The Binder Boneyard Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Improving Fuel Economy in Stock International Trucks: Oil Choice, Tune, and Rolling Resistance Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Dan from Binder Boneyard discusses fuel economy in stock International trucks amid high fuel costs, using his 1973 Travelall (392, 727 auto, 3.31 gears, 27-inch tires, Pertronix ignition) as an example and explaining how tire size and gearing affect RPM. After switching from Delo 15W-40 diesel oil to Valvoline VR1 10W-30, he records road-trip tanks improving from about 12.5–13.1 mpg previously to 12.9 and then mostly above 13 mpg, with a best of about 13.9, even while carrying extra weight, which he attributes to the oil change and plans to monitor for consumption and noise. He outlines economy tips: strong ignition and timing, correct carb jetting and CFM sizing, avoid overfueling, reduce drag (brakes, alignment, bearings), use appropriate lubricants, grease U-joints, inflate tires, consider fan drag, match gearing and weight to power, and notes EFI (Holley Sniper) can reach 15–16 mpg for some, though 20 mpg isn’t realistic.

Ownership Doesn’t Equal Expertise: Phone Call Myths, Nuance, and Knowing Your International Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Dan from Binder Boneyard records from his shop office while doing laundry in a repurposed washer/dryer to save money, then discusses how a tough economy makes sales harder and leads into recurring issues with phone calls from customers who argue despite lacking accurate knowledge. He describes an incident where a caller insisted a woman was wrong about six-lug 3/4-ton Travelalls and demanded to speak to a man, and he shares other examples of owners claiming “factory original” trucks with impossible setups or not recognizing swapped components (including a Ford 9-inch rear). Dan emphasizes that Internationals have many model and option differences, warns against ordering without reading descriptions or “shotgunning” parts, refuses to give out part numbers, and urges owners to buy MT/repair manuals, learn their vehicles, document changes, be open-minded, and treat staff like Josie with respect.

Winterizing Your Classic Scout/Truck: Fuel, Fluids, Rodents, Storage, and Battery Tips Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Dan from Binder Boneyard shares annual winterization guidance for classic trucks/Scouts, noting regional differences and his experience with corrosive salt brine. He stresses removing ethanol fuel by running the tank down and refilling with non-ethanol, or alternatively running the engine briefly on canned non-ethanol small-engine gas; he advises keeping steel tanks full to prevent rust (or running aluminum/plastic tanks low to avoid stale fuel) and reminds that fuel injection can still clog from old fuel. He recommends verifying coolant freeze protection and freshness, changing oil yearly (optionally running a quart of ATF briefly before the change), topping off brake/clutch/washer fluids, and addressing rodents with open-hood light, traps, and sealing holes. He cautions against tarp damage, suggests protecting tires or using jack stands, removing valuables/food, disconnecting and tending the battery, avoiding the parking brake (use chocks), and leaving notes for known leaks.

International Front Axles Explained: I-Beam, Torsion Bar IFS, and Dana 27/30/44/70 Differences Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Dan from Binder Boneyard discusses common misinformation about International truck, Travelall, and Scout front axles, outlining major designs and year ranges. He covers two-wheel-drive setups including I-beam axles used through 1973 (with 1974 switching to independent), the 1010 torsion-bar independent front end with obsolete steering/suspension parts and hard-to-source Lockheed brake components, and rare Scout 80/800 and Scout II 2WD tube axles. He then traces four-wheel-drive development from early heavy-duty 1953 trucks and 1956 S-120 closed-knuckle Dana 44-based axles, through Scout Dana 27 and Dana 30 closed-knuckle designs, to open-knuckle Dana 30/44 changes in the early 1970s and the move to disc brakes (especially Scout II). He highlights weight-rating variations, Dana 70 one-ton fronts, parts availability issues, and urges verifying what axle is actually installed before ordering parts.

Shifting to Retail and Making Old Internationals More Comfortable Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Dan from Binder Boneyard shares a Father’s Day episode update on restructuring the shop due to major economic changes in labor, overhead, taxes, and parts costs. He explains that parts and online sales have become the stable income, so he’s finishing current customer jobs, not hiring beyond Dan, Ty, and Josie, and eventually moving to retail-only while building and selling one truck per year (possibly via Barrett-Jackson or Mecum) as a long-term plan. He then focuses on improving comfort in vintage International trucks and Scouts, especially temperature and noise control, recommending exhaust wrap, heat shields, Lizard Skin and Raptor coatings, quality Dynamat-style mats, roof and door insulation, good gaskets and seals, fixing rattles, improving HVAC/ducting, upgrading seats and ergonomics, adding practical accessories, and considering mechanical upgrades like power steering and better brakes.

C-Series Travelettes (1961–68): Features, Common Problems, and Binder Boneyard Build Upgrades May 18, 2026

Show notes

Dan discusses International Harvester C-Series Travelettes (1961–68), noting year-to-year feature changes like grille/headlight styles, gauge and interior updates, and option availability up through the more modern 1968 models (power steering, power brakes, A/C, custom interior, multiple tanks, five-speed). He emphasizes common issues including severe rust (cowl, floors, fenders, roof, bed, end caps), rear cab wall separation at the floor seam due to inadequate mid-body mounting, poor door fit, side glass breakage from worn felts/tracks, and rear-window glare when backing up at night. He outlines preferred resto-mod upgrades: power steering using D-series components and column mods, power brake kits, GM axle swaps (often 14-bolt rear and Dana 44 front; Dana 60/70 for heavy diesels), lift approaches, transfer case/driveshaft considerations including a carrier bearing, and fuel-tank solutions including aluminum tanks or a single rear between-rails tank.

The Binder Boneyard Podcast is hosted by Dan Hayes and produced by Bradley Parsons.

Music by Bradley Parsons
Support the show on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/thebinderboneyardpodcast
Follow The Binder Boneyard on social media:
Instagram: @thebinderboneyard
Facebook: The Binder Boneyard
www.thebinderboneyard.com
www.trainsoundstudio.com

Remembering John Donnelly: Club Stories, Friendship, and a Reminder to Get Your Affairs in Order Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Dan dedicates the episode as a tribute to his friend John Donnelly, who passed away last week. He recalls meeting John in the early 2000s through the Binder Bulletin forum, traveling with the Oregon group to the Northwest Binders gathering, and helping found an Oregon International/Scout club where John served as president and became a welcoming, energetic center of club events, camping trips, and work parties. Dan describes John’s big personality, love of storytelling, and enthusiasm for unique vehicles and hobbies. Dan announces a memorial on May 16 at 10:00 AM at the Methodist Church in Woodburn, and urges listeners to document wishes and clearly identify projects to reduce burdens on family members.

The Binder Boneyard Podcast is hosted by Dan Hayes and produced by Bradley Parsons.

Elbow Grease: Fixing and Maintaining Old Trucks Without Rewiring Everything Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

In today’s economy, many issues on Scouts and other trucks can be solved with time, basic tools, and cleaning rather than buying expensive new parts. He explains how to unplug and service firewall harnesses, clean and re-pin Packard 56 terminals, verify continuity with a test light, and restore grounds to improve headlight brightness, signal flash rate, and gauge behavior; he notes under-dash wiring is hardest and often hacked, but can be cleaned or repaired with inexpensive connectors or circuit board fixes. He also covers refurbishing door latches, window regulators (including rebuilding teeth), freeing heater control cables by soaking and working them, and prioritizing maintenance like greasing, U-joints, brake checks, gear oil inspection, wheel bearings, and brake fluid flushing to prevent bigger failures.

The Binder Boneyard Podcast is hosted by Dan Hayes and produced by Bradley Parsons.

Spring Wake-Up Brake Checks: Fix Drum Brakes Before Conversions or Hydroboost Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Dan discusses springtime vehicle wake-ups and frustration with demanding viewers who don’t support his free podcasts/videos, thanking donors and subscribers. He then focuses on brake issues common after seasonal storage, emphasizing that properly maintained and adjusted drum brakes can work well and discouraging expensive disc brake conversions before diagnosing basics. He recommends checking for rusty or sticking wheel cylinders, collapsed or restricted rubber hoses, kinked/dirty hard lines and junction blocks, proper bench bleeding, and flushing old discolored brake fluid rather than minimal bleeding; he notes brake fluid absorbs moisture and suggests periodic replacement. He also explains vacuum boosters versus hydroboost, arguing hydroboost is usually unnecessary and can cause rear lockup without careful proportioning, advising owners to fix underlying problems before upgrading.

The Binder Boneyard Podcast is hosted by Dan Hayes and produced by Bradley Parsons. Music by Bradley Parsons

Support the show on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/thebinderboneyardpodcast

Follow The Binder Boneyard on social media:
Instagram: @thebinderboneyard
Facebook: The Binder Boneyard

www.thebinderboneyard.com
www.trainsoundstudio.com

Road Trip Prep and Lessons from Driving a 1973 Travelall to Las Vegas for the Mint 400 and a Wedding Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Dan shares updates from mid-March, including marrying Josie in Nevada after traveling to Las Vegas for the Mint 400 with the Vintage Scout race program, where they did not finish due to lacking the correct part. He thanks supporters and explains the episode will cover substantial road-trip prep for an International, detailing a roughly 890-mile drive each way in a 1973 1010 Travelall and the maintenance he performed beforehand (brakes, wheel bearings, chassis greasing, electrical checks, door/window lubrication, fluid levels, and breather vent cautions). He discusses cruising RPM/speed, elevation effects, and fuel economy (12.78 mpg average), then recounts diagnosing and fixing a worsening rough-idle issue by replacing a failed carb needle-and-seat from a rebuild kit on the road, recommending carrying the correct carb kit as cheap insurance.

The Binder Boneyard Podcast is hosted by Dan Hayes and produced by Bradley Parsons.

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