I dont know how many of our cars/years are the same, but I could really use some good pics from different angles on the front floor around the trans tunnel. Mine (56 Mainline) has been modified a bit and I dont know how far off original it is. The main area of concern is the drop from trans tunnel hump down to the gas pedal. Mine is very steep, maybe it was originally, just dont know. The reasoning is that I need carpet (as discussed in another topic) and I am trying to decide if any of the premade carpets will fit mine (or close enough to make it work) or if its too far off and not worth the risk. Any pics will be good, but if you have any prior to having carpet down I can compare that to mine now. If its easier to email them, my email is ctfortner at yahoo dot com. Ron, if you see this, what did you do in yours? Store bought or upholstery shop? I saw you did some patching on your tunnel, but its probably still close to factory though. Thanks! here is a shot of mine after it was modified This is a REALLY ****py pic, but it shows what I mean, how it transitions from the hump to the gas pedal floor area. Its a steep drop there
Kinda hard to get a decent picture of that area but here is one of the floor of my '55 Ranchwagon which should be the same a '56. It is basically more flat than yours in the fire wall area which I am ***uming was modified for distributor clearance. Maybe someone has a picture that isn't insulated???
Thanks guys, very helpful! It looks like its close, reckin its close enough to buy a premade carpet and make it fit ok? Its killin me because I called every upholstery shop around and the cheapest cut/sewn carpet job is $400, and goes up to $700. The premade carpet is $180 shipped. And while your giving thoughts on that, I can either get a molded one, or a cut/sewn one. Which would you think I have the most luck with?
I don't know best choice on cut/sewn or molded, as I went with the standard rubber mat in mine and will get some nice carpet insert floor mats later. Just my opinion and I know they look nice, but I've never cared too much for 'built in' carpet in a car - or especially a pickup. It's so tough to keep clean, whereas a mat can be sprayed down & wiped off in a few minutes and the mats can come out and be washed or vacuumed etc., then put back in. I got the rubber mats from Mac's, can't remember the price. ron
Wait, you mean rubber on the whole floor? I havent see that. I will check out Macs, just wasnt sure if you talking about a full floor covered rubber mat type of thing, or just rubber floor mats.
It's the whole floor. Front and rear pieces, just like carpeting. Came standard in Mainlines and bottom end trim Fords. It's got a texture to it, lays down well and like Ron says, easy to keep clean.
Gosh John, I guess we're giving away our ages! Rubber mats were almost the standard back when these cars were built, and especially as you said - in the lower end models. I'll try & get some better pics on Friday. Here's one - not really clear enough to show a lot of the texture but it shows the full rubber floor mats: Ron
Interesting. Mine is a Mainline so it probably had one of those then. I wasnt born until 20 years after she was so had no clue. Are the holes all precut for pedals and stuff? I would possibly get one until I could afford a real carpet job, but my gas pedal, tunnel and such have been altered, so if they are precut it may not work either.
The only holes in the mat as it comes are for the gas pedal and dimmer switch. Don't know if how your firewall was mod'd will affect the mat placement. Here's a couple of closeups of the mat in my Fairlane:
Todd here are a few pictures to show the possible shortcomings of floor mat fit. But I think most of them will resolve themselves over time, some good hot summer days and a bit of hand m***aging. The mat is new ans still quite stiff. You'll note that most of the fit issues are out of sight under the dashboard but I'm confident all or most will go away as I work with it over time, and as it becomes more pliable and forms into the floor. Here's a shot showing where the front & rear mats meet under the seat. They both fit in under the door sill plate:
Thanks Ron. I still owe you some RIM size info, havent forgot about you. I didnt get to work on the car all weekend, I sure hope to this week. I did take a 20 mile drive for the first time though, all went well until I parked it and then noticed a slight oil leak on the floor. I cant tell yet where its coming from, but I saw some drops between the block and trans, could be the rear main seal, not sure. I wiped it up saturday and havent seen another drop hit the floor, so dont know whats going on yet.
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