Going Carpetless

[buckwheat]

I am about to start fighting the rust that is growing on my truck (87 MJ with BA 10-5 and 4x4 not that it matters at all). One of the things I want to do is get rid of the carpet and backing pad. I hate the idea of moisture getting trapped and just sitting on the floor pans. At the same time I want to control interior temps and reduce road/ engine noise as this truck is my DD year round. A tall order I know . . . The good news is I don't mind having bumps and odd shapes on the floor, as long as the covering I go with gives me traction and creates a barrier between any water and the metal of the floor pans. 

 

Anyways, I was wondering if people had any recommendations on how to accomplish all this? I am looking at Lizard Skin, but wasn't sure how it would hold up, which order to apply the various products in, etc etc. Anyone have ideas/ recommendations for me? Personal experience and stories appreciated.

[Jackrabbit41]

Last September I pulled out my carpet and cut out most of the foam backing material up the fire wall. Road noise increased but it wasn't terrible. My jeep leaks a little so I didn't want it getting trapped in with carpet. I went until about a month ago when I bed lined my floor boards with Herculiner. It helped with heat. A lot of heat off the tranny comes through the floor board but it's not to bad. I'd recommend Herculiner

[Strokermjcomanche]

Lizard skin allows you to apply both the sound deadener and ceramic coating , there is an order that should be on the products the sell .

 

As for holding up with no carpet I can't comment on that . Here is the lizard skin sound deadener I used with no Jute padding , only carpet.

 

[buckwheat]

Thanks StrokerMJComanche, this is exactly what I was thinking about except for no carpet top layer. Do you remember how much of each product you needed to do the floors? And it looks like you removed the dash in your picture. Did you do that just for coverage on the firewall?

 

Jackrabbit41, since herculiner by itself made such a difference that gives me great hope for the lizard skin products.

[Reddout]

Lizard skin allows you to apply both the sound deadener and ceramic coating , there is an order that should be on the products the sell .

 

As for holding up with no carpet I can't comment on that . Here is the lizard skin sound deadener I used with no Jute padding , only carpet.

 

 

 

I think this is a great idea if it keeps the heat down.  If you do have some minor leaks like Jackrabbit41, this is and the herculiner, are good alternatives.  My only worries would be the noise & heat.  It gets pretty steamy put here in the Midwest this time of year.

[Strokermjcomanche]

I never used the ceramic coating just the sound deadener , but I used the $75 dollar bucket ( 2 gallons?) and it covered the floor ( 3 coats ) .

 

I had the dash removed because I was rebuilding the truck from scratch, I did however keep the foam insulation between the dash and firewall .

 

With a wet rag the lizard skin wipes off easily if you happen to get overspray on something , but I would mask everything you don't want sprayed .

[SBpunk]

I never used the ceramic coating just the sound deadener , but I used the $75 dollar bucket ( 2 gallons?) and it covered the floor ( 3 coats ) .

 

I had the dash removed because I was rebuilding the truck from scratch, I did however keep the foam insulation between the dash and firewall .

 

With a wet rag the lizard skin wipes off easily if you happen to get overspray on something , but I would mask everything you don't want sprayed .

How does the stuff handle getting wet though? Its water based so I'm guessing not a great idea if you have leaks or do off roading around bodies of water

[krustyballer16]

I used herciliner in my Cherokee after it was under water. I didn't notice a difference in road noise. But with no carpet I found a long lost feature that most jeep owners forget about...heated floorboards for winter!

Herculiner has lasted good for the past 3 years.

[buckwheat]

So it sounds like I should Lizard Skin for sound reduction and heat protection, then herculiner over that for long lasting protection. Seems expensive, but should last for a long time. And since it should all bond together I shouldn't have to worry about my floor pans rusting from the inside out.

[TONIO_MJ]

I also recommend bed lining the floor I did it to mine feel fine

[mikekaz1]

 

I never used the ceramic coating just the sound deadener , but I used the $75 dollar bucket ( 2 gallons?) and it covered the floor ( 3 coats ) .

 

I had the dash removed because I was rebuilding the truck from scratch, I did however keep the foam insulation between the dash and firewall .

 

With a wet rag the lizard skin wipes off easily if you happen to get overspray on something , but I would mask everything you don't want sprayed .

How does the stuff handle getting wet though? Its water based so I'm guessing not a great idea if you have leaks or do off roading around bodies of water

 

water based only matters when initially wet. once it dries its the same as oil based.   most vehicles made...painted now use water based lacquers.

[Jackrabbit41]

[krustyballer16]

I don't notice it. I haven't wore shorts in years. So I'm used to it. But it isn't my daily driver either...

[A-man930]

I have had Herculiner only on mine for almost 6 years now and I don't ever regret it. Sure, it's hot in the summer, but it's not THAT hot. It isn't the easiest to keep pretty (takes soap and water w a bristle brush to really clean it), and I did have to touch up where my heels sit for the clutch and brake pedals.

I would do it again.