How to use .zip Mod files?

[Shubes]

I realize this has probably been asked a thousand times but I can't find a clear explanation (that has worked for me yet, anyway) so I thought I'd ask again. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I download a truck mod in .zip format. What I don't understand is, how do I handle this .zip file once it's in my Downloads folder? I extracted the .zip file International_Lonestar.zip into its own folder and wound up with international lonestar.scs (and a .url file just pointing to a website, which I know isn't needed in the mods folder). I copied that .scs file into my mods folder, and the truck shows up BUT...nothing else. There are no International engines listed for the truck, and when I purchase/customize the truck and then attempt to drive it, there are absolutely NO sounds. No engine sounds, no horn, no power window sounds, no sounds at all that would be associated with the truck itself.

If I extract the .scs file (using Archive Manager), I get a folder named "international lonestar" with all these subfolders that - to me, anyway - look like they should tell the mod how to behave: automat, def, sound, unit, vehicle, etc. My question is, How do I install this mod so it shows up in ATS and works the way it's supposed to? I'm thinking it's surely just user error; most of the mods I just copy the .scs file into my Mods folder and they work, but this one - even though the truck shows up in my MOD Dealer list - just isn't working correctly and I'm thinking it's something I'm doing incorrectly.

Can anyone offer a suggestion? Am I missing a step? Thanks in advance for any/all help!

[Reese]

What version is that specific mod intended for? If it's an older version, it may just not comply with the current requirements for sound and thus the game doesn't know what to do with it. You don't need to extract a .scs. However, some mods come as a .zip with the same structure as a .scs, so you won't always need to extract a .zip either. Always need to have a look inside to be sure.

Side note, partially unrelated, but ETS2/ATS support mods just sitting in a folder as well, as long the folder itself contains everything that the zip/scs would normally contain. Useful for making mods where quick adjustments are needed.

While any one specific mod may show in your mod list and may not show that it is incompatible does not make it a valid mod for the version you're playing. The incompatibility check is manually added by the mod author in one of the files included with the mod. The game has no idea otherwise.

[Shubes]

Reese lähetti viestin:

What version is that specific mod intended for? If it's an older version, it may just not comply with the current requirements for sound and thus the game doesn't know what to do with it. You don't need to extract a .scs. However, some mods come as a .zip with the same structure as a .scs, so you won't always need to extract a .zip either. Always need to have a look inside to be sure.

Side note, partially unrelated, but ETS2/ATS support mods just sitting in a folder as well, as long the folder itself contains everything that the zip/scs would normally contain. Useful for making mods where quick adjustments are needed.

While any one specific mod may show in your mod list and may not show that it is incompatible does not make it a valid mod for the version you're playing. The incompatibility check is manually added by the mod author in one of the files included with the mod. The game has no idea otherwise.

Well dang... Now I feel like an idiot. I just went back to the mod site and looked and NOWHERE in the description does it actually say 1.47. I was looking at the description and saw 2023-06-23 so I assumed (and we know what happens when we "assume") this was a very recent mod and was compatible.

I don't know for certain, of course, that that's where the problem is, but it sure makes sense. I told the mod site (modshost.net) to "Filter by 1.47" and looked through 8 pages of trucks and that one is nowhere to be found. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I guess I'll drive something else for awhile!

[Tom Johnson]

The only place I would trust downloading mods from is the Steam Workshop, SCS Forums, Truckymods, and directly from the author, Why would you download a truck that is already in the game?

[TwinShadow]

Just throwing it out there, but it could be a mod that modifies the existing International Lonestar in the game to give additional accessory slots, more parts, etc.. That kinda has to happen to be able to do some of those.

[Madkine]

A zip mod can normally be placed in the mod folder untouched. SCS files are just a modified zip file.

[room217au]

Shubes lähetti viestin:

I don't know for certain, of course, that that's where the problem is, but it sure makes sense. I told the mod site (modshost.net) to "Filter by 1.47" and looked through 8 pages of trucks and that one is nowhere to be found. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I guess I'll drive something else for awhile!

It should be noted here that the uploader may not necessarily be the author and seeing that Sharemods etc pay by the download, all they want is the d'load confirmation.
Even though the accompanying description says "updated for 1.XX" there's no guarantee that any updates have been made at all. The uploader gets paid whether that mod works or not.