I wanted to see if there is any reason why I couldn't just remove the carpet, cover the wiring with some gorilla tape (black tub so it wouldn't show) and roll with the factory rubber mats only.

Heat?
Is it going to get that much hotter in the summer, or trans temperature making it hot?

Noise?
I already took all the carpets out and it didn't make that much difference. I'm thinking of adding the hot heads insulation to the roof so that would dampen some reflective sounds.

Anything else I'm missing?

 

I took my carpet out a while ago, and the floor of the Jeep does get pretty warm, especially in the summer. My wife definitely noticed it when she was wearing flip flops and took them off.

I'm not sure about using the factory mats, since the hook that holds them in place is part of the carpet. The probably wouldn't move too much, but I don't know since I don't have any mats right now either. I'm planning on putting in the Bedtred floor covering on mine.

 

I also run no carpets and no mats. I'll bedline eventually but for now I'm o-naturale. warm? yes. remove the drain plugs and get a pretty nice breeze.

 

I had all my carpets out this weekend due to getting caught in a storm without a top. I bedlined while the carpets were out, and had to drive around for two days without the carpets while I left them out to dry. It didn't seem to be too bad, outside temp was mid 60's and i didn't notice any additional heat. This may be an issue in the summer time. The only other issue I had was that the sound deadening crap they put on the floor boards just sat awkwardly with me. I drive a 6spd so I have lots of foot movement, so it may be different for your situation, but for me, I would rather have the carpet in place.

 

You'll be fine. No need to tape over anything unless you're doing it for appearance.

Temps are going to go up.... how much I have no idea, but I have wheeled in 100+ degree temps without carpet and it's very doable.

 

The mats that came with the rubi are rubber so they stick really well to the bare tub. First I have seen of the bedtred. Cool product.

 

We were planning on doing the bed liner so we removed the carpet and just never got to the bed lining part. Your left leg will get pretty warm when wheeling for a long time on a hot day but A/C cools it right off.

 

I'll throw in too. Ran mine with no carpets for an entire summer - not a problem, except the floor did get pretty scratched up. Rust was more of a worry than anything else.

 

I live in a marine environment and I assumed mine would have rusted to shit quick, but... it never did? Rubbed out to bare metal all over the floor, it never rusted?