Driver's kick panel area ('84 GT vert)

[graphicdesigner80]

Calling all convertible owners.

This is my first convertible, so there's a few things I'm not used to compared to my '86 coupe. One thing is due to the wider, boxier rocker panels on a convertible (combined with the extra wiring for a convertible), the kick panel/carpet in the left front corner is not laying down neat. Wanted some input on this as my car did not have carpet when purchased. I believe the wiring is routed correctly. Just seems that even when all the plugs are pushed inside the body opening, the rest of the harness doesn't have anywhere good to go which causes the bottom of the kick panel to bulge out and carpet immediately below it.

Am I overthinking this? Anyone dwelt with this? I have extra jute I can lay to make things more smooth, but wanted it as tight as possible first.

BTW; in the pic below, the wiring won't stay in the recessed area unless pushed and held. I can get that area ok when pushing the kick panel in place, it's mainly where the harness continues below and turns to run along the rocker that's making things look bad.

Thanks in advance.

[wraithracing]

I have only owned one convertible and that was a later model that was a parts donor, so not 100% on how everything sorts out different than the non convertibles.

Many of my cars have a plastic shield to help hold the wiring in place. Works ok, but often if the wiring has been pulled/messed with it takes a bunch of work to fit it all back in. All of the connectors should push back into the opening in the kick panel with only maybe the blue one left out. You might need to disconnect the wiring and work them one by one to fit them in the best you can. If needed you could make a block off plate out of hard plastic or even a thin sheet of steel/aluminum and use a couple of push pins to hold it in place to keep the wiring in the kick panel. That should help the carpet to fit better. Good Luck!

[graphicdesigner80]

Great idea, Trey. I definitely need to play around with the plugs. Pulling the dash disturbed that wiring.

[mongusta]

Here's pictures from my 84 after removing my original carpet and I don't believe the left kick panel had ever been off before.

[mongusta]

Hope this helps OB

[graphicdesigner80]

Here's pictures from my 84 after removing my original carpet and I don't believe the left kick panel had ever been off before.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Mr. OB!

[bwguardian]

The carpet is different...longer...in areas and the aftermarket carpet is generic for the other cars. It comes up short in that area...

[graphicdesigner80]

The carpet is different...longer...in areas and the aftermarket carpet is generic for the other cars. It comes up short in that area...

Yes, very obvious. Got the other side to fit ok by making relief cuts & adding additional jute padding. Can't beat original.

[bwguardian]

Yes, very obvious. Got the other side to fit ok by making relief cuts & adding additional jute padding. Can't beat original.

What helped mine was I peeled the insulation backing off the original carpet and laid it back down in the car. Then I put the new carpet over that. It not only helped those spots but also helped with sound deadening.

[graphicdesigner80]

Unfortunately my original carpet was long gone when I got the car. Makes it more interesting trying to get everything fitting halfway decent. Thanks for the tips. I’ll post pics in my build thread when the seats go back in