Need advice on floor mats etc.

[pbglas]

I am a new VX Foxfire owner. I need to get some accessories and wanted advice. First I need some floor mats -- preferably not the rubber variety. What is a good source for things that look like original equipment? I also need some way of protecting the passenger seat from a dog who loves ot play in mud. Advice? Is there some kind of a cover for the area behind the back seat so luggage is not visible to passers by?

[MSHardeman]

pbglas, first off welcome to the family. Make sure to post some pics of your new ride when you get a chance.

Make sure to acquaint yourself with the search function on the left side of the website. It can be confusing and frustrating, sometimes, but can also be VERY helpful.

There is a member here on the site (Vehi-Cross-Az) who is making some after market floor mats if no one else wants to sell theirs, or you can't find any stock ones on Ebay. The bidding has ended on this listing but this is Vehi-Cross-Az's mats: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=330320681189

A couple of people on the site have found some neoprene-esque seat covers for our seats, but I can't remember who makes them right now. Hopefully someone will chime in with some info on those.

There was never any stock cover for the area behind the rear seat to hid stuff. Guess Isuzu figured that the rear window was so small no one would be able to see in anyway.:bgwb:

Hope that helps some.

[Riff Raff]

PBGALS--- Your best source for VX specific floor mats is either eBay; fellow members here on this forum, or our authorized Isuzu parts guru "MERLIN" (fellow member).

To prevent gawkers from peeking in your rear cargo area, TINT your five(5) rear windows with WINDOW TINT (Mirror-tint or Limo-tint). The Five(5) rear windows are: Two(2) mini-windows in front of C-pillar; Two(2) large 3/4 windows behind C-pillar, and one(1) Rear Door Window.


Regarding dog transport, check-out these two(2) specific threads by doing a "search" on this forum:

For Metal Cage Dog Barrier's, search: "CARRYING PETS IN THE VX"

For Protective Seat Covers for Dog's that ride up front in the passenger seat with muddy paws, search: "SEAT COVER SOURCE"

[vt_maverick]

Direct link to the "Carrying Pets in the VX" thread that Riff Raff mentioned:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15358

I know you'd like a non-rubber option for your mats, but in case you change your mind, I highly recommend the Hexomat all-weather mat for your cargo area. Here's a review I wrote with pics:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=13253

Hexomat also sells custom-fit rear and front seat mats. I don't have those (yet) but based on the experience I had with the cargo mat, I would have to think they'd fit great. Btw, STRONGLY recommend you not buy anything made by WeatherTech, rubber or carpeted. They claim to have custom-fit mats for the VX, but I can testify that their front mats don't fit well enough to justify the price. If you're looking for the best fit for your front mats I would recommend either the OEM or Vehi-Cross-Az's mats for carpet, and the Hexomat for all-weather.

The neoprene seat covers that MSHardeman mentioned are made by a company called Wet Okole. You can find the VX covers here:

http://www.wetokole.com/VEHICROSS.html

Although you can order them in black/red or black/gray to match the interior, a few members have ordered yellow/black to match their Protons, with outstanding results (you can judge from the picture on their site which actually shows them installed on a VX). To my knowledge no one with a FoxFire has yet ordered a maroon/black set, mostly because it's hard to judge whether the neoprene color would clash with the exterior. If they cost $50 it might be worth a try, but at several hundred dollars and a no-return policy, it's a little risky for my blood.

Hope that helps, good luck with the search and let us know what you eventually go with (be sure to post pics as well).

[Riff Raff]

Don't forget to check-out the thread for your dog's muddy wet paws if your dog rides upfront with you in the passenger seat.

Do a forum "search" for: "SEAT COVER SOURCE"

[VXNIT]

Weathertech!!! Hold all kinds of debris and water, have saved my carpet many times. New ones now have 10 year warranty. Can't beat it. 4 Mats cost you 115.00$ shipped.

[rowhard]

First off, welcome to the addiction.

Here is a site for the weather tech mats.

http://www.autoanything.com/floor-mats/64A1462A0A0.aspx.

You should also be able to find many other things you need on this site.

I am also offering a front fiberglass skid plate if your interested. You can look in my gallery for photo's of it.

If you want the real deal, Marlin will hook you up with a home made, but very strong, Moab tested skid plate and if you want to get serious, Riff Raff had one produced by Kirby industries that is bullet proof, but spendy.

[pbglas]

Thanks all -- MSHardeman, Riff Raff, vt_Maverick, rowhard -- for all your advice. I am going ot follow up and let you know what happens.

It is indeed heart warming that you all took this much time to help a newcomer. Maybe one day I will know enough to help someone else. Thanks again.

[pbglas]

First off, welcome to the addiction.

Here is a site for the weather tech mats.

http://www.autoanything.com/floor-mats/64A1462A0A0.aspx.

You should also be able to find many other things you need on this site.

I am also offering a front fiberglass skid plate if your interested. You can look in my gallery for photo's of it.

If you want the real deal, Marlin will hook you up with a home made, but very strong, Moab tested skid plate and if you want to get serious, Riff Raff had one produced by Kirby industries that is bullet proof, but spendy.

Sorry to be so dumb. What is a skid plate? What is Moab?

[pbglas]

For seat cover I just ordered.

http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/store/Isuzu-Vehicross_product_12457841388.html

It was cheap and seemed like easy to put on and off -- for dog and human. Also company claimed it was for the VehiCross.

wo is gorgeous but expensive.

I could not find floor mats on the St Charles Isuzu parts list. Nor on Vehi-Cross-Az's. Sent Vehi-Cross-Az and email.

BTW just had the hood insert painted and headlights cleaned. Slowly getting there.

[rowhard]

Sorry to be so dumb. What is a skid plate? What is Moab?

Skid plates, all kinds, mine looks good (I think) but anything larger then a sparrow your in trouble. Wrapes around the front cladding. Here is a photo of Mine. http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VX_Only_Run_09_21.JPG

Marlins covers the engine and gear box and protects it from damage on rocks when off roading. Here is a photo of one on Ldub's VX. http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/09%20moab%20day%205/09Moabday5010.jpg


The kirby is a full belly pan, bullet proof.
http://www.vehicross.info/modules.php?name=Classified&file=viewarticle&id=33

And what is Moab Utah,.... off roading heaven. http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15623&highlight=moab+2009

[Riff Raff]

PBGLAS--- Please excuse ROWHARD's enthusiam, as he gets overly excited sometimes.

A "skid plate" is a protective shield normally made of metal to protect the vehicle undercarriage from various objects found in an off-road environment.

MOAB is actually a place-- MOAB, UTAH where members of this forum meet once a year to climb gigantic rocks in an attempt to destroy their VX's.

That's why ROWHARD used them together in the same context. What ROWHARD really meant to say was: "If you ever plan on going VX rock-climbing in MOAB, UTAH then you should have some protective skid plates installed to protect your undercarriage from possible damage".

However, the initial "focus" of this thread is three(3) areas:

(1): Where can I get Isuzu Floor-Mats???
Answer: eBay; On-Line; or "MERLIN" (fellow member).

(2): How to prevent gawkers from peering inside my rear cargo area???
Answer: Window Tint the 5 rear windows in Mirror-Tint or Limo-Tint.

(3): How to transport a dog in the VX with muddy paws???
Answer: Use a rear cage barrier and/or protective seat covers made especially for dogs.

[vt_maverick]

Weathertech!!! Hold all kinds of debris and water, have saved my carpet many times. New ones now have 10 year warranty. Can't beat it. 4 Mats cost you 115.00$ shipped.

I'll agree with part of this post. The WeatherTech mats DO work well for capturing wet stuff, but where they excel IMHO is with catching dirt. They seem to be coated in some sort of sticky/staticky compound which holds dry stuff very well. The downside is that they can be a b1tch to get completely clean, but it's a small price to pay.

I'll have to disagree with the price however. I paid $38 for a complete set of OEM mats for our Isuzu Axiom, and they fit, look, and perform incredibly well. When I had my Infiniti G35 coupe, I bought a complete set for $75, which is even more impressive when you consider that almost anything costs more for a luxury vehicle. Believe me when I say you can get poorly fitted mats that perform just as well for much less.

[vt_maverick]

I could not find floor mats on the St Charles Isuzu parts list. Nor on Vehi-Cross-Az's. Sent Vehi-Cross-Az and email.


Link to OEM VX (carpeted) mats: https://www.isuzuparts.com/isuzu_parts.php/cPath/15_17

To my knowledge Vehi-Cross-Az has only offered his mats on eBay once, so emailing him directly is the right direction to go.