Door and sill aluminum and carpet

[vtullomk4]

My MK4 body is finally in for bodywork and paint. So after a few months, I am back at it. I am trying to get most things done on chassis, before body is ready. Insulation is in, wiring is done

My question is on the door sills. Can I rivet the FF aluminum sill in place and carpet the vertical wall and the top of the aluminum now? I have the DWC aluminum trim, but I think that rivets to the body. Attached are 2 pictures. First is how I envision, second is Edwards’s pic. I assume will not need the FF plastic trim?

Just want to make sure I understand this properly before I get the body.

Thanks.

Vince
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[Norm B]

Those pieces go on after the body is installed for the final time and adjusted for the door fitting. Not sure from your post if you’re at that point or not.

Norm

[vtullomk4]

No, don’t have body back yet. Wanted to finish the carpet, which means I need to rivet the aluminum sills on. If I carpet only the horizontal surface, can’t I trim the aluminum if needed to clear the door? If that is too risky, I guess I will do in two steps.

[Papa]

No, don’t have body back yet. Wanted to finish the carpet, which means I need to rivet the aluminum sills on. If I carpet only the horizontal surface, can’t I trim the aluminum if needed to clear the door? If that is too risky, I guess I will do in two steps.

The carpet the covers the door sills and up to the door opening is "interesting" to try to fit. I ended up removing what was provided and cutting my own doing the horizontal and vertical parts separately vs. in one piece. I also made corner guards out of aluminum to cover the ugly unfinished seam and keep it from unraveling after dragging your feet over it a few times.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118609&d=1575759026

[Norm B]

162605
The horizontal piece gets riveted on so that is up against the body not necessarily flush with the inside frame. The carpet covers any of the frame left not covered by the aluminum. I used my wife’s sewing machine to attach a vinyl strip to hide and protect the raw carpet edge.

Norm

[D Stand]

I believe you want to wait until body is finally set. This aluminum will be different on each side as the fiberglass is tweaked differently for the door alignment.

[Fixit]

I did something similar to "Papa" (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27544-40-Watt-Garage-6200-miles&p=453830&viewfull=1#post453830)... (was probably inspired by his post/build thread).
I did not go up the verticals, just the lower sill. As mentioned, hold off on installation until the body is locked in final position - they will be different, and trimming will be needed.

[edwardb]

Agree 100% with the advice that you need to wait until the body is installed to rivet the aluminum pieces, carpet, and DWC parts. As stated, their final positions will be determined by where your body sides are located for the best door fit. Typically not the same on each side. As for the carpet, the stock Mk4 carpet will not look like your picture of how you envision it. There is a break along the corner and agree it looks unfinished. For mine, I had my auto upholstery guy sew binding along that (and a few other) edges.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Short answer—-no, you can’t install the aluminum under door fillers until the body is on. But you can do all of the other carpet and do those last.

Jeff

[vtullomk4]

Thanks all. Very helpful as always. I’ll proceed with carpet in trunk, carpet on rear cockpit and carpet in foot boxes. After body is on I’ll finish the rest.