Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

[Turdle]

Need to adjust rear bumper a tad I see.

 

[gmanpaint]

Looking good and ready for Prom.

 

[CDW6212R]

She looks better than new, and 20 years old, good times.

 

[Turdle]

Thanks Don.

So I got this hole. sound and rodents can get in even with the carpet, bottom boot, and trim boot installed.

I also got a silicone oven mitt.

Hmmm.

View attachment 159065

Just need to screw or rivet it down, the lower boot and carpet will hold it also.

 

[CDW6212R]

If you have rodents coming in(mice I presume), they will keep going through there, until you erase their scent from the entire area, and have a very good barrier.

I'd find the best odor cleaning chemical, and spray/scrub that on thoroughly, around the hole underneath, and inside. The mice, like ants, trace their old paths by smell, which leads them back to the hole.

I think that kind of cover can work(help), but it may need to be doubled, placed on the underside as well. I'd try some leather or rubber also as an outer layer(with bigger holes than the glove material), plus the gloves inside.

Good luck, I've seen mice eat through cement sealant(fills holes in cement). We had mice coming in along an underground water pipe, sealing the hole around the pipe didn't stop them. Poison took care of it slowly, but they were not stopped from getting inside. Try to erase their scent trails.

 

[Turdle]

I don't have em coming in now, but they did once at a campsite, and got to my cookies.

 

[gmanpaint]

I know what ya meant as you told me that story and your just prepping for future trips.

But... I stuff holes with sos pads before sealing them up. They chew it, and croak. Might not be a good deal on a rig, as it might promote rust, but for the home, yeah, works like a charm.

 

[Turdle]

I have a 100% kevlar oven mitt which I also never use, I might lay it down first. Kevlar will challenge the little bastages.

Main goal is sound deadening. A lot of sound comes up through there.

 

[traveler]

huh.... I've never had any issues with the opening for the shifter. either rodents, or sound. I have a B&M Shifter boot on it, and the original F-150 Shifter boot over that one. No problems.... yet.

 

[Turdle]

Oh crap, yeah, last year they got into my console, opened a pack of cigarettes and jacked one without even asking. Got all the cookies out and they went for the tobacco. @traveler doesn't smoke or eat cookies so his truck is safe.

I have cleaned the console out since, but I am going to use Don's advice to clean it up real good with pet kennel cleaner stuff when it comes back out for carpet fitment. Thanks Don for the "not nice mice trail" tip.

 

[rpenner54]

So jealous of your progress. I get stuff done on mine and then it just sits. I get so busy with work and home improvement stuff that I just don't have the energy sometimes. One of these days we need a good Kansas gathering.

 

[Turdle]

So jealous of your progress. I get stuff done on mine and then it just sits. I get so busy with work and home improvement stuff that I just don't have the energy sometimes. One of these days we need a good Kansas gathering.

So jealous you can hold a job. I post things in excitement of being able to get something done. Don't be jealous, you have a future. This is my only vehicle and I seem to have all the time in the world. I'm very slow-

 

[Turdle]

When We drive Betty our ***** hurt. Backs hurt. Something has to be improved upon. Cobeau seats in the future but for now I have to go ghetto with what I have on hand.

That being said, I think I found a good temporary fix to the sagging seat.

Betty let her load shift. Both front seat riders were riding in a shifted hip position. not noticable until you do it for a while and wonder why you can't walk for a while after getting out of the seats. I can go about 1-maybe 2 hours before i just have to get out and walk around for about 5 minutes. My spine is fubr with a d

I am in the middle of putting the interior in so I distracted myself by removeing the driver seat base. Here is what I found

oopsie, one doesn't look like the other

A friggin slacker spring!

I put a tiny downward bend to the bolster rod so the wire would stay put and retain the spring ^^^^^
Then I ran a chunk of old rear floor mat under the wires, carpeted side toward foam, to keep them from cutting into the foam. Zip tie to put sideways tension on the wires as the rope was broken

Passenger seat was the same, so, I did the same to it. Hope it works for a while at least.

 

[gmanpaint]

If you send me the seat foam and cover, I know a place I can take it to, and have a new one made fairly cheap. They have different densities /types of foam you can choose from as well. They need the old one to make a match.

 

[Turdle]

@gmanpaint That sounds like a good plan. I like it, thanks for telling me about it.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

bluka told me this once, and it worked. the foam is identical for both drivers and passengers side front seat. hit up a wrecker and find a passengers side foam, and use it on your drivers side. when i did that, i also found the seat base broken, some springs broken, stringers broken, and the seat back frame was broken. when i fixed it all, it felt like a totally different seat. like a new one.
hashtagfatguyproblems

 

[toypaseo]

blueka told me this once, and it worked. the foam is identical for both drivers and passengers side front seat. hit up a wrecker and find a passengers side foam, and use it on your drivers side.

I might have to try this. The pick-a-part yard I go to charges $22-37 for a bucket seat, or $22 for seat cushion base. I wonder if I can get just the foam for dirt cheap...

 

[Turdle]

The seats feel like they actually work now, with suspension and bulge like never before. I like.
Still, I ordered 2 of these

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-Cool...pID=51W16WwuXSL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch



The driver seat leather itself though, is real bad. I need new leather for it. I really want the "mountaineer" logo also, so, might be tough to find.I'll check ebay.

Anyway, the front seats and carpet, console, shift boot are back in, getting ready now to set the rear seats, belts and the trimwork pieces. Not only is she going back together, but I am suddenly developing more room around the house. Carpet, trims and back seats have been out since last fall, it's amazing how much space these take. Can't keep anything I want to stay nice in the garage without covering it up, so the spare bedroom, AKA MLB's sewing room, has once again become a parts warehouse. Boy will she be surprised tonight!

 

[traveler]

My seats are still comfy... But has the classic wear spot on the drivers seat from sliding in and out of the truck. Every upholsterer I've talked to wants crazy money to fix it.. but I'll keep looking. Maybe one day I'll find a perfect, tan, Eddie Bauer seat in a salvage yard. LOL

 

[CDW6212R]

The seats feel like they actually work now, with suspension and bulge like never before. I like.
Still, I ordered 2 of these

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-Cool...pID=51W16WwuXSL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch



The driver seat leather itself though, is real bad. I need new leather for it. I really want the "mountaineer" logo also, so, might be tough to find.I'll check ebay.

Anyway, the front seats and carpet, console, shift boot are back in, getting ready now to set the rear seats, belts and the trimwork pieces. Not only is she going back together, but I am suddenly developing more room around the house. Carpet, trims and back seats have been out since last fall, it's amazing how much space these take. Can't keep anything I want to stay nice in the garage without covering it up, so the spare bedroom, AKA MLB's sewing room, has once again become a parts warehouse. Boy will she be surprised tonight!

FYI, I have fairly nice grey Mountaineer seats still, if when I can find replacements, I'll sell you the covers if needed. My Mercury is a spare mail truck for good, and I have aftermarket seats for my 98 Limited. I hadn't thought of what to do with the Mercury, other than swap the other best parts over to my Limited(it'll look like a Mountaineer in general when finished).