Drivers Side Carpet Hold Down Issue

[Jake51]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has had an issue with the drivers side carpet strip having a gap. It's a replacement piece - original is too beat up - and with how the holes line up it is leaving a gap.

My understanding is all the standard places - Tom's, Wild Horses, etc., get the parts from the same source so didn't know if it made sense to try an order another one or not? Perhaps this was just a bad production batch?

Appreciate any input. (reposting with a photo attached, thanks)

Tom

 

[Rustytruck]

If i was botherd by it I would lay it down on a table and take 2 Cresent wrenches and give the edge a slight twist to close up the gap.

 

[Slowleak]

The only vendor I have founds that sells ones with the original profile is Tom's. That outside edge should go straight down to cover the gap. It should not be rolled under. People over tighten them and they bend. Tom's don't do that as easilyÂ…

Here is an original:

This one is from Tom's:

 

[DirtDonk]

If all the screw holes line up but it has that gap, I'd call it a defect. With the holes pre-drilled in both the floor and the hold-down, you have no choice but to either play it where it lies, or drill new holes in the floor.
Or return it for a second try...

If the Bronco did not originally come with hold-downs though, you might be on your own. In that case it would be best to re-drill the holes in the floor to match the new metal.

I can't wait to put carpet in the '68. I have OE hold-downs in the '71 (scavenged from a friend's '72 Explorer) but will need to go with the aftermarket ones for this go-round.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[Slowleak]

Even when the holes do line up, there is usually a gap, it is wavy, or the carpet edge is showing. Unlike the originals, those side pieces are made with the same profile as the tailgate and floor strips. It is not designed for a vertical edge. It's another example of a cheaply made reproduction part. Get it from Toms and it will fitÂ…

https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-77-ford-bronco-carpet-hold-down-strips

 

[Jake51]

Hi Everyone,

Really appreciate all the feedback - great part of this forum for sure! Also appreciate the pictures, some amazing Broncos out there! I ordered a set from Tom's, thanks again!