RyanF

So guys, I am in the process of taking my 97, 160K mile beater back to a respecatble daily driver...
So far I've

• Changed the door pin, no more sag
• fixed the heater vents
• all filters to make it run nice again
• bailed on the stock radio

But it's still SO SO GROSS. carpet STINKS, seats collapsing and STINKS!, so went to the very good restorestion shop not to far, and for just about a grand, i am getting all new carpet, underpading, seat material, everything out cleaned and detailed

and you might be having the same thoughts, you can do that yourself for cheaper....and you're right i can. But these guys resore classics, porches, collector cars....and yes my 97 3/4 ton is nothing like that, but my biggest complaint with my ride is it feels, smells, and looks like its got 160K on the clock.....

I was actually debating trading it in for a new truck just to get the new car feeling, but ran the numbers, and new interior, replace the radio with one i had, a sub, pryo, fuel pressure, and boost gauge, custom Iphone dock in the ashtray, and a full detailing, and it will give me that new car feel, for about 27000 less!

I am psyced...cause with a baby on the way, and money always tight, i will be comfortable, and happy driving my bone stock 12V for another 200K


Ill get some before pictures up for you guys, but pictures won't do the smell justice!!

dsl dave

Sounds awesome man, Im kinda doin the same thing to my truck, the previous owner was pretty tough on it-I think some sort of small animal inhabited it at one time- I'm finally getting around to fixin up the inside. I found carpet to match my interior ($208), a new radio (kenwood-$250) and went to the local upholstery shop and got a quote for a new drivers seat pad/cloth they priced me $200 for the seat bottom alone. $1000 seems pretty good for what your getting! Hopefully by the end of all this ill have a decent interior too

Dave2001

Check out this place. www.autoupholsterykits.com/ I did the carpeting and the upholstery in my son's 95 as a Christmas present while he was in IRAQ. This is replacement upholstery, not a seat cover. The kit comes with hog rings and pliers if needed. It even contained a new vinyl cover for the console. The vinyl cover was the hardest as it is stapled into the plastic. $380 was cheap compared to local shops. And this was the complete front seat. Also got the carpeting from the same place. You have to trim it to fit. Better a little large than too small to start with. I have some pics but not sure how to post them.

dsl dave

Yea that sounds like a really good deal, do you know if they have a cloth kit that would match the existing seats? For right now, it would great if i could get the oem material for the drivers seat and just do it for right now.

Dave2001

I did not find an exact match for the 95. The Dodge upholstery seems to have a herringbone pattern to it and I did not find anyone that had one that was a match.

RamPB331

In 14 years, your 97 will be a classic. Personally, I think it became one the day the 3Gs came off the line, myself. I think at some point, I'll be looking for a good one to have as a classic truck. There are days I wish I still had my 99 1500 4x4 as a second ride for that reason alone.

johnh

http://www.motorsouthcarpet.com/