1978 MCI-8 Crusader - Possible First Coach!

Branderson · February 21, 2018, 06:40:05 PM

Hmm i dont have that problem but i take turns pretty slow. Did yours sound like the undercarriage was coming apart when it shifts? Mine does haha

RJ · February 23, 2018, 06:41:13 PM

NAME?? -

You need to stop shopping with your heart and start shopping with your head!

$10K is WAY too much for an MC-8 shell - you can buy some 8s already converted for that amount.

But you haven't seemed to be paying much attention to the experienced voices here, so I'll just say good luck.

FWIW & HTH. . .

PNWorBUST72 · February 23, 2018, 07:08:10 PM

Quote from: gumpy on February 20, 2018, 06:28:58 AM
That bus has had an "upgrade". Recapped, which unfortunately removed the beautiful MC8 hump. Fiberglass front surround and bumper cover. That was not uncommon by carriers trying give their older fleet a more modern appearance and get a few more years out of it before having to buy something newer. The stainless may well be beneath the front surround.

Is this "upgrade" an MCI thing or aftermarket? I am pretty sure there are some missing mouldings or something I can see the seem on the corners and across the top. I need to get up there tomorrow and take some pics...

eagle19952 · February 23, 2018, 08:05:15 PM

Quote from: PNWorBUST72 on February 23, 2018, 07:08:10 PM
Is this "upgrade" an MCI thing or aftermarket? I am pretty sure there are some missing mouldings or something I can see the seem on the corners and across the top. I need to get up there tomorrow and take some pics...

sounds like you've already bought this bus...
true ?

luvrbus · February 23, 2018, 08:12:28 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on February 23, 2018, 08:05:15 PM
sounds like you've already bought this bus...
true ?

That is the way it works I see it happen all the time 85% of people end up buying the 1st bus they look at for some reason

PNWorBUST72 · February 24, 2018, 05:27:34 AM

Yes, I did buy the bus at a much reduced price.

I found no rust in the spots listed. Mechanically, its super sound. I had a local guy look over it for 2 days, nothing besides what I knew already. Fuel gauge, speedo, pass wiper inoperable. AC doesnt blow super cold but its cool, I have a mobile trailer refrigeration guy that will look at it.

There is small slash in the roof, about 2inchs long I need to fix. For now I am going to clean the area and just put some Eternabond tape over it until I prepare to Henry Tropi-cool the roof.

I also looked at 2 other buses, all much higher priced full conversions. Mechanically, they seemed solid, especially since they were all at least a decade newer. But the interiors were all pretty old, like a 70's show episode. To meet the family needs, we would need to remove at least a good portion of the interior.

My wife and I weighed the options, buy a newer bus, pay 3-4 times the price and need to undo someone else's work OR buy the cheaper bus and start from scratch.

chessie4905 · February 24, 2018, 07:04:26 AM

What??? You don't like conversions with mirrors on the ceilings?lol

DoubleEagle · February 24, 2018, 09:01:32 AM

If the MCI-8 is a good runner, then he is way ahead of many first coaches. Not getting stuck by the side of the road has virtue, and he paid attention to the fact that $10,000 was too much, so, he did okay.

eagle19952 · February 24, 2018, 12:20:35 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on February 24, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
If the MCI-8 is a good runner, then he is way ahead of many first coaches. Not getting stuck by the side of the road has virtue, and he paid attention to the fact that $10,000 was too much, so, he did okay.

so, he did okay.

which is nice to know. now it might be time to start a new post

neoneddy · February 24, 2018, 04:08:16 PM

Congrats! Yeah Mrs and I did similar, bought something older and build it ourselves vs spending more up front just to undo most of it.

Just watch the coolant temp, oil levels, and tire pressures like a hawk. Post pics and whatnot as you build.

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