Eagle Front end reinforcement for safety, for me!

[Gary LaBombard]

I tried to put this on fb but it did not cooperate as usual, some liberal crap probably!  anyhow Dan Murphy of Florida got into a front end accident some years ago, lost both of his legs!!  Because of that accident I did this in the photos I am enclosing.  Just something to think about, I already made my choice.   I am no engineer by any means but I feel safer knowing what I did. 

[pabusnut]

Gary,

Looks Great!

I wish I had something like that on my 4905---but I am not ready for that much work!

Steve

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Looks like a Bull Bar to me Gary.    I love it.

I think you should send me another article for BCM.  This one would make a good one and tell the story of why you did this.  It is a very interesting concept.

Gary #2.

[Gary LaBombard]

Real busy right now Gary, Will try to do as you suggest soon though.  Thanks for the suggestion and inquiry.  I put a lot of thought into every foot of my conversion as I did it, I made some real big changes in my bus this being one of them.  I will be in touch soon.  Take care.

[brmax]

Nice work there!
I suspect none of the brands have much, so your photos sure give some ideas how to better it.

Thanks for the tips
Floyd

[dtcerrato]

Protection for the driver was built into the design of the GM 4104. Between that and what Greyhound stipulated in their specs, the driver was the most important facet of the bus. Sounds like the thing to do for a person responsible for all the passengers on board. Commend you for designing something better than the manufacturer did...

[sixtyseven]

Gary,
That does look great !    Now when you get a spare minute or 2, come over and rebuild mine like that.   

[DoubleEagle]

One problem I see is that the spare tire storage is now eliminated. The spare offered some shock absorption and protection at the lower level. Maybe the spare should remain, but still reinforce the upper area.

[luvrbus]

Never to much iron on a front of Eagle they always get smacked in the front,what they need are friggn brakes the 01's and 05's missed the boat when it comes to braking with the 4-1/2 inch wide shoes

[Gary LaBombard]

Walter, I still have my spare tire area and it fits in there just snuggly.  I agree the reason to have the spare and that too is part of my plan.  The angle of the photo does not show the spare tire compartment.  Here is the only photos I have of spare compt.  from the front and the driver side.  This framing also is insulated before sheet metal installed for sound primarily but safety is my main goal on this entire conversion, I assure you. If you look closely at photos above you can see the framing is made so a cut out is installed for the spare compt in photo 005-001 or bottom photo.

Joe, I do not have enough years left to get involved with another conversion like mine, hope yours is not in the shape mine was.  This was not fun for going on 15 years now.  Hope to be using our Eagle by spring / summer next year and start my maiden voyages near home to try out entire modified mechanical conversion.  Joe this modification in the front of my bus took about 1 full month to do!!  But I am happy with it.

[DoubleEagle]

That is good that the spare tire is included. I hope that when you finally get on the road you never have a crash test, but at the very least, you will do better than someone in an unmodified coach with rusty framing.

[dtcerrato]

The spare tire location horizontal in front of the front axle was integral in the design for front lower crash protection. The driver needs to stay good. Me

[luvrbus]

Drivers are the first to die in front end crashes with buses there is not that much on any bus to protect the drivers they are design to protect the paying passengers and are not real good at that.
I have seen a few 4104 and 4106 GM that have been involved in wrecks don't depend on that design to save your life Dan  it was probably ok back in the 60's when they were running 45 mph roads   

[TomC]

With the weight behind you, those extra square tube reinforcements might help a bit, but trying to stop 12-20 tons quickly-something is going to have to give.
This is why all big rig trucks are of conventional hood design. The engine is in the way first. On my cabover Kenworth, I'm sitting at 9ft up.
The best is to not get in an accident in the first place. Non of us are in a big hurry. Slower cruise speeds (under 65) and stopping often for breaks. Also stop and take a nap when your drowsy. Don't drive in inclement weather and only during the day (these were my way when I was cross country truck driving). Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

A raised rail frame is tough to beat for safety in a head on crash and that is missing from hiway buses