Sprucing Up

[Dawn Michelle]

Today I added some seat covers as I start revitalizing Juno. I'm still taking baby steps. Had hoped to get her to the mechanic's this week to look at the accelerator pump issue but we just aren't getting a break in the weather. Today is lovely but it's been rainy and more rain and snow coming our way. There's no way I want to untarp her right now. Going to have to wait til we get warmer and drier weather. In the meantime I'll start her up every few days and run her. Rick didn't bring her in with a full tank of gas, and she's running low, but that's what I figure gas cans are for, right? Anyway, while the seats (pulled from something - who knows what - they aren't original) were in good shape and comfortable they were seriously stained and no amount of elbow grease and cleaners was making a dent so seat covers seemed the best idea. They were a challenge though. They don't make seat covers (at least on Amazon) that accommodate the arm rests. Additionally, I couldn't get the headrests off. Ultimately I took a chance on these: https://www.amazon.com/Jaybally-Waterproof-Protector-Compatible-Uni... and am pleased with the result. They didn't fit perfectly, but look fairly smooth (if not perfectly snug). These covers require you cut two holes for the headrest poles - I just cut a slit and slipped it over the whole headrest, once down you couldn't see it. Duck tape underneath for a little reinforcement. So it's not like some of the really attractive custom made seat covers I've seen, but for $46, and thirty minutes of my time I feel like it freshened things up. I'm bringing her right up into the 90s :-) I'm really ecstatic over the room in the cab compared to the Toyotas I was originally looking for. One could easily and comfortably use the passenger seat as an office space with a laptop and lapdesk. Overall I've continued to clean and assess. Purchased a step brace for the lower step. Started stripping off glued down velcro and take stickers and decals off windows. Popped the hood and started to acquaint myself with her innards. Unhappily I think Juno didn't come with A/C. The PO just said it didn't work, but I don't see a compressor (at least what images on google show one should look like), the vents in the dash are just molded plastic - to look closed, but not real vents, and there are no a/c controls - just a hot and cold lever. Looking at the bright side. If there is no a/c then there's no a/c to fix, right? But wow, I haven't had a/c in a car since well before 84! I'm enjoying all this more than I thought - I love getting away from the computer and just tackling one task at a time, using my hands (which are starting to accumulate bandaids) and figuring things out. The feeling of accomplishment, and no one looking over my shoulder to tell me how to do it - to approve or disapprove - is really freeing. I have to say, though, not sure I could have done this ten years ago without forums and youtube!

[Rich Thomas]

I really liked the International it was a sport addition and had a sort of mural painted on the sides. It came with the drivers seat and every thing else was add on's. They stopped making Internationals a few years later. It had a full length canvas top and a roll cage if I recall correctly.

 

[Dawn Michelle]

I suspect Rich that this project is going to teach me a lot about redefining my attitude towards a whole lot of things. Maybe just what the doctor ordered. Thanks for both the encouragement and reminder. Hey, I have wing windows, too! I'll have to try your trick :-) That, and not drive through Texas in the summer, right?

Great laugh about the International. Wow, what did come "base"???!! Here's a steering wheel...and everything else is additional?

[Rich Thomas]

My old 78 came with dealer installed A.C. and I think that in that day and time most vans and trucks were done that way. I remember going into an international dealer and set down to order a new scout. After a few minuets of chit chat we got down to business. The guy looks at me and asked if I wanted a spare tire, yes I said and he made a little check mark. do you want rear seats he asked? yes I want a rear seat I replied. He then asked do you want doors?  well yea! I wan't doors, Then he asked do you want the front passenger seat,...... do you want the seat. No! i said I don't want the seat, the doors the canvas top or the bumpers or anything in between, i'm going to get me a pickup truck and it won't be an international. Thank you very much!  Case in point if the vents on the dash are fakes then some very smart person probably said no I don't want A.C. Sorry I went off on a tangent. Any way my old palace has dealer installed AC and it's all factory components and it doesn't work. I plan on removing all the related hardware and possibly going with a Vintage Air system some time down the road.You can google them and have some idea what it would cost to buy and install it. I am lucky that the old girl dose have those nice little wing windows that I can pull in and leave the rear most roof vent open and it pulls in a good amount of cool that so far that works for me. Half the fun is transforming the rig into what you want it to be and it sounds like you are having a great time exploring the possibilities Just keep having fun with it even when you are tasked with the bigger problems that so many folks on here have gotten into like, water damage or like myself a bad torque converter. You can grit your teeth till they call you gumbie or you can take a deep breath and explore the possibilities and even look at it as a chance to improve something. My torque converter failed but my transmission wasn't hurt but I decided to get a beefed up unit to make towing better. any way I'm glad you are having fun with it and also that you are sharing with all of us the progress you are making. thank you and good luck.   

[Lakota Wolf]

Sounds like your having FUN,, getting the hands dirty,, sweat on the brow,, kudo's.. and those seat covers be looking good.