Hello,
My name is Scott Livingston and I am a newbie.
A little introduction:
I am currently stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado with the US Army. I will deploy to Iraq in March for 12 months. After that, it is retirement time. My wife wants to get a traveling medical job (Occupational Therapy Assistant) and wants to hit the road. Sell the house, the daughter is off to College courtesy of the GI Bill and pack up the two small dogs.
We have the opportunity to look at a 1975 GMC 4905 here in Colorado Springs (serial number 1133, I believe, but will verify).
http://coloradosprings.kijiji.com/trailers-rvs/colorado-springs/1975-gmc-4905-bus-conversion-rv-coach/?ad=613142 (http://coloradosprings.kijiji.com/trailers-rvs/colorado-springs/1975-gmc-4905-bus-conversion-rv-coach/?ad=613142)
It's currently being listed at $6000. There is some damage to the bay doors, but it should be repairable.
I am looking for any insight/recommendations/thoughts.
Thanks
Scott
Ask to see the documentation of the rebuild, if there isn't any, it didn't happen, it seems that all buses sold have just had a rebuild and now are being sold for a fraction of what the rebuild cost for some reason.
sounds like a good deal " jake brakes also"
Yes get paperwork for overhaul
Lonnie
If the correct serial number is P8M4905A-1133
From GMC to Hartford Motor Coach Co. Baltimore,MD
Fleet number 107
06/1975
Check for corrosion in the wheel wells also the bin doors that are damaged replacement skin is avaliable but very costly.
As for the clain the coach has the miles they state would be a subject to be questioned. ???
The GMC coaches are a good coach.
Note I own a 1974 P8M4905A and I like the old girl. ;D
jlv
nbcnco,
I have seen that bus for sale a while back. Offer 5K for it. All they can say is no!! ;D I am a tightwad though, lol
Bryan
This coach certainly looks like it is worth further investigation.
You don't mind doing some of your own work to update the interior and do your own maintenance on the coach?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Thanks for the insight.
Once I retire, I'll have nothing but time. Need something to keep myself occupied.
Any recommendations on a good bus shop/mechanic around Colorado Springs?
Scott
I retired from the Navy many years ago, when retired you will find that you don't have nearly the time you think you will!!
one suggestion I would make is to remove any graphics that would tend to make a law enforcement officer think this is an entertainer (commercial) vehicle. Jack
nbcnco,
Pictures make it look like it is in good condition, but take a good diesel mechanic with you when you go to look at it, even if you need to pay someone. As others may mention, be looking at the corrosion, and checking the rear bulkhead forward of the engine for signs of cracking.
If it looks decent, or something you are willing to put the time and money into fixing-- go for it.
One caution though. It will bother you the whole time you are in Iraq that you are not at home able to use/play/mess with your new toy!
Also, I don't think you will be in Iraq long!
Steve Toomey
PABusnut
1973 GMC P8m4905A-333
currently somewhere in Afghanistan (where the Army doesn't block this site!)
When you go look at it fire it up cold to see what color the exhaust smoke looks like, and also how long before she fires.
Welcome, and God Bless you for your sacrifice!
Paul
Scott, and Pabusnut, Thanks for serving. Tom Y
Quote from: Dreamscape on January 16, 2010, 06:15:40 AM
When you go look at it fire it up cold to see what color the exhaust smoke looks like, and also how long before she fires.
check to make sure the engine is cold for this to help assess engine. Was looking at a bus once and buddy was all trying to sell me on how easy it started no smoke blah blah .... before he started it I had a look in the engine bay etc, noticed it was all nice and warm in there, so of course it started easy with no smoke.
I have a couple friends in CO who have Buffalos. One is in Longmont, one in Pueblo. Maybe they might be willing to come look at it with you and give you some more insight. Email me if interested and I'll send you their contact info.
craig
It looks quite nice! I had a 4905 that was a great example of the problems with that line of coach. :-[ If this bus is in good condition, they are a great bus. Here is a list of things to look for.
Rust on the skins around the all windows, in particular the drivers side window at the drivers seat. If you see signs of repairs, really check the interior of the electrical panel below that window right next to the drivers left leg. If the window spent time leaking, the wiring and floor in there can be a mess.
Did this coach have the bogie axle in the rearmost bay? Some did, some did not. If it did, there will be 2 BIG sections of frame hanging from the bulkheads.
How do the wood floors look from the inside of the bays? Some of the torsion bars for the bay doors would pull the wood down and out of shape.
Where is the muffler on this coach? Some were in the engine compartment between the fan and the engine, others were under the floor , in the center of the coach, forward of the engine. When that muffler goes bad, it can catch the floor on fire. That's how I got my MCI. :o
Look at the bushings in the radius rods through the wheel wells for excessive cracking, or being shoved more than about a quarter inch.
Look at the airbags for cracking.
Look for signs of leaks around the skylights in the "hump".
If you are planning on full timing, the original insulation in the walls will be poor for cold weather (i.e. north of the mason dixon line). Get some pictures of the electrical and good details about the inverter and ask questions once you know what is there. Again for full timing, there is a lot we can tell you about what is in the bus. The 3500 watt genset will run one, maybe 2 roof airs but that may be stretching things a little. Others will chime in there. Again, the cooling power if you can only run 1 roof air with the original insulation may be a problem if you are full timing.
It looks like this bus has the original windows, which would mean no screens to keep the bugs out and you want to be able to have the windows open. For full timing, you would want aftermarket windows with screens.
I'd be tempted to say that this is a GREAT starter bus for camping, but it might not be ready for full timing without some significant changes.
Please do not think that I am "ripping apart" this coach, but I would like to make sure that someone who is serving our country is well served by us. Thank you!
Glenn
Glenn, I just looked at your website. You guys are great. If yall are ever in the southeast, let us know. ;D
Thanks Ruthi!
Glenn
Well,
The wife and I looked at the bus. Offered $4500 and they accepted. We should be the proud owners of this 75 Buffalo sometime this week. Now the fun begins.
My wife is interested in having the roof raised. Is this feasible with the monocoque construction? Any good companies out there, perhaps close to Colorado?
Again, thanks for all your advise.
Scott
Forgot to mention,
the correct serial number of the bus is P8M4905A-1199.
Scott
From GMC to Peerless Stages fleet number 306 (San Jose,CA) 09/1975.
Roof raise? I would not do it if it were my bus, but some folks raise the roof and have good luck doing so.
jlv
Go to the below web site this is your Coach when it was in service with Peerless Stages.
http://www.norcalbusfans.fotki.com/north-calif-n-thru-z/peerlessstages1/peerless306.html#media (http://www.norcalbusfans.fotki.com/north-calif-n-thru-z/peerlessstages1/peerless306.html#media)
jlv
Scott,
Good deal on the 4905 ;D After seeing the picture JLV posted while it was still in service and the one of it now, I think you should leave the dented baggage door on the left front door. Its part of history, lol
Good luck with your new bus,
Bryan
Sounds like you got a good deal! We look forward to updates!
Glenn
Florida Cliff raised the roof on his 4905. I'm sure he can tell you all that's involved.
I rear all of these posts twice, and did not see any mention of transmission. I have a pd4903 and apd4107 that are much the same powertrain. If it has a 4 speed, learn to drive it. Search the post's on this site for lots of good info. I live in C. springs while station at USAF academy.
Make sure your wife can shift while hearing gears grind. Keep her informed of this site, breakdowns on road are not common, but can be frustrating. Get a good road service. I use Good Sam, but others are available.
The right rear door skin is or was dented on everyone of these I have seen. They don't turn sharp.
Good Luck and welcome to the busnut's
Aft right baggage bin lower door rub rail dented in! :'(
I have been there and done that on my 4905.A steel post caught my bin door in a right turn in close quarters. >:(
A fellow bus fan and my self kid each other when we see a bus with the bin door rub rails dented in by a steel post or fire hydrants.
We both say it's because the electromagnets are working in the bin door.
These electromagnets work off of the right or left turn signal's when they are flashing which will cause a steel post and other things like fire plugs to be drawn into the baggage bin doors causing damage to the outer skin of the doors.
We are unsure how to disable the electromagnets on our coaches.
So in the mean time we give the fire hydrants and steel post's plenty of room in tight turns and this seems to solve the problem with the electromagnets. ;D
Bin door damage is costly and looks unsightly so give you self some room and check the mirrors when turning left or right.
Also stop and get out and look if it's close. :o
jlv
jlv
Quote from: 4905 doc on January 18, 2010, 01:13:28 PM
Florida Cliff raised the roof on his 4905. I'm sure he can tell you all that's involved.
I would love to see detailed pictures of that. Very good idea
Lonnie
Here is someone that has already done a roof raise, and they did a good job documenting it: 4905 Conversion (http://www.grabhorn.com/4905/index.html)
As most here know, I am a big GM fan for many reasons. Now here comes the BIG but...... A Gm is one of the more difficult buses to make this mod to.
Any bus that you convert needs to be a labor of love because you will never recover the cost of conversion. Buses that are no longer produced or supported by the manufacture becomes even more so, because the resale value plummets to little of nothing. Unfortunately a GM is one of these. The conversion will run about the same whether you are doing a Prevost or a GM, but the value of the finished product, and the ability to resale it will manifest a big difference in the end. As long as you know this before you start you will be fine.
I am 6'1 and I don't have a problem in my GM. Also, when you start raising your roof you start limiting yourself to where you can go.
Congratulations on your new toy.
Scott -
Sounds like you got a good deal!
FYI, I'm familiar with Peerless - used to ride them from Los Gatos over the hill to Santa Cruz when I was a kid, as well as their commuter run into San Jose in the bus pictured below - back when it was new!
For a long time they had a great maintenance program, but after deregulation in the '80's, budget cutting had it's effect.
Still, it's a CA coach, a plus.
Might I ask a question? WHY does your wife want the roof raised?
Here's Peerless's #246, now the pride of the Pacific Bus Museum: