Recommended Garage

[64MCI]

Hello all,

We recently purchased a 1964 MCI 5, which we're super excited about.  It's our first motorhome/bus of any kind, so the learning curve is a bit steep   Most things seem to be working fine, but I'd like to bring it in to a shop to have them look for any deferred maintenance items.  Sort of a pre-purchase inspection, but I've already bought the bus...I realize I'm doing it backwards

Any recommendations for a shop in the Minneapolis/St Paul area?

Thanks,
Jed

[luvrbus]

Check C&J bus repair in that area they been at it a long time

[richard5933]

I've been quite happy with Interstate Power Systems here in the Milwaukee area, and I see that they have a location in your area as well. They aren't the cheapest on the block, but they do good work.

Whatever shop you choose, I'd suggest going there before bringing the bus to talk with the service manager to explain what you want to have done. Bring some photos of the bus so he/she can visualize and know that you're not bringing in a rolling wreck. It's nice to be on the same page before they start working on the bus. To me, building the relationship with the people at Interstate has been really important to keeping things moving forward. Nice if you can emphasis a willingness to be flexible with timing since they have large contract customers that will sometimes take priority.

Another suggestion is to have a complete set of manuals, parts catalogue, and wiring diagrams when you take the bus to them for service. It's unlikely that they'll have all the documentation and it will greatly help the techs get the job done properly. I generally bring the manuals, and also print out the specific pages for the work being done for the service writer to include with the work order.

Parts is another issue for a shop that's agreeing to work on an old bus, and I find it helpful to help where possible securing the proper parts for them. The first time I had my 4106 in for work they waned to use their normal supply chain. The bus needed a new air bag, which they got from their parts supplier. It was not the correct part, was difficult to install, and of course needed to be replaced with the proper one. From then on they've been willing to coordinate with me on parts, and usually I order the parts from Luke at US Coach and he ships them directly to the shop. This gets them around the 'no customer supplied parts' rule since Luke ships directly to them. The Detroit Diesel parts are usually easy for them to get, but I've had to help a few times when it was a NLA part.

I also had some interaction with C&J - they are nice people and were quite helpful getting my Jake brake parts.

There is also a great resource in Rochester where I bought my first bus. PM me if you want more information.

Hope that helps.

[MagnoliaBus]

I've been quite happy with Interstate Power Systems here in the Milwaukee area, and I see that they have a location in your area as well. They aren't the cheapest on the block, but they do good work.

Whatever shop you choose, I'd suggest going there before bringing the bus to talk with the service manager to explain what you want to have done. Bring some photos of the bus so he/she can visualize and know that you're not bringing in a rolling wreck. It's nice to be on the same page before they start working on the bus. To me, building the relationship with the people at Interstate has been really important to keeping things moving forward. Nice if you can emphasis a willingness to be flexible with timing since they have large contract customers that will sometimes take priority.

Another suggestion is to have a complete set of manuals, parts catalogue, and wiring diagrams when you take the bus to them for service. It's unlikely that they'll have all the documentation and it will greatly help the techs get the job done properly. I generally bring the manuals, and also print out the specific pages for the work being done for the service writer to include with the work order.

Parts is another issue for a shop that's agreeing to work on an old bus, and I find it helpful to help where possible securing the proper parts for them. The first time I had my 4106 in for work they waned to use their normal supply chain. The bus needed a new air bag, which they got from their parts supplier. It was not the correct part, was difficult to install, and of course needed to be replaced with the proper one. From then on they've been willing to coordinate with me on parts, and usually I order the parts from Luke at US Coach and he ships them directly to the shop. This gets them around the 'no customer supplied parts' rule since Luke ships directly to them. The Detroit Diesel parts are usually easy for them to get, but I've had to help a few times when it was a NLA part.

I also had some interaction with C&J - they are nice people and were quite helpful getting my Jake brake parts.

There is also a great resource in Rochester where I bought my first bus. PM me if you want more information.

Hope that helps.

Richard, this is a realy nice post from you. This is what i what about this forum, nice people giving good advice.

[64MCI]

Thanks all, I was able to get in touch with JD at C&J.  He was definitely busy with his contract customers, but was nice enough to squeeze me in for an inspection and oil & filter changes.  His techs were great as well...showing me how to do some of the maintenance items myself.

Thanks again,
Jed

[Busn-Gramps]

Hi 64 MCI, welcome to the BusNut world. I see you just purchased a MC5, If you got it from the Minneapolis area I think I might be familiar with that bus. A friend of mine passed away and his wife is/was trying to sell their bus. A good coach as far as I know. Good luck and welcome to the madness.