DIY Network

'66 El Camino: New Carpet Installation The final touches in the restoration of the 1966 El Camino include new carpet and sound system. From "Resto Rides" episode DRRD-105

The restored '66 El Camino sports a candy-apple red paint job.

The restoration of our 1966 El Camino is now nearly complete. The final steps include reworking the interior and installing a killer new media system. In this phase of the restoration, host Andrew Totolos and Christie D' Amore remove the old carpet and replace it with new. They also pre-wire for the new amplifier and sound system.

The steps in this portion of the restoration, as seen in episode 105 of Resto Rides, are summarized below.

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Materials and tools:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), the essential tools required for this phase of the project are listed below.

vacuum
tar mat pieces fit to El Camino
carpet fit to El Camino
new wiring for amplifier
split loom
utility knife
new door sill trim

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the restoration procedures shown in this episode of Resto Rides. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools. Also wear eye protection any time you are working underneath a vehicle.

The restored El Camino emerges for its first test drive.
Host Andrew Totolos and Christie D' Amore

Installing New Carpeting

• To begin, Andrew and Christie take out the seats. Pulling the old carpet out of the El Camino is very simple. Simply pull the kick panels out, and then the carpet can be folded and removed.

• Christie vacuums out the floorboards really well and removes the old stereo wiring.

• Then Christie brings in the tar mat pieces, which insulate the cab from heat and noise. The pieces are pre-cut, but they require a bit of trimming here and there.

• There are five tar mat pieces in the standard El Camino kit: the rear piece, plus one for the transmission hump, one for each foot well, and one that goes under the seat. Because the matting is heavy and practically cut to fit, it will stay put without any adhesive.

• After the tar mat is in, Christie runs the wiring for the amplifier that' s going to go behind the seat. There are power and ground wires that run up to the battery, a remote turn-on lead that runs to the head unit, and a set of RCA cables that carry the signal from the head unit to the amp. Running these wires now, before the carpet and seats are in, will save a lot of work later. To keep things organized, Christie wraps the wires and hides them in split loom.

• With the wires organized, it' s time to lay the new carpet. The carpet comes pre-cut, but there' s a little trimming involved to make it fit properly. For instance, the carpet over the seatbelt bolts will have to be trimmed.

• As they continue trimming, Andrew and Christie make sure the carpet is lying flat so the cutouts are in the right place. Automobile carpet doesn't use adhesive because between the mounting bolts for the seats and all the trim, it' s not going anywhere.

• Andrew and Christie trim off the excess at the door sills, and they continue trimming up along the edges to the firewall.

RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Resto Rides 100 series: 1966 El Camino

Original Parts Group, Inc.
www.opgi.com

Husky Tools
www.huskytools.com

Rick's Hot Rod Shop
www.rickshotrodshop.com

Vintage Air, Inc.
www.vintageair.com

Fuel Injection Specialties
www.fuelinjection.com

Lokar
www.lokar.com

K & N Engineering
www.knfilters.com

Nordskog Performance Products
www.nordskogperformance.net