Hi all am looking for somebody in the Benson AZ area to go and look at a GMC coach for me I am in Pahrump, NV so it is a little far to look. The lady that has it does not know what the model is or to much about it. If someone goes at looks at it please do not buy it out from under me lol.
Please pm me
and I will give you the info.
Thanks
Danr
No body it the Benson Area. That will help me out to look at this bus She said that she can't
take pictures cause no camera and is computer challenged.
Danr
Danr sometimes takes a little longer than 18 hrs to get a response on a request like that.
Not everyone on the board checks it several times a day or night or even every day.
Someone will see this and chime in as to who might be in that area or passing thru there in the near future.
Of course that is no guarantee there will be anyone right there able to look at it right away, but it's a good time of yr for finding someone passing thru with the snowbirds on the move about now!
;D BK ;D
Also might help to add "in the Benson AZ area" in your subject line so they immediately know where you are looking at.
;D BK ;D
PS good luck!
Thanks B K
Will try to be patient just this is my first bus and I want to get going on it.
Danr
"this is my first bus and I want to get going on it."
OH Boy are you gonna need to learn patience! :o
Buses require lots of patience! Period end of story!
Still good luck and by all means do try to start working on that "patience" thing right away as you will soon learn that once you own a bus yer gonna need lots of "patience" !
;D BK ;D
Danr, check out the 4106 on ebay, its in portland or, look good
You may be able to get someone from Tucson area to look, but Benson is still a ride from Tucson.
If you are looking, Phoenix has a good amount of buses for sale. I don't know what you are looking for so I will post a few links to give you some food for thought.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/4129426312.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/4129426312.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/rvd/4133631022.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/rvd/4133631022.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvs/4102334241.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvs/4102334241.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/4118524596.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/4118524596.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvd/4116044762.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvd/4116044762.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/4071386269.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/4071386269.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvd/4042971590.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvd/4042971590.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4069738320.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4069738320.html)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4056358266.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4056358266.html)
Hopefully this will give you an idea of prices and what is available. Benson is a long haul from your place, but hey....we flew to Maryland from Arizona to get ours.
Good luck with your search.....happy trails!
Mike
Check with Gary Benett @ B&B Coach in Vegas, there are a few bus's available that he knows of at reasonable prices in the area.702-873-4415
Thanks guys for all the links. And I have already talked to Gary at B&B Coach he knows what I am looking for.
I will find it the one in Benson there are only asking 3000.00 for it all I could find out is the gal that has it said
it has low mileage on a rebuilt and it has solar.
Thanks
Danr
To far for me or I would someone from Tucson would be closer about a hours drive from there
Danr,
If you are serious about it, and really think it is a good deal, I would hop on a plane. Can't be too expensive, and at least you know.
FWIW
John
Heck if he buys and it can gets out of the Benson Valley under its own power it's a good bus ::)
But not sure I want it don't no what it is just that it is a gm Would like to know what model it and if it has a hitch on the back.
She said the tires are good but I do not no for sure it has been sitting for a year or more.
Out of all I ask her she wasn't sure of any of them.
She said that it had all of the records, and 6 solar panels. But I do not no if it is a 4104,4106 or 4905 any model.
Danr
If you can get the guys name one of the guys in the Western GM group will know that bus I will ask for you with a name, Larry Hall lives close to Tucson he know GM owners in that area anybody have Larry's phone number you could pm to Danr I have it at the shop
good luck
Quote from: Danr on October 21, 2013, 07:13:25 PM
She said that it had all of the records, and 6 solar panels. But I do not no if it is a 4104,4106 or 4905 any model.
Ask her for the VIN off the vehicle's registration. We'll be able to tell you immediately what model GM it is.
Simple, eh?
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Maybe, after finding out the model and a few details like when was the last time it was in regular use and what has been ongoing in keeping it up since, you should just ride over and look. If you are really going to buy one, at the very least it would be good to see a couple of rejects along the way. The asking price may be very enticing, but that often turns out to be a small fraction of making it road worthy.
That's was the plan Lin but would like to know if it is one that I would want before I drive 450 plus miles just to look at it
Right. I am trying to get a hold of her again to see what more info I can get.
Danr
Luvrbus
I sent you a pm with the name and Vin did you get it. I found out that it has not been run in over a year and she said it need
one new tire, and probably new batteries. She also said she was going to try to get her friend to take some pictures of it and post them on the ad. We will see. Gary at B&B Coach said he might have a 86 Eagle for me to look at but does not know when.
Danr
I got it but I cannot do anything with the vin number she gave you I'll post it here and see if RJ or RRT can figure it out it does not sound like a GM vin to me, may be transit after 1981, have at RJ the vin number is EFTA5019F2732R I did forward the owner name to a guy who lives in than area
I also have friends in Serra Vista and Huachuca that are going to dig around for you
good luck
Thank you all for the help.
Danr
Quote from: luvrbus on October 22, 2013, 10:15:58 AM
I got it but I cannot do anything with the VIN number she gave you. I'll post it here and see if RJ or RRT can figure it out. It does not sound like a GM VIN to me, may be transit after 1981. Have at, RJ, the VIN number is: EFTA5019F2732R.
Danr -That doesn't look like a common GM VIN number at all - and even if it is newer than 1981, it's short three characters - there should be 17.
The plot thickens!
:o
We,are leaving for Yuma friday, should be going through Benson next week, i can take alook if nobody else gets there first, i will keep watching this post, we in no hurry so cant say just when we be through there,things in New Mexico we havent seen yet,
You sure that isn't a GMC motorhome From the eighties?
http://www.thegmcmotorhomepeople.com/ (http://www.thegmcmotorhomepeople.com/)
They never produced a GMC motor home in the 80's but that is 80's Vin number where is RJ this was supposed to easy lol
I am about 45 Minutes from Benson and dont mind driving up there later this week. Maybe Friday or Saturday.
I am new to busses myself but can go take pictures and report back.
If anyone has a list of things to check (i am laughing as I write that - I am sure there are at least 1000 things)
I am only somewhat familiar with MCI's
Now Dave, that's a great example of "pay it forward" Way to go!
I wonder if that is a title number she gave him ? as far as the 13 numbers you see a lot of buses with 13 digits from 1979 to 1981 Eagle just had 5 till Jan of 1982
I am not completely sure but that looks like a Grumman number they always the first letters for the name of the transit authority followed by numbers with a date code some place in the numbering most were from 11 to 15 digits
What would EFTA stand for ? I can see where the TA would stand for transit authority
Quote from: Dlsnow on October 23, 2013, 12:01:05 PM
I am about 45 Minutes from Benson and dont mind driving up there later this week. Maybe Friday or Saturday.
I am new to busses myself but can go take pictures and report back.
If anyone has a list of things to check (i am laughing as I write that - I am sure there are at least 1000 things)
I am only somewhat familiar with MCI's
Thanks Dave I appreciate it very much and I will pay it forward to.
I pm you the info.
Danr
So the lady with the bus says the batteries are dead.
I can bring my batts up there to try to start it I have 2x 8D's in my MCI. Is it 12 or 24 and will my 8D (1400 CCA) be enough?
Here is the kicker - I have never started, driven or even seen anything but an MCI 7, 9, 5...
Please tell me they are similar to startup.
I will take lots of pictures
Quote from: Dlsnow on October 23, 2013, 01:46:06 PM
So the lady with the bus says the batteries are dead.
I can bring my batts up there to try to start it I have 2x 8D's in my MCI. Is it 12 or 24 and will my 8D (1400 CCA) be enough?
Here is the kicker - I have never started, driven or even seen anything but an MCI 7, 9, 5...
Please tell me they are similar to startup.
I will take lots of pictures
I don' no if they are similar or not hope one of the guys will jump in and help out. and tell us what you need to do.
Danr
Danr,
Lots of good people offering to help on this.
And I know it's difficult for you and the lady selling the bus to answer most of the questions about the bus.
But really to get you the correct information you need to make your decisions on we need to find a way to help the seller help us.
Now that said I can't tell you where to have her look for VIN at on many buses as I just have not had to look for them myself. (but I know others here can tell you!)
Older MCI's had info plates with the VIN and other important info directly over the drivers head above the window. (and I know older Setra's did too!)
Then in the 80's MCI started putting it in the stairwell on the left as you step in the coach.
Setra and even some newer MCI's now put them in the corner beside/behind the drivers seat.
I know I have seen a few GM's with a little tag riveted to the front of the dash on the right as you step in the coach.
These are the "simple" places to ask her to look. (there are other places on the chassis that are not so easy for the average person to find)
Also I know you said she had no way to take pictures. Is there anyway possible she or a friend could take pics with a cell phone and send them to you in a "text msg" (we do this all the time between my family and our driver to send pics when internet is not available)
Then you can either download the pics out of yer phone to a computer or email them to yerself an share them.
A few pictures (front, side, rear) will answer a lot of questions (not all, but many!)
Other than that you might see if she can have some one fax you a copy of the title so you can verify the info from it.
;D BK ;D
Very easy to get coach serial number. Just open outside door below driver's seat and read the number on the frame. Look straight in. You can't miss it. Good sized letters and numbers. Use a flashlight. There is a lever slightly protruding from bottom of bumperette on that door. Move it to the rear and open door. Hinges may be a little stiff but sturdy.
Quote from: B_K on October 23, 2013, 03:00:32 PM
Danr,
Lots of good people offering to help on this.
And I know it's difficult for you and the lady selling the bus to answer most of the questions about the bus.
But really to get you the correct information you need to make your decisions on we need to find a way to help the seller help us.
Now that said I can't tell you where to have her look for VIN at on many buses as I just have not had to look for them myself. (but I know others here can tell you!)
Older MCI's had info plates with the VIN and other important info directly over the drivers head above the window. (and I know older Setra's did too!)
Then in the 80's MCI started putting it in the stairwell on the left as you step in the coach.
Setra and even some newer MCI's now put them in the corner beside/behind the drivers seat.
I know I have seen a few GM's with a little tag riveted to the front of the dash on the right as you step in the coach.
These are the "simple" places to ask her to look. (there are other places on the chassis that are not so easy for the average person to find)
Also I know you said she had no way to take pictures. Is there anyway possible she or a friend could take pics with a cell phone and send them to you in a "text msg" (we do this all the time between my family and our driver to send pics when internet is not available)
Then you can either download the pics out of yer phone to a computer or email them to yerself an share them.
A few pictures (front, side, rear) will answer a lot of questions (not all, but many!)
Other than that you might see if she can have some one fax you a copy of the title so you can verify the info from it.
;D BK ;D
All that you suggest has all ready been ask. we are working on it her phone does not have a camera and she is computer challenged
I have Dave here that said he would god and take a look at it Fri or Sat for me and take lots of pictures.
Thanks
Danr
Danr,, The Red Rider (AKA Mikey) and I will be in Benson probably in the middle of the week to pick up an 06 transmission, we are both GM guys and I have some MCI & Eaglet experience, we will be leaving Cedar City, Ut. Monday or Tuesday and drive straight thru 623 miles one way. ( One day down & one day back) We are both retired and have time to give that coach a good look see, fuel is going to be about $175.00 round trip so a little donation to the fund would buy you two pair of eyes and some pictures.>>>Dan
Dan that is just too cool that you an Mikey are going exactly where Danr needs someone to look a bus over for him!
Danr it don't get much better than this! AND MIKEY and DAN both know their GM's and can at least tell you what kinda bus it is if it's not a GM!
Huh ... who'd thunk it? Don't usually work out that smooth for me!
Shoot just wire Mikey & Dan $4000 and they can not only have a looksie for you but buy it, and drive home to you! ;) (OR AT LEAST TO CEDAR CITY!)
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on October 23, 2013, 04:12:28 PM
Danr,, The Red Rider (AKA Mikey) and I will be in Benson probably in the middle of the week to pick up an 06 transmission, we are both GM guys and I have some MCI & Eaglet experience, we will be leaving Cedar City, Ut. Monday or Tuesday and drive straight thru 623 miles one way. ( One day down & one day back) We are both retired and have time to give that coach a good look see, fuel is going to be about $175.00 round trip so a little donation to the fund would buy you two pair of eyes and some pictures.>>>Dan
Thanks for the offer dlsnow (Dave) is going to look at it on Fri or Sat if I need more eyes on it will let you no before you leave on Monday. I do not mind helping with the cost of fuel to have you look at it for me.
Thanks
Danr
BK, It gets better than that, we have to drive thru his back yard to get there and back!!>>>Dan
Danr, If this lady is selling this coach she has to have a title, that title will have the make, model, year, and serial number on it. It doesn't take an ITT graduate to look at the title for basic info.>>>Dan
As an aside,, I got to wondering if my wife could sell my coach with knowledgeable info with out my help. I listed pertinant questions for her to answer, year, type, length, width, engine size, trans make & speeds, age of tires, odo miles, average mileage, where are manuals & service info is kept, legal paperwork and files, and sale value.... Yo mama, she hit all questions correctly, soooo... I guess I can die anytime now.>>>Dan ::)
Good point Dan I had two Eagle owner friends that passed away and I saw what pressure that puts on a wife so I sold my beloved Eagle so she never had to face trying to sell the bus
Well Guys the gal sent me a picture of the bus in Benson ,AZ today and it is not what I want it looks like a transit bus here link to it.
http://tucson.craigslist.org/rvs/4127042493.html (http://tucson.craigslist.org/rvs/4127042493.html) just in case there is somebody here might be. So it is back to the hunt for me.
Thanks to everybody that offered to help and go and check it out.
The Vin # is DFTA5019F2732R not EFTA
Danr
That is a GMC Superior school bus
Looks similar to the GMC Superior Super Cruiser that I once had. They were mainly a school bus company but made ones like this for team buses, the military, etc. It is their version of the road coach. Very solid. As I understand it, they had a huge former tank factory and dip galvanized the entire body-- great for rust prevention but not good for painting unless you knew what you were doing. It would be built on a truck chassis, have heavy leaf spring suspension and good clearance underneath. Determining the engine could be important. A lot of them had GM Toroflows, which did not have the best reputation. Mine, however, was trouble-free and dependable while we had it, ran 60 mph tops at around 3000 rpm, had a real stump puller of a rear end that could probably go up a vertical wall if you could make the tires stick, and consistently got over 10 mpg. The MC5a definitely has more class but the Superior was much less formidable on maintenance.
The bays on mine were 2' high by 4'. The ones on this look shorter in the picture though.
Quote from: Danr on October 20, 2013, 01:15:37 PM
Hi all am looking for somebody in the Benson AZ area to go and look at a GMC coach for me.... The lady that has it does not know what the model is or to much about it.
Interesting all the drama... it was posted on Craigslist 2013-10-13, 10:38AM MST but I guess she didn't want you to know that. Naw, she's probably some nice old widow lady and her grandson put it on Craigslist and didn't tell her til now.
Maybe not what you are looking for but perhaps not a bad deal for somebody. To many folks, the Superior was the east coast answer to the Crown, very well built and much better that the typical MDT school bus chassis.
I would use this http://www.searchcraigslist.org/ (http://www.searchcraigslist.org/) to search for buses near you or around the U.S.
Good luck in your search!