K-Gap Floor Mat

Jim Kilday
Jim Kilday Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I'm considering the large K-Gap rubber floor mat for my 46 Coupe and have heard mixed comments regarding their fit.



Are their any "secrets" when fitting one of these? What was underneath the mat originally?



Thanks,



Jim Kilday

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jim, Sorry no experience with one yet, but I am interested with the answer for my '42 coupe. You did remind me of a question I've been meaning to ask. Did Hudsons in the forties offer carpet or did all the cars come with mats? I'm thinking carpet didn't show up in any cars until the 50's?



    Rick
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jim, A type of jute mesh was used as a mat underneath carpeted stepdowns . Don't know about previous years. I've replaced the jute with sound deadener/insulation silver matting under my carpet. Big improvement.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I've got the '37 KGap mat in my TP, and it works great. Fits nicely.



    In the late '30s, carpet was offered in the rear seat area, but I can't say I've run across an original '37 that had carpet in the front.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I had k-gap bring my floor mat to the nationals at Auburn and have not put it in yet so i was very interested in how it fit. 66Patrick66 was there much trimming or fitting on your 37 Terraplane? Also i took my old mat out of a one owner car it was worn out and i think it had a thin layer of jute padding on the underside. I think K-GAP says their mat is alittle thicker. Any problems cutting the holes for the pedals and shifter? Any installation tips?

    Thanks Chuck G.
  • ArkieJazz
    ArkieJazz Member
    when you install the mat, make sure you either let it sit out in the sun all day or get it good and warm some other way before you try to install it.
  • Jim Kilday
    Jim Kilday Expert Adviser
    Hudzilla--



    Seems to me that Restoration Specialties offers a Hi-Tech insulation material. Is that what you used?



    jim



    PS--They also offer a jute mat which I was considering but can see the insulation would be the better alternative.
  • Hal
    Hal Senior Contributor
    Do not trim your new mat (if that's even required) to the size of your old one as they shrink over the years.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Rarerodder wrote:
    Jim, Sorry no experience with one yet, but I am interested with the answer for my '42 coupe. You did remind me of a question I've been meaning to ask. Did Hudsons in the forties offer carpet or did all the cars come with mats? I'm thinking carpet didn't show up in any cars until the 50's?



    Rick
    Hi---Hudson did offer carpet for the front floor in 41, but only for the Commodore Custom models.---Cliff Minard.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jim Kilday wrote:
    Hudzilla--



    Seems to me that Restoration Specialties offers a Hi-Tech insulation material. Is that what you used?



    jim



    PS--They also offer a jute mat which I was considering but can see the insulation would be the better alternative.

    Jim, They well may but I certain that this material is obtainable through any decent trim shop. If you can't get it through them I know flooring shops sell a similiar material to put beneath some types of wood floors. For that matter I guess its available at a Lowe's or a Home Depot type of big box builder supply store.I don't think it's as good but it would work.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Jim Kilday wrote:
    Hudzilla--

    Seems to me that Restoration Specialties offers a Hi-Tech insulation material. Is that what you used?

    jim

    PS--They also offer a jute mat which I was considering but can see the insulation would be the better alternative.

    This product is similar to Dynamat, but I have always liked TP Tools products.

    http://www.tptools.com/p/2599,354_TPM-Total-Protection-Mat.html
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I plan on using dynamat insulation sound proofing its very thin and works great. Pat and Terry Meir? used it on their 37 terr. coupe floor, doors overhead and by the time you replace your mat, panels etc. you will not know its even there . makes it a lot quieter. Thanks Chuck G
  • Walt-LA
    Walt-LA Senior Contributor
    Jim,



    You might try Quiet Ride Solutions in CA for their universal Acoustishield kit. Used in my Hornet with some Dynamat - both under floors, overhead and back or rear seat in front of divider. will add to doors when re-upholster. Much cooler, and quieter.



    They make kits for a number of cars, but not Hudson. Still no problem fitting...



    Acoustishield page:



    http://www.quietride.com/product-catalog/univ_catalog_pg1.html



    Walt-LA
  • PAULARGETYPE
    PAULARGETYPE Senior Contributor
    I Bought A K Gap Mat For My 34 Sedan When I Ordered It I Was Told I Would Have To Trim It To Fit The Mat Is Over Size So It Fits Alot Of Different Years I Haven't Installed It Yet But It Looks Great Laying On The Floor Of The Garage
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Chuck G wrote:
    I had k-gap bring my floor mat to the nationals at Auburn and have not put it in yet so i was very interested in how it fit. 66Patrick66 was there much trimming or fitting on your 37 Terraplane? Also i took my old mat out of a one owner car it was worn out and i think it had a thin layer of jute padding on the underside. I think K-GAP says their mat is alittle thicker. Any problems cutting the holes for the pedals and shifter? Any installation tips?

    Thanks Chuck G.



    As stated by another, let the mat sit in the sun for a bit to get in pliable. I had to cut a bit (1/4" or so) off both door sides. I used DynaMat for the backing, rather than the jute - a BIG difference in sound deadening! The KGap mat is thicker, but not so much that it;s a PITA to install. The shifter and the pedal holes are pretty easy to cut and finish out.
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    My 46 brougham has a very good original mat in it. Under the mat is the jute padding previously mentioned. One thing of interest is that the mat does not fit tightly over the transmission hump. There is a small series of wrinkles on the side of the hump where the angle of the top surface changes. So I would doubt that the repro fits much better than the original. You might want to expect a few wrinkles.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    If wrinkles are a problem, perhaps applying some of the wife's face cream might help. :D Sorry, couldn't resist.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    My 47 C8 had a carpet in the rear and a rubber mat with a Hudson symbol over the transmission hump. A jute backing as stated before. I'm replacing it with carpet and insulation. It's already quieter than some new cars I've been in. New weatherstripping...all sealed up with a new car smell.
  • Jim Kilday
    Jim Kilday Expert Adviser
    Well, thank you all very kindly for your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Now I have more information and options than I can deal with.



    I'm seriously considering a good period carpet. Considering!



    Thanks again,



    Jim Kilday
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