First Bus - seeking purchase advice

[windtrader]

Fair enough with a max investment of 6k usd. the max risk is less than 3k as you say in this case. at this price level what is expected as fair value is not much so not much needed in PPI. Agree a mechanically inclined buyer can do a basic road test to check that it stops and starts without much groaning, grinding, or other strange noises and doesn't shake and rattle too much. A good look into the engine compartment should give a pretty good idea of condition.

As the risk(cost) increases, a more thorough PPI is warranted. To me, someone without any first hand bus experience,  spending $500 to get a solid PPI on a bus at 20K or higher seems money well spent.

[wildbob24]

Is that good or bad , how you doing Bob long time since we heard from you.Do you by change have a muffler collector for a 4106 you would like to sell

Clifford,

I don't know if no belts is good or bad. I like it, but I'm a GM guy, through and through. Don't want to start a war, but I must admit to not being a fan of the MCI set-up.

It took me a couple of days to find the collector. I'm willing to sell it, but it won't be cheap. PM me.

Bob

[daddysgirl]

Fair enough with a max investment of 6k usd. the max risk is less than 3k as you say in this case. at this price level what is expected as fair value is not much so not much needed in PPI. Agree a mechanically inclined buyer can do a basic road test to check that it stops and starts without much groaning, grinding, or other strange noises and doesn't shake and rattle too much. A good look into the engine compartment should give a pretty good idea of condition.

As the risk(cost) increases, a more thorough PPI is warranted. To me, someone without any first hand bus experience,  spending $500 to get a solid PPI on a bus at 20K or higher seems money well spent.

Just a thought, but you did a very extensive amount of research. Maybe he could benefit from looking at your list?
I mention it because I can't think of a single system that wasn;t covered. 

[majormojo]

I'll provide more detail on the inspection, but it looks like the bus will need shocks and at least 6 air bags to pass a safety test. Can anyone point me to a potential supplier for these (1975 GMC 4905)? The shop I'm dealing with isn't sure where to source them from.

thx

[buswarrior]

Luke at US Coach...

Who has his number handy?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[windtrader]

Just a thought, but you did a very extensive amount of research. Maybe he could benefit from looking at your list?
I mention it because I can't think of a single system that wasn;t covered. 

Seems like his inspection is over. I just used the checklist the past few days. Indeed, it does cover everything and more.

[Astro]

Luke is 1-888-262-2434

[B_K]

I'll provide more detail on the inspection, but it looks like the bus will need shocks and at least 6 air bags to pass a safety test. Can anyone point me to a potential supplier for these (1975 GMC 4905)? The shop I'm dealing with isn't sure where to source them from.

thx

Just a note of caution here. But if a shop is not able to source parts for your bus, it may be a good idea to look at an alternative shop. Buses are weird vehicles and not all shops are comfortable working on them.
And some shops that will/do work on them shouldn't!

If a shop is familiar at all with buses they will know how to source parts as well as work on it.

JMHO!
  BK 

[majormojo]

Thanks. I agree the shop that did the inspection may not be the right choice for repair. At this point, I'm trying to put together an estimate for the required repairs. I know I'm buying a project and some deferred maintenance is not too much of a surprise. Just looking to calculate my up-front costs currently. Our plan is for a longer-term project with incremental upgrades and relatively infrequent use for the first several years of ownership. Retirement is a ways off for us still.

[majormojo]

So about the inspection report; here's the details.

Mechanical:
#1 axle L&R front airbags worn/cracked
#2 axle L&R front/rear airbags worn/cracked
#2 axle R rear, L front , L rear shocks leaking
#2 axle sway bar bushing worn (chunked)
Barely shifts gear at all - suspect clutch brake worn out

The rest of the items are mostly "cosmetic" things that I was aware of - cracked windows, lights out (will need to check with voltmeter, but I suspect bad bulbs), tub/shower enclosure cracked, etc.

Next step is to estimate the required work and decide if this is the right bus to start with or if we should find another candidate. My reading leads me to believe an MCI bus would make a better candidate for towing and we're not emotionally or otherwise committed to this one, although it checks a lot of boxes for us and I do like the buffalo styling.

[RJ]

Barely shifts gear at all - suspect clutch brake worn out

Buffalos have a wet clutch which can easily lead to a non-familiar technician's clutch brake failure assessment.  Until clutch is properly adjusted per DA BOOK, this is meaningless.

#1 axle L&R front airbags worn/cracked
#2 axle L&R front/rear airbags worn/cracked

OK, so they're worn/cracked.  Are they leaking air?  Did technician check for air leaks from the air bellows?

Leaking shocks are a normal maintenance item, about $75 apiece from various vendors.

Worn sway bar bushings also a routine maintenance item, easily replaced, probably less than $50/ea.  Ask Luke (888-262-2434)

My reading leads me to believe an MCI bus would make a better candidate for towing. . .

You can tow with a GMC, you just have to be smart about the type of hitch you install and what you will be towing.

Any hitch on a GMC should be constructed in such a way that the fore/aft forces are transferred into the chassis via the rear radius rod mounting points.  Tongue weight should be minimal, as vertical loads are only protected by the two bolts that hold up the engine cradle.  Flat towing a car is not an issue, it's the heavy trailers which can cause problems.  However, investing in a Trailer Toad solves that problem, thus the cost of one is cheap insurance vs the alternative.

An MCI, Eagle or Prevost will still need to have a hitch properly constructed and installed, regardless, a TT should still be part of the package if you're towing a heavy trailer. www.trailertoad.com

FWIW & HTH. . .

[majormojo]

RJ, thanks for the info and advice. I agree, I think most of the issues found fall into the category of deferred maintenance and aren't fatal flaws in my view. I note in the inspection notes (see below) that the brake system components all pass inspection, but the "braking performance" failed. I need to follow up on that as to why the failure.

Here's a link to the full inspection document I received: https://goo.gl/GWFWGN

I haven't had time to do any further followup yet. I'm at a bit of a disadvantage as the bus is ~3hrs away from me.

[RJ]

From the VIN listed on the inspection report, here's some history for you:

P8M4905A-1181 was delivered new as fleet number 237 in September 1975 to Las Vegas-Tonopah-Reno Stage Lines, HQ'd in Las Vegas, NV.  While LTR was owned by the founding family, it was an exceptionally well-run company, and thus the maintenance on their equipment was first-rate.  Once the family sold the business, the new owners literally "ran it into the ground." 

Also, be aware that rear drums for the brakes on 4905s are no longer available.  JD at C&J Bus in MN, I believe, has adapted drums from another vehicle that will work, you'd have to contact him about that.

FWIW & HTH. . .