For anyone looking for a new project

[BigDougInOregon]

I couldn't resist chatting with this guy selling this 40' GMC RTS II in Downington, PA.  Here is the Craigslist link to the bus:

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/rvs/1023372318.html

Here is what he said when I inquired about the price:

A guy in Tenn. is interested too. You can find Bus's like this all over the country for $2500-$3500. but they need a lot of repairs and generally have issues.  I bought this from a church and looked into it's history before I purchased it. Dart in Delaware recond. the 6V92 Detroit and put in a New Allison Trans. for them. I put ALL new tires,brakes,airbags and replaced the complete 12V-24V system,(new not rebuilt Alt.,Circuit board and Regulator)also installed electric wipers with new blades (vacuum wipers suck). The body was nice to start with. I made it mechanically perfect before starting the interior design. I removed the seats and installed a capt. chair and picked up some Quality couch cushions to match so I could build a slide out bed in the front. I put a Queen bed in the rear.I acquired some stuff like a 5000 w generator, 4 burner gas RV stove w/oven,kitchen & bathroom stainless steel sinks,bath tub/shower,RV water heater, storeage tanks and toilet,etc. I figured that if I priced it at only $5000. anybody that knew anything about these busses and had the cash,would grab it up. I have more than that just in the tires, brakes and electrical. I plan to fly to California this week for a week. after I return the price is DEFINATLY going up,as I am trying to raise extra cash for the trip and the more money I raise the longer I can stay out there. The bus is in the 19335 zip code. Downingtown,Pa. I'll send some pics to you later today when I send some to him, I'll take fresh ones. I've been useing it to store my Harley parts. I sell at swap meets for extra cash and fun. thats why I started the project to begin with. I also have a shortbus I currantly use for local events. go to  myspace.com/animalcycles  and check out my pics for now. call me for more info. 484-886-9621

He wants $5000.00 for the bus.

P.S.  I knew for sure the "bought it from a church" comment would be of interest to BoboftheNorth.  lol.

[HB of CJ]

Something about the fine lines that are sooss pleasing to the eye.  Some help here please, do city transit buses have big brakes and heavy duty cooling systems?  Do they enjoy a very tight turning circle?  How is the overall ground clearance?  Rust?

Is the road gearing high enough?  Could the road gearing be easily changed?  What particular kind of auto tranny does this year/type of transit bus have?  Would a Jake Brake work with the tranny?  I know they would be hard to convert.  HB of CJ

ignorate/question post

[belfert]

Transit buses will have brakes at least big as a coach bus.  Remember, they are constantly stopping due to being driven in the city.  Yes, they have heavy duty cooling systems.

A standard 40 foot transit bus isn't built that much different from a coach bus except they may have a frame instead of a monoque semi-monoque design.  They will often have gearing that makes highway use somewhat impractical.

[JohnEd]

ANYTHING that is run in Pa will have RUST and bad cancer.  Even fiberglass rusts in that environment....you get the point.  Closely inspect!  In Pa they are numb to rust and don't see it as well as others might.  I lived there for 22 years.

HTH,

John

[RTS/Daytona]

The turning RADIUS is an UNBELIEVABLE

39.0' for the wide body (102" x 40Ft) RTS
38.5' for the 96" 40ft RTS
down to
31.8' for the 96" 35' RTS

remember that's RADIUS  (outside to outside DIAMETER would be double that) - non the less - RTS's turn unbelievably sharp


Most are geared with 5.13 rear into a Allison V730 or V731 tranny with .88 overgears in final 3rd gear) - top speed 62-64 MPH

With a 4.10 rear (worth about $2000 new for the ring and pinion) they will do 75-78 MPH and get UP TO 9-10 MPG  (6V92TA and DDEC'ed)

height is just under 10' (119") - don't know the ground clearance - mines adjustable since I modified the height control system (I sell the mod)

Jake breaks can be put on the engines - some RTS's  come with TRANNY BRAKES called a retarder - ALL RTS's have HUGE brakes for transit service

Here's what I did for my RTS (35' 102") --> http://community.webshots.com/user/hawk_ii

What out for rusted frames (mainly in northest salted roads and poor maintenance transit companies)

[HighTechRedneck]

I too have an RTS.  They are built mostly of stainless steel, but in a heavy road salt environment, one should ALWAYS do a careful inspection for rust and corrosion. The roof and side pans are 409 stainless.  Bulkheads and various structural components are E4 Stainless.  The window frames are black anodized aluminum.   The visible body panels are fiberglass (technically fiberglass reinforced plastic with a gel coat).

They are a monocoque design, even more so than most intercity coaches.  They do have a heavy frame member from the rear axle reaching forward about 10'.  It is not stainless and could be subject to rust damage.  The main area of vulnerability is the last bulkhead before the engine.  Also look for rotting of the wood floor (although if the price is right, that is relatiely easy to replace yourself anyway).

As Pete stated, the turning radius is VERY good and the brakes are very large.  A 40' RTS will generally make any turn that a 35' highway bus can, perhaps even tighter.

The drawback that can't be altered is the minimal space for bays (approx. 22" height) and within that space you have to build your own bays.  We full time in mine and larger bays would have been handy.  But I am very happy with my RTS.  The low floors have been very beneficial to our needs, I love the way it drives and I love their look.  Due to my limited budget the conversion is not fancy.  But several people, including Pete, have made really top grade conversions out of them.

[BigDougInOregon]

I love how much knowledge is just floating around this forum.  Just amazes me when I hear from such knowing bus nuts.  Thank you for your input.  Keep sharing.

Doug

[HB of CJ]

Thank you everyone.  Seems to me that an 8x35 RTS with a HOT Jaked 6v92TI geared properly would make a superb Bus Conversion project.  HD, Not too wide, not too long, tight turning circle, hot rod performance, extremely good looks, available parts and a cool sound indeed.

Down side would be headroom, underfloor storage, cubage, rust, enough road speed, the actual conversion headaches and the availability of the doner coach?  How about tubbed with super singles and a neat paint job?  Can the tranny OD gear be changed?  90 mph? HB of CJ

statement/question post

[WEC4104]

It sounds like this bus is located about 30-40 minutes from where I live.  I'm no mechanic and I really wouldn't feel comfortable doing an inspection for anyone. BUT if anyone gets serious about this and travels here from out of town, let me know and I'll see what other type of assistance I can provide.

[HighTechRedneck]

Down side would be headroom

The starting headroom in an RTS with the factory interior ceiling still in is 6'8", iirc.  Stripping out the factory interior ceiling would probably gain 1".

[BigDougInOregon]

Just an FYI, this guy emailed me again and will now take $3500.00 for the bus.  Could be a good deal for somebody (including me if I had the money, but I don't so maybe one of you can benefit).

Doug

[Len Silva]

There's a pretty nice looking RTS on eBay   160318110906
May be overpriced at $27K but a good looking home conversion.