Seat sits well, but I've not moved the truck yet; I've got a couple of work orders for Monday, then for Tuesday I'm planning on finishing up the HVAC work in the dash; getting the A/C plumbing back together and evacuated; and leaving it sucking for at least a day.

Oh, and while it's sucking, I might as well put my dual-USB charger adapter up under the headliner and add the auto dimming mirror.

RwP

 

Didn't get the A/C connected; too much rain this morning, and a panic job to fix a fax machine telco line.

DID get the auto-dim mirror with compass installed. Also the dual-USB charger unit. Old headliner is out; I need to take my good board and the headliner material to my nephew to have them assemble it, either with the headliner fabric or, if there's enough, the left over carbon fiber vinyl.

Also, got the 3.5mm stereo cable run from where the satnav will sit to where the speaker and amp will sit for it.

Did some tidy up of the wiring to the subwoofer; it's all zip tied up under the dash now.

RwP

 

Ralph, that engine looked like the old Chrysler Corporate Blue to me, if not, I'd call it real close. Anyhow, that old V6 sparkles like a diamond. I was gonna say like a diamond in a goat's butt, but I didn't want you to think I was commenting on the engine bay, haha.

As for the money you put into it, compared to new car payments its no contest. 385K and counting is pretty cool.

 

Ayep. Next year the wife's Cougar gets a go-through; new motor, transmission, possibly redo the rear end to 3.55 gears, new upholstery and headliner.

And if we can stretch ... the rockers on the truck plus paint, or the body dings taken care of on Ruby Jean ( the 1991 Cougar ) and IT painted.

RwP

 

Got the evaporator and condenser cores flushed out. Started mounting the expansion valve, and ... dropped one of the 1/4-20 socket head bolts. And can't find it in the grass.

So I grab another pair at Lowe's or Home Depot tomorrow.

DID get the pressure line connected to the compressor, the condenser, and run behind the ECU. So it's ready to bolt the receiver/dryer to.

After I get the expansion valve bolted down properly, I can place the low pressure line; get it ready to connect to the receiver/dryer; connect my vacuum pump; and have it running as I'm attaching the R/D so that it has the absolute minimum time exposed to Louisiana humidity.

I figure 24 hours of pumping down ought to do Actually, probably only a few hours. I need to prep up the wiring to add the sockets to the dash (a dual-USB and either an accessory socket or another dual-USB, I've not decided yet!).

Then time to tackle the lower dash. I've decided, as nice as navy blue looks against the pacific blue, I'll be painting the lower dash navy blue before I mount the speakers and the LED strips.

So I get to scrub on THAT this weekend and get it done.

Le sigh.

But ... I can drive with the lower dash out! So, I will as long as the A/C works.

BTW - that 8" sub fills in the bass nicely for my normal choice of music.

RwP

 

I still have to decide ... do I buy some more pacific blue to redo the dash with, or some navy blue? Decisions, decisions!

RwP

 

Hey Ralph,
Out of curiosity, what do you use to flush the evap, and cond.?

 

Mastercool AC Flush.

Bought a gallon jug, we still need to do the stepson's Astro, front and rear.

Also, the Mastercool flush kit.

RwP

 

*gnashes teeth*

Well, I just found out why 1989-1991 has a different part number for the low pressure hose than the 87-88 does.

They removed the Schrader valve for the cycle switch for 1989.

So, back to the boneyard to get ANOTHER hose rebuilt for the Dakota.

*is grumpy at that. That, and the R134a converters won't work unless I remove the R12 Schrader valves first.*

RwP

 

I forgot to post these yesterday.

Three pics from part of what I did.



Dual USB Charger, audio extension cable for SatNav, and auto dim mirror with compass mounted


Closeup of the dual USB mounted.


Wiring run down the "A" pillar on driver's side.

RwP