okay, so perhaps i am just dense, but i was trying to figure out what i would need to pull up the carpet and replace it properly when doing a stereo install. How hard is it to make it look right again?

 

Normally you just find the edge of the carpet and work from there. In practically all cars I've done there are holes in the carpet under the center console. The carpet ends right under the rear seat. And the side edges of the carpet can easily be lifted by prying up the threshhold plate (running along the bottom door edge). Most of the time the carpeting is held in with snaps. Some cars use good quality snaps, some do not and you will end up breaking them.

Personally my favorite tool used to pry snaps and other press fitted objects is a mini pry bar used to remove nails. Wrap the bar with electrical tape so you don't scratch things.

Carpet isn't too hard to work with. Just don't run thick wires like amp power wires or maybe RCA's under the center console since they will raise the carpeting on the rear floor hump. In fact I wouldn't run any wires through the center console except the amp turn on lead.

Replacing the carpet is easier than putting in the seats. Nuff said.