Crown Bus front suspension

ThomasBarr · April 27, 2006, 06:43:30 PM

Hello, I have a 1960 Crown Bus with spring suspension, the springs are worn out but I am unable to afford to buy new springs[ $2000.00]. How can I locate a good used set, I would like to consider air ride since I allready have that in the rear.The current springs have 11 leafs on each side and I have been told that later models of Crown had one more leaf on the drivers side than the passenger side in order to reduce leaning. My bus presently leans 2" down on the drivers side. Any advice is appreciated Thanks Thomas

Jerry W Campbell · April 27, 2006, 06:52:09 PM

Hi Thomas,
There's a guy in Fresno, Ca named Patrick Young. He has some Crown parts. He hangs out with the Crown Coach Junkies.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/crowncoachjunkies/

Good Luck
Jerry

plyonsMC9 · April 28, 2006, 07:16:11 AM

Hi Thomas,

Welcome to the board!

Be sure to post a picture of your bus to the "post your pictures" thread when you get a chance. I especially like the Crown busses. I grew up riding on them in California. They may have started my whole bus-nut addiction.

Kind Regards, Phil

Dallas · April 28, 2006, 08:10:16 AM

I think you may be right Phil!
I rode a Crown in Oregon when I went to Jr. High in Corvallis. One of my other memories is of riding an "Old Look" in Salem on the transit system. We lived at the top of a big hill and I had to warn the driver 3 blocks ahead that he was gonna have to climb the hill. Normally he had the option of climbing it or going around and missing 2 stops. He use to hate to see me coming because that 2 speed Spicer hydraulic transmission was a real bugger on hills.
If they had used the crowns for transits, there wouldn't have been any problem! The 220 Cummins would have walked up the hill walking the dog all the way!
Dallas

plyonsMC9 · April 28, 2006, 08:16:00 AM

Boy, now this has got me going.

I think my favorites were the 10 wheelers. Weren't both axles drive axles? I'm kinda' getting misty-eyed just thinkin' about it. All those tires! What fond memories.

Best Regards, Phil

Dallas · April 28, 2006, 08:24:47 AM

I'm not sure if all Crown 10wheelers were twin screw, but, the one I rode sure was. 220 cummins, 10spd RT9610, 4:56 rears. The driver was a friend of my dad's and use to come over on a saturday to drink beer and go fishin'.
He always loved that bus because it was so much better than the Bluebirds and Carpenters we had.
that was also the bus that was used for road trips for the sports teams.
At that time Oregon had a 45mph speed limit for school buses, but that Crown would move out about 61.
Dallas

Quote from: plyonsMC9 on April 28, 2006, 08:16:00 AM
Boy, now this has got me going.

I think my favorites were the 10 wheelers. Weren't both axles drive axles? I'm kinda' getting misty-eyed just thinkin' about it. All those tires! What fond memories.

Best Regards, Phil

boogiethecat · April 28, 2006, 04:22:10 PM

If you can't get anywhere with Patrick (quite possible) then call on Canam Auto parts up in Ontario, Ca. 909-983-9695 ask for
Joe. I don't think he has any Crowns right now but is due to get a few in within a couple months, and he's a great guy, decent prices, and
has the stuff.

BTW, if you're going to do a conversion with your Crown, you'll need a set of Gulmite drivers to remove all those funny screws they used to build it.
There are a few sources- a place called West Coast Coach has some, and the remaining ones can be had from, of all places, pinball repair supply houses.CHUCK
West Coach Corporation
13790 Redwood Street, Chino, California, 91710
c (chuck) - 1-909-434-2085 (Fax)
http://www.westcoach.net

Since I've done my Crown I've learned a lot about it...if you have questions I've probably already figured out most of the answers. You'll love it when you're done

boogiethecat · April 29, 2006, 02:48:31 PM

Hey, check these out.. the seller is a really nice guy and will work with you... perhaps they could be purchased and used to replace some or all of the leaves you have at a very reasonable price~!

"SPRING ASSY,Freightliner front axle.New! 9-leaf, $175" Ebay Item number: 8061000938

BJ · April 29, 2006, 06:40:05 PM

if you live in or near a large city there are spring shops that can repair or make new leaf's. no problem. just let your fingers walk through the yellow pages. I removed two springs on each side on the rear. sure improved the ride.