Industrial Interior: Rubber Black Diamond Plate

[wekilled]

Here is an interesting mod which I have done to two vehicles in the past (a 77 Toyota Celica Liftback and a 94 Amigo)

It will keep your interior cleaner if you live in a wet or snowy area. However if you get into deep water it will trap the moisture underneath the mat. It also looks really industrial and fits the style of the VX.

Order some diamond plate matting from any number of industrial matting companies (locally we have Pacific Mat in Kent Wa) It costs from 6-8 dollars a foot and comes in either light gray or black, and 3-4 foot wide rolls. There are no other colors available that I know of.

You will have to take out the seats to use the carpeting as a template. Since the driveline creates a double radius curve you have the option of covering the hump separately and overlapping over the floor sections. The easiest part is the cargo area. The mat is a little stiff when you bend the seat up, but gets better over time.

Another less invasive option is to make a pattern of areas like the bottom of the cupholder, the useless square indent in front of that, and the indent to the right of the H/L shifter, and a few other areas where you can use it as an accent.

[mbeach]

Is that stuff "moldable" like with a heat gun?
I used to have rubber flooring in an old truck and it was great. It was molded to fit the shape of the vehicle floor, and I was wondering if the diamond plate stuff could be molded as well.

[dkmiller68]

photos please

[wekilled]

I don't believe it is moldable, at least not a huge double radius like the center hump. Its mil-spec thickness.

I don't have photos as of yet as I just got the VX in Dec-my current project is getting ready to sell my unfinished fixer upper house so I can move to Fort Lewis. The last few vehicles I did this to are already sold. When I have a little time I can get something posted up, but moving to my new unit at Lewis is my current crisis. Not trying to brush anyone off, just need to take care of my family first. (then the VX) If someone has more time than I wish I did thought it might be a fun mod to play with.

I know with Pacific Mat (online) they will send samples to play around with. I already have a black sample and a gray one.

[kpaske]

Wow, another VX on Ft. Lewis... when you see the lifted Ebony cruising around on post with the Yakima rack and spare tire on the roof, pull up and say hi, ok? What unit are you with?

[wekilled]

Before I got mine I thought I saw your VX at McChord once. At the time I was green with envy since I was lookingfor one. My VX is pretty stock right now, just some minor mods. I just got it after Xmas and headed to JRTC for a few weeks. I am finally getting to go over it now and decide where to start. See future mods in my profile...

I am with 91st (1-358) My Branch gave me a break after Baghdad and put me there for 16 months. I am getting ready to change out my handreceipt and move to 3-2 as the Med Planner (yeah-a CSS puke). I'll be there by April. You with the Ranger Bat?

Do you know of any local accessories, parts shops? I am looking around for skidplates x3. We'll have to link up. I'd like to see the ride. Dont know anyone else that owns one locally, other than online discussions.