The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Suburban rear floor material questions

I posted this in "interiors".

"Would someone with a 47-55 Suburban please measure the following regarding the rear floor-cover material (linoleum?)?

1. the distance between the "ribs"/grooves
and
2. the depth of the grooves
and
3. is the linoleum taller that the side metal?

Please send me a Private Message, if you are willing to discuss this in a phone call.

Thanks, Tim"

I probably should have posted those questions in this forum.

If you have an Advance-Design (47-55) Suburban, would you please check your rear floor "matt/material/linoleum" and let me know the depth off the grooves and the distance between grooves and the height of the linoleum (above the metal sides)?

Thank you very much.

I would be interested in these details too, Tim. thanks for posting

No replies yet, Tom

I assume that other Stovebolt.com Suburban members are not seeing this thread (or, they are too busy to reply)?

If/when I get those "specs", I will send the info /specs to you.
Are you able to measure and send me those specs (and, maybe some photos)?

1. the distance between the "ribs"/grooves
and
2. the depth of the grooves
and
3. is the linoleum taller that the side metal?

I think that I have found a large-boat repair-company with a large CAD/CAM surface cutting/drilling machine. The friendly owner says he can cut and work-with any width/length/depth linoleum (and match the sizes/shapes/locations of the holes in the linoleum).

He will use my Suburban's flat-black linoleum floor as a general pattern. I have cut out the locations of the various holes/slots. He will most likely use my general pattern.

This company is about 60 miles from my house.

I will let you know if/how this proceeds.

You need to use the search function! The battleship linoleum topic has been discussed many times.
I recall measurements, depths, ridges, etc.

Regards, Mark

Gosh, Mark, maybe you could help me find those posts, Mark?
Your post seems to indicate you found useful information?

I'll try a search again - I only searched back to 2013.
1947-1955st Suburbans

If I find the info you found ("I recall measurements, depths, ridges, etc."), I will provide links to those posts.

By the way, the linoleum sold by Battleship Linoleum is not thick enough and it is not grooved (I recently spoke with owner). I think he is again sending me samples. If this has changed, I will post it here.

Thanks very much, Tim

Hi Tim:
I think way back you, PeeWee and I were involved in this discussion. The page link to the Woodie Club with the measurements is now gone missing. There may be more info in this discussion that I haven't clicked on yet.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/409598/tclederman.htm

A friend of mine in the tool and die business made me a tool with needles which will conform to the width and depth of the grooves. I will look for it over the weekend.

Regards, Mark

"A friend of mine in the tool and die business made me a tool with needles which will conform to the width and depth of the grooves. I will look for it over the weekend.

Regards, Mark"

Thanks, Mark

https://www.lowes.com/pd/General-Tools-Instruments-6-in-Stainless-Steel-Contour-Gauge/1016371

1he contour tool was almost like this one sold at hardare stores. The needles came out,you would lock them into place and have the exact measurements and spacing. I will still look for mine, unless I gave it back to him when I was done.
I used liquid rubber to fill a few torn areas and then smoothed it out with the contour gauge.

Regards, Mark

Thanks, Mark

I have that gauge.

I'd be pleased to buy-it/gift-it to anyone who says they will use it to measure the "ribs" in their Suburban's rear floor mat/linoleum.

Another recollection:

I was up north at my house near Traverse City. I stopped at an old carpet store which had been in business for many years. I asked the owner if he had any battleship linoleum, and he said he thought he still had some.

He bought out a bolt which was too stiff for me. I should have purchased it and let it warm up in the sun for a few days.

Moral of the story: stop in old flooring stores in small towns and ask the oldest geezer you can find if they have a bolt of battleship!

Regards ,Mark

This flooring material? Battleship? Do we know of the range of years it was used? My 62 has a nice covering (original) if I could help. If nothing else, I would be interested to know if the mat in my 62 suburban is the same so I can be on the look out for a "bolt of battleship".

It is battleship linoleum, used on naval ships due to it durability. The original poster was in the 1948 category, I have a 1958 Suburban, and Hambone has a 1962, so we know it was used for many years.
I am going to go out back to my barn tomorrow and see if I can find that contour gage and, if nothing else, take a picture of the contours on top of a fine metal scale.


Regards, Mark

Thanks, Mark

Please note (as I posted above) that the linoleum sold by the company "Battleship Linoleum" is not as thick as the original linoleum matting on the rear floor of my 1954 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall truck.

Hi Tim:
I re-read all the posts from way back. Did BURBfloors ever reappear with his pricing? I think the proper thickness is 3.2mm. The Woody Club had the routing dimensions, but the page is not accessible. Tony at Battleshp Linoleum probably has the dimensions, since he referred everyone to that page for the dimensions.
I found some battleship linoleum out in California for PeeWee, but i don't know if he ever bought it and routed it. I think he had the dimensions also.
I found Roscoleum, but it is only 2.5 mm, and only sold in full rolls, which probably wouldn't be a problem if someone were making good reproductions.

https://us.rosco.com/en/product/roscoleum

By the way, what happened to the Gallery? I had some pictures of my flooring before I partially restored it, but the "page can't be found"

Regards, Mark

Thanks for your post and info, Mark

I recently spoke with the owner of Battleship Linoleum.

He agreed that his linoleum in "thinner" than the original in a 47-55 Suburban.

He did not mention a source of thicker linoleum.

Mark, anything in Photobucket has not been viewable for quite some time.

Thanks Martin, I forgot they were hosted by Photobucket. I think a lot of us abandoned them when they held our photos hostage for ransom.

I couldn’t even access the Gallery page until today.

I think PeeWee or Tony can give the dimensions.

Regards, Mark

I would like to bring this thread back to my original request:

Would someone with a 47-55 Suburban please measure the following regarding the rear floor-cover material (linoleum?)?

1. The distance between the "ribs"/grooves
and

2. The depth of the grooves
and

3. Is the linoleum taller that the floor side metal?

If you have an Advance-Design (47-55) Suburban, would you please check your rear floor "matt/material/linoleum" and let me know the depth of the grooves and the distance between grooves and the height of the linoleum (above the metal sides)?

And/or, please send me a Private Message, if you are willing to discuss this in a phone call.

Thanks, Tim

IIRC , George,(GMONIZ) was all up in this thread when it was going, then when it blew up, he kinda disappeared. (stir the pot, then clear the hell out).
I think you can maybe still find some of the old posts ...2008?

I searched back to 2008 yesterday - I could find no earlier mention of linoleum and/or the rear floor-mat material.

Battleship Linoleum (the company) is mentioned many times over the years.

No mention is made of a correct thickness linoleum.

PLEASE: if you have a 47-55st Suburban - please let me know the approximate distance between grooves.

Forget about the depth of the grooves.
Forget about the thickness of the material.

As I posted at the beginning of this thread, I have found someone who says he has the correct thicker linoleum.
I will ask him for the name of his linoleum supplier/source.

He has a machine (CAD/CAM - CNC ?) that can cut the grooves and also cut the various hardware-holes in the floor matt.

I could not find the contour tool, but I took 2 pctures with a small 64th scale . I am going to try to post them now so that apprentice tool makers can figure it out. I think there is too much light, so if someone can't figure it out I will take some more.
Regards, Mark

Thanks, Mark

Is that a 1958 GMC Suburban?

I hope that someone will confirm that matches a 47-55 Suburban.

I would be nice/helpful if someone posts a similar picture for the earlier Suburbans.

Hi Tim:
A 1958 GMC Suburban.

Regards, Mark

I think I have attached an image of 1954 Suburban rear floor material.

If I can get the other images sent to me, I will add them (and post the name of the sender).

Not great pic, measurement of grooves on a 51 Suburban and linoleum floor tucked under the metal side edge.

Looks like 5/32nd to me.
Tim going to send us a set for this extraordinary effort?

Regards, Mark

Thanks to everyone.

If I get a rear floor mat made by the guy with a new CNC machine, I will see if he can keep the data and make rear floor mats for other people.

Hi Tim:
I was just kidding on making mats for everyone, but it would be a real service for the large majority of owners, since the floor in a large hauler took daily abuse.
Did you determine that all the mats had the same configurations for the years reported?
Regards, Mark

Hello, Mark,

You are the only person to provide useful in formation (especially the photo).

Thanks,
Tim

Tim:
I just emailed the President of the Woodie Club of America and asked him to send me the information on the article and whatever technical tips they had in their library. I will send it on if i get a response.

Regards, Mark

Hi Tim:
After my post above, I received a curt answer from Peter Gariepy, who claims to be the founder and designer of the AACA and Woodie Club of America web sites. He emailed me that he does not have time to assist me and i should join the groups and post my inquiry. I joined, at no cost, for a 6 month trial membership. I used the search function, and there was plenty of discussion of Battleship Linoleum for the steps on woodies, but not for grooved flooring. Most of the searched discussions referred back to Tony, at Battleship Linoleum.

I then attempted to find a way to post in the general discussion groups to loacate the grooving information. I couldn't find the button to post . I then received a seies of insulting and attacking emails telling me I was incompetent on a computer and get help.
He continued to send me insulting and attacking emails. I responded to him that I have been a classic car owner, many times over, for over 60 years, and if a fellow enthusiast had a question abut a topic, I would find that research, even if it took days, and help them out.
He wrote back telling me he would not do any research for anyone and again reiterated i was incompetent. He the blocked me from using their website. He is dangerous and insulting. If someone wants to try to register and post the queston in the General forums and then the Woodie forums, maybe we will have our answer.

Thanks for the report, Mark.

Peter Gariepy sounds like the kind of person that does not have many friends, lives a grumpy life, and is full of himself (I trust your judgements).

I will stay away from him and from the AACA and Woodie Club of America web sites.

Hi Tim:
Not sure what prompted his behavior, but I am not going near him.
However, my anger was channelled into finding the linoleum and I did locate the source in California.Escondido) Restoration Supply Company has it in a multitude of colors and lengths, ribbed and smooth, but limited in width .
Their info phone # is 1-760-741-4014.
I am going to try and attach their page here picturing the linoleum.
Not working. I will capture it somehow. Here is a link to the original US Government specifications.

Live link for battleship linoleum pages

https://books.google.com/books?id=hAbmoAwWibAC&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=%22+battleship+linoleum%22&source=bl&ots=ksjGtxISS5&sig=ACfU3U1SO9iOoppE-7b-NWcoN8eT_5ME0w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZ_Y63g4D5AhUgqWoFHcaZDfYQ6AF6BAgnEAM#v=onepage&q=%22%20battleship%20linoleum%22&f=false

Mark

Tim: Can't copy the image, but if you download their catalog, it is page 32.

Regards, Mark

RestorationStuff.com “The Right Stuff!” Phone: 1-800-306-7008
www.RestorationStuff.com - Order online anytime! - 32 - Fax: 1-760-739-8843
Restoration Supply Company
Compounded of cork and urethane rubber. Can be used on running boards,
floor boards, and trunk linings. 1/8" thick. Sticky back.
We recommend you seal it with Smiths Epoxy on page 61 to prevent oil from
soaking in.

Used for running boards and floorboards.
Sold in 78" widths, priced by the square foot.
Burlap backed. 1/8" thick.
Also available in pieces 13" x 96" for
running boards.
Please allow for slight shrinkage.
Reproduced to look just like the original.
The correct material for high wheeler running boards and floor mats.
3/16" thick.
Per Square Foot @ 78" wide Per 13" x 96" Strip
Black RUB060 $11.00/sq ft. RUB102 $94.60
Grey RUB061 $12.00/sq ft. RUB103 $103.20
Red Brick RUB063 $12.00/sq ft. RUB104 $103.20
Med. Green-Gray RUB069 $11.00/sq ft. RUB105 $94.60
Leather RUB072 $11.00/sq ft. RUB107 $94.60
Orig. Brown RUB073 $11.00/sq ft. RUB108 $94.60
Flooring
The ribs form a sharp “V” on the top and run lengthwise.
9 ribs per inch. 1/8" thick.
Ribs run lengthwise. Square on top.
Ribs are 1/4" across and spaced 1/4" apart.
Thickness at the ribs is 3/16" and they stand up 1/16".
Black 36" wide RUB022 $18.00 Linear Foot
Black 48" wide RUB048 $23.00 Linear Foot

Water based adhesive.
Apply with a 1/16” square notch trowel.
Spread rate: approx. 15 sq.ft./pint.
Cleans, seals and protects.
Cork Flooring Mat
International Harvester Corporation Circle Rubber Mat
Flat Top Ribbed Mat - Rubber
V Ribbed Mat - Vinyl
Black 35" x 28" RUB033 $175.00 Piece
B

My rear floor, in the cargo area on my '51 Carryall 3100 is dry rotted, has anyone replaced their floor? I know this is a huge job can any one give me any advice? (other than 'Not" do it.LOL)

Thank You Very Much, B (badmoonreizen)

The pertinent page ( page 32) from the catalog is attached below.

78" wide
It looks like they now sell it at $12 per square foot.

7' long by 78" piece should do it.

45.5 square feet
$546.00 plus $35.00 shipping

I have one more local option to check-out before I but tghis,

Thanks, Tim

You are very welcome Tim. I wish the Iowa Woody Club member would have responded to my telephone messages so i could have gotten the exact measurements for you.

Let us know how you do with a purchase.

Regards, Mark

Hey Tim! Apologies for this taking so long. This is what I measured out in a non-worn area of my floor. The edging or side strips, sit on top of the flooring material.

Thank you, Mark

I will soon be going to the company that said that their CNC machine can cut the grooves and even cut the various holes (to match the holes in my smooth linoleum sheet).

If I get this done, I will post the results here.

The beautiful sheet of CNC grooved and cut linoleum is now in my Suburban.

$321.50 for the linoleum $$ (from Battleship Linoleum)
$364.96 for CNC cutting $$ (a machine shop about 50 miles from my house)
This old truck is costing me more-and-more each day.

The linoleum fits perfectly.
The holes are a perfect match to the original.
The "ribs" look good - they are not as deep as the original grooves; but, linoleum with original thickness is no longer available.

I have installed the linoleum and attachment hardware and rear seats.

The next project is to replace the very loud "hot rod" SS dual-muffler/pipes system with an original-style SS muffler system.
I bought the SS replacement muffler system 7 years ago - it looked "cool" and rumbled nicely.
I have all the gaskets, spacers, alignment rings.

The muffler/pipes shop is less that 2 miles from my house.
I plan to drive the Suburban to that shop on Monday.