In case you've been staring at a damaged dashboard and torn vinyl for years, it's finally period to pull the particular trigger on the 67-72 c10 interior kit to generate your own truck seem like brand-new again. Let's be honest, we all like the particular classic look associated with a Second-Gen C10, but sitting on the seat with foam crumbling into the particular carpet isn't exactly the "vintage experience" most of us are searching for. There is usually something uniquely pleasing about opening that heavy metal door and seeing a fresh, clean cab that will matches the function you've put directly into the engine and the paint.
Restoring these vehicles is a ceremony of passage for several of us, but the interior frequently gets pushed to the back burner. We spend hundreds on LS trades, suspension drops, and shiny wheels, as the place we in fact spend our time—the driver's seat—looks like it's been by means of a war. A full interior kit is probably the most cost-effective way to completely change the "vibe" of your truck without having to source fifty different individual components from five different websites.
Exactly why Going with the Kit Makes Even more Sense
A person might be tempted to just purchase a seat cover up this month plus maybe some doors next year. I actually get it; budgets are usually real. But when you can swing it, buying a 67-72 c10 interior kit almost all at once is usually the smarter shift. Why? Because manufacturers change dye plenty. If you purchase your dash pad today and your doorway panels in six months, there's a good chance the "parchment" or "medium blue" won't quite fit.
Whenever everything comes out of the same production run, the particular textures and shades stay consistent. In addition, most vendors will provide you with a bit of a break around the price when a person bundle everything jointly. You're getting the seat upholstery, the particular molded carpet, the door panels, and usually the dashboard pad all in one big, thrilling box. It's such as Christmas for the garage area.
Wearing down the Essentials
What actually comes in a normal kit? This varies depending on how much you would like to spend, but a standard 67-72 c10 interior kit generally covers the "big four" that establish the look of the cab.
The particular Seat Upholstery
Most of these trucks included a standard bench seat. If you're maintaining the original framework, an excellent kit will certainly provide the covers designed to suit that specific foam. If your foam is shot—and let's face it, right after 50 years, it's probably dust—you'll would like to grab fresh seat foam as well. Putting a brand-new cover over flat, disintegrated foam is usually like putting the silk dress on a skeleton. It just won't look best. You want those crisp lines plus that "bouncy" experience when you hop in.
The Molded Carpet
If you've nevertheless got the authentic rubber mat or even some nasty old shag carpet from the 80s, you're in for a treat. Modern kits come with molded carpet that actually follows the contours of the floor pan. One point to keep in mind this is actually the "hump. " You need to know in the event that your truck is really a high-hump or low-hump model. Usually, the 4WD trucks as well as the big-block or floor-shift manuals have the high hump, while the basic 2WD automatics have the low hump. Getting this particular right is the difference among a clean install and a rug that looks like a wrinkled clutter.
Door Panels and Dash Safeguards
They are the particular parts you're always touching and searching at. The splash pads in these types of trucks are notorious for cracking under the sun. A new pad from the 67-72 c10 interior kit is going to be soft, flexible, and—most importantly—not split over the middle. As intended for doors, you may go with the classic OEM look or move in to a few of the more modern "sport" versions that have better armrests and maybe actually a spot for a speaker.
Choosing Your own Style: Stock versus. Custom
This is where a person have to create an option. Are you going for the "just rolled off the assembly line" appearance, or are you building a pro-touring animal?
In the event that you're a purist, search for kits that will use the original "scroll grain" vinyl and the factory-correct sewing patterns. Colors such as ginger, olive green, and bright blue can look amazing when they're fresh. There's something awesome about a 1971 Cheyenne interior that will looks exactly like it did whenever Nixon is at workplace.
On the flip side, if you've modified the particular rest of the particular truck, a custom 67-72 c10 interior kit might be the way to go. You can find kits with comparison stitching, suede inserts, or even leather if you've obtained the budget for it. Some of the particular newer "distressed" vinyls give you that awesome, aged leather look without the high maintenance and cost associated with actual hide.
The "While You're in There" List
Installing the 67-72 c10 interior kit is definitely the perfect time to address the stuff you can't observe. Since you're likely to have the chair out and the particular carpet up, please—for the love of your ears—put down some sound deadener.
These types of trucks are fundamentally big metal mirror chambers. A level of butyl-based sound deadening on the floor, the back wall structure, and within the doorways will make your own truck feel 20 years newer. It eliminates the "tinny" jingle and makes your own stereo sound way better.
Also, check your own cab mounts. In case the cab is sagging, your doors won't align ideal, and your new interior might experience "off. " It's also a great time to inspect the floor pans intended for rust. If you can find holes, fix all of them now. Don't place a beautiful new carpet over a hole where you can observe the pavement soaring by.
Set up: Can You Perform It Yourself?
Honestly, yeah. Among the best things about the particular 67-72 Chevy trucks is how basic they are. You don't need a degree within engineering to pull the seat away or swap the dash pad.
The carpeting is usually the particular "hardest" part just because it takes some trimming around the shifter and the gas pedal. Take your time, use a sharp utility knife (and change the blade often! ), and then let the carpet sit out there in the sunlight for an hour before you install it. This can make the backing smooth and much simpler to mold to the floor.
For the seat covers, a place of hog band pliers and some patience are all you really need. If you get a wrinkle, a little bit associated with heat from a steamer or a curly hair dryer can generally pull the vinyl fabric tight. It's a weekend project that completely transforms the driving experience.
Final Thoughts around the Investment
At the end of the day, a 67-72 c10 interior kit isn't simply about aesthetics. It's about how you really feel when you're when driving. There's a mental difference between traveling a "project" plus driving a "finished truck. " When the inside is clean, quiet, and smelling like new vinyl instead of old damp foam, you're heading to want to drive it every single day.
Whether you're repairing a family heirloom or a Facebook Market find, don't neglect the interior. It's the part associated with the truck you actually interact with the particular most. Throw a few music on, get those old components out of presently there, and give your C10 the cab it deserves. Your back (and your passengers) will thank you.