.
But remember the burb carpet only has the backing in the cabin area not the cargo area. So….
I’m really interested in seeing the difference in carpet quality. Or more accurately need to get off my ass and order some samples from OCC carpet for the ‘77.

My OC samples should be here tomorrow. I’ll report back when I have them in hand.

 

[TotalyHucked]

The upcharge is not insignificant. But, I would pay as much or more for something like dynamat if I didn't do mass backing--and that is a lot of added work. Add to that many reviews suggest it is easier for an upholstery noob (like me) to work with the mass backed carpet, I think I am pretty set on mass backed carpet.

The bigger question mark for me are: is it worth it to go with "essex." The factory carpet is a pretty deep pile. I suspect the essex is actually a better analog to OEM. I've ordered samples of the normal vs essex, but first-hand experiences would be very welcome.

Also open to options other than ACC if a better option exists.

I've always done the sound deadener along with mass backing lol

 

[TotalyHucked]

Just a random thought cuz I've spent a bunch of time in the junkyards lately, you ought to get a rear Weathertech/whatever brand mat out of a newer 'burb to go over top of that fresh carpet and protect it in the cargo area.