4905 Tailgate/Engine Cover Fix

[pabusnut]

The tailgate/engine cover on my 4905 has rusted horizontal tubing, and is basically held together by the aluminum sheeting on the outside.  Oh, and it has a gaping hole in the bottom (where the license plate section was) that I had to open up to make room for the jake brake tall valve covers.

I do not have the equipment(or skills) to cut, bend tubing and re-assemble /reweld/re-rivet  the tailgate to any presentable manner, so I am "hiring it out"

I do have the option to buy a tailgate/engine cover from a 4106(Chubby Checker's old coach is the claim) that has some horizontal stainless tubing already in it, and all it would need is a "bumpout" for the Jake tall valve cover. 

Would it fit on my 4905?

Looking at the pictures, it does look like it is not as deep, and the taillights, while 3 horizontal on each side, are no as far to the outside as my 4905?

Your thoughts are appreciated!

Steve

[richard5933]

Have you called Luke? He's got some parts buses and at least a few tailgates for your bus.

I got a Jake Brake bump from him last year off one of them. Probably he has at least frame of one.

If not, any fab shop or welding shop should be able to repair the frame in yours. Not all that difficult and should not cost much.

Not sure if a tailgate from the 4106 will fit, but I doubt it will. Be a shame to bugger up the back of the bus trying.

[pabusnut]

Richard,

Yes, Luke probably has one, but if they are the age of mine, they are probably nearly in the same shape.   All the vertical tubing seems good, and the top horizontal is good too, but the bottom ones where the water lays are almost completely gone!

It seems like it would be easiy for someone to fab the pieces up and weld them in, and replace rivets.  I don't think the whole skin has to come off to weld in new tubing(you could at at least get three sides), but then I am not a fabricator, just a dumb mechanical engineer.

Steve

[buswarrior]

Make arrangements to hire in a mobile welder type fellow with a penchant for custom work.

A days worth of messing around, if he scopes out the job ahead of time and brings the right materials.

buy a smart guy for a day

or two?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[chessie4905]

Don't  assume all of Luke's tailgates are just like yours. Give him a call.