Successful Trip - Milwaukee to Gillette WY and back again
 

Successful Trip - Milwaukee to Gillette WY and back again

Started by richard5933, July 23, 2018, 06:12:05 PM

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richard5933

Four days/three nights driving out, 4 nights camping in Gillette at the FMCA rally, and then two days/one night driving home. Averaged just about 7mpg, burned only about a pint of oil, and overall had a great time. The bus performed like a champ, and other than a noisy squirrel cage fan motor on the rear basement a/c unit all the cooling system units did great. The OTR froze us the whole time, and surprisingly the temp dial was able to add back a little heat to moderate temps inside to a comfortable level. A bit of a problem with one hill in Sioux Falls (see my earlier post), but otherwise the hills on the road were no problem. Had to drop to 3rd a few times, but nothing too difficult. Photo was take at scenic overlook just east of the Badlands.
Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108a-125 Custom Coach "Land Cruiser" (Sold)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (Former Bus)
1994 Airstream Excella 25-ft w/ 1999 Suburban 2500
Located in beautiful Wisconsin

eagle19952

Nice bus :) are all of the windows in use ?

Sometime I think about all my Eagle windows intact on the outside,but covered on the inside. :)
Donald PH
1978 Model 05 Eagle w/Torsilastic Suspension,8V71 N, DD, Allison on 24.5's 12kw Kubota.

dtcerrato

Dan & Sandy
North Central Florida
PD4104-129 since 1979
Toads: 2009 Jeep GC Limited 4X4 5.7L Hemi
             2008 GMC Envoy SLT 4x4 4.2L IL Vortec

windtrader

Always trilled to hear about trouble-free trips. You been doing a lot of work on it so glad it's paying off now.
Don F
1976 MCI/TMC MC-8 #1286
Fully converted
Bought 2017

richard5933

Quote from: eagle19952 on July 23, 2018, 07:20:13 PM
Nice bus :) are all of the windows in use ?

Sometime I think about all my Eagle windows intact on the outside,but covered on the inside. :)

The a window and a half on each side are hidden on the inside by galley on curb side and bathroom on driver side. Only two of the eight have sliders, the rest are stationary. Even though not all windows are visible inside I'm quite glad they are all intact. To me, nothing beats the look of a bus that still looks like a bus. This one still sports original factory paint as well.
Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108a-125 Custom Coach "Land Cruiser" (Sold)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (Former Bus)
1994 Airstream Excella 25-ft w/ 1999 Suburban 2500
Located in beautiful Wisconsin

eagle19952

To me, nothing beats the look of a bus that still looks like a bus.

Me too :)
Donald PH
1978 Model 05 Eagle w/Torsilastic Suspension,8V71 N, DD, Allison on 24.5's 12kw Kubota.

windtrader

Just curious about the history of your coach. I can not recollect the earlier posts but how on earth was it so well preserved to still have original paint in such great condition?
Don F
1976 MCI/TMC MC-8 #1286
Fully converted
Bought 2017

Paso One

Yes Richard nice Bus I would be interested in its history as well.
It sure looks good :D
68 5303 Fishbowl 40'x102" 6V92 V730 PS, Air shift  4:10 rear axle. ( all added )
1973 MC-5B 8V71 4 speed manual
1970 MC-5A  8V71 4 speed manual
1988 MCI 102 A3 8V92T  4 speed manual (mechanical)
1996 MCI 102 D3 C10  Cat engine 7 speed manual  (destined to be a tiny home )

richard5933

The coach was originally purchased by the owner of Super Service Bus Company in South Amboy, NJ. When he was ordering the company coaches from GM in 1974, he spec'd one out on the order sheet with 'seat delete' and 'bathroom delete'. It was finished in the livery colors for the company along with all his other coaches.

The coach was sent directly from GM to Custom Coach in Ohio for a conversion on the brand new shell. The original owner used the coach as his family's motor home for a few decades and I'm told that it was stored inside one of his bus barns. The second owner was also in NJ. He ran a bus sales company and was able to keep things up, although he only had the bus for a few years at most.

When I picked up the bus it had only about 41,000 on the odometer and 930 hrs on the generator. It was all original, as it left GM and Custom Coach. Since I've owned it last fall, I've only changed the carpet and rear upholstery in the interior and installed a new fridge. Otherwise it's an all original interior. Mechanically it's still all GM, exactly as it left the factory. The only house system that needed attention was the electrical bay, and I've updated it with a number of improvements.

If anyone is passing through SE Wisconsin, you're welcome to stop by and take a look and visit.
Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108a-125 Custom Coach "Land Cruiser" (Sold)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (Former Bus)
1994 Airstream Excella 25-ft w/ 1999 Suburban 2500
Located in beautiful Wisconsin

windtrader

wow, really rare find and so glad it remains under stewardship of a busnut. thanks
Don F
1976 MCI/TMC MC-8 #1286
Fully converted
Bought 2017

opus

Quote from: eagle19952 on July 24, 2018, 09:58:36 AM
To me, nothing beats the look of a bus that still looks like a bus.

Me too :)

Me three!  Nothing worse than driving down the road in a toothpaste tube, not being able to see the sights.
1995 BB All-American - A Transformation.