How To Permanently And Professionally Fix The 2003-2008 Factory Cargo/Convenience Mat So It Doesn't Slide

[nerdydaddyo]

One of the first interior quirks I picked up on in the short time since I've had my 2003 Vibe is the rear cargo/convenience mat. While it looks awesome, it slides around and is virtually impossible to stop no matter what you throw at it. However, I have worked on cars for decades, both body and mechanical, and after careful thought, I came up with a solution that basically is what the vehicle should have had to begin with. Below you will find the necessary tools and supplies to finally make that mat stay in place.

You will need:

A drill
3/16 drill bit
Dorman Panel Retainers 799-135 (available at most auto parts stores)
A tape measure





Remove the cargo mat and open the cargo lid. Underneath you should see circles all over the bottom. Count three circles over from the left edge and use the tape measure to find the points located at the 4 inch mark and 20 inch mark as pictured below. Using the 3/16 drill bit, drill through the center of those two circles. Repeat on the right side, except this time count three circles over from the right edge.



Lay the cargo mat on top of the cargo lid. Line it up so it is straight to the rear edge where it is lifted; that edge is more critical. I didn't list it, but I used jumper cables to clamp the mat to the lid while I performed the next step. As long as it clamps tight, use whatever you can find.


Drill through the holes you drilled in the cargo lid from the underside again, this time going through the cargo mat. Once each is complete, take a Dorman 799-135 clip and on the mat side of the lid push it through the hole until you cannot push anymore.

Now you have a professionally installed cargo mat! You can still open and close the lid locks, open and close the lid, lower/raise seats, and carry cargo without having to worry about the mat again!

[vibrologist]

That idea is so good it could have been mine!

Thanks for sharing. I bet you have a few more tricks up your sleeves.

[nerdydaddyo]

My next trick was the Moto-Gate Mini Cargo Net, part number MTO-05-200. I didn't take a pic because it's not really an overwhelming mod of any kind. It's just an extremely heavy duty cargo net that works perfectly with the attachment points in the cargo area and can stop things from rolling out of the Vibe better than the factory cargo net (will withstand more abuse; made of heavy duty webbing) and less tangling. At roughly 50 bucks for it you can't go wrong.

[SlammedNiss]

If you dont want to drill holes into your car, you could also just use industrial strength velcro.

[nerdydaddyo]

I did try the industrial strength Velcro first, but I noticed no matter what I did it insisted on lifting every time. It just had a difficult time adhering to the plastic trim and so I decided that drastic measures were needed in order to succeed. Plus it's just frustrating doing the same thing over and over.

[zbyers]

I tried the velcro also; didn't work. Gonna try this in a few weeks when I'm off and have some time to tinker.