We'll I've finally decided pull the trigger and get a bus!! I'm currently looking at a 1979 MCI 9 and a 1968 Silver Eagle 5. I've been reading the pros and cons of both and both seam like good candidates. No matter which one I decide, I'm sure that I will have 10 million questions to ask on different ways to do things and I hope I won't be to much off a pain in the butt. I have great mechanical skills and am a good woodworker. But I have never even owned a motor home, so I am truly a rookie.
Jim. Home base in Kansas but travel the world for work.
Hi. Assume both converted already?
Nope, neither one converted. I plan on doing all that myself. I have totally remodeled a house, including building the kitchen cabinets from scratch. So I'm not afraid of work and my wife tends to think I am a perfectionist. Not really but I don't tend to shortcut, I hate having to do things twice.
Jim
Go with the 9!!!! You can still get almost any part you will need and several parts buses can be found! I loved the platform but will admit the Eagle is a beautiful bus!
Grant
Clearly biased!
Quote from: grantgoold on September 21, 2014, 05:59:35 PMGo with the 9!!!! You can still get almost any part you will need and several parts buses can be found! ...
Yeah, many of us like the "classic" buses, but a few years difference in age seems to make a lot of difference in parts availability, improved design built into the bus, etc. I agree with Grant here (although I don't have any experience with either bus you mentioned).
The Eagle is a better bus plenty of parts around for Eagles
I must say after owning an Eagle for the last few years and then seeing the pain my good bus friends who own MCI 9s go through to change starters, battery cables, air filters...etc....I have to agree with Luvrbus. Go with the Eagle.
I will say as an Eagle disclaimer...make sure it has No Rust! Don't be afraid to get dirty and pull things apart. Nothing worse than getting into a bus project and finding that you bought a great engine, new tires but there is no frame left.
-Sean
usually on an Eagle if the sides are straight the frame work above the bays is good, sight down the side and look for waves..
the lower baggage bay supports and wheel hoops are pretty easy fixes
get the serial # and many here can tell if it led a salt life.
Yep Luvrbus is right there are a lot of parts for Eagles for sure. They are all laying on the side of the road from falling off from rust. Just kidding you all back. ;D
If it were me and it's not I would look at some that are already 80 to 90 percent done. Price of buses are way down right now and have seen some pretty nice Eagles as well as MCI's and GM's these days. If you don't care for the intereior looks you at least have all the parts to re arrange to your likes. If you have to buy all that stuff it can cost many thousands of dollars. Also you might consider a MCI 5 they are only 35 feet long and two less tires. That's a 1,000.00 dollars right there. Just saying.
Dave5Cs
Jim -
This has been said before in lots of different threads, but it bears repeating:
The market for converted coaches is totally in the toilet right now, many nice units selling for not much more than scrap prices. Have you looked at any of the offerings on this site's classifieds, or the ones over on BNO's? ( http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=5&b=176 (http://www.busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=5&b=176) )
It makes far, far more sense to purchase one already converted and then remodel to your taste (if necessary), rather than starting from scratch. There are lot's of dreams sitting in back yards for whom the tasks involved overwhelmed them.
Spend a LOT more time doing your homework before plunking down your hard earned dollars. It's very easy to buy a bus, but it's far more difficult to sell a mistake!
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
John has a 89 Prevost for sale with a slide he is in Texas make him a offer and do it your way
Speaking of back yard finds, Clifford has a nice 05 sitting in his ;D
Quote from: Van on September 22, 2014, 05:05:35 AM
Speaking of back yard finds, Clifford has a nice 05 sitting in his ;D
Dang Clifford...you holding out on us???
Quote from: luvrbus on September 22, 2014, 04:30:32 AM
John has a 89 Prevost for sale with a slide he is in Texas make him a offer and do it your way
Sold! ;D
Cheers, John
Call me a gluttin for punishment, but this is just one of those things that I have to do myself. I'm the type that will jump in with both feet and get the job done......my wife says almost to the point of an obsession, and she is correct. When i do start a major project everything else seems not to matter much other than remaining gainfully employed. I've already been working out floor plans, Genny,s, plumbing and if needed replacement power packs. If I go with the eagle I will probably convert from 4 speed to auto just I case the wife ever needs to/or wants to drive it......and I'm sure she will. The MCI 9 already has that issue taken care of. All in all, I love a good challenge!!
Jim
As long as you understand that this challenge is going to cost you many many tens of thousands of dollars (did I say MANY) then go for it. This is not a cheap hobby.
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The Eagle 05 without a automatic and it more than likely won't have power steering that will cost you, being glutton for punishment may not be the correct term.I love my Eagles, power steering and a automatic in a MCI 9 doesn't sound that bad. The Eagle is still a better bus IMO buy you 10 it will have a auto and power steering unless you just like the classic look of a 05
Jim - 2 things...
First, you said nothing about your diesel engine rebuilding skills. Professional rebuilds cost upwards of $10,000, well upwards. You need to take engine oil, radiator water and transmission oil samples and have them analyzed before you commit to purchase. You should closely inspect air and electrical systems, but the drivetrain is the biggie for most folks.
Second, every year you spend converting the bus is a year you don't get to use it. There are a number of people on this forum who have spent over a decade and still do not have a roadable conversion. Most take a few years starting from scratch. So, what is your real goal -- travel or twiddle ? ?
edward
LOL that's funny, travel or twiddle, but that is really true.
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this one looks straight, clean but expensive <a little to me>...
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2F05eagle.jpg&hash=dddccf8d2fc238a10a4c89e43272feaf3a1a7bdb)
Converting a bus is not a part-time, weekends only job. I know I worked on my conversion for 10 years and alot of that time was a regular 8 hour a day JOB. I would not do it again. I am perfectlly happy with my conversion because I did it right the first time. I would not do it again because I no longer have the income, and the time.
In other words, taking in what has already been posted, look for a bus that has already been converted and that someone else spent years converting instead of you. Just change what you don't like. And I would stay completely away from "professional conversions" with all the crap electronic controls.
--Geoff
All know I am Eagle all the way,but I would look for a newer one. They are out there just need to look. As far as converting it your self do what you want. I find it relaxing to work on my conversion. It took me about 7 years to do the first one with some help with the engine and the skinning. I am 6 or 7 years in the second one and I am doing everything this time. When we get back from Branson and hunting I will start the engine for the first time. That means I still have a few years to skin it and do the inside. ( that is the most fun part for me) The only problem is when I built the first one I was younger and could work more hours then I can now. If I had to do it over again the only thing I would change is I would have started earlier in my life with this bus madness.
Wayne
Eagle, that is one of the buses that I am interested in. I've talked with the owner already.
Jim
the primary thing to check on that eagle is the remaining suspension adjustment.
My second concern would be why he starts it from the rear...an easy fix but still u should be able to start it from the seat.
The eagle would be my choice a. because it doesn't have air suspension and b. cuz I have one.
Any serious seller will take less... ;D
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2F0295035-R1-054-25A.jpg&hash=0dd8313b56a6aeef45ec86c3d90a1ad73f16983c) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/dphalaska/media/0295035-R1-054-25A.jpg.html)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2F0295035-R1-040-18A.jpg&hash=80d75ed0e94a4cc57dd72085b2bd7a5cf7432db5) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/dphalaska/media/0295035-R1-040-18A.jpg.html)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2F0295035-R1-018-7A.jpg&hash=61fca6ac9a0d07fcb8465cf7720e2b59b8cac343) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/dphalaska/media/0295035-R1-018-7A.jpg.html)