1960 GMC 4104 I am looking with an older 1980's restoration from Oregon

[BG6]

What should I be looking for and what should I pay.  It has no history but the engine compartment looks clean.  Starts right up with no funny noises.  No generator.  Solid wood cabinets inside.  4 speed tranny.  New tires.  No gas guage?

What you should pay is highly subjective.  I'm selling a 4903 for $4500 (obo), but it's entirely possible that the older, smaller coach you're looking at is worth twice that much.  It could also be a stack of scrap parts looking for the chance to come unglued.

Does the owner have any of the history of the coach?

For that matter, is he "plugged into" the busnut community (one of us) or someone who has no clue what resources are available?

How well done is the conversion?  Is it well laid out, with good workmanship, or does it look like it was put together in a hurry by someone who just got a staplegun for his birthday?  Are you satisfied with the layout, or will you be wanting to make changes?

Sometimes you are better off starting with an empty shell.

Evaluate the coach based on your own needs.  If it doesn't fit them, then there's no need to get too deep into the mechanical condition.  If it fits, then have an expert check the running gear and power train for you.  He or she can also give you an idea what the thing is worth.

[irstaxhelp]

Any opinions on this bus? Ebay item # Item number: 140305330804

[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140305330804&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140305330804&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=

http://www.payemployees.com

http://www.leslieandassociates.com

[irstaxhelp]

I bought the bus today for 5K and drove it home and it shifted perfect except for downshifting to 2nd.  I did have to double clutch it.  But I did a good job if I may say so.  I can't wait to get pictures up to see what you all think.   The steering I believe is manual since it has to turn many times to negotiate a corner!   The engine sounds great however does leak drops of oil after driving.   The air suspension does seem to work but I did not test how long after shut off it stays up since I got home after dark.  All electrical seems to work but one tail light.  also I can' t keep the door shut with out a rope from the inside.  It locks open but not shut.  It has two rooftop a/c's however I have not tried them yet since there is no generator.  All the tanks, instant hot water unit and heater look new. 
I will post pics tomorrow hopefully.  - John

john@irstaxhelp.com

http://www.irstaxhelp.com

http://www.irstaxlien.com

[zubzub]

Welcome to the madness, if it's in decent shape I think 5K is a fair price for a 04 with house systems intact.  My experience in buying old vehicles is that you really only see about 25% of the problems when you first inspect it.  The good news is that the other 75% of stuff will show up slowly and most of it will allow you a little time before it needs fixin.  BTW if you are already shifting easily and only 2nd is giving you grief on the downshift your bus is drivetrain is already better than mine.  Also if you don't have spring brakes make sure your handbrake works and is properly adjusted (also watch the air pressure all the time).  Finally the links you posted are expired, some pics would be nice.  After all you have the best bus there is now.

[irstaxhelp]

http://picasaweb.google.com/MrJohnLeslie/1960Bus#

Now I want to add a generator,  need wipers and who knows where else to start!    What do you say?

http://www.irstaxhelp.com
http://www.irstaxlien.com

[poppi]

Sweet!

Skip

[fe2_o3]

     Nice coach. If the major components work well you did good. I like the possibilities....Cable

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Very Nice Looking Bus and welcome to the abyss. M&C

[gm4106]

Nice looking coach, little cleaning up, I'm sure you want to do some up dating, but over all sweet deal

[irstaxhelp]

So if I want to add power steering and automatic trany am I crazy?



http://www.irstaxhelp.com
http://www.irstaxlien.com

[Dreamscape]

You're not crazy..............

You're just like the rest of us.....BUS NUTS......

Good Find, now go have fun and BE SAFE!

Paul

[gus]

Well, yes, I would say those two things would be a bit crazy to add to a 4104.

The  reasons are that the 671 engine does not work well with an AT and it probably won't fit very well anyway.

Power steering is a major job and very expensive. Adding the original type hyd boost system would not be so hard or expensive if you can find one on an old bus. However, it is not true power steering and not a great improvement over manual except in tight maneuvering.

If you wanted these you would have been better off getting a 4106, at least from the AT standpoint.

All this being said, it is a great, reasonably sized bus and a lot of fun, and you got it for a great price.

I recommend the Honda gas, water cooled EV6010, 6KW, gen because of the reasonable price and the fact that you already have a separate gas tank for it.

[uncle ned]

crazy maybe

but the 6v92 and 730 in the back of huggy and the full time power steering in the front   say drive me more.

welcome to the bus nut family and the clan of happy 04 owners.

  and a ff says do it your way

uncle ned
huggy bear
4104 with 6v92&730

[irstaxhelp]

Okay after scraping off tall the dried moss and hosing out the cargo bins it looks to be in very solid shape.    

IT does have a clutch burn smell that I think I did driving it home.  We live on a steep bank  

The door will not stay shut but does lock open with the handle.  Any suggestions?

One rear window is cracked

Short in the fuse panel

No fuel guage (how do I tell the fuel level?)

Otherwise that seems to be it

john@irstaxhelp.com

http://www.Leslieandassociates.com
http://www.irstaxhelp.com
http://www.irstaxlien.com
http://www.payemployees.com

[Runcutter]

John, a fuel gauge on a bus can be more likely to cause you trouble (false readings).  Knowing the size of the tank (probably 125 gallons), most of us keep track and just fuel every 500-600 miles (personal preference).  Someone on here posted a quick dipstick method, a length of garden hose (I like Romex wire). 

Regarding the clutch & shifting, RJ Long wrote a great article on how to drive & shift, with a focus on dead throttle starts.  Bottom line, you never want to give the diesel fuel when starting off, there is enough torque from the diesel.  You never want to slip the clutch, they have limited life spans.  It's not like a gas job where you're balancing throttle and clutch.  BTW, I have a few decades in the bus business, including time as a driving instructor on 4905's, and I never saw an explanation as good as RJ's.  I don't remember where it is, hopefully he, or someone else, can find it and post the link.     

Regarding the door adjustment, the process is in the maintenance manual.  One of the best things you can do for yourself is get a copy of the Operator's Manual (driving, controls), the Maintenance Manual, and the Parts Manual.

It's also a good idea to post your location in your signature line.  Who knows, one of us may be around the corner. 

Arthur