Bus plates

[ruthi]

Yeah, went to the dmv today and got the plates for the bus. Now, I feel like it is official! It is cleaned, shined, and alllllllmost ready to roll. Taking it on a small trip with the grandkids one day this week. Wow, I cant believe the day is finally here.   It is so exciting!

[Beatenbo]

How do you like your Dina? I have a 2001 MCI F3500 that was built by Dina and it's been a challenge getting parts, even tail light lens and sockets...Blessings, Charlie B.

[robertglines1]

grandkids + bus = wonderful xmas..enjoy and best wishes.

[ruthi]

You are so right Bob. The best! Charlie, so far we love our bus. We changed just about everything about the bus, including all the lights. There has been a lot of modifications on it, so, parts havent been a big issue. The only prob right now we have is that the guy who helped us some, didnt put the entrance key with the lock when it was took off, and now we dont have a key. Locksmith says he isnt able to make another. So, we have to figure that one out.  Good luck with yours. Ruthi

[thomasinnv]

Ruthi, I had a similar problem with my bus.  I took the lock out and took it to a few locksmiths but no-one seemed able to make a key for it.  I eventually ended up finding a blank that would fit the lock at a ford dealer.  (an old ford key fit the lock.  Who'd a thunk?)  I took the tumbler apart and cut the key myself.  Been working fine.

[FloridaCliff]

You are so right Bob. The best! Charlie, so far we love our bus. We changed just about everything about the bus, including all the lights. There has been a lot of modifications on it, so, parts havent been a big issue. The only prob right now we have is that the guy who helped us some, didnt put the entrance key with the lock when it was took off, and now we dont have a key. Locksmith says he isnt able to make another. So, we have to figure that one out.  Good luck with yours. Ruthi

Ruthi,

Get a hold of BusCrazyinFl (Manny).

Hes a locksmith and will be at Bussin...  

Maybe he can fix you up.

Look forward to meeting you down there.

Cliff

[belfert]

I have a Dina also.  When I first bought my bus in 2006 MCI was real good about parts.  I even ordered a body part for less than $3 that MCI sourced all the way from Brazil!  It did take like three months to get.  Since MCI went bankrupt they really seem to have cut back on Dina parts.  Most everything says special order or no longer available.

As of June 2009 they had like 100 light sockets for the Dina in stock.  They had just ordered a new batch.  I believe they also had replacement light assemblies for like $75 each.  With the cost of the non-LED parts I ended up replacing all my lights with LED.  Now, F3500 light parts might be different.

Drivetrain parts are generally pretty easy to find as they mostly used American companies for that stuff.

[Rick 74 MC-8]

Grand kids are Great I want to get a bumper sticker that reads
If I knew grand kids were this good I would of had them first  

[ruthi]

We are hoping to come across someone who might be able to make one. We told the guy to make sure and keep it all together, who knows what happened to it. We really need more than one key also.