I have saw a few pics that appear that the bogie axle has been removed from thre eagle. Is this a common thing or "ok" to do? I would like the extra space and it would prevent me from buying two new tires. (all the others on my bus are nearly new)
Input is welcome. Espacially from those who have done it.
thanks Eric
You don't even want to go there unless you are planning on making a 35 footer those Eagles you see with 2 axles came from Eagle that way they have a bigger and heavier torque suspension made just for those buses.
You remove the bogies on yours the a** will drag big time and you will destroy the suspension on your model of bus I know a guy that did that he now has bogies again lol buy 2 tires
good luck
Weigh your bus and see if you could eliminate the bogie. Look at your chassis serial number plate and see what the axles are rated at. If they are at least 12,000lb front, 23,000lb drive, you could remove the bogie if you weigh less then 35,000lbs (you'll be removing about 1500lbs weight of bogie also). But-also your braking will be less and the rear may feel a bit sloppy. I have a 40ft transit with only 2 axles, and I weigh fully loaded 31,000lbs. Then again, transits have the biggest brakes available. Mine are 15 x 7 in the front and 15 x 10 in the rear. With my 36,000lb GVW (13,000lb front, 23,000lb rear), I'm 5,000lb away from my GVW. Even pulling my car, I'm still under. Personally-I'd just keep the bogie and buy the extra two tires-that extra braking capacity maybe the difference between not hitting something. Good Luck, TomC
Take the bogie wheels off and you'll see how low it sits. I would go with Clifford on this. Springs have different ratings for the required load. They put bogies on there for a reason, weight distribution, and more braking capability.
We had a member of Eagles International remove the bogie axle. I talked to him and asked if he was concerned about overloading the other two axles - he said no. The next year, he was back with the bogie wheels back on. I did not have a chance to talk to him. This year in Quartzsite I was told that he had replaced all of the suspension with motorhome components. I have to wonder if he damaged the original suspension.
In any case, bad idea.
Jim
There was a company that built and ran Eagle entertainers back in the day that removed the bogies. Might have been Callahan Brothers but I'm not sure of the name.
At any rate, they knew every inch of an Eagle and I'm sure took great pains to add strength where needed and not simply removed the bogies.
I think it would be a significant undertaking to do it right, along with some serious weight management.
Eric: Don't take offense! youre thinking that's good. This is one that is better left alone. I know you realize it now that you have read responses. Keep up the Ideas!and questions that is what keeps us growing and young like you. By the way the suspension parts to replace for one axle would be more than you paid for your bus. Bob
Ya I realize the cost of the suspension. I didnt realize that eagle had made some from the factory with out the bogie. I was just curious how it was done.
I would like the extra space for race car parts after the conversion is done.
Eric
Quote from: demodriver
I would like the extra space for race car parts after the conversion is done.
Eric
Eric what you need to do is stretch it ! LOL!
;D BK ;D
the town had a big enough cow when I got the bus, I couldnt imagine how bad they would flip out when I cut it in half in the drive lol ;D
i am the type to do it just to watch them freak out tho ;D
While you are working on it, make a fake cow catcher out of 2X4's and paint them black and put it on the front of the bus (if its toward the street)... that will make great conversation for all the old guys who get up at 5am to head downtown for breakfast each morning.... ;D ;D ;D ;D
The sad part is that they would probably like it if I did that.
Except for the old man who always drives around taking pictures of peoples stuff to take to the town council meetings. ;D
Sorry his life is so empty!
Quote from: demodriver on July 20, 2011, 08:04:41 PM
Ya I realize the cost of the suspension. I didnt realize that eagle had made some from the factory with out the bogie. I was just curious how it was done.
I would like the extra space for race car parts after the conversion is done.
Eric
AFAIK the only two axle factory Eagles were 35' Suburbans.
That's not right Len they made a 40 ft 2 axle for entertainer,motor homes and seated and the 10s was a 40 ft or a 35 footer mostly 40 footers on the 10s lot of guys here have the 40 ft 10s
good luck
I didn't know that. On the factory single axle coaches, is the axle relocated from where it would have been with a bogey?
Yea there is a nice grey 40 ft one on the eagle board that is a single axle rig. Its one of the ones that made me wonder about the removal.
Like this one ;D ;D
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi457.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq292%2Fcwvanhagen%2Ffinaldetail006.jpg&hash=e1b57b1251df1bbb46ce80d054e6e5aca4567c93)
I can build ya one lol!
Van
Quote from: van on July 21, 2011, 12:37:23 PM
Like this one ;D ;D
I can build ya one lol!
Van
Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwie, me see, me want, me take.
You build my trailer yet? You still have drinkin water, I hear the lake is really low!
I have the new entertainment center built and in place, if'n you want a peek it is here: http://boxcarokie.com/eagle-bus-photos/ (http://boxcarokie.com/eagle-bus-photos/) Just click on Entertainment Center and it will take you right to it ... zoom, zoom, faster than an old Detroit on bad starter fluid.
Let me know whatcha think.
BCO
Need to check out Tom Hammrick's eagle. I think there is a picture of it on the eagle board.
Look for the Myrtle Beach Rally pictures.
uncle ned
Oakie, I shutter at the thought, what will become of us once we have reached the ultimate goal and the bus is completed. No and I don't mean a series of projects... but in fact done and done! Freighting is the word that comes to mind. I have had all sorts of projects in my life, but nothing the likes of transforming a bus into a motor home. What will I do when it is completed? My guess is go with what you know, don't know that I will have the energy for another, unless that J4500 shell falls from the sky ( I have had all sorts of munitions rain down on me, but never a J 4500, duck and cover ;D) on me, in which case it'll be high ho, off to work we go! (again :o) The trailer is something I am looking into currently, and the water SITREP has not affected us as of yet. Real spiffy job on the PM oakie, full steam ahead!! Here's to the good life!! :)
Van, one thing i have figured out no matter how well your bus was done when you got it you will never be done working on it , especially if theres a woman involved
Matt
Quote from: van on July 22, 2011, 07:18:41 AM
Oakie, I shutter at the thought, what will become of us once we have reached the ultimate goal and the bus is completed. No and I don't mean a series of projects... but in fact done and done! Here's to the good life!! :)
Well Van, I always have yardwork, now you on the other hand, living in the desert, your only option is most likely "rock placement" and that is about it. I really do not know what I am going to do. Thought about a 4104 or 4106 but every time I bring it up ... she says ... "I hate my kitchen."
BCO