First post: Noob Intro and bus questions...

[UNIVERSAL]

Hiya folks,
Im Greg aka UNIVERSAL. We live here in Upstate NY

I am interested/obsessed with busses as I'm sure you all are here too. Long ago I was a bus driver in college UMass/PVTA some of you Transit Alums may be on here too? I joined the BCM site and am plowing through the old editions archive every evening when I get the kids off to bed. We are a family of 4 and want to make road trips before my twins turn into teens and want nothing to do with us for a while. Lol.

I have been researching all different kinds of busses for about a year and a half now for our families conversion or "reconversion" if necessary. I have watched every BUS GREASE MONKEY video and feel like Scott is now a good authority on "all about bus". I have searched manuals, groups sites, and even visited a few sellers from their invite to see some both amazing and some not so hot rusty coaches. I have had many many questions answered by the magazine. Its awesome!

Having a CDL ,as a driver "my favorite bus" in the 1990's was a 40 foot RTS/TMC transit coach the last iteration of the GMC smooth coach from the late 1970's. They were nice but lots of loose parts and shook like crazy over bumps.  Later I had a chance to drive an MCI-9 circa 1984. Nice...no rust, all stainless. Sweet.

Fast forward... I started out my current bus obsession with vintage Crown and then Gillig school busses. They are mostly on the West Coast so shipping of picking up may be an issue. All steel= RUST CHASING! Later my obsession took me to the Thomas Westcoast ER, and the latter Thomas HDX~ all nice rides but rust and on highway use as compared to school use was iffy.

Last were are in the OTR coach realm. I appreciate the durability of the MCI D series (simple and tough monococque SS frame), the GM Buffalo as well as the style of the Eagle and now my new favorite is the VanHool 2045 series (not mentioned here too much?)

Im in a "soup" of different busses and Yes, the mitigating factor in my eventual ownership of one is...yep, you guessed it $$$$.
I am a very mechanical guy and can weld, fabricate, build internal fixtures, plumb/wire, and mechanically juggle any puzzle a bus can throw at me with the proper manual or advice from those in the know.

For us/me whats next? Not sure? I am strongly leaning toward the MCI, Vanhool, and Eagles. The latter not so much as the frame is steel and the Torsilastic Suspension is big dollars to restore.
I'll read along and take any advice and direction with gratitude, and try to add to the group in any ways I can.
Thanks! Greg In NY

[windtrader]

welcome aboard.You have lots of knowlege about buses, maybe not so much outfitted for use for travelling with a family.
Having mechanical skills is a must, so check that box. Really, the two key question that will guide your path forward are time and budget. Most bus conversions are capable with having the standard kitchen, bathroom, shower, bedroom, lounge,etc.

You mention time. There is time deadlines like how far in the future do you want/need this to be roadworthy and capable? Now, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years? The other time factor is how much personal time can you commit to DIY conversion and/or mechanical work.

Money - Always a factor. Generally relate to the previous variable - time. The more funds you have upfront, the more choices you have to obtain an already converted bus. The less money, you are more likely facing a DIY conversion. Plus, everything in between.
Share a bit more details to help refine options. Good luck.

[luvrbus]

The Vanhool 2045 is nice bus,parts for the European running gear gets expensive though and the M-11 Cummins engine is not quite up to the task as the series 60 found in the MCI.I would stay under the 2001 models with non EGR engines 4 stroke engines,the EGR is bad news on diesel engines. The H series Prevost are good buses too 

[Jim Blackwood]

I found the MCI D series to give the most for what you pay. Have you looked at the build threads on the Projects forum yet? That should give you some ideas. There are several D series threads. I was able to buy a nice '96 and have it delivered for about $6500. Purchase price was $5250. and it had alloy wheels, aux heater, good floors, and a recent engine rebuild. Did take almost a year to find that deal though.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Buy one in CA before the dealers take those out of the state they go cheap,I know a guy that bought 2-1999 DL3 for $3100.00 ea with the auction fees.Problem with CA buses now sometimes they haven't had any maintenance done in 2 years after being rode hard

[lvmci]

In your hunt for a bus, you might consider an already completed conversion. You can modify a predone conversion a lot easier than a seated coach. And many times it ends up being cheaper. Attend a busconversion rally, before making any decisions. Bustnuts are friendly and will give you alot of info you'll need later during your build...

[luvrbus]

In your hunt for a bus, you might consider an already completed conversion. You can modify a predone conversion a lot easier than a seated coach. And many times it ends up being cheaper. Attend a busconversion rally, before making any decisions. Bustnuts are friendly and will give you alot of info you'll need later during your build...

Factory conversion are the way to go,you can bite off more than you can chew on some of the DYI conversion,factory conversion with the 4 stroke engine sell for more than a factory conversion with the 2 stroke engines

[Glennman]

I've had my 2002 D4500 for 3 years now and I took it from a fully seated bus to a usable RV in that time. We have been camping in it now for a couple of months and have driven it about 1000 miles. It's not finished yet but is very functional. We paid $1000 dollars for it, put about 40 grand (+) into it. It is fairly mechanically sound, with only minor things that I would like to do to it in that area. I have several videos in my BCM Bus Project forum that shows progress. It was in service when I bought it and the purchase was local, so I only had to drive it about 25 miles to my home. Good luck, and I hope you find what you are looking for!

[UNIVERSAL]

Thanks for all of the great advice! I havent had a whole lot of time as of late but heres a late night download of my thoughts on all things bus. A few things I have been thinking about were mentioned in the posts.

Firstly, BUDGET for me/us is still a work in progress. It will be the determiner. As I'm sure a few of you can identify. I am limited by finances right now but with research and more investigation we are saving for  bus. I know that there are pricey busses and cheap ones. I will look for one which is in the middle. A safe machine. Sound engine, relatively sound frame and the rest I can repair as I go, such as brakes, king pins, airlines, airbag refresh, tires, roof leaks, glass, etc.

Second, Is the build itself. I have a full workshop of woodworking and machine tools. Many added together will equal the weight of  bus! LOL.I am no stranger to welding/wrenching on vehicles, fabricating steel, AC wiring, or cabinetry. I'd like to do my own work and can with ease but over time. I have a gift for making things, and an even better one for finding free resources for supplies!

I think as mentioned, skoolie conversions are not an option for me. They are cool and cheap, but not my thing. The more I look at them the less I like their construction and doubt their reliability beyond the lifespan most school districts assign to them. Why would, say, Thomas make an indestructible HDX to last a million miles when most school districts refresh their fleets regularly with bond issues?

Most Transit Coaches (RTS, Gillig Phantom, New Flyer, and the like) are relatively good also but not really equipped for OTR but stop and go within a small radius. They often have lower gearing and dont cruise well at 70.

Dont get me wrong I LOVE the classic Gillig 501, Crown Supercoach circa 1980 Califiornia school bus or a lovely lined Eagle Coach. But my thoughts are to acquire an OTR Coach, a late 90's MCI D series (I like the smooth sided ones with square back rear roof- but unsure of exact type or model) or 2000 and up VanHool C2045 coach. I like the shape of both and they are built mainly of monocoque stainless (VanHool especially!) steel with airbag suspensions- no Torsilastic like Eagles or Flxibles.

It's my plan to start with a solid shell or "transit ready" bus with seats etc. and gradually add to the comfort level of our bus as we travel more. It wont be a home we will live full time, like some, in but a travel coach for the time being. For instance, right now travel will be in summer/spring months when we have vacation time and roads are clear of snow and ice. So, I will plan around that. I know factory AC is a real drain on diesel and somewhat cumbersome in some rides. Fans for now or a minisplit down the line?  I think we will initially remove all seats except for the first three rows (NY state allows an RV to have up to 12 seats...I think) for adventures with friends to East Coast Beaches. We would like to install bunks enough to sleep two families of 4 and then possibly a convertible master bedroom. No luxury but comfort, simplicity and functionality rather than decorative like some I have seen.

It is likely for now we would keep the stock restroom, remove the overhead bins and, keep factory windows. Slider windows would be a plus for natural ventilation but not too common on coach busses. The kitchen would be our main focus as we both like to cook and share our food. Likely a full size range microwave and fridge with solar or more than likely a 20000 KW genset and propane.

REALITY: In our last family mini vacation I did a little recon about parking a bus say at local Walmart and bicycling to the beach. In RI I got a few varied answers from store employees who mentioned a" noise ordinance" and werent sure a bus could be overnighted in their lot. They were very cagey and a bit rude actually as concerned to this topic. Which leaves me the question, "What do I do to park a 40 foot bus while seeing things around town?" Trailer park $$? Beach parking with no overnight? Random parking lots? Its a tough sell...perhaps tow a small car behind...ugh?

My whole purpose and goal with this project is: To spend time with our kids before they grow up and loathe us at age 13 . To venture off the beaten path- outdoors, route 66, turtle beaches, enjoy rural America. To cook our own food and share with others- learn recipes etc. To adventure with other families who my kids and we are friends with. Travel as a group on day trips- like a charter but with folks we know.

Thats it for now. Still researching, still looking, still dreaming and planning. 

[luvrbus]

I would look at the Dina too, and take a good look at the Prevost H-40 and H-41 they have a lot to offer with the big baggage compartments. The Vanhool is a nice looking bus but the parts are not standard off the self, like all German parts they get expensive and with the taper from the bottom to the top sucks converting. Most Prevost and MCI's the parts are interchangeable on the running gear and both run sales for those parts.  When it gets down to it the MCI is going to be the best buy since it is the workhorse of the American highways and out sales all the other manufactures combined and offered 3
engine manufactures with several different transmissions ,take your time and the bus you want is out there

[Jim Blackwood]

Be sure to give serious consideration to the pre-2000 DL3. Much to recommend it.

Jim

[luvrbus]

One thing to watch out for on the DL-3 is rust at the rear above the tag axle and behind the tag, the engine rail rust causes a lot of DL-3 to be parted out to and the air bag mounting rust out to, if the siding shows waves or blude  above the rear drive and tag  pass on it ,other than that it is good bus

[ol713]

Hiya folks,
Im Greg aka UNIVERSAL. We live here in Upstate NY

I am interested/obsessed with busses as I'm sure you all are here too. Long ago I was a bus driver in college UMass/PVTA some of you Transit Alums may be on here too? I joined the BCM site and am plowing through the old editions archive every evening when I get the kids off to bed. We are a family of 4 and want to make road trips before my twins turn into teens and want nothing to do with us for a while. Lol.

I have been researching all different kinds of busses for about a year and a half now for our families conversion or "reconversion" if necessary. I have watched every BUS GREASE MONKEY video and feel like Scott is now a good authority on "all about bus". I have searched manuals, groups sites, and even visited a few sellers from their invite to see some both amazing and some not so hot rusty coaches. I have had many many questions answered by the magazine. Its

           Go for the MCI!
                           
Having a CDL ,as a driver "my favorite bus" in the 1990's was a 40 foot RTS/TMC transit coach the last iteration of the GMC smooth coach from the late 1970's. They were nice but lots of loose parts and shook like crazy over bumps.  Later I had a chance to drive an MCI-9 circa 1984. Nice...no rust, all stainless. Sweet.

Fast forward... I started out my current bus obsession with vintage Crown and then Gillig school busses. They are mostly on the West Coast so shipping of picking up may be an issue. All steel= RUST CHASING! Later my obsession took me to the Thomas Westcoast ER, and the latter Thomas HDX~ all nice rides but rust and on highway use as compared to school use was iffy.

Last were are in the OTR coach realm. I appreciate the durability of the MCI D series (simple and tough monococque SS frame), the GM Buffalo as well as the style of the Eagle and now my new favorite is the VanHool 2045 series (not mentioned here too much?)

Im in a "soup" of different busses and Yes, the mitigating factor in my eventual ownership of one is...yep, you guessed it $$$$.
I am a very mechanical guy and can weld, fabricate, build internal fixtures, plumb/wire, and mechanically juggle any puzzle a bus can throw at me with the proper manual or advice from those in the know.

For us/me whats next? Not sure? I am strongly leaning toward the MCI, Vanhool, and Eagles. The latter not so much as the frame is steel and the Torsilastic Suspension is big dollars to restore.
I'll read along and take any advice and direction with gratitude, and try to add to the group in any ways I can.
Thanks! Greg In NY