Well guys please read

[rayshound]

Well guys age & health is catching up. I'll be selling off everything for building a mci 8 or 9 or repowering an Eagle.  I put a big posting on the other bbs in the classifieds. I'll be glad to work with anyone on the articles and please give me a few days to respond. Thanks so much.  Ray Lala

[FloridaCliff]

Ray,

Sorry to hear that you wont be able to complete your bus project!

I have total respect for a Man who knows when to gracefully bow out due to health or age issues.

Knowing ones limitations is a highly underrated quality!

Best of luck in all your future endeavours

Cliff

[bubbaqgal]

I really hate to hear that.  I know it easy feeling you have to give up on your bus.  I do hope you won't leave us.  We don't want to loose you and your input here.  We need all the knowledgeable folks we can get on here.  Take care!  Cat

[JackConrad]

Ray, my friend, I am sorry to read that you have to quit on your conversion, but health and age certainly have a way of sneaking up on us.  I have always enjoyed our emails and phone conversations. Just because you will no longer have a bus does not mean you cannot continue on the BBs. I always look forward to your post.  Take care and best of luck in your future endeavors.  Jack

[rayshound]

Thanks my bus nut family! I appreciate your e-mails & concerns. Means a lot to us. Maybe I can clarify somethings but please excuse the spelling. I'm just comming up on 61 yrs old, realize it's not that old but I have authritis (spelling) & diabitis and cannot see as well as I used to. These items are under control with meds but I would like to start enjoying more and working less. My wife has come down with a kinda rare neuroligal desease but kinda under control with expermental meds, no cure but pettery good quality of life. We would just like to start enjoying while we are able. Our son & his wife & grandkids are 1500 miles in Va and we would like to see more of them. Anyways my thoughts are to buy a stick & glue and get on the road in the next few months. I would be able to make the rallies as we feel like part of the bus nut family & I have never lost interest but I think this could be a quick fix. I know the S&G will never be as good as the bus but I have already put over $50K in parts alone not counting cost of the bus & I know I'll be getting less than $20K for the parts. I have went the 1st class route on all the stuff for the bus. Please bare with me until Tue nite as I have to study & take a annual recertifacation test (2) for me to remain employed. I have already received several e-mails for almost everything already. I need to make sure that the engine, trans & rearend are sold, already (3) e-mail interests on these items. If these three do not sell I will be forced to keep everything and finish in which I am still capable but would rather follow my plan described above. I would not want to be stuck with the power train in my garage if I sold off all the rv stuff. These 3 items are for busses only and not cost effective to put back in big truck configuration. The engine alone was close to $2500K to convert to bus. The rearend I gave the wrong ratio on the BBS classifieds. It is a regular MCI 8 & 9 rearend housing with airbag beams etc and hubs, new long studs for Alcoas, new axles, shoes, s cams, rebuilt air brake cans and new inversion valves, hoses ect. Any of this stuff is purely mci 8& 9. The difference is the center chunk was machined by a large truck suspension machine shop and a 2001 maritor (rockwell) rear chunk installed with a (2.69) gear ratio. this allows for high top end and a good startability with the slower reving series 60. I'll be answering your e-mails as time permits but I do need to get Tue morning certification test out of my way. After Tues. evening I am off the rest of the year on vacation until beginning of Jan. Thanks again my good friends. Ray

[Tom Y]

Ray, Sorry to hear that. I was hoping to met you and your 8 with the 60. Best of luck.  Tom Y

[Sammy]

Ray, I am sorry to hear of the decision you had to make with your coach project. I wish you and your wife many years of happy and healthy road trips. It has been my pleasure to offer assistance when requested.
Regards, Sammy 

[cody]

Ray, I can certainly understand what your saying, we had originally thought we had plenty of time to get ready to fulltime too, but recent events and a new diagnoses has made me rethink our time schedule.  I'm thankfull our bus is far enough along to take on the road but had we gotten the news this time last year I probably would have had to make the same choices your faced with. We're only a couple of days away from hitting the road fulltime now, I'm sure we'll meet up at some point, we're really looking forward to the rallys and meeting the people we've talked to or read about here on the board.  Just remember, the ride doesn't define the person, the love of the road and the person will stand on their own merits.  cody

[tekebird]

Ray, curoious why you don't buy a pre converted bus rather than a sticks and staples

[Dreamscape]

Ray,

Sad to hear you made the choice you did, but we understand that sometimes in life you have to do what is best. I know you will miss working on your coach, but at least with your idea of a S & S you will get on the road sooner.

Remember that no matter what happens you have friends here that would like to meet you on the road anywhere.

Paul

[JackConrad]

Ray,
  Sometimes life hands us lemons. I am glad to see you are making lemonade.  We hope to see ya'll at a rally somewhere.  As was said, "what you drive does not change the person only the vehicle.  Best of luck, my friend.  Jack,

[rv_safetyman]

Hi Ray.  It was about 10 months ago that I got to visit with you and see the great work you had done and listen to your plans. 

I can sure relate.  I was in the middle of the engine swap when Pat got quit ill and was in the hospital for a week or so and out of commission for a few months.  I wanted to cash it all in, but I figured who in the world would buy my project .  It set me back a year or two.  Your change in plans can put you on the road much quicker so that you can enjoy life.

As others have said, we all wish you well and hope that you will attend some of the bus functions when you do hit the road.

Jim

[Ncbob]

Ray you needn't ask if you'd still be a BusNut in a S & G...you're a stalwart guy!  I know the devastation which diabetes causes and how debilitating it can be...i live with it every day...with the wife.

Jackie & I are full-timing now in our "5" and plan to hook up with some other F/T'ers this winter for some fun. Don't let age get you down, m'friend...at 72 I'm still going strong....well, not as strong as I used to but better than I feared...

Let us know if you're headed toward the East Coast.  What a party that's be!

NCbob

[rayshound]

I just wanted to thank every one for the e-mails giving there thoughts & prayers. I also wanted to thank you for the 3 pages of e-mails inquiring on parts. I had requested that you wait on me getting back to you until after some tests I had to take at work. The first inquiry I e-mailed back and he drove 250 miles to look at the parts. He actually asked for a buy everything price and wanted the bus also. After calling a local big wrecker the price they gave to tow bus 250 miles was acceptable so a deal was made. I personally e- mailed everyone that e-mailed me. Like I said earlier, It was 3 pages long, so if you received more than one reply or did not get one, my appoligies. Thanks so much for everything. Ray