I have drove for Greyhound for at least three to four years. Love the MCI buses and original I was looking into buying one for conversion. Just could not find the right one. Okay my last trip with Greyhound I found a 1967 silver eagle sitting on this car lot used by Trailways and the salesmen said I no nothing about Charter buses and if you can get this monster started I will sell it to you for $1,000 even. I took his challenge and sat in the drives seat. At first I was not sure of myself because I could not figure out how to start it. I thought it would be something simple liking starting the MCI coaches. I was wrong, but after about three minutes I figure it out and got it started and the sales men said let me go and get the title. I told him that today I do not have the cash for the bus. A year later the bus is still sitting on that car lot and the same sales person is still working there. Okay that is my first half of the story. The second half is I was wanting to convert it over to a camper and I am not really sure how to do that? I would like to do most of the work myself but I am stuck on the plumbing and electrical work that needs to be done and what kind of lumber should be used. Before I go I would like to say the way that I found out that it was used by Trailways was I found a passenger ticket stuck between the wall and one of the seats stamped for 1968. Also this bus has been sitting on the lot when I first found it for four years, not moved any and then I drove it for one day and it seems to drive well. Since then it still sits in the same spot for a year. So all total the bus has been sitting for a total of four years. I would hate to see a bus go to waste. Any advice would be help full.................................................... ;D
Hi Jfraser,
Welcome!
From what I hear you telling me, if you buy it right, you can't go wrong! The bus is worth 3 times that at scrap prices..
Good Luck
Nick-
It would help us to help you if you posted your location. There may be a local busnut or two that could look over the bus for you and help you make your decision.
Personally, for $1000 the bus is worth that much or more as scrap. I'd buy it, but then I'm a sucker for a lonesome wayward bus.
The conversion process is just a matter of learning new skills, none of us have ALL of the skills needed to convert a bus, some of us are good at wood work, some at plumbing, some at electrical, some at mechanical and some at setting up house systems. We all learn from each other, so don't be afraid to jump in and ask questions!
Dallas
Thank you Dallas and ever one. I live in South west Missouri. I am an electrician and I have a friend that is a plumber and we both have experience in construction. But with the local folks they tell me that I could not convert the bus the way that I want and so it has left me clue less in what to do.
Quote from: jfraser on May 26, 2008, 07:09:44 PM
Thank you Dallas and ever one. I live in South west Missouri. I am an electrician and I have a friend that is a plumber and we both have experience in construction. But with the local folks they tell me that I could not convert the bus the way that I want and so it has left me clue less in what to do.
Unless you want something totally exotic and structurally compromising, you can do just about anything you want inside the bus. If you look around and click on some of the links posted with other members answers, you will find a whole new world of possibilities.
Although I'm not an Eagle fan, I have to admit that if you find one that isn't rusted out, you have a great platform to start with.
Dallas
Hey JFraser
Where is southwest Missouri? I live in Ozark, MO just south of Springfield. I am converting a 91 Prevost XL. I am 3 years into the project. Be glad to look over your project and talk with you about it.
Rob
91 LeMirage XL
Missouri
As an Eagle owner myself I can say a couple of things.
Check the underside and wheel well area for rust. Look under the bays at the framing also. Check all exposed areas for that nasty red stuff. Tap on the siding between the drive axle and bogie and look on the ground for any red dust. If it's solid sounding it might be OK.
Take some pictures and ask questions. For 1K and it starts can't be too bad at all. Just remember, tires are probably rotton, wiring in the rear will probably need help. All hoses will need to be replaced. If you are not afraid of some grunt work, and willing to learn, you can do it.
I just replaced the breastplate with fiberglass on our 01 Eagle, was not an easy task to do. But it can be done. Found some rust around the window pillars, but not too bad for a 40 year old coach.
Any older bus will require lots of attention to keep the gremlins at bay.
There are a lot of knowledgeable Eagle folk here who can provide information, and believe me I have asked lots of questions myself in the five years we have owned it.
Good Luck and Happy Trails,
Paul
Jfraser, if you decide not to buy the bus if you will email me I have a friend looking for a 01 Eagle and doesn't care about the rust as he going to do a ground up rebuild
I agree. $1000 for a running bus is a good deal even if it does have rust. And you've found the right place to learn all you need to know about converting it yourself.
Different opinion here FWIW
Fellas where are we leading jfraser ?
1.If that unit has been sitting a min. of 4 years , what wouldn't it need? I'm thinking work (real work ) , brakes , airlines, driveline ,electrical- suspension -tires just to make it safe and secure.
lets be conservative - say $8-10k
and that doesn't even address the health of that engine
2. What about the conversion work - tear out ,Disposal , framing, plumbing ,electrical ,genset ,cabinets,furniture and paint ?
say $5-15k
So he could have a min. 14k into that unit plus 1000 +hours of his time. Wouldn't jfraser be better off buying something done ? Not knowing much more than he posted - in terms of his storage capacity , time frame, budget ,expendable income - it just seems like it is a buyers market out there .
:-\
Quote1.If that unit has been sitting a min. of 4 years , what wouldn't it need? I'm thinking work (real work ) , brakes , airlines, driveline ,electrical- suspension -tires just to make it safe and secure.
I fail to understand why a vehicle sitting for four years would need all of this. Tires and batteries maybe, but I do not think brakes, airlines, driveline, electrical or suspension would deteriorate very much, if any, while just sitting. I have over the years purchased several vehicles that had been sitting for several years and they were in good shape other than tires and batteries.
For example I once bought a 1930 Ford Roadster that had been sitting for at least 7 years. I hooked a battery charger up to it overnight, put some air in the tires and drove it several miles home. The batteries and tires were the only things I had to replace.
Richard
Case in point - a link to a fairly nice looking eagle
http://picasaweb.google.com/msullivan106/WhiteEagle?authkey=SLCEYMF5JTA
It was brought to my attention ,that this eagle was for sale ,asking price was 12k - some thought it could be bought for considerably less.The generator was not included .
joe
At $1000 if he's prepared to be absolutely impartial once he buys the bus he could convert it, part it out or sell it for scrap and come out ahead no matter what. I agree with Richard - batteries and tires would deteriorate in storage but the rest should be normal for a 40 year old vehicle. I'd say take it home, put it in the yard, look at it for a couple of weeks and then make the decision but whatever he does DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH IT FIRST.
Quote from: josephgranzier on May 27, 2008, 10:38:23 AM
Case in point - a link to a fairly nice looking eagle
http://picasaweb.google.com/msullivan106/WhiteEagle?authkey=SLCEYMF5JTA
It was brought to my attention ,that this eagle was for sale ,asking price was 12k - some thought it could be bought for considerably less.The generator was not included .
joe
Some pretty honest photos there for someone trying to sell a bus. Very refreshing.
Len
Quote from: Len Silva on May 27, 2008, 10:45:27 AM
Quote from: josephgranzier on May 27, 2008, 10:38:23 AM
Case in point - a link to a fairly nice looking eagle
http://picasaweb.google.com/msullivan106/WhiteEagle?authkey=SLCEYMF5JTA
It was brought to my attention ,that this eagle was for sale ,asking price was 12k - some thought it could be bought for considerably less.The generator was not included .
joe
Some pretty honest photos there for someone trying to sell a bus. Very refreshing.
Len
I asked Mike to take those photos when we thought we had a possible buyer for the bus. That is not Mikes bus, nor is it mine, however we both have knowledge of that particular coach and owner. He thinks he's done a good job and since the coach had a comically huge generator, (probably large enough to run a small 3rd world nation), the owner decided to pull that out and use it in his own house as a back up system or sell it, I forget which.
Even though that coach is showing it's age, for an Eagle, it's not in
that bad a condition. I have taken the opportunity over the last 3 years since meeting Gary LaBombard to look at several Eagles, a few of which were still on the road as revenue coaches and more which were Church or Gospel coaches. I was shocked and amazed that some of these buses hadn't broken in half.... One revenue coach had rust so bad in the engine room that the only thing holding the engine in was a wish, a promise and a couple of chains hooked to the floor boards with eye bolts and fender washers.
As it stands, I think on the white Eagle, a person could pick it up for less that 10K and probably closer to 7K.
Good Luck,
Dallas
QuoteDON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH IT FIRST
Now that is the kind of advice I could have used BEFORE my first wife.... :o :o :o
If you want a project you should buy it. If not and want a bus look around or the white Eagle, for the money discussed here you can't go to far wrong. Get someone to look at the Eagle that knows them. Keep in mind if you want to scrap it will be a LOT OF WORK. Tom Y
Jfraser, you have been given good advice so far.
I would second the 1000 + hours (many have twice that much). The big issue is the cost of the components and materials. I think you could maybe get by with the $5-15K mentioned ****IF***** you spend a huge amount of time shopping for used parts. However, I think you will find that a moderate conversion with good equipment will cost between $20 and $40K (good inverter, good generator, good battery bank, etc). Many of us have quite a bit more in our conversion for parts/materials. There are several websites that document the conversion process. My site (below) has quite a bit of detailed information. Another well recommended site is: http://www.gumpydog.com/bus/index.htm (BTW, he spells Shepherd wrong ;D)
Not sure why you would have an issue with the electrical if you are an electrician. The main difference is that the neutral and ground must be separated, and there are lots of opinions as to what kind of wire to use (generally a very hot topic). You can do a search of this and the other board for most any conversion subject and get good advice. On many of the threads, there are diverging thoughts, but the discussion will generally let you make an informed decision.
There are several Eagle owners in your general area. If you get serious, I can give you a few names (contact me based on my signature).
If you buy the unit, you can get a wealth of information/help at our Eagle Rally in your area (Branson 9/29-10/2)
Jim
Dallas watch out or the Eagle cult will put a hex on you for speaking badly of thier diety (sp?)
I have seen more than my fare share in similar condition, alot of which at first look semed rather nice. One of those was the one I commonly refer to as raingin rust inside the bus as you thumped the sides.
Two of these were sent away from the people (Charter company) who maintained them as being unsafe for the road......they both are still on the road with someone else doing maint and inspections ( scary!)
but for 1000.00 I'd buy it and see what you have......worst case you drive it to the scrap yard after parting out good stuff and make a good return on your investment
If that 01 has the original ss grill,good front (not perfect) bumpers and the headlight rims the guy can double his money plus if any of the torilastics are good they bring a premium as they are no longer made