Here's the deal, after contemplating the matter for some time I have decided that I don't want the weight of a full interior or the harshness of a fully gutted one, so instead of taking things out that I will miss, I will replace the things I care about with lighter ones, ie. dashpad was cracked and I tore it out, going to get a full dash from CI that weighs 4 lbs. I already removed my rear seats, I have no use for them, even the pass seat will rarely be filled.

Now to what I need help with, I am wracking my brain trying to think of a lightweight carpet like material, and so far the only thing that comes to mind is felt, and idk how heavy or light it actually is offhand, but I am trying to think of the lightest realistic material to replace the heavy factory carpetting and matting with, bare metal is just too unsightly, but I could care less about insulation. I also plan to use whatever material I wind up getting where some of the trim pieces and panels are as well, such as the sail panels, side panels in the back behind the sail panels, and possibly my door panels, they are vinyl or leather and look like a rather heavy material.
Also another concern material wise, is that while I think felt will be lightweight and definitely cheap, if memory serves it will rip easy, though if I can't think of anything else I will take the chance, but trying to think of some other "carpet like" materials.

And before anyone even suggests it, yes I know aftermarket companies make carpet for our cars without the heavy rubber backing-that is still thicker and heavier than what I want, and is also expensive.

 

check out the stuff used for car audio enclosures - its thinner and lighter since it doesn't have any backing to it and its decently flexible. you probably won't find it at any of the big box stores, but I'm sure the smaller mom & pop stores should have it by the yard

 

That is what I used in my Car: Lots More Pics here: http://home.comcast.net/~mnformula350/interior.htm

 

What type of material is it?

 

Go to a home improvement store and look for indoor/outdoor carpet, or just ask for some that can be used on, say, a porch. That's about what's used on speaker boxes. It's about half the thickness of standard carpet, and doesn't have a backing.

 

Do you know how light it is compared to automotive carpet without backing or felt?

 

I just took a whole crapload of it off of my back porch a few months ago that had all sorts of stuff ground into it (mostly cat crap, yuck!). Weighed about the same with all of the crap in it that the large carpet in the car weighs, with about 3x as much material (probably about car length but about 3x as wide as would be used in the car).

 

Are you comparing this to car carpet with the rubber backing or without? cause that backing at least doubles the weight..

 

With the backing...

Felt would be lighter, but it tears easily. If you're looking for that route, look for the stuff that kids' blanket sleepers are made of. Can't think of the material at the moment...

Also, you may be able to find the carpet at a second hand store for cheap. Those rolls are HUGE. Probably 2 yards would do the whole car. If Mr. 2nd's was still in town, I'd already have mine replaced.

 

Are you thinking of fleece?? That stuff would be too thin I would think. Although you can find it for real cheap at fabric stores and in lots of colors/prints.

The walmart near me sells what they call "RV Carpet" in small rolls. Its black and almost identical to the speaker box carpeting mentioned above. Its nice and cheap, $30 should do almost the whole car and it should hold up pretty well.

You could also try a fabric store like JoAnn's. I'm sure they would have something usable there, and if you sign up for their mail flyers they send you 40% off coupons. My wife gets stuff there all the time with the coupons and I already have a bunch of red and black material to recover my seats with.

 

No, it's not fleece... I was looking into it a while ago for recovering my sail panels but I forgot what it is... It may be a bit thin at first, but, then, so is felt, but felt doesn't have the strength due to the backing (no, it's not thick rubber like on our carpets).

 

Looks like I will go with the outdoor/indoor carpet/sub box carpet idea or the felt, I will probably have to get it side by side, would be nice if I could just find a weight per yard or something.