| Author | Message | ||
| JW Smythe (Jwsmythe)
Rating: N/A |
Yippie. I'm no longer a wannabe.  I've been looking for the right bus at the right price. I've already talked about getting a transit bus on here over the last couple weeks. After visiting TSI, I settled on the look and feel of a GMC RTS. There were three prime candidates on eBay that I've been watching. Well, a *LOT* of candidates actually. Most had some reason I didn't like them. I don't like the school bus style square windows, so that eliminated a few. There was one in Arizona with a busted front door and leaking transmission oil pan, which concerned me. I almost got the Flxible in Southern California with the cut out 3rd door, which I'm kinda glad I didn't get, because it gave me an opportunity to look more. There are two good candidates in Kansas City, MO. Unfortunately, CarFax shows one has had two vehicle accidents, and the other had one. The pedestrian and animal accidents, while sad, are not of mechanical concern, even though it seems one of them had bad kharma. I am in Southern California, but I don't have parking at home, so I'd have to find it somewhere. There was one gracious volunteer here. I spent years in the Tampa area (say 1979 through 2002), and I have friends and family there. One or two may be lurking on here. One friend lives in his own home grown RV park (one large 5th wheel, one 40' Class A, and one empty spot). He's a few miles from anywhere, but not an impossible drive. SoCal people may think 30 miles is a long way, but in Florida, that's the next town. I've weighed all my options, and I felt most comfortable parking it in Tampa, and putting a combined effort in with my friends. Two friends so far are considering doing this themselves, so I know building this bus will be a learning experience for all of us. Sure, I expect to do the majority of the work, but friends are great to have around if for nothing more than to sit back with at the end of the day, drink beer with, and admire the progress (or demolition) that we've accomplished. The bus I found is a 1982 GMC RTS. 6V92 engine, V730 transmission rebuilt 16k miles ago. No visible damage. Reasonably good shape. CarFax shows two owners, but no accidents. It has a few miles on it, but an incomplete maintaince history, so the engine may have already been rebuilt once. The seller (the city bus yard) has been very honest in previous descriptions, and all feedback was very positive. It has solid side windows, which I like the look of much better, and I plan to keep. It's 100 miles from my friends place, where it will begin renovation. I should be picking it up Monday, and am taking it out with a friend who does have a CDL for a few driving lessons in an empty parking lot at night. I've driven plenty of large vehicles, mostly oversized, overloaded moving vans. Since the width is no longer than a moving van, and overall length is shorter than a moving van and car trailer, this isn't so much different than anything I've driven. When I was sitting in the buses at TSI, I was struck with the "oh shit, this thing is big", looking back at all the seats, and out the door so many feet away. In all reality, I just have a better view of what I've already driven. I'm sure I'm sure I'll be over any nervousness after a few minutes of driving. We'll see if I pop any tires rubbing on curbs while I practice manuvering and parking. I've never rubbed or jumped a curb in anything else, so I expect no less of myself now. I thank everyone for answering my stupid questions up until now. You've all been great for helping me form educated opinions. I found a schematic of the physical structure of the RTS, and it looks impractical to raise the roof. Thanks for all the support both ways. I think if I had a year or two to do this build in, I would raise the roof. Since I hope to have it done by October (probably stretching into next year), the roof won't get raised. I've been shown some beautiful pictures of conversions that have been done, which have encouraged me to go with the body as-is. Prepare for more, newer, and stupider questions in the next few months. I'll post a link with photos as I go, and will, once I have permanent network connectivity set up, put a webcam in so you can see the progress. I plan on keeping that an ongoing theme with the bus, with GPS location and several cameras. I want 3 rear view cameras (rear, and both blind spots), plus a forward viewing low light camera which I'll keep pointed inside during the construction phase. There are things I've always wanted to do to a vehicle, but never had the space to do. Now that I'll have room to put equipment, plus a good source of power, I'll be able to do a lot of fun things. I'll try not to try to do too much at once, so I don't fail my own expectations. | ||
| Phil Smith
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Let the fun begin ! Phil- (Prescott,Az '80 RTS - 8v-71N/N-65's/4:10's,yada,yada,yada) | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
03-08-2006: "I think if I had a year or two to do this build in, I would raise the roof. Since I hope to have it done by October ....." Well..... We laughed when Ron said something similar.... and he accomplished most of what he set out to do.... Much to our amazement... I hope you find things go as quickly as you hope they will! Just don't get discouraged if Murphy and his stupid laws manage to find their way into things... Luck to youse! | ||
| Cliff (Floridacracker)
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Congrats JW I hope you have as much fun on yours as I have had on mine. Cliff | ||
| Robert J. Wies (Ncbob)
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Congratulations from a recent 'Wannabe'! Ain't it a GREAT feeling? But the sad news is: Now it really costs money! NCbob | ||
| Donald Lee Schwanke (Dontx)
Rating: N/A |
Congratulations on your selection, I always say if I do another one, it will be an RTS. Geoff has one that I consider one of the best out there, if you haven't seen it, just click on one of his posts to see a photo, or email him and he will flood you with them I am sure. | ||
| motorcoach1 Rating: N/A |
Geeeerrrraaaattt .... go for it ,i'm surh you and your friends will have a great time building your road dream. use the KISS method starting out...good luck | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
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In the early days just know that it gets worse then it gets much better, ok? Kind of like washing dishes. I'm ready for the webcam feed! | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
It's more like using your bare hands to get the clog out of the toilet. | ||
| Mike (Busone)
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John, you mean a public toilet . | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
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I don't know about that webcam thing. Are you sure that you want people to see you screw up in real time? It's gonna happen// Always does... Save the money for Sawzall blades and grinding wheels. | ||
| Mike (Busone)
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Congratulations JW, glad to hear you got one. Just making a decision on what I wanted took me a few years. I also cannot wait to see the web cam feed. | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Web cam with a recorder... So you see where you threw those tools.. | ||
| Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal)
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Good for you! Go man go! Bob | ||
| CRANE Rating: N/A |
The RTS is a good bus. You won't need a roof raise in that bus. I suggest the modular method for side walls. You will lose minimal living space as it assumes (mostly) the space that the original panels took, and gives you an additional wire run front to rear on boths sides just below window level. If you keep the original wiring run, the wiring will be all that more easy. I have the original lights that were re-configured for indirect lighting. Have Halogen in the middle of the windows on dimmers and West Marine sells 12vdc florescent lamps, put out 60w of light but only costs you 15w. The florescent lamps are on the living room posts between the windows and in the bedroom. There is so much you can do with electrical lighting, especially with the pallete wide open, as yours is. I also kept the original bus heat, including the heater along the driverside wall. Air is on top, may add a compressor to the power take off where the long gone old air compressor was. You may want to add some Opening windows too. They are sharp looking and let in a lot of air. I included 4 boat hatches for light and air in the roof. I don't recommend the HeatPump Air cons, but, I do suggest the AirCon Heat strip but add a thermometer. Its a long slow process but it had brought my SOB rv up to 80 on a very cold night. Most here, and I, would not use the heat strip as a main heat source, but for a warmer upper..... Just my thought as I know others don't like them. GOOD FOR YOU, now, cut that hole in the roof, about 3' by 3' so you can start pouring money in..... Crane |