I have a chance to pick up a 4905A Buffalo Bus.....
What should one look out for...special problems with this beastie?
What does everyone think of that model?
Thanks!!!
Dave
The flat floor after the steps is great. However, working around the step area takes a lot of thinking time. We converted a 4108. Worked ok but the steps are a problem. Ceiling height does not allow a 6'2" to pass under an AC without ducking. Typical of all GM's is the curves sides. If you are careful of installed weight then the tag axle could be pulled. Weight on two axles is 32,000#. Our 4108 weighed in at 28K# when loaded including three adults and one dog with full fuel and water.
Depending on location when in service rust could be an issue.
Bill
Those suckers do have some huge bays and the best power steering for ease of turning when parked I have ever been around the few I have driven I don't care for the ride or the handling,the standee windows and the rear window are what I see people having the most problems with they don't leak they pour
I am not much on problems with a 4905 like others here but one will drive you nuts with electrical problems when somebody has been bypassing and redoing the existing wiring system unlike most GM it has a 24v system
The tag was a option I have never saw but 1 over the years that came with a tag in the bay,the wheel base on those are 319 inches makes turning corners a chore in town other than having the wet clutch with the 4 speed just a GM bus
Some of the most comfortable and pleasing interiors I've seen have been 4905s, as said the storage bays are huge by any standard. Being aluminum construction they are not all that heavy for an 40 footer, the overall "look" is a mans machine.>>>Dan
The overall look is a mans machine is that the same as a man in bar looking at a ugly women at closing time Dan ::)
Quote from: DaveNCari on September 06, 2013, 02:10:44 PM
I have a chance to pick up a 4905A Buffalo Bus.....
Dave -
Sent you a PM. . .
;)
I have owned a P8M4905A Buffalo conversion for a number of years.
It's been a very trouble free coach.
I had the V730 transmission installed said good bye to the old Spicer.
I think the P8M4905's were a very nice driving coach with the Sheppard power steering.
The 24 volt electrical system has never been a problem for me.
I installed a voltage equalizer for the 12 volt requirements works well for me.
RRT
Love them. If you have one with a tag, remove it and you have a great space for a black tank, furnace, and even propane. Plus, when I removed the tag on mine, I discovered I now owned some spare hubs, brake chambers and other assorted parts. :) I even grew to like the grumpy spicer 4 speed once I figured out how to sweet shift it. 8)
http://s991.photobucket.com/user/zion-dyi/library/bus?sort=6&page=1 (http://s991.photobucket.com/user/zion-dyi/library/bus?sort=6&page=1)
You should raise the bus and be sure to check the rear radius rods I have friend his upper radius rod bracket is worn out on the axle housing and it is going to be a PITA to repair we have been studying for a year now to see how we can repair it ??? it is not going to be easy
Now a ? for the GM guys with extra wheels in the 3rd bay ahead of the drivers would that not be a bogie instead of a tag
Look for rust around the windows, where the steel panels are. Mine has two tiny holes rusted through, but are not a structural problem, and are patched over(not pretty).
Also check for a cracked rear bulkhead, especially if it has an automatic transmission.
Mine had a "bogie" axle in the third bay, which I removed and built a floor. This bay now houses all my tanks, electrical panels, batteries,and propane tanks. It was a tight fit, but with a little ingenuity, it all fits!
The front "stadium seating" is not a problem for me, since I always wanted to keep some of the "bus" look and haul more than just one or two passengers. I kept first four seats on the passenger side. I think it will also be a good place to watch a projection tv(from a a computer) on a screen on the inside of the front window.
If you like that style bus, and it is in good condition -- go for it. Remember you will never get out of it(money wise) what you put into it(an old bus), but there are intangibles that can't be measured.
Steve Toomey
I will sell my 1970 4905 to u!!!!
johnjem84@yahoo.com
If you gave it to me...it would cost me more to drive it to WA that I can get this one for.... ;-)
Dave
Pull the side panel on left side of driver's seat and check for rusty/ corroded wiring. Does the coach run, is it drive-able?
It does run...I am going to go drive it and go over it thoroughly next week.....
Dave
If you need a hand let me know, I have a '79. Where are you in WA? I'm in Seattle.
Jack
Cool! We are in Hamilton...about 75 mi NE......
Always good to know others with the big bus disease....
How far along is your Buffalo?
We fulltime in our 4104 now.....
Dave
Well we went and looked at it.....some idiot had welded sheet over most of the side windows..........
One of the nice features of that model.......
So I guess I'm still looking.....
Actually may go look at an Eagle 01 this week.....
Any suggestions there?
Dave
Hi Dave,
If you don't mind me asking, where was this 4905 you were looking at?
We are in BC with our 76 4905
Mark
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Port Townsend ish WA....
Guy named Michael...
360.774.1912
Dave
Yes I know the one,haven't seen it, but I talked to him earlier this year. He told me he has paperwork for a low mileage 8v71
Mark
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He told me the same thing...
I was so pissed off at the welded up windows I didn't even look at the paperwork..
BTW... do you tow with your Buffalo?
If so...what?
Dave
We haven't towed with it,but it does have a receiver hitch on it. The previous owner pulled something wheels down . I remove the front wiring and switch for a Remco Trans pump.
I am going to pull a little Suzuki sidekick / tracker with it, not sure how much slower I want to climb some of these mountains so I'm looking to stay small and light.
Mark
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That's the key to towing anything behind an 8V71 normal, small and light. I tow a 72 VW beetle Baja and Red Rider tows an 80 Ford fiesta, each four down. They both weigh 1700 pounds and make no difference in mileage, you do know they are there on a long grade but that's about it.>>>Dan
I was thinking of building a towbar for my '66 BB vette,
2 birds, one stone
A poke to the corvette purists and an extra 500hp to push us up the hills!
Lol
Mark
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Interesting, my coach had the Remco switch and wiring previous owner towed with that I just removed. I bought a 2003 Suzuki 4wd Vitara 2 door conv. to tow behind mine. Wanted something small and light and to be able to tow coach when it breaks down.
Be extremely careful about buying an old Eagle. There are many nightmare stories about hidden major rust issues. There are good ones out there, but have someone knowledgeable to check it out thoroughly. If you are just a beginner getting started with a conversion, I think the older GM's would be better to start with; 04,06, 07,05's and you can always move up to something greater after getting along with your first one. Find one that already has Sheppard Power steering. Try not to go with the cheapest you can find, as you'll pay more for repairs in the long run. Sometimes or occasionally people land a real bargain that someone previously poured the money into and either got too old to drive, passed away,or spent all their time posting on this forum and didn't drive anymore, or all the above.
Dave -
Clifford's the one to talk to about Eagles, or post over on the Eagles International forum.
One serious challenge with an 01 model is the rear torsilastics. If all the adjustment's taken out of them, you've got a real challenge to find replacements.
So you took one look at that 4905 and just because some windows were covered you walked away?
Interesting. . .
;)
They were not simply covered....they were welded...
Dissimilar metals corrosion is inevitable....
DG
That area around the windows is steel for strength. You can't weld steel to aluminum. You can grind the welds away and remove steel. How was the rest of it?
Its kind of rough....but the big issue is the dude didn't simply cover the windows they removed the frames.....those big windows are a big part of the appeal of this model to me.....
Also he cut a big hole in the roof for a chimney for a wood stove.....
DG
Sounds like a good parts bus for the next 4905 that you end up buying.
Quote from: DaveNCari on September 16, 2013, 06:08:59 AM
Its kind of rough....
Also he cut a big hole in the roof for a chimney for a wood stove.....
DG
We could be seeing this one on Duck Dynasty!
I have to admit if it is still around when I finalize the deal that will have us owning a very bus friendly RV Park here in WA... The parts bus idea has crossed my mind