Even though I have intentions to buy a bus in Tennessee, and, due to today's setback having the engine in my future toad blow up, I feel that it would be wise to continue looking until I get some reliable transportation.
So bring 'em on, I am still looking for a 40 foot bus with plenty of bay storage and good running gear.
Thanks,
Ros
If I were buying a bus now, it would be the MCI 102C3. 102" wide, big windows, 6'10" headroom, either 6V or 8V-92 in them. Some are converted to other engines. Plus parts are still being made for them. Don't go to old on buses. Many are having problems getting parts-like for the 4104 and 4106, etc. Good Luck, TomC
hi Tom, that's what I thought, lvmci...
Not that I'm getting tired of your search and posts looking for one, They're quite entertaining, When I win that Texas Lotto tonight I will give you my 91 Prevost with 77,000 miles on it. ;D
Hey Tom , that is true unless your 4104 has a T drive and a 6v92 out of a MCI, and a 730 auto tranny ::)
Fwiw It also depends on what you want in the looks department . I bought my 4106 because I loved the look and it will run the hi ways at 70 mph. There hasn't been a part I couldn't find within minutes .. Including the rearend... Motors are everywheres the v730 is everywheres . All in all its a very inexpensive bus to maintain.(if you do all the maintenance yourselfthat is..)you will find your bus Ros don't be discouraged there are a lot of nice buses out there..
Ours runs 70mph on the hwys :)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F12%2F06%2Fa1caaee8f3158a4cdd553b13967951ef.jpg&hash=958b52e3ce93dd4ab06e90f9c800d6dd24c20a9f)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Clumsy fingers may contribute to mistakes.
LOL if the temperature gauge is correct it doesn't like the 75 mph much
Ex school bus in general and an older Crown Supercoach ex schoolie in particular. The sweet spot and year would be between about a 1982 and 1986 or so. Thirty five feet long, (2 axles) and if possible, flat windshield glass, (not $curved$) and a white roof.
I would learn heavily towards the Cummings (sp?) Big Cam or NTC type 6 cylinder turbo 4 stroke heavy truck diesel engine with Jake Brake. Power anywhere from 250 to 300. Sometimes they were re powered with the available 335 hp truck engine.
The Detroit 671T versions are just too slow. With the Cummings you can easily go to 475 hp using cheap used factory parts. Would make for a real hot rod capable of 100+ mph. Also the fact that most available Crowns now have the desirable Cummins only.
855 cubic inches. No air to air inter cooler, but sometimes a air to water after cooler. You also must have a Jake Brake. Most Crown Supercoaches or Crowns or "Twinkies" as they were called with this mill had the older Allison, (sp?) 4 speed 740 transmission.
A few had the smaller 640 type 4 speed, but not as durable. Everything is heavy truck. Most had either T905M or T1105M Fuller 5 speed manuals. Mine had the cool RTO910 close ratio fun neat 10 speed Road ranger. She did go 85 mph at 2150 rpm.
Most had leaf springs, front and rear. A few had the optional air ride suspension. A few had leaf/air. Factory tires were 12Rx22.5 on the wider Budd wheels. Mine had a Ross or TRW power assist steering. The Crowns rode very well and handled great. Mine did.
Huge brakes. I think my 1974 had 6x16.5 on the front and 10x16.5 on the rears, if memory serves? Or close to that. Aluminum body on a custom perimeter steel frame. The engine was in the middle and was laid on its left side. Also called a pancake.
The DOWN SIDE is that the headroom was only a constant 75" front to back and the coach only had one small side trunk and sometimes, (usually) a large rear trunk. A difficult coach to convert to a high performance Bus Conversion, but quite doable.
Everything about the post 1976 or so Crowns were heavy duty. The bus came from the factory with a 20 year, 200,000 mile warranty, bumper to bumper, parts and labor. Crowns are still pretty much a western USA thing or even just the West Coast.
Still available. CA school districts are now retiring the last of them due to California smog laws. A perfectly good nice Crown with only 1500 miles and 6 months on a CHP school bus inspection permit can be had for less than $5000 bucks. Maybe less.
Anyhow, just another option. I would love to have another Crown. They also average around 10+ mpg at 60 mph. Lots of internet sites regarding Crown Supercoaches. Once your drive hard a Crown in the mountains, you will NOT want any other. Yep.
Hope this helps. PEM me if you want to. Glad to share learned the hard way. HB of CJ (old coot) Crowns Forever so there! :) :) Mine was VIN 37317 and was a 3 axle 10 wheeler 40 footer. If I had to do it again, I would go with a 35-36 foot 2 axle model.
Hey, Tom.
Thanks for the reply and wishes for good luck. I will need it.
Okay, I will keep the MCI-102C3 in mind. I thought that some states did not allow entry to a bus that was over 8 feet wide.
I would really like to have a bus with an 8V92 in it. Greater fuel consumption wouldn't much matter since if I could afford fuel to travel, I could afford a wee bit more.
Yes, I am trying to cull the buses that are too old because of two reasons: dwindling parts availability and more old parts needing to be replaced.
Ros
Quote from: TomC on December 06, 2014, 07:39:49 AM
If I were buying a bus now, it would be the MCI 102C3. 102" wide, big windows, 6'10" headroom, either 6V or 8V-92 in them. Some are converted to other engines. Plus parts are still being made for them. Don't go to old on buses. Many are having problems getting parts-like for the 4104 and 4106, etc. Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: luvrbus on December 06, 2014, 02:48:27 PM
LOL if the temperature gauge is correct it doesn't like the 75 mph much
Guilty. It was just there for a moment :) my dash gauge always indicates hotter than the rear gauge. It's annoying.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Clumsy fingers may contribute to mistakes.
Ros ALL STATES allow 102" wide vehicles! It's the common size for semi trailers these days and are allowed on ANY US HIGHWAY that receives federal $ for upkeep, repairs, or any other purpose! (in other words it they spend $2 of US Federal Government money on it the have to allow 102" wide vehicles on it!)
Now on the other hand there are SOME STATE Hwys that are NOT using federal funds that are still narrow pig paths from the past where only 96" or less are allowed!
But trust me you won't find a cop standing in the middle of a hwy with a 96" tape measure checking all vehicles that come his way either. However if you were to be in an accident or stopped for any other reason they might notice it's slightly wider than allowed and break out a tape measure then.
;D BK ;D
PS where in TN are you looking?
Hi, B_K,
Thanks, that us good to know.
At the huge risk of insulting others by not publicly divulging the location, ;D ;D ;D ;D, I will pm you.
Ros
Quote from: B_K on December 07, 2014, 10:25:11 AM
Ros ALL STATES allow 102" wide vehicles! It's the common size for semi trailers these days and are allowed on ANY US HIGHWAY that receives federal $ for upkeep, repairs, or any other purpose! (in other words it they spend $2 of US Federal Government money on it the have to allow 102" wide vehicles on it!)
Now on the other hand there are SOME STATE Hwys that are NOT using federal funds that are still narrow pig paths from the past where only 96" or less are allowed!
But trust me you won't find a cop standing in the middle of a hwy with a 96" tape measure checking all vehicles that come his way either. However if you were to be in an accident or stopped for any other reason they might notice it's slightly wider than allowed and break out a tape measure then.
;D BK ;D
PS where in TN are you looking?
Quote from: HB of CJ on December 06, 2014, 03:06:29 PM
Still available. CA school districts are now retiring the last of them due to California smog laws. A perfectly good nice Crown with only 1500 miles and 6 months on a CHP school bus inspection permit can be had for less than $5000 bucks. Maybe less.
HB -Not necessarily any more.
If the school district uses CARB (CA Air Resources Board) grant money to replace their Crowns, the coach has to be crushed. No ifs, ands or buts.
Thus the vast majority of old Crowns are going to the recyclers to come back as beer cans. And the recyclers are not even allowed to sell ANY parts off the soon-to-be-crushed Crown - not even the Crown emblem! So replacement parts are becoming more of a challenge.
Sad, but true. . .
:'(
I have a 1962 4106 with a 4speed spicer,jakes low miles on engine ,good tires etc. If that sparks any interest let me know. asking 16000
I think he was supposed to be going to pick his bus up this week, but I don't know if that is still happening or not. Haven't heard from him in a few days on the boards.
that would be because he has been banned here and at BNO ..... apparently the butthurt members won.... :-\
But he was still posting over at another site and actually seems like a totally different person there.
He was getting his list of things together to make the trip to pickup the bus last week and was supposed to be going either this week or next. Maybe he is on his way and that is why he hasn't posted.
Quote from: mung on February 05, 2015, 07:04:08 AM
But he was still posting over at another site and actually seems like a totally different person there.
so do you.
Dude save your personal attacks for the quilting circle of bus boards, I am done posting over there because you and your buddy don't have anything productive to add to any conversations and just start trouble. If you don't like what I post, don't respond to me or ignore me, but stop trying to start wars with me, I am done with your nonsense, I have more important things to do with my time than to stroke the egos of Don1 and Don 2.
Quote from: mung on February 05, 2015, 07:16:05 AM
Dude save your personal attacks for the quilting circle of bus boards, I am done posting over there because you and your buddy don't have anything productive to add to any conversations and just start trouble. If you don't like what I post, don't respond to me or ignore me, but stop trying to start wars with me, I am done with your nonsense, I have more important things to do with my time than to stroke the egos of Don1 and Don 2.
why is it a personal attack... i simply commented on your comment.
i've added 2 productive comments in other threads today and one here.
And i spoke the truth.
I am not starting anything.
You said ros was a "different person some where .... and I said you were, ... what's the difference between your thought and mine ?
what's a don 1+2 ?
Oh boy here we go for the 10th and final round I hope ??? only 2 Dons I can think of would be Donald PH and Don Smith and I have no idea how Smith was entered into this pissing contest but life goes on
My hero's the good the bad the ugly no that was Clint Eastwood i think
uncle ned
Sorry, I said what I had to say about the topic and if Don or anyone else would like to discuss it further they can PM me and we work it through there or I will give you number and we can discuss this like adults.
Breathe in, breath out move on.
Maybe he IS going to get a bus since he hasn't been posting on the other '3-letter' bus board; however, a check of the members roster there does not include his name, and you can't post there unless you are a member.
The last post I read of his on 'that' site referred to yet a 3rd site where he felt welcomed compared to other sites, but the conversation degraded rather quickly from that. That conversation ended up being removed from the forum.
I read most, if not all, threads because usually there is something of some merit in each one.
Ros doesn't appear to be banned here. That said, his profile says he hasn't been active since Jan 4, 2015.
You guys are funny, Ya complain when someone posts in a derogatory manner and complain because they haven't in a while?!... :-\ :o
Dave5Cs
Nope, Dave, not complaining at all.....just sayin. :)
LOL Ros and I were into it but I think Ian got tired of the BS with him comparing his board to others saying BNO was such a unfriendly board and the other was so clam, I set him off that day it wasn't my intention but s*** happens
Quote from: Stormcloud on February 05, 2015, 09:44:50 AM
Nope, Dave, not complaining at all.....just sayin. :)
Boy-o-boy Mark I've heard you called all sorts of names before (including Bad Santa :-X ), but never a complainer lol! :P ;D
apparently the butthurt members won.... ???
At the risk of appearing naive and at the risk of contributing to a fire I thought was out. Just what the hell is a "Butthurt member?"
That description conjures many, many weird and awful connotations. Prison time or the movie deliverance come to mind.
Seems to me that folks that like to discuss buses seem to stick around here and the folks that like to talk everything but buses move on to pastures that fit them better. Hmmm maybe that's because this is a...
BUS blog.
Conicidence? I think not.
RB
apparently I was wrong ? perhaps ros is still able to post here...
ButtHurt an internet feeling felt by some, usually on boards and forums:
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ooops ... i left out the smiley .. ;D
Ros was on the BNO today but he didn't post anything he is there everyday reading
Comment wasn't directed at Mark at all. It was just the whole jest of this thread. LOL Mark was being like me and just making an observation. This thing has been going on for so long on all the boards and some RV sites as well. It was a fun change of direction for awhile but it did get a bit long at times. A lot of personal insults that were not needed and some great comments. A few IMHO have high blood pressure and forgot to take their Meds before getting into it or maybe to much coffee, fruit of the bottle etc.
Again LMAO and just my observations. Thanks for the laughs. ;D
Dave5Cs
Sure glad butthurt was explained I thought Rick was on to something ;D ;D ;D
"I have no idea how Smith was entered into this pissing contest but life goes on"
Usually emanates from one or two sources Clifford, luck of the draw I suppose.
Scene opens, a fast moving river, two men in a canoe, the man in the back cups his hands (looks a lot like BoxcarOkie) and yells ..."Row faster Dave, I think I hear banjo music."
<><><>
Row heck time to get out the bows, LOL
;D ::)
Come on guys. I was hoping for a better show. Somebody get offended at someone. Do something cool!
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-ec.buzzfed.com%2Fstatic%2F2013-11%2Fenhanced%2Fwebdr06%2F21%2F11%2Fanigif_enhanced-buzz-14375-1385051968-33.gif&hash=6aab953d80e7cc13674412e8d043192499810f6e)
Quote from: John316 on February 05, 2015, 06:37:21 PM
Come on guys. I was hoping for a better show. Somebody get offended at someone. Do something cool!
It's Thursday. I'm offended by that.
Quote from: gumpy on February 05, 2015, 06:52:05 PM
It's Thursday. I'm offended by that.
Cheers. I was hoping something would happen.
Did you all see my video of Gumpy after seeing a cow for the first time? (while we are offending people ;D)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-ec.buzzfed.com%2Fstatic%2F2013-11%2Fenhanced%2Fwebdr06%2F21%2F11%2Fanigif_enhanced-buzz-14447-1385051049-19.gif&hash=ea97a7aafc4accb67fea59bd3ebafe491b919376)
Yes, I am on a gif kick tonight. Sorry ;D
http://youtu.be/oRI5nrWtWv8 (http://youtu.be/oRI5nrWtWv8)
Still not clear to me who is the buttthurtee or the butthurterr
LOL! That my friend may take a Proctologist's exam to determine ;D
In any event I am certain there is a nice soothing ointment for it so long as it is CF2 Rated ;)
Quote from: Van on February 06, 2015, 09:39:02 AM
LOL! That my friend may take a Proctologist's exam to determine ;D
In any event I am certain there is a nice soothing ointment for it so long as it is CF2 Rated ;)
X) lol :o :o :o
Quote from: John316 on February 05, 2015, 06:54:42 PM
Cheers. I was hoping something would happen.
Did you all see my video of Gumpy after seeing a cow for the first time? (while we are offending people ;D)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-ec.buzzfed.com%2Fstatic%2F2013-11%2Fenhanced%2Fwebdr06%2F21%2F11%2Fanigif_enhanced-buzz-14447-1385051049-19.gif&hash=ea97a7aafc4accb67fea59bd3ebafe491b919376)
Yes, I am on a gif kick tonight. Sorry ;D
Actually, I was trying to teach the horse something so I led the cow to water.
Quote from: gumpy on February 06, 2015, 04:02:56 PM
Actually, I was trying to teach the horse something so I led the cow to water.
ROFL. You win, Gumpy. That is so funny!
I'm currently ignoring myself... ;D ;D ;D
But at least my butt doesn't hurt.
We need spring. Judging by this thread i'm sure of it
RB
Quote from: RickB on February 06, 2015, 06:55:47 PM
We need spring. Judging by this thread i'm sure of it
Spring is a rough ride.
Air ride is better.
Gumpster, you are a sick puppy my friend.
RB
WOW - that was an education reading the buthurt history -
Seriously you all are one of the most helpfull groups of folks I know BK, Van, Cliff and Tom - WOW
As to the original post - I am in the process of gettin an MC7 up to snuff (new clutch, altenator and some interior paint and trimwork...). It may* be going up for sale spring or early summer.
If there is any level of interest PM me and I can snap some pics - Bus will be in NW Georgin in a couple weeks.