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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: john9861 on March 21, 2013, 04:10:20 AM

Title: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: john9861 on March 21, 2013, 04:10:20 AM
Now this is an interesting one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-Peterbilt-Genesis-Bus-Conversion-/221201592387?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item3380a47043 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-Peterbilt-Genesis-Bus-Conversion-/221201592387?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item3380a47043)
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: pabusnut on March 21, 2013, 06:39:12 AM
If I didn't already have a bus 75% done, and I had a few $$$ in my pocket, I would jump at this!

Steve Toomey
pabusnut
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: luvrbus on March 21, 2013, 06:43:17 AM
That conversion is a Quartzsite every year the owner hasn't had it but a couple of years I think he bought it in Yuma it was a high end conversion in it's day
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on March 21, 2013, 07:10:08 AM
I know these folks and in fact am going to their place this Sunday. :)  They stayed with us in Yuma for a week or two after the Q rally a couple of years ago. If i remember right they found this in Louisiana or some place back east. It had been sitting for a while and needed a lot of work. It is a really cool rig and does get a lot of attention.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: TomC on March 21, 2013, 08:28:34 AM
At least they can still tilt the cab-have seen some where the cabover is sealed in the down position-how do you work on the engine?

Interior is OK-be great with some upgrades. LOOONG wheelbase! Good for someone that doesn't mind shifting. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Lin on March 21, 2013, 02:06:09 PM
Certainly has its good points, but 45 foot is too long for me.  I'm not sure I can see that far!
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 21, 2013, 03:12:26 PM
This is amazing. Heather and I have been interested in a conversion just like this...not going this route at this point, but it's cool to see it in action..
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Jeremy on March 21, 2013, 05:09:21 PM
Conversions such as this are much closer to what large motorhomes typically look like here. For whatever reason bus conversions here are very rare, but truck conversions are quite normal (and of course 99% of trucks here are cab-overs). Paddocks at motor racing and horse racing events especially are full of them. I actually had a friend who bought one to go on an extended tour of Europe and North Africa. I remember him saying that the only problem with it was the seal between the cab and the rest of the body - it always leaked, and whenever he managed to minimise the leaking something would require attention on the engine that required to cab to be tilted again, and he'd be back to square one with the leaks


Jeremy


(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7102%2F7279815750_fd95db2dc7.jpg&hash=60933807d8de369cf8be034dc13bfac4b8d29215)
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 21, 2013, 06:39:57 PM
well, she didn't go for much...reserve not met. $15,600? wow. there's a lot of truck there...surprised no one went for it.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 21, 2013, 06:41:30 PM
BTW, some of you wondered how they access the engine when the tilt cab is permanently secured to the box...I've done a ton of research on this...apparently the floor lifts up and one can access everything from inside the cab. From what I've read, this is actually a preferred method.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Lin on March 21, 2013, 07:55:01 PM
The listing said it has a 325 hp Cat.  Would that be a 3208?
Title: Re: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Seayfam on March 21, 2013, 08:16:14 PM
My guess would be a Cat 3176 very common in them years. That is a very cool conversion. I always told my wife the only thing I would consider getting rid of the bus for would be a truck conversion.

Sent from my GT-I9300
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Brassman on March 21, 2013, 08:42:48 PM
Same problem as a front control school bus, close proximity to the engine when underway.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: luvrbus on March 21, 2013, 08:49:05 PM
I remember it being a 3406 325hp
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: longjohn on March 21, 2013, 09:06:03 PM
 I drove an early 80s COE Freightliner with 325  ( as matter of fact it was my first cat) that was a 3406b model with 13 speed and 390 rears after a few  turns of the slide- socket it would run with any 400 out there then after about 15 miles i stopped and called the boss and said this thing is running hot as  any cummins i drove  was always 180-185temp this engine came alive about 210.  was one of the best  Cats  i ever had great engine.   No doubt  this combo has plenty of power.

This is just cool!
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: chessie4905 on March 22, 2013, 04:51:39 AM
I'll bet quite a bit of engine/mechanical noise with that setup. There is a reason to have the engine at the rear.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: luvrbus on March 22, 2013, 05:49:19 AM
They are a lot quieter than one would think in a Pete or KW the ride is a killer setting over the front wheel for me a high $$$ air ride seat is a must have

good luck
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: RJ on March 22, 2013, 06:51:49 PM
Quote from: Brassman on March 21, 2013, 08:42:48 PM
Same problem as a front control school bus, close proximity to the engine when underway.

99% of the forward control skoolies here in CA are rear-engine pushers nowadays.  Extremely rare to see one with a front engine, unless it's a dog-nose.

The pusher powertrain dominates the skoolie industry in CA, unlike the east coast.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: TomC on March 23, 2013, 07:31:52 AM
Nothing better then to tilt a cabover and have the engine and transmission exposed. Yes there is a bit more noise, but the simplicity of a front engine and the serviceability has me sold-I'm just REALLY tired of dealing with my rear engined bus. Also, servicing is as simple as going to a big rig truck service shop-no specialized shop charging $130.00 an hour necessary.
When I drove, unless the road was really bad (like around New York City) I drove my cabover with my air ride seat all the way down with no air in it. Just liked being lower to see more out the windshield-plus it just looks cool. If you don't work on your own engine in your bus, then no biggie. But if you do work on your engine/transmission, after working on a bus, a big rig (especially a cabover) is really a joy. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: luvrbus on March 23, 2013, 07:35:16 AM
I can relate to that Tom some buses are a PITA for service work
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: longjohn on March 23, 2013, 08:49:14 AM
When I drove, unless the road was really bad (like around New York City) I drove my cabover with my air ride seat all the way down with no air in it. Just liked being lower to see more out the windshield-plus it just looks cool


Tom  i agree with right wheelbase and the big air bags ( unfortunately most Freightliners of this era had the double pancake bags) the ride was great and going in and out of the meat and produce markets ,getting around was so much easier. the only down fall was trying to get dressed laying down :P   and  making sure everything was secure when raising the cab  (ie thermos bottle laying in bunk ........... replace more than one windshield) the access to everything is what i miss
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: john9861 on March 23, 2013, 11:34:01 PM
So what are some concerns here. Turning radius, ride comfort, did it have duals on the rear? could it be changed to an auto trans? How about the storage bays, much shorter than our buses? The interior is dated so do it yourself time frame & less cost or spend another $50k to have someone else do the update. Not saying I'm interested but was curious...
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on March 24, 2013, 06:44:17 AM
Dated interior? guess it depends on your definition of dated. It wasn't done in 92, John, they just redid it in the last few years. he told me he would sell it for $25,000. 
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: MysteryBus on March 24, 2013, 07:36:12 AM
First thing I thought was how does cab seal up especially after time? And I think it was Jermey mention his friend had that problem. And cleaning up the Cab before tilting it I think would get me in a lot of trouble too. I bet they do have a lot of power though. First time seeing one, interesting conversion.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Lin on March 24, 2013, 09:35:42 AM
One interesting thing is that it does not appear to show any rooftop AC's on the exterior but does show one in the kitchen area.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: belfert on March 24, 2013, 10:34:07 AM
There is a rooftop A/C barely visible in the photos.  I'll bet the builder put a wall around the roof to hide stuff on the roof.
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: AndyG on March 24, 2013, 06:37:34 PM
As a truck conversion/toterhome owner I always thought that a cabover could have real advantages.  Mine is based on an FLD Freightliner conventional.  The best thing would be shortened wheelbase.  My truck has a 12' living quarters but an overall length of 30' (still has fifth wheel).  I think that the wheelbase is about 280".  I pull a 32' fifthwheel lowboy and its a challenge to turn corners with.  Anything to shorten the tractor would be good.  This thing is plenty noisy and I'm glad that I don't have to earn my living with it.  Is a cabover that much more noisy?  It's a pleasure to ride in a bus with the engine way in the back. 
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: TomC on March 24, 2013, 09:24:35 PM
Noise wise-yes a cabover is more noisy. My first truck had a 8V-92TA that I never got tired of it's song. My current truck (that I'm converting) has a Caterpillar 3406B mechanical that while different sounding, still has a nice song to listen to all day long. When I drove, I typically didn't turn the tunes on until around 3pm when I was starting to get tired. One of the big pluses is also being able to hear something starting to go wrong long before it brings the vehicle to a stop. With a rear engine bus (unless it is fully electronic) you won't here much until the bus starts to shake, smoke, miss fire, or just plainly stop. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Don4107 on March 24, 2013, 10:10:03 PM
My tired old worn out body would not like trying to climb into the drivers seat and my wife could not do it.  Love the low step height of our buses.
Title: Re: Re: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: Seayfam on March 24, 2013, 10:20:02 PM
Quote from: Don4107 on March 24, 2013, 10:10:03 PM
My tire old worn out body would not like trying to climb into the drivers seat and my wife could not do it.  Love the low step height of our buses.

That's what my wife and I think. You got to be a dog gone monkey to get in and out. She wouldn't like having to climb over the bed to get to the bathroom while going down the road either. Theirs always tradeoffs to everything. That particular conversion looks like it's close to a 400" wheelbase. :o

Sent from my GT-I9300
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: TomC on March 25, 2013, 07:53:08 AM
On my truck conversion-just come in the side door up 6 steps, step through to the cab, then step down to the front seat. Climbing up the side is optional. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: napamikey on March 28, 2013, 02:10:08 PM
Just noticed this on craigslist:
http://tucson.craigslist.org/rvs/3676714033.html (http://tucson.craigslist.org/rvs/3676714033.html)
Title: Re: Cab Over Conversion?
Post by: lvmci on March 28, 2013, 07:04:51 PM
Darcy & Wally, nice people, lvmci...