TransAm79

Hey Guys,
I'm struggling with removing my cargo area carpet in my '99 XJ. I've got the trim panels and stuff removed and most of the carpet up. My question is, are those tie-downs riveted into the body? I can't seem to get the carpet all the way up.

Thanks,
JJ

97XJbluebomber

Yes your tiedowns are riveted to the bed. Use a boxcutter to slice the carpet and they will pull right through.

77olds

You mean those cargo hooks? Yeah they're probably riveted, but you should be able to grind them off/drill them out if you want. You can reinstall them with bolts later on, or hell, new rivets.

xj_maniac_newb

i literally ripped mine out of the floor with my hand. they broke right free, they're weak as hell. And also, dont undo the seat belt bolts its not worth it. Just cut a line to the edge of the carpet BELIEVE ME those hex bolts are very bad about stripping out.

TransAm79

....yeah, I've stripped all of them. I had to remove the seat belts as well...sawzawd them little SOB's out. Thanks though guys.

xj_maniac_newb

Lol why'd you have to take out the seatbelts?

97XJbluebomber

When I pulled the front seats to rip out the rest of the carpet i broke off a hex bolt for each seat. Somdays I really hate locktite! =:-(

xj_maniac_newb

lol how you gonna put the seatbelts back in?

97XJbluebomber

TransAm79 cut his out, I only broke off a bolt on each seat bracket. Can't get a grip on whats left from top or bottom, going to have to drill them out and re-tap.

99 Purple XJ

You should be able to rip it right out over the tie downs

wildmustard

Drill out the tie-down rivets, unscrew side panels and rear door sill trim (don't bother to unbolt the door latch post). As suggested earlier, cut the carpet and padding forward from the holes for the rear seatbelts to the front edge under the seat. Pull the carpet out from under the door sill trim, then tug the whole mess out the back of the XJ.

Got mine out yesterday. I could feed cool/damp on the rear carpet after driving through a torrential rain for an hour. The matting underneath was saturated! The tire carrier bracket on the drivers side was removed earlier in the winter and the holes are directly into the rear wheel wells. The holes had also rusted out some, so there was plenty of room for wheel spray to drive in. Welded in a patch and sealed further with silicone.