Hi everyone, I've been lurking in the shadows for some time. I'm considering a gmc 4905a I found on sell a bus
For $11500 any thoughts?
Goodsons bus in maiden nc has a nice one for sale.
If i was younger and wanted to do a new conversion that is what i would want.
uncle ned
Have someone who knows GMC's well check it out, and remember, every price is negotiable.
Year? Which particular one? Conversion or seated or shell?
This one looks good,albeit more money.
http://www.sellabus.com/josh_w.html (http://www.sellabus.com/josh_w.html)
What's the location of the bus, and where is that in relation to where you are? It is a lot easier to buy a bus if it's near you..
I love the look of the 4905 myself. I am trying to get more info from this guy:
https://springfield.craigslist.org/rvs/5634267556.html (https://springfield.craigslist.org/rvs/5634267556.html)
And I still love this one:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/5601246257.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/5601246257.html)
The VA bus MCI 102A3 was reduced by $5k so I may be flying up there soon to take a look at it but I love the 4905 look. TwoWheelSteve keep us posted on your search please and what you find out.
The gmc is a 1977 buffalo I am in Boise and it's in LA I've been corresponding with the owner it sounds and looks really nice. Is there anything specific with gmc's I should look for?
And it's a seated coach. This is my first time posting to a forum so please be patient with me.
Chescience 4905 that's the one I'm looking at. I know not much information on the add. What do you think? The owner sent me additional photos, the thing looks really clean.
Quote from: Twowheelsteve on June 21, 2016, 06:13:44 PM
The gmc is a 1977 buffalo I am in Boise and it's in LA I've been corresponding with the owner it sounds and looks really nice. Is there anything specific with gmc's I should look for?
Yeah, that's a ways but it can be done successfully. I don't know GMCs so I'll have to let people who know them well fill you in. And maybe someone can recommend a specialist who can inspect it for you in LA - it may be the best money you spend during the whole process.
If it's a seated coach then its a safe bet it was or is a "band bus" or a "church bus",, nether are famous for maintenence and repair.>>>Dan
Personally, I wouldn't buy a 4905 without Sheppard power steering and a V730 automatic. As for whether you want a seated or conversion, that is going to be your decision. Enjoy it now or down the road when and if you get it converted. Many of us old duffer's are getting too old to drive or dying, so some great deals are out there; you just need to be patient and don't try to go for low price. You'll spend far more $ and time converting one than you realize if you do it properly. We've had some on here over the years that just make me shake my head with their ideas and or workmanship.We used to use bus conversions for travel and get together rallies.Now many new members or whatever are planning to use a conversion for living full time "off the grid, keeping a low profile or who the hell knows. And many can barely scrape up enough money to buy one, let alone operating or insuring one.
Thanks for all your help I'm glad I found this site you have a great little community. Unfortunately this bus won't be in my driveway, I'm letting this one stay where it is. "I just don't care much for dishonest people"
Steve,
Welcome aboard. I am SO glad that you found us BEFORE buying a bus. Any bus.
First question is. Do you love to fix things and make things? If you are a mechanic and love working on large old things, an old bus might be in your future.
If you want something that you can save money on and make a cool, cheap RV....RUN. Totally pass. Do not buy a bus!
I am thoroughly convinced, that a large number of the great folks on here, like to play with and fix their buses, more than they like to use them.
Enjoy the fun!
John
Quote from: John316 on June 23, 2016, 07:06:10 PMSteve,
Welcome aboard. I am SO glad that you found us BEFORE buying a bus. Any bus. ... John
Yeah, John is right (IMO) but I think you've done about the best thing an old bus buyer can do -- you've already developed a sense for seeing dishonesty. There's a lot of it out there and it's a situation where people can use dishonesty to their benefit (that's taking your $$$$). It you decide you want a bus, get the technical facts for that kind of bus, get a good idea of the exact condition of that bus, and keep your honesty eye open.
Thanks guys, I'm the type of person that that loves to learn about and work on just about anything mechanical. I'm a contractor that has been blamed for over building everything. "Drive the wife nuts" I know that it's not going to be cheap as I want to be proud of it when it's done. Now I just have to find a good solid foundation to start with. We do really like the looks of the vintage busses. I can't stand how motorhomes are built and to me they all look the same, no character. Get ready I will have a lot more questions.
Remember a vintage bus is a boat on wheels $$$$$$ me I would be looking at a late model factory converted Prevost with a 60 series Detroit Diesel it will cost less in the end and won't a trillion miles on the chassis.then a call to Prevost and no hunting for parts
boat
break out another thousand ;D
good day there
Floyd
The conversation goes something like this.....
"I need a light bulb for my bus"
"Bus you say?"
"Thats right, bus."
Start the bill at $500 and go from there.
Well,the way I'm looking at it is can pay way too much for a piece of crappie box on wheels or pay way too much for a custom made "hopefully not piece of crap" vehicle. I will have control, I like having control, I don't get it much as I am married. Yes to a woman
Good luck on the control part lol take from a guy who rebuilt a Eagle from the ground the bus will control your life till you are finished or throw in the towel.GM bus parts are drying up faster than the Eagle parts because GM uses special parts
Good luck on your adventure
Good luck with the wife... Why do you think we are all on the bus boards all the time? Hey I wear the pants in my Family when she lets me!... :'( :D
Dave5Cs
Yeah, when was the last time you picked the parking spot at the grocery store with no instructions? Ok, ok, back to busses, would it be better off looking towards an mci over a gmc or eagle?
Quote from: Twowheelsteve on June 26, 2016, 07:48:43 PM
would it be better off looking towards an mci over a gmc or eagle?
Only if being able to find parts is important to you ;D :D ;D
MCI and PREVOST are really the two mainstream coaches. There are a lot of them on the road, they continually make new ones, both companies have dealerships...someday, bus number 3 may be a Prevost :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: John316 on June 27, 2016, 06:26:07 AM
Only if being able to find parts is important to you ;D :D ;D
And, you are prepared to pay MCI (or Prevost) prices.
Quote from: DoubleEagle on June 27, 2016, 08:37:24 AM
And, you are prepared to pay MCI (or Prevost) prices.
Have purchased GM parts lately they are getting up there when you can find them,a friggn clutch cost 1400 bucks with a rebuilt center plate
LOL , have you priced the tubes. for an eagle?
Quote from: niles500 on June 27, 2016, 02:02:35 PM
LOL , have you priced the tubes. for an eagle?
what tubes are talking about ?
OK guys, tonight I found an 1979 mci mc8 crusader locally the guy is asking $6000. The down side is it's a 4 speed manual transmission, I've been shying away from manual transmissions because of what I've read from about 50% of the forum. I will go look at it just because it's in town. Any thoughts, what to look for, what does a clutch replacement "approximately " run, the bus looks nice from the photos but you know how that goes.
Sorry, mc9
Sorry Clifford, referring to torsilastics tubes
The 4 speed transmission is good and bullet proof. It lasted and lasted under the abuse of hired drivers. The clutch will burn up if slipped too much, like starting up hill.
Shifting that transmission will take some getting used to. It doesn't have syncros, requires double clutching and precisely matching the engine revs to the transmission speed. Shifting a Road Ranger in a highway tractor is easier than shifting the 4 speed in a bus. But, if you enjoy shifting, you will get good at it and like it.
The down side of it is other people travelling with you, like your wife, will likely not be able to drive the bus.
And the bus will be hard to resell, because most people prefer an automatic.
An Allison like the HT740 is so much nicer to drive.
I drove lots of buses with the 4 speed manual and enjoyed that. But my bus now has the HT740, and that is so nice.
JC
Does anyone know a good mechanic in the Boise Idaho area that would be interested in some side money?
Steve are you saying you found "the bus".
I'm curious if you looked around the net or the classifieds here and there etc..
keep us posted, and sorry several states away here
good day there
Floyd
Floyd, we've been looking for the past year, just getting serious now looking at two mci this weekend I want to keep a mechanic on deck. You just never know when the right one comes along.
There are several bus owners in Boise,Caldwell and Nampa area maybe one will weigh in
That would be nice, this forum great, I would probably hang out here even if it wasn't buying a bus.
I know really REALLY great bus mechanic that goes to Boise area from time to time! ;)
;D BK ;D