Introduction From the High Desert, California

[TomC]

Would be nice to have a So Cal get together-keep us posted.  Good Luck, TomC

[Kevin]

Hello All,

Kevin here. I'm in Quartz Hill. It would be great to meet up with some of you locals to trade conversion ideas and so on. We've owned our '60 GM PD 4104 for about 11 years. Still have a long ways to go with interior, but we have all the basics for camping and use it year 'round.

Count me in!

Kevin

[viking1]

Kevin, Im over on 16th West in Palmdale El-Dorado Ranches. I would love to see your bus and swap stories

Thomas
89 102C3 MCI

[joel_newton]

Hi Paul,
Just "checking in."  Earlier this year I acquired a 1969 Gillig, tandem axle, Cummins 262 (220 turbo) with a RoadRanger RTO915 (ten speed over drive with a 5 speed deep reduction), air suspension with 95,000 miles.  It is one of about twelve buses purchased by Paramount Studios and modified to carry grip equipment.  It is perfect for conversion to a motorhome.  I have wrapped up the design and have purchased a lot of the "stuff" I need.  Unfortunately I am retired and have no time to work on my project.  I need to go back to work to get some rest (joke). 

I do wish I had the 855 Cummins.  They are available.  But, with the low mileage, it doesn't make much sense to swap engines. 

[GilligCrown]

Hi Joel,

' a very cool, rare, beast!  I actually have some pictures of your Gillig, presumably with you standing in front of it.  Are you in SoCal?

[Don Fairchild]

Boogiethecat has a crown with a small bore cummins. He put awastegated turbo on it and we installed a 7sp and changed the rearend. I also put in new injectors and did a tune up.

I am in Bakersfield. I am an engine rebuilder. So if I can be of help to anybody please let me know.

I am also intrested in a get together.

Don

[joel_newton]

I suspect it is the photo on the Gillig and Crown web site.  If so, that was probably two owners ago.  My friend (who also owns one of the grip equipment buses) and I grew up in Mill Valley north of San Francisco.  We both moved out years ago.  He was back in MV visiting staying in his bus.  A couple asked to see it.  The husband loved it and wanted to buy one.  He ended up buying "my" bus from Bradley in SoCal.  That is who is in the photo I saw on the forum. My friend drove the bus up for the new owner.  He then tried to teach him how to drive.  He never did do well driving - especially shifting.  He also finally realized he bit off more than he could chew on the conversion.  I bought the bus for $8,500 after it sat for five years.  With 95,000 miles it has lots of life left.

My last career was driving truck.  I'm very comfortable driving/shifting.  The only downside, as I noted elsewhere on the forum, is I don't like the ten speed pattern and the RTO pattern makes it twice as bad.  But, I'll adapt.  It's not like I'll be driving 10 hours a day six days a week. BTDT!

I've spent the last eight months planning the conversion.  The layout ended up being almost identical to our 35' travel trailer.  I'm closing off all the side doors except the one behind the refrigerator and adding windows.  The rear double doors and lift gate stay.  There will be a four foot deep storage area in the rear. Perfect for all the stuff we bring camping.  I tentatively plan on using an R&M fibergalss front cap to make the front look better.  I'd also like to trim the front like a Crown coach.

Lots of other minor things to do to make this thing 100% road ready.  Just have to get some free time.  We go camping every year to the same camp ground three hours away.  My wife does not like traveling in the pick up.  She feels the bus will make it nicer.  She can move around or even take a nap. 

We live in rural Penngrove, Sonoma County - north of San Francisco.  Wine Country!

Do you still have both buses?  Any photos? 

[GilligCrown]

Yes, I've got both buses . . .  will try to post some pics this weekend.

[viking1]

Paul,

How are you guys doing out there in Phelan with the Cajon Pass fire? Is it affecting you. Let us know if we can be of any assistance.


Thomas

[GilligCrown]

Hi Thomas,

No issues, here, thanks.  It's probably about 8 miles as-the-crow-flies, and I have only once even smelled a hint of smoke.  I did, however, pick up some garden hose repair fittings.   

Having bombed the garage for black widows, ' now fixin' to crack open a cool one or three, and clean up and organize .

What's shakin' with you this weekend?

[viking1]

Ive been promising the wife to finish sheetrocking mudding and taping the family room that i built over a year ago. so I guess ill be up to my ears in mud and tape this weekend. I keep telling her, the more beer she buys me the more I get done.