MCI9 rear cap

jdr · July 03, 2007, 11:57:35 PM

Unfortunately I don't have xray vision {wish I did} so does anyone have pictures,drawings or even a discription of where the structural tubing is located under the rear stock cap on a MCI9. As always,thanks Jim

ttomas · July 04, 2007, 05:28:03 AM

Hi Jim, I sent a picture to your yahoo email but did not know how to upload it here. Tomas

Stan · July 04, 2007, 05:39:13 AM

jdr: Does your parts book not have a picture of the framing showing the part number for each piece? If you don't have a maintenance manual and a perts book, stop all work until you have both, and have read them until you understand them.

captain ron · July 04, 2007, 07:02:59 AM

Stan, with all due respect I didn't have a parts book or maintenance book and just jumped in did my work and it turned out fine. I really don't believe they have part numbers for frame components. That's why this board is here to help people without the knowledge or books. If I waited till I had books my bus would still be sitting in a warehouse in Wisconsin cause I still don't have any books.

Busted Knuckle · July 04, 2007, 09:13:07 AM

Quote from: captain ron on July 04, 2007, 07:02:59 AM
Stan, with all due respect I didn't have a parts book or maintenance book and just jumped in did my work and it turned out fine. I really don't believe they have part numbers for frame components. That's why this board is here to help people without the knowledge or books. If I waited till I had books my bus would still be sitting in a warehouse in Wisconsin cause I still don't have any books.

And if he had books it still would not help, as they aren't all pictures ! LOL! Sorry Ron coldn't resist! BK

ttomas · July 04, 2007, 09:21:42 AM

Here is a photo of the mc9 bus rear. I am glad to be able to add something constuctive to this forum. Tomas

Stan · July 04, 2007, 12:39:59 PM

captain ron: I have nothing but the greatest respect for the people doing a conversion who "just jumped in did my work and it turned out fine. " . Unfortunately, many of these buses later develop structural, mechanical, electrical and a host of other problems. Just read the posts on the BBS from the people who buy these buses and they are wondering why anybody in their right mind would have done it that way. Many times they are looking for a solution to a problem that is next to impossible to fix. I don't know how anyone can deal with the wiring in a bus without a having, at a minimum, the terminal box identification.

When you do a conversion, you have a lot of wires no longer in use and it is critical that these all be disconnected from a power source without disconnecting wires that are still needed. How can anyone but the most highly skilled people do this without wiring diagrams. I realize that some are capable but not the majority of people on these boards. I can make that definite statement because I have been reading their questions for many years.

I owned three MCI buses and each one had a part number for every part that they built or had custom made (but not the drivetrain which they outsourced).

captain ron · July 04, 2007, 01:30:07 PM

I agree on the electrical part but don't know how much help it is in raising roofs or installing caps as that was never intended from the factory. My only thing about your post was "If you don't have a maintenance manual and a perts book, stop all work until you have both, and have read them until you understand them." That's pretty harsh.

Not meant to be a fight.

jdr · July 05, 2007, 12:05:03 AM

ttomas, Thank you. That was exactly what I needed to see! Saved me alot of time and trouble. Jim

Stan · July 05, 2007, 07:00:03 AM

captain ron: I know you don't fit into this category but we are are seeing more and more people buying buses that don't have the financial resources or the technical ability to do a conversion. Other people have diplomatically advised several of these posters to not buy a shell but to buy an already converted bus or a conventional motorhome.

If someone has already bought a shell, then I think it is mandatory that they have the manuals before they make critical mistakes cutting structural members or modifying brake systems without the necessary knowledge.

If these people come on a BB and ask a specific question about the part we may be able to help, but not when they cannot properly name or describe the part they are working on. In many cases, after reading the manuals, they would not need to ask the question, or only seek advice on the proper tools or method used by others.

It has to be emphasized that buses are big, heavy pieces of commercial equipment. Parts are expensive, and qualified hired labor is also expensive. Large and expensive tools are needed to do body and mechanical work. Doing the conversion improperly may be hazardous to your health!