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1988 Grand Wagoneer. I will by buying the carpet from ACC. I bought some kilmat to lay down first. Any input on benefit of the backing, whether the Kilmat helps under the carpet? Any tips or tricks to installing the carpet are appreciated.

From my limited personal experience, I went with the mass backing for replacement set in my 1970 Wagoneer. I found that laying the carpet set out flat in the hot sun, backing side up, allowing it to heat and soften definitely helped it lay smoother over the floor contours and transmission tunnel. You can also use a heat gun to warm and form any tough spots.

Good luck!

Chubbinius wrote: ↑Sat Jan 01, 2022 8:19 am From my limited personal experience, I went with the mass backing for replacement set in my 1970 Wagoneer. I found that laying the carpet set out flat in the hot sun, backing side up, allowing it to heat and soften definitely helped it lay smoother over the floor contours and transmission tunnel. You can also use a heat gun to warm and form any tough spots.

Good luck!

Thanks. My wagoneer is bare metal on the floors. Did you have to remake the board that lays on the cargo area? I have found the boards for the tailgate and wheels wells but not the floor.

Yup, but it's not too hard- trace it out in paper or cardboard. Then some very thin plywood and firing strips/trim for the "valleys" and either staple gun or wood glue to the sheet.

I did POR-15 the floors and wheel wells. Also used 80 mil kilmat across the floors, under the mass-backed essex style carpet set

1988SCWaggy wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:31 pm 1988 Grand Wagoneer. I will by buying the carpet from ACC. I bought some kilmat to lay down first. Any input on benefit of the backing, whether the Kilmat helps under the carpet? Any tips or tricks to installing the carpet are appreciated.

I can't find the thread right now, but most folks suggested not buying the mass backing if you're doing Kilmat. I know one of the reasons was the non-mass backing is easier to lay/mold and looks better.

I'll be doing my carpet (with kilmat and reg acc carpet) in a few weeks so I can report back then. Good luck.

kjandb wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:06 pm

1988SCWaggy wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:31 pm 1988 Grand Wagoneer. I will by buying the carpet from ACC. I bought some kilmat to lay down first. Any input on benefit of the backing, whether the Kilmat helps under the carpet? Any tips or tricks to installing the carpet are appreciated.

I can't find the thread right now, but most folks suggested not buying the mass backing if you're doing Kilmat. I know one of the reasons was the non-mass backing is easier to lay/mold and looks better.

I'll be doing my carpet (with kilmat and reg acc carpet) in a few weeks so I can report back then. Good luck.

Thanks. I am laying the kilmat now and have decided against the mass backing. I am ordering new panels for back panels and cargo floor. Mine came with damaged side panels, but no floor piece for the cargo area. Do you know how the floor piece is attached in the cargo area?

Some earlier years had a mad that fit down into the grooves but was flat on top. Wish I could find one. Mine had strips of "cardboard".

1988SCWaggy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 04, 2022 7:13 pm

kjandb wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:06 pm

1988SCWaggy wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:31 pm 1988 Grand Wagoneer. I will by buying the carpet from ACC. I bought some kilmat to lay down first. Any input on benefit of the backing, whether the Kilmat helps under the carpet? Any tips or tricks to installing the carpet are appreciated.

I can't find the thread right now, but most folks suggested not buying the mass backing if you're doing Kilmat. I know one of the reasons was the non-mass backing is easier to lay/mold and looks better.

I'll be doing my carpet (with kilmat and reg acc carpet) in a few weeks so I can report back then. Good luck.

Thanks. I am laying the kilmat now and have decided against the mass backing. I am ordering new panels for back panels and cargo floor. Mine came with damaged side panels, but no floor piece for the cargo area. Do you know how the floor piece is attached in the cargo area?

The rear carpeted cargo section is held in place by chrome 'sliders' that are screwed through the carpet and into the floor. They are both functional and decorative, as they allow you to pull cargo/suitcases/whatever in and out of that area, with less friction from the carpeting. I think there are 5 or 6 of them? They run front to back and are approximately 15" long each.

Thanks. I have the strips. I thought they were just screwed through carpet into panel, not through to the floor. Thanks.