A Little Interior Work...

Been a little while since my last update, but in my defense, I have been non-stop around the house getting the Spring cleaning done early. Anyhow, on to the updates!

Today I was able to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather (we hit 60s in early March!) and do some work on interior trim. I need to get it all pulled, painted or reupholstered so I can pull the dash pad and replace it with the new one, and I need to paint the lower dash. I'm hoping to do that one without removing it, but we will have to see if I can pull that on off.

First off, the pillar trim is padded. I stripped the old covers off and this is what I had left (note original cover still on lower pad):

Unfortunately, the vinyl they used to cover the pad is quite thin, while I had to use the same material as I did for the seats. This made it much more challenging. Hopefully everything fits when done. Spray-mount, press, trim, and work it into place trying to get the adhesive to stick and you get this (original still below):

Much better, but I have some wrinkles I will need to try to work out. The thicker material really makes this a challenge, but it looks a thousand times better and it will match the rest of the interior.

I also redid the spare tire access cover. Resisting instinct to do it my way, I applied adhesive the same way as the factory did. The net result is I ended up with a couple bubbles that will be difficult to do. Hopefully I can get them, but in the meantime, what a difference!

I still need to reinstall the bar at the bottom, and the hook on the inside by the handle hole, but much better.

I also sprayed about a half dozen pieces of trim and then ordered more SEM Super White (which is really an off white, and sorry, no pic yet) because I am going to at a minimum do the door panels as well, and may spray the last two larger interior panels that go in the back of the vehicle. Plus, I need to do ALL of the third row seat assemblies, minus the upholstery. The big panels are upholstered, but it is just going to be way to much work to have new ones sewn up.

Once the trim and dash are set, I can reassemble the interior, and add the console back in. I still need to redo the seat tracks, but I bought a 5 gallon bucket of EvapoRust to soak them, rather than trying to disassemble them and blast them. If my gamble pays off, I can eliminate the rust, paint them and put them back into service while saving myself a ton of added labor, and ultimately end up with a better product.

I found one picture I have of the windlace from the driver's door. It looked rough, but after cleaning with Simple Green and then lacquer thinner and them a fairly heavy couple of coats of SEM Color Coat, and they look almost new!

That's all for now. I'll try to get a pic of the trim for my next post, but there won't be much to tell other than it worked and it was easy, or otherwise.Now to pull all of the third row seats so I can have them soda blasted...

Pulling Door Panels...

Just a quick post on pulling door panels. I picked up some spare doors (for the glass) and needed to remove the door panels first. Getting the old Ford panels off can easily result in damage if you aren't careful due to the substrate being a low-density fiberboard that is prone to tearing and readily absorbs water which weakens it.

This picture shows a technique you can use to pop the spring clips without tearing out the mounting holes. You get the putty knife (or similar) as close to the clip as you can, and pry against the PUTTY KNIFE ONLY with a wide, flat-bladed screwdriver as close to the clip as you can.

I personally like to start at a lower corner and work my way across the bottom, and then up either side for the best results. One last note ... be sure any fasteners, door pulls, window cranks, or any other item that will prevent remove of the panel has been removed first or you can stress or crack the panel.

Finally Found A Correct Roof Rack!

After much searching, I have finally located (and procured) a correct Mercury roof rack! It isn't quite as nice a s the Ford roof rack I had picked up previously, but the mounting holes are all the same meaning no new holes in the roof, and all of the rubber gaskets and insulators are in outstanding condition.

It may seem a little odd, but I would rather stay with an original, correct roof rack that isn't quite as pretty rather than go with the nicer one that just won't look right. At least not to me since I know better.

I also picked up a full set of glass (minus the windshield, but that will come soon), and all of the trim off the back around the tailgate. Nice to have spares, and I will probably even replace a few pieces since these are so nice.

Pictures to come soon!

NOS Dash Pad...

As luck would have it, I ran across an NOS dash pad around the first of the year from a guy in Florida. Still in the factory plastic, and never been opened! I was able to get that to replace my cracked black pad (wasn't sure if that was going to ever happen.) This will need to be dyed first. Time to get some SMS black with the low gloss!

I was also able to pick up an original AM/FM radio. Was supposed to be in working condition when pulled. I have another in questionable condition. Now I just have to figure out which knobs are correct for the radio... Then I will need to test it to see if it works before it goes in the car.

What a lucky find on both counts!

A Quick Update...

Wow! it has been way too long since my last update. Not much has happened due to a family illness and finishing up the installation of the hoist, and drywalling the modified garage roof. Once I have my wife back in the garage, I should be all set to get some work done. Hope to be posting more stuff soon!