Working on new carpet and interior replacements. Here is the latest in the process, the RCU is done. Sandblasted and painted all the tiny metal parts / screws / brackets  etc, replace the fiber boards, carpet, plastic trim rings, decals. It was amazing how rusted these parts were considering they are inside the car...This was a lot more work than expected of course! A word of caution to anyone considering doing this. The old parts do not match up with the new parts at all. The new parts are slightly different in size, the holes do not match up or missing, and the hardware is different sizes. You can not do this without buying everything new. Or consider the option of buying the complete assembly already assembled for $310. I had new carpet so I went the home assembly route.....

Next is to get the Footman Loops for the T Top Straps off the car and repaired. They are supported by the usual back plates under the body and have the same corrosion problem as anything there. The new interior carpet goes over top/through these 3 loops and getting them off was a pain. The plates get wet under the wheel wells and turn into a rusted mess. The rear compartment hinge reinforcement is next to get out (rivetted) and replace - more crazy fun. It is also rusted mess.  

Next is to get the repaired radio back in the dash - I think they put the radio in first then build the car around it.....

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

This looks great! Thanks for sharing it with us.

I would love to see future progress and other projects you tackle too!

Keep up the good work!

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Did you send your old radio off to someone that rebuilds them?

Just finished a RCU redo. It turned out well. Bought all new parts. Fit well. 

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Sorry two subjects in one post - 

The radio I repaired myself, I was an Electronic Tech for a living before retiring. Ya know, TV's, Radios, then Digital Movie Theater Cinema Tech.... I fix stuff for people, one of my many hobbies now....

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

The rear compartment doors look really good.

Are the lower sides of the doors flat?  They look smarter that way than the original items.   

It's a job I've been tempted to tackle as min e are very fragile and have a few cracks in the frame work.  But it is such a pain getting there!😄  I just have to be super careful when loading in the suitcase, tools etc for our excursions!😱

I'll be interested to see the finished result, all installed.👍

We tend to use soft side bags in our compartment area. They tend to conform better, allow compression and eliminate the "Bump factor" when loading to not break the frame. 

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We have a "softish" case, but it tends to be heavy for a week or so away.  We tried soft bags, but it's hard to lay the T-tops on top - the case is stable enough for the tops to be strapped on top, with a short extension that I made for the hold down strap!    I just have to be careful sliding it in to ensure that the weight is not all placed on one compartment lid as it slides over.     

My seats were out of the car so working back there is a bit easier, but then it's still some difficulty for an old guy.

The 3 plastic door frames and the main frame were all cracked like everyone has experienced. The new replacements seem to be even a bit thinner and the screw hole locations and screw size was different than the original GM.  The new fiber boards were the solution for reworking all this. The finished assembly is quite fragile and I'll need to be really careful re-installing it - after the underlayment insulation and new carpet. The door over the battery has a foam seal to keep fumes out of the passenger compartment -yet to be installed - after it is back in the car - the screws go under the seal. Then all 3 doors will sit perfectly flush. 

If you did not do it twice, you did not do it right. I had trouble getting the new carpet to stay put on the new fiberboards. I had to pull it back off and spray adhesive twice both sides and let dry a few minutes to make it stick. Then sit a 40lb bag on top for a few hours. The first time I came back the next day and the carpet puckered up and look horrible. 

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

While I had all that out on my 72 the approx. 4' angle iron under the body that the hinges are attached to, I had to replace and re-rivet it was about 75% gone.

Also did not renew the fiberboard doors filled in the old screw holes with glue and where the board had expanded glued and clamped to return to new condition. 

Also don't forget the 1/4-20 x 1" bolt that holds the rear of the center parking brake console, the last person that was in there never put it back.

Have fun

Hello, As long as your real close, also check the battery hold down tab. A piece on the bottom of the body also gets rather ratty and corroded. 

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Thanks, did that one, another thing that was missing on mine, ending up replacing all the battery hold down parts.

Thanks for the information guys.

The metal strip reinforcement for the hinges is pretty bad shape - I have a replacement on hand for that and is the very next step in the process. I'll cut out the rivets and install new strip. BTW, I know from others that the carpet needs to be installed first, and then drill new holes for the frame so when it goes back in it all fits correctly. I am told GM did it this way from the factory, the replacement strip only has holes for the 4 rivets, and no holes for the hinge screws. The rear end is up on jack stands and wheels are off, so I can get to these pieces easily. 

Also, while I was back there I did replace all the battery hold down and also the jack hold down pieces - same condition of rusted ugly. Then cleaned up and painted the compartments. 

I don't think there are any more parts to take off now back there , so moving in the right direction finally..... 

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

Yes ur right the carpet has to be in place,

I bought the strip from Keen I believe, and it had the pilot hole drilled just has to open them up for the 3/16 rivets.