bus conversions

[Don Fairchild]

Guy's I am going to cheat and buy a bus already converted. I have to sell my eagle so look for it in the bus mag the next edition. 

Thanks

Don

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

CHEATER.....

Hi Don,

Thats OK, you are allowed to! 

Good luck with the ad in BCM. What are you going to Buy?

Nick-

[Don Fairchild]

A 1995 gillig converted by country coach. 8V92Ta and a b500 trans. I don't have the time to do the conversion my self. To much work and I have to move to another shop in October

Don

[kyle4501]

At least you're cheating with a bus 

I cheated by buying Dad's Airstream trailer.
In my defense, it has a 'bus like' interior 

[Buffalo SpaceShip]

Hey Don, I cheated too. Less convertin', more travellin'.  Don't worry, if my experience is any indication, there's still plenty of stuff to do with a "100% conversion".

Plus, that'll give you more time to spend here on MAK dishing out all of your 2-stroke knowledge! 

Seriously, it's great to have you here with us. I've heard so many good things about you and your shop through the years.

Please send along pics if you have 'em.
Brian B.

[cody]

Our bus was an entertainer bus so it had been pretty much converted for the uses they had, we used it as it was for a year and during that time frame we figured out what changes we wanted to make to convert it to what we wanted.  I encourage people to get converted buses and do the same as we did, it's very hard to envision the end product when your looking at a seated bus or an empty shell, and that way we got immediate use of the bus and enjoyed it while we determined what we wanted.

[Dreamscape]

Hi Don, We have heard so much about your work with DD. Glad to have your expertise on this subject. What year is the Eagle you are selling? Hope the sale goes well for you.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[JimC]

Don
I don't blame you for buying a converted coach, I did the same, I bought one that was about 90% done, everything was finished as far as mechanicals go, but the inside was only roughed in.

So far it has taken me 3 years and I am still not done with the inside, I now realize that there is no way I would have had the time to do a full blown conversion like some do. If I had started from scratch, I would have started to take short cuts to get it done, and there is no way I would have ended up with as nice a coach when finished.

We have to do what is within our limitations when it comes to time and money. 

Jim

[gus]

Don,

Couldn't agree more, I'm too old to spend years converting when I could be driving and enjoying.

Have no fear, you will find plenty of things to do with a conversion-you will always have an idea to make something better or more convenient. It is a lifetime work-in-progress.

[prevost82]

If I had to do it again. I'd buy conversion.
Ron

[Barn Owl]

Buying an already converted bus is not cheating, it's actually a smart way to go about it. In addition to using it right away, you get to find out what you like and don't like. This is invaluable when, or if, you ever do one from the ground up. With my busy family life at the moment it was the only way. As previously stated, you will have many opportunities to get "hands-on" time. If I was retired, I would love to do it the Christy Hicks way. One on the road and one under construction. I have 22 more years before I have to worry about that, unless I become independently wealthy before then. I'm sure 22yrs will be here before I want it to. Each Friday is one day closer to a Monday, and each day is one day closer to the end. I have to remind myself sometimes that these are the best of times even if we are crazy busy. I get a chuckle at some of the retirees I know. I live in a railroad town and I know a few railroad retirees. They couldn't wait to retire, and then they get together and talk about the "good-old-days" on the railroad as if they would love to go back. What gives? I see that I started rambling; must be past my bedtime. Post some photos of what you find. Good luck.

Laryn

[compedgemarine]

Hey barn owl,
yes these are the best of times and take advantage of it. the only reason I am building my project from the ground up is that my wife passed away last year after just turning 46, so my project is more of a mental distraction than anything. So even if you are super busy take the time to use your bus and enjoy your family now. sometimes tomorrow never comes and as they say, "no one ever laid on their deathbed wishing they had spent more time at work."
Steve Schmidt

[Dreamscape]

I bought a conversion, still converting it. Tore it all out, what was I thinking.  I'm glad I am doing it this way, it gets me familiar with everything. I know how it went together, and how it will come apart if need be.
If I had it to do over I would have bought a conversion, left it alone and enjoyed it. Course some of us just don't have the cash flow to do that all in one lump. That's why I'm still lumping along.  

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[Don Fairchild]

Guy's;

Thank you for the kind reply's; I bought my Eagle with a bad engine, had it towed in then built an 8V71TA with 125 injectors, changed the fan drive to a horton fan clutch and installed a plastic fan with 1" more pitch. Had the radiator recored with the biggest core we could get into the mounts. This thing will almost suck you to the side of the bus with it idleing. You can ask Gary Stadler how it runs. I took him for a short ride in it.

I then had some of my youngest son's frinds come over and I payed them to take out the seats. My father inlaw had a stroke three years ago last october and died last october the 9th and I have not touched it after that.

I found this coach and talked the guy down to what I calculated I would have put into the eagle and made the deal with him. I had to borrow the money, but what the hey you only live once, might as well injoy it while I still can. My mother is 79 and my wifes mother is 80 so This is the only way I will be able to do it. Life is soppost to be fun.

Don

[Brian Diehl]

Don, get us some pictures when you get a chance.  I'd love to see what it looks like!