Just bought a 1974 GMC 4905 in Arizona

Ryker · April 25, 2018, 11:32:10 AM

Uh, oh, what did I do? I decided about 6 months ago that I wanted to sell my nearly perfect 36' Class A with 2 slides and only 31,000 miles for an old bus. My fiancé thinks I'm crazy but she is sweet enough to go along with my hair-brain idea. We are driving to Tempe this coming Saturday, April 28 to pick up our new rig but it does have a couple of issues that need to be resolved before we head back to Los Angeles, and ultimately, Sacramento. This seems like a good place to ask for tips/tricks/assistance. I have never driven an old 2-stroke diesel but I did have a modern diesel pusher for awhile.

Tires: The tires are 2011 but they have been cooking in the Arizona sun, so I figure there must be a good tire shop in Phoenix that I can take it to before we leave town. Wouldn't mind getting the Alcoa wheels polished at the same time.
Ignition: The seller can get it started but not from the ignition switch. He has to do it in the back.
Air Bag: Apparently the air bags look pretty new but one of the front bags will not air up.
Fluid check, general checkup: The seller has a bit of Alzheimers, so he does not remember much that he has done in recent years. Would be great to find someone who knows these busses to go through it before I drive several hundred miles.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

windtrader · April 25, 2018, 11:43:27 AM

Ryker,

Welcome busnut! I'm a noob busnut too and just moved to Sacramento. There are few nuts around here. Fortunately, AZ has many nuts with buses. Hopefully, you'll hook up with one to get you on the road. Personally, focus on the mechanical stuff first. Reliable and safe first, shined up wheels can come later.

2011 dated tires may still be fine, just make sure they don't have any cracks/checking and sufficient tread. As the service records may be a bit vague, you'll need to have all the fluids checked, oil changed?, etc.

Good luck, Don

eagle19952 · April 25, 2018, 12:46:21 PM

Quote from: Ryker on April 25, 2018, 11:32:10 AM
Uh, oh, what did I do? I decided about 6 months ago that I wanted to sell my nearly perfect 36' Class A with 2 slides and only 31,000 miles for an old bus. My fiancé thinks I'm crazy but she is sweet enough to go along with my hair-brain idea. We are driving to Tempe this coming Saturday, April 28 to pick up our new rig but it does have a couple of issues that need to be resolved before we head back to Los Angeles, and ultimately, Sacramento. This seems like a good place to ask for tips/tricks/assistance. I have never driven an old 2-stroke diesel but I did have a modern diesel pusher for awhile.

Tires: Carry a spare, go to coach-net.com and you'll be fine.

Ignition: Might be a neutral switch or a relay

Air Bag: Someone else needs to add thoughts.

Branderson · April 25, 2018, 01:37:30 PM

Quote from: Ryker on April 25, 2018, 11:32:10 AM
Uh, oh, what did I do? I decided about 6 months ago that I wanted to sell my nearly perfect 36' Class A with 2 slides and only 31,000 miles for an old bus. My fiancé thinks I'm crazy but she is sweet enough to go along with my hair-brain idea. We are driving to Tempe this coming Saturday, April 28 to pick up our new rig but it does have a couple of issues that need to be resolved before we head back to Los Angeles, and ultimately, Sacramento. This seems like a good place to ask for tips/tricks/assistance. I have never driven an old 2-stroke diesel but I did have a modern diesel pusher for awhile.

Tires: The tires are 2011 but they have been cooking in the Arizona sun, so I figure there must be a good tire shop in Phoenix that I can take it to before we leave town. Wouldn't mind getting the Alcoa wheels polished at the same time.
Ignition: The seller can get it started but not from the ignition switch. He has to do it in the back.
Air Bag: Apparently the air bags look pretty new but one of the front bags will not air up.
Fluid check, general checkup: The seller has a bit of Alzheimers, so he does not remember much that he has done in recent years. Would be great to find someone who knows these busses to go through it before I drive several hundred miles.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Do you have the time to take it to a nearby diesel mechanic to give it a servicing before taking it back? That would def be on my to do list once I picked it up. I'd be very cautious of the tires too. I bet people here no of some trusty mechanics in that area though so maybe they can help you out.

Ryker · April 25, 2018, 02:07:59 PM

Hi Don. Great that there are other bus nuts in Sacramento! I am looking forward to getting involved in the group.

Eagle19952: I head good things about CoachNet. I'll join them today. The tires are "only" 7 years old but they are cracking. I'll check the neutral switch and relays.

Branderson: I most certainly can take it to a nearby mechanic. I do not have to rush back since I can work from wherever I am, and my brother lives in Phoenix, so I can hang with him as long as I need. I am hoping folks here can recommend someone.

luvrbus · April 25, 2018, 03:29:14 PM

? Did the 4905 come from Parker AZ ,If Kevin is not covered with work he is on the west side of Phoenix 602-810-1845 give him a call

richard5933 · April 25, 2018, 04:32:09 PM

Ryker - Welcome and congratulations. We have a similar bus, a 4108. I echo the comments on getting it to a shop for a once-over if possible before hitting the road. If you can get it up in the air, it would be possible to spend a few minutes with a flashlight looking for things that might need immediate attention such as air leaks, brake adjustment, etc. A fluid & filter change would be good if you don't know the last time they were done.

If it won't start in the front, see if he's got the switches in the engine bay set for 'normal' and not for rear start. Really easy to get that wrong, and if he's dealing with medical issues it would be easy to miss. If it's like mine, the center toggle in the back can be up for 'normal' (front start), in the middle for rear control, and all the way down to start from the rear.

chessie4905 · April 25, 2018, 04:44:38 PM

Make sure to carry a spare set of fuel filters at all times, and if you have the talent, the tools to change them. Really easy with spin ons, but It probably has canisters with cartridge filters. Consider updating down the road to spin ons. Less messy to change out on the road. Pre fill and spin on.
Oh, and carry a set of spare belts...oh wait, that only applies to the non GMC wannabees.lol

PP · April 26, 2018, 09:03:06 AM

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new purchase and have a safe trip,
Will and Wife

Boomer · April 26, 2018, 09:48:30 AM

Danny's truck detail shop at the Flying J can polish your wheels while you wait.

Ryker · April 26, 2018, 09:16:26 PM

Thanks for all the great tips! I am meeting Kevin on Sunday and we can see how road worthy she is. We will also assess the tires. I may hold off on tires until I get back to Sacramento where there is a great shop that I have used for years (Linville Brothers). We plan to swing by the Flying J and get the bus shined up as well before hitting the road.

RJ · April 26, 2018, 09:51:29 PM

Ryker -

Welcome aboard!

Mind sharing the VIN on your Buffalo? (P8M4905A-XXXX) Jon Ulse has been creating a "survivor's list" of all the GMC highway models, based on their VINS. I'll forward the info to him. TIA.

Also, is this coach still a manual gearbox, or has it been converted to an automatic? One is a dream to drive, the other can bring you to your knees in frustration.

Finally, be sure to put this name and number into your contacts list: Luke Bonagura at US Coach in NJ. 1-888-262-2434. Luke's the GO TO guy for GMC parts, is a strong supporter of our crazy hobby - support those who support us!

FWIW & HTH. . .

luvrbus · April 27, 2018, 05:50:04 AM

Quote from: Ryker on April 26, 2018, 09:16:26 PM
Thanks for all the great tips! I am meeting Kevin on Sunday and we can see how road worthy she is. We will also assess the tires. I may hold off on tires until I get back to Sacramento where there is a great shop that I have used for years (Linville Brothers). We plan to swing by the Flying J and get the bus shined up as well before hitting the road.

If you need tires Danny's at Flying J there does have good prices tires check their price

Ryker · April 29, 2018, 11:39:25 AM

My bus is with Kevin now! We have a few issues to take care of, the most pressing being that the whole left side suspension will not raise the bus.

Thanks for the tip for US Coach. I know I will need plenty of parts. A lot of small items.

It has an auto, the Allison VS2-8. I haven't yet figured out how to force a downshift. I just have a toggle switch from drive/neutral/reverse.

The VIN is P8M4905A615

Ryker · April 29, 2018, 11:49:05 AM

Oh, and my bus was in Bus Conversion Magazine! September 1994 titled Mighty Oak, as well as January 1998 showing the kitchen. I would love to see if I can find these issues.