Want to look at some conversions

[solardude]

I stumbled across this today... pretty nice, not sure if its rusty though.
https://mankato.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-mci-bus-d4000/6586962404.html

SD

[Scott & Heather]

Hey Jim,

Can you two make a trip up to Cicero, Indiana sometime next week Monday or Tuesday? Or even Sunday? My wife and I have converted two coaches we are in our early thirties with two kids. Our newest coach is a 102 c3. Our coaches both have raised roofs (we raised the first one ourselves 9") and full conversions as we live in our coach fulltime. If you want to see ours with raised roof, etc come by and take a look. I did most of my work in 13 absolutely insane weeks. 18 hour days, non stop. I can tell you converting that fast can stress you out majorly.  But feel free.
Scott


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[Jim Blackwood]

Yeah that's certainly close enough to run out, let me see what Dave's schedule looks like. That's a real nice looking rig.

I appreciate every lead you guys are giving me and I'm looking at all of them. Several really look pretty good. If it was me doing it I might snag the MCI F3500 down in Texas but I'm not sure it'd be the right rig for Dave. He probably is really going to be better off with something he can begin using right away. But we'll see. Sooner or later we'll get this sorted out. He will be back tomorrow, usually hibernates for a day before resurfacing. Then chances are he'll have another gig this weekend but in between I hope we can go over everything up to date and make some picks to look into.

Jim

[daddysgirl]

Hi Jim!
Welcome to the wonderful world of bus building.
Everyone here has already given you great advise, so my two cents are just that.

IMHO, You might want to consider widening your field of possibilities. Older coaches can have issues, but newer coaches can have them as well. Each manufacturer has bus specific places to look for trouble. There are older coaches out there that (when properly converted) will be free of rust, have solid engines/transmissions and sound electrical systems.
If you want to build, you can find good deals on older models also, just need to determine your comfort level on how far down it has been stripped and insulated.
I have a soft spot for 8V71 engines...can't beat the sound of a two stroke...and because they are not electronic, they are easier to work with yourself.

But we all have our reasons, and I'm sure you two will find the perfect bus to suit. Just remember it's a lifestyle, and you'll be golden

[chessie4905]

Be careful on a newer model at a super price. They may be unloading an electronic model with computer issues. On ant newer ones, beside usual inspections, look for any wire probing prick marks in insulation around sensors and at the ecm. Also check for any wiring repairs/ splicing evidence. Especially so if engine check livht is on during road test. A red flag if seller says light is some minor or easily fixed issue.

[scanzel]

Like chessie4905 stated be cautious on newer coaches, they can have multiplex electrical systems and if something goes out you will become very perplexed on trying to trouble shoot the issue. ECM can also have issues especially the early revisions and even worse trying to update them. Go with an automatic over a standard unless you really like double clutching and shifting, real pain in heavy stop go traffic. Just about the time you get moving traffic slows down and you need to start all over again shifting. Left leg gets tired after awhile. Good Luck on your find. 

[chessie4905]

As time goes by, standard transmissions are getting less and less desirable. Will be a real hard sell if you move to another coach in a few years.

[windtrader]

As time goes by, standard transmissions are getting less and less desirable. Will be a real hard sell if you move to another coach in a few years.

Already there, with the glut of used conversions on the market, a manual tranny is a real negative in terms of desirability and prices.

[DominicM]

Chessie, Windtrader. when I was looking at buses Auto vs manual was a not something I even thought about. But I learned on manual tran car many moons ago and bought my son as soon as he said he wanted to learn to drive. Manual Trans is a must to learn to drive, even though the auto is easier.

I have owned cars, trucks, dump trucks,4 wheelers and now a bus.  Cars were preferred as an auto, but as for anything that I may need POWER then a manual has been my go to.

To be honest when its time to get another bus I will end up giving my current one away to someone rather than trying to sell it regardless how much I spend on it.  Money comes and goes, the fulfillment I get for a good deed is here to stay. 

[richard5933]

Not that I have any desire to sell our bus, nor that I have any misconception that when I do sell that it will be a quick sale, I am counting on the fact that there will always be nuts like us that just enjoy old vehicles and are willing to deal with a manual tranny if that is what it takes to get the right vehicle.

[Jim Blackwood]

Automatics have just gotten so darned good...

Anyway, a serious question. Say a 2002 MCI is said to start and drive but the dashboard doesn't work. Is this an indication of bad electronics (limp mode?) bad grounds, other possible problems, and how expensive are the parts to fix it? Is it safe to drive for a 1500 mile trip?

Secondly has anyone dealt with Supermax Motors/ Goff Limosine and Bus in Ruckersville, Va? Are they reputable? I noticed that they appear to have multiple listings of the same buses at several different price points ranging from under $8K to about 14K. Quite a spread for what looks like the exact same bus and has the exact same description right down to the mileage. What's up with that?

Jim

[richard5933]

I've seen 'dealers' like that all over the place. Some don't even have a physical location. Proceed with caution.

Buses with problematic electrical/computer systems? Proceed with caution.

I just saw a 1994 seated 102C3 advertised online in NJ for $8900. http://www.bargainbusnews.com/Buses/5418-1994MCI102C3/#imgiframediv
Might be older than you want and has a two-stroke, but would not have computer issues.

[Jim Blackwood]

So that Cat is a 2 stroke then, I wondered about that. Good to have the answer. I've been seeing several DL3's and even a 4500 and a 3500 in that price range and think it is probably worth a little extra effort to get the 60 series. Saw that C3 and still have a tab open on it. Dave was in for a day and back out again, be back again late tomorrow. We were able to go over several possibilities but not everything I'd found. He wants to maybe run out to VA first of the week, but I need some questions answered first and then we may go to TX instead.

BTW Scott, looks like this week will be extra busy and probably the following week too. Stuff that's mostly beyond my control, but I won't forget about you.

The bus with the bad dash is the 3500 and has a lot of positives and an attractive price. I can't remember who gave me the link but it's a partial conversion and a good looking rig. But if it costs more to fix the electrical problems than the purchase price it isn't worth buying, or even making the trip to look at it. Still the 35 ft is a very attractive size. There was some speculation about flood damage. The seller vehemently says not, but who knows really? Should get some answers in a couple days.

Jim

[richard5933]

So that Cat is a 2 stroke then, I wondered about that. Good to have the answer.

Jim

I didn't notice that it had a Cat. If that's the case, then it's probably 4-stroke. I just assumed it was still using the Detroit Diesel 2-stroke that many earlier buses had. I should have looked more closely, but I brought that link just to show an example.

[eagle19952]

Buses with problematic electrical/computer systems? Proceed with caution.

EXTREME caution....