Ditching the Carpet

[HardCharger]

Hi All!


Got stuck in a river a few weeks back and had water half way up the passenger seat box, Driver's to you guys, same for the second row and the cargo area. Carpets have a damp smell and tried to dry what I could remove. Still some smell left even after 3 weeks so I'm thinking maybe it's time for them to go even with no possible replacement yet.


Speaking of replacements, can anyone recommend something to take the place of the carpet but is easier to remove, clean, and dry especially after submersion in water? If none, I guess I have to bite the bullet, have the entire lower interior done in Line-X then just re-use the Land Rover heavy duty mattings.


Oh, I got the truck second hand and the first owner had the carpet from the factory. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have installed carpets, but hey, at least I have my Defender and that's what counts.


Thoughts and recommendations on my predicament?


Thanks in advance.

[fitzy]

Carpet is a good sound deader, you can pick some up from hard rubbish, put it under your rubber mats, then recycle it when needed.
My wife's car has carpet and evidently it's quite nice[emoji57]

[HardCharger]

Hi fitzy,

All well and good but I want to get rid of mine and replace with something that is easier to clean up and hose down once water gets in again.

[mox]

Several years ago, I cut floor mats for Defender out of. 6 feet by 4 Horse mat from Clark Rubber. ( not smaller rounded metric measurements) Current cost apparently about $145. Has dimples on top and wide sort of grooves underneath so should not be particular prone to sliding if it gets water underneath. Probably twice as thick as original rubber floormats and also probably more durable rubber. I used originals as patterns but deliberately made new mats slightly bigger. Then trimmed to fit so they were still a tighter fit than standard and dirt less inclined to get under them.

[HardCharger]

Hi mox,

Sounds like a good idea. I'll look into that and see if I can find a local equivalent.