Who's building a bus?

[Jeremy]

Omg.... he probably needed to learn to use his mirrors!


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Ok, I didn't explain it properly - it was a vehicle issue rather than a driving issue - the 60-year-old 1500cc (or whatever) VW bus just didn't have enough power to get itself up a short slope from a standing start. I'm guessing have the equivalent problem in a 4104 ceases to just be embarrassing and becomes quite serious

Jeremy

[fortyniner]

That brings back memories. Way back in high school we had a VW bus. There was a long steep hill on the way out to the lake and we would get about 3/4 the way up then everyone had to bail out so the bus could make it to the top. That road is full of Ferrari Porches and such now.

[dtcerrato]

We purchased our one & only 4104 in April of 1979 & have been working on it forever. It was in service running passengers when we got it. Originally Pacific Greyhound Lines. We have literally had the bus on every type of highway, secondary roads, and loose gravel access roads in USA, Canada, & Alaska. It has seen 10+ % up & down grades on the worst of roads non paved of loose gravel. It is mostly original with no spring brakes nor Jake brakes. Still utilizes the drive shaft parking break naturally aspirated four valve head with a manual 4 speed Spicer. It is currently pulling a 7000# toad when loaded (05 GMC Sierra Quadrasteer with camper shell). Yes all of the six toads that we have pulled over almost four decades have helped the bus from time to time to climb a step grade into a campsite or slow us down on a steep downhill run (if is wasn't disconnected for the decline). The bus has been on top of most of the western National parks & forests & last year went to Alaska from Florida (with the 7000# toad). The original conversion performed by us starting in 79 has been partially remodeled from time to time to keep the interior from looking "dated". The bus continues to be a part of our lives & we will always be working on it. It is everything we need in a home away from home. The bus really doesn't have as many handicaps as the drivers do! It will do anything you ask of it within reason as long as you show it some real TLC & persevere in a safe way to achieve your goal. Just completed an in-frame rebuild cause we continue to purposefully keep it as original as possible.   

[MB LeMirage]

I'm 39, have a wife and 3 kids (9,7,5) 2 dogs (Boxer and a Redbone Coonhound)and a bus. Building a shop, 25x60x16.5, for the bus and boat, also building a house starting in spring as well. Life revolves around a hammer or a sander or kids. I got our bus last spring and have it gutted to nothing and am slowly replacing some rusted areas due to leaking windows. Still loving it and slowly but surely making progress. I wouldnt trade it for anything and by that i mean all of it. Life while hard is an adventure and the Hooligan Tribe and I love it.
Ryan.

[jav9956]

We have been building a bus for some time... slow progress as we only had weekends to work on it and that was cut down to one day a week for 8 months or so.

Decided to sell the bus though as we are taking a different route, I converted a van and am full timing in that till I can get out of Los Angeles!

Anyhow, you can see the entire build on youtube if you are interested(www.youtube.com/c/backtoschoolbus). It was an awesome experience; 9" roof raise, completely gutted the interior, sanded and finished all storage bays etc. Someday I will probably get another when the time is right, i.e. I have space and time to work on it!

Cheers

[TheHollands!]

I've had my MCI-9 6 years now and have been living in it while I convert it that whole time. We do about 15,000 miles per year and I've been constantly amazed at peoples generosity allowing a place to park and the excitement people get looking through your bus. We have two kids (teens/young adults), and the curious thing I hadn't thought about was when they want to move out, how do you do that when your mobile. Our daughter moved out last year and is living in Australia after we were backpacking there and SE Asia. I'm also amazed at how these old two strokes just keep ticking, mine has been super realiable. Hope to meet more of you on the road. Craig

[86102A3]

Purchased my bus in 2012 and have been working on it since then. Some years have been more productive than others. Work has been taking a lot of my time for the last year, so not much progress. My limited free time was also being used to prep an area to have the bus at my new house. Work is beginning to slow and I am getting back to working on the bus. I have recently re-insulated the bus roof with spray foam, and I have finished pulling all of the water supply lines, and am going to electrical next. I am also working on adding an additional basement air conditioner, since the unit I have has not quite been able to keep up in full sun here in Florida.
I am hoping that I can use the bus next year. I have a couple of mechanical issues to take care of before I take it on a road trip. It needs a wheel seal on the drive axle, radiators need to be re-cored and the rear suspension needs to be updated. The air bags are leaking and the bushings need to be replaced. I am going to wait till it cools off here before starting those projects, plus the rain has been daily.


Jeff LoGiudice
Tampa, Fl.
1986 TMC 102A3
1999 Reliabilt 6V92TA
Allison HT740

[Jim Eh.]

I am in about the same boat as Orville (build schedule anyway). About 4 years in, just starting the interior. Sometimes life and work actually do get in the way. Spending most of one winter in and out of the hospital doesn't help either. I am on the freedom 65 plan with 5 years more to go. The wife has put down the gauntlet to have it functional by next August for our son's wedding so I better get in gear. Nothing like a deadline to light a fire under your butt.

[flynbanjo]

We are on the twenty year plan.  We bought the bus in 2004. We have it useable(for us) condition.  This work thing keeps getting in the way of my free time.  For us the bus is just a toy and always takes the last priority.

[Zephod]

We are on the twenty year plan.  We bought the bus in 2004. We have it useable(for us) condition.  This work thing keeps getting in the way of my free time.  For us the bus is just a toy and always takes the last priority.

I was lucky. I couldn't get a real job for about two years. During that time I worked 4 hours a day during the school year. For the first summer I had no work which is when I got almost all the woodworking inside done.

Then I managed to get a semi full time job driving schoolbusses which taught me how to drive my bus. Now I've completed it bar for a little work on the 12v house system. I could have completed that this weekend but I've been ill so I've stayed indoors doing as little as possible in order to recover as much as possible.


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