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Message |
John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member
Username: Bigrigger
Post Number: 7
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 24.197.246.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 8:14 pm: | |
Well, most of conversions I have seen done of MC5 Saudi's have the side door sheeted over and they make the bi-door on the front into one door. Someone made reference to changing it to an MC9 door on the front. If anyone has any info for me on either of these subjects, I would appreciate the input. |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 175
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 69.132.233.230
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 9:06 pm: | |
Converting an MC5 door frame to handle an MC8/9 door would be a tidy bit of work. An MC8/9 door is twice the thickness of an MC5 OEM sedan door. Most pro bus conversion folk will build a door in the coach door frame and it'll look pretty good. It'll also work well.
At a minimum, if you want a sedan door, find a good MC5 takeout. Get all of the door components.
I've seen two MC5 Saudis with the front door skinned over and the center door used as the only entry door. This makes for a much more convenient entry. And it allows for the co-pilot seat in a forward position.
JR |
Rick Johnson (Plywud)
Registered Member
Username: Plywud
Post Number: 6
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 76.104.236.71
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 6:41 am: | |
The problem with a mid coach entry on a 5C is you only have 4 bays and 35 feet to begin with. That means your entry is in the bathroom and if you have propane, a fixed generator, and two battery banks your pretty much out of storage. Alot of guys have taken the bi-fould door and weilded it together and made hinges to mount it to the frame. I had Infinity Coach build me a new door, and then side it with existing panels. This was a design that they used on thier Eagle convesions. I have a false floor that fits up under the dash area and we drop it down infront of the passenger seat when traveling. Works like a charm. The only lost space I have is the bottom two steps in the entry when traveling. Jim Robinson started his 5C about the same time I did mine, he went mid entry and it would be interesting to see how the two compare for inside and under storage.
RJ |
Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 82
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 216.163.56.84
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 7:43 am: | |
Would an MCI 7 one piece door fit? I have acess to one without exterior skin. |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member
Username: Jackconrad
Post Number: 658
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.1.180.218
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 7:48 am: | |
When Jim removed his front door and skinned over, he completely removed the steps. His inside floor covers the old step area and he made an exterior door similar to the one below the driver's seat on the other side for access to the new storage area (former stepwell). Jim's mid door brings you into the bus at the rear of the kitchen area, just in front of the bathroom. Jim & his wife live in the bus full time. Jack |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 178
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 70.61.104.58
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 12:06 pm: | |
Jims bus should be considered a "must see" before any work begins on door mods for a Saudi. His layout works really well.
The rear entry door and steps are all ready in place.
Unless major mods were performed, not using the rear entrance will not add any more storage. |
Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member
Username: Tekebird
Post Number: 252
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 71.230.14.180
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 2:20 pm: | |
tHE mc-5c HAS THE FRONT CLIP OF AN mc-9 |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 179
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 69.132.233.230
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 9:54 pm: | |
If the door frame in an MC5C is the same as an MC9, then an MC8 or 9 door should fit the opening. Still a good bit of work. And expense. A nice 9 sedan door and all the hardware to install the thing may cost upwards to $2K...may not, you may get lucky. Someone still has to install and align the door.
An MC9 door weighs proximal to 200 lbs. And it needs an airlock to keep it shut while underway. The airlock mounts in some abstract fashion in the lower 1/3 of the door. It's a rather large affair.
And, if the MC5 has ever had front end damage, the door may be a PITA to install due to mishaped door frame. NCBob has an nice MC5 (?) that has some sort of thin composit door. That's the only MC5 front door I'm familiar with.
Jim's side-entry solution is the best I've seen. Very nicely executed. I'd do it to my 9, but, it's just too much work.
Perhaps Jim could send some pix for reference. Or, Jack C may be able to connect ya'll for a discussion of the side entry door pros and cons.
You could have a door scratch built for what it likely will cost to buy and install an MC9 door. If you are a fabricator, maybe you can do it for less? Good Luck, JR |
James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member
Username: Jjrbus
Post Number: 100
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 68.247.132.236
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 2:06 am: | |
Thanks for all the nice compliments! I liked the mid entry to keep the door under the awning. It is a lot of work to use the center door vs front door. Loseing one side of a bay did not seeem like an issue as you will lose it to holding tanks anyway. With the help of a fabricating shop I built my own door, not that big of a deal. I stlll have not learned how to post pic's on this site. But If you PM me I will send you some |
John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member
Username: Bigrigger
Post Number: 9
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 24.197.246.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 8:45 am: | |
Thanks for all the good info folks! James I am going to e-mail you so we can make contact and see what you have done with your bus. I really like the idea of using the side door for entry, so maybe I will be able to figure out an alternative to the big cost and work of replacing the front bifold doors altogether. |
Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member
Username: Buellhans
Post Number: 84
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 199.60.189.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 3:07 am: | |
side door , They had side doors |
Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member
Username: Buellhans
Post Number: 85
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 199.60.189.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 3:13 am: | |
I can send you a picture of mine it only has the one peice front door . Looks pretty origoinal to me . I will have to check my parts book at home . The picture leave a little to be desired . Hey mine has a 92 in whats yours got? |
Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member
Username: Buellhans
Post Number: 86
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 199.60.189.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 3:14 am: | |
could swear that the picture of the coach when it left the factory painted in the hound colors it only has the one peice door |
Gene Lewis (Genelewis)
Registered Member
Username: Genelewis
Post Number: 73
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 71.50.133.2
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 7:05 am: | |
John this may or may not help U but U can check it out and see.
My Eagle had a 2 piece door and after close inspection I found I could not use the 2 pieces to make one therefore I was left with no choice but to build a one piece door.
U can see how I did mine at:
http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/one_piece_door.htm
This may be of some help 4 U.
Enjoying the journey in NC,
Gene
05 Eagle |
Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member
Username: Tekebird
Post Number: 254
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 71.59.75.212
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 7:19 am: | |
hans,
I suspect your MCi may not have been one of the Saudi MC-5's
also your -92 is not a original powerplant |
John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member
Username: Bigrigger
Post Number: 10
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 24.197.246.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 8:39 am: | |
Hey all, Thanks for all the good response. Hans mine has a 6 V 71 for power with an automatic. As far as the doors go, a friend has called and has access to purchase exterior sheeting to match the panels that are on there, so for now my plan will be to build a single side door ( thanks for all the good info and plans Gene) to replace the current two piece and leave the front bifold as is since I will be flooring over the steps in the front and using the doors only when I need access to the area under the floor. My plan is to put my house batteries in this newly formed underfloor storage area. I have already changed my mind 15 times about this and I have yet to cut the first piece! This does not bode well for a project as big as this conversion . I will probably be dithering about these issues long after they outlaw internal combustion engines! James, I would still like to contact you and see what you did with your side door, but for some reason the jjrbus@aol.com addy comes back as undelverable. |
Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member
Username: Pd41044039
Post Number: 196
Registered: 2-2001
Posted From: 69.77.155.72
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 9:35 am: | |
I would think twice before putting the weight of a serious bank of house batteries in the "footwell" of a bus. If you will just have a couple of car size batteries it's no problem but that front footwell is poorly supported to carry say 3 8Ds or something. ALSO...think on how you will charge & use these batteries. If you will charge them with the huge bus alternator and/or have a good size inverter you will need looong expensive runs of BIG cable. These long runs are also inherantly dangerous because of the amperages they carry & should be kept short for that reason too. It would be way more efficient to put your battery bank near the big alternator with the shortest runs of battery cable to the alt & the inverter. It might be better to store filters, belts, parts, even oil up front.
Ain't tellin you what to do, just my $.02 observation. |
Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member
Username: Tekebird
Post Number: 255
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 71.59.75.212
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 10:08 am: | |
I agree with Jim. on the cost of battery cable. I would not be concerned about the weight that much, but it certainly is not a logocal place to put them
if your worry is a floor for the copilot just build a retracting or folding stowable floor over the step well. this is the most efficent use of space
the loss of 1/3 of a bay on a 35 foot bus is huge IMHO.
don't quite get the "well you would lose that to tanks anyway" as you still need space for the tankage. so now your down even more space.
In addition I think the center door closes alot of possibilities for the interior layout. not to mention every time you fuel you run the risk of tracking crap through the entire bus rather than up cleanable steps and into the driver's area alone. |
John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member
Username: Bigrigger
Post Number: 11
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 24.197.246.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 11:04 am: | |
Hey Jim, don't worry about "tellin me what to do". Ideas are what this is all about! My thoughts with the use of the step area were because I have already lost the use of 1/2 bay to the other steps. I think it would be a nightmare to try not only to rebuild and reskin the area where this center door is, but then to remake a bay door for access, remove the existing step and replace the floor just seemed like more work than it was worth.Doing it this way would reclaim some lost area by making the front step area the place for the batteries. Since these batteries would not be used for starting or other "heavy duty" uses, then I figured not to have to run heavy cable the length of the bus, but wire directly into my usage from the front back. I was also thinking of adding a modern automobile alternator onto the engine to charge them, which also shouldnt require more than 10 guage wire running up to them. I haven't quite figured out the inverter part yet. I have a 20kw gen that I was thinking of using although i realize thats much more weight and fuel use than I would ever need, it happens to be what I have sitting here. Maybe the thing to do would be to try and trade it off for a 10 k to someone. Not exactly sure on that either.
(Message edited by bigrigger on October 09, 2007) |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 182
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 70.61.104.58
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 4:06 pm: | |
I agree that the batts need to be somewhere else other than the old stepwell. The weight isn't a problem, but placing them in front of the axle may be dangerous. That area is a crush zone. A pair of 8ds will deeply resent being all mashed up in sheet metal.
As funds permit, losing those bi-folds will add value...if done nicely. Bi-folds are noisy, drafty, and easy to break into.
My additional dos centavos, JR |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 1082
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 74.12.84.76
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 10:02 pm: | |
Small correction:
MC5C has the face of an MC8 on it, NOT an MC9.
The MC8 and MC9 with bifold doors have all the mounting points for a sedan door (proper terminology for one piece door) in place.
Find the pieces and it bolts right in.
Why would an MC5C be any different?
Curious minds would want to know if an MC8 door will just fit....
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member
Username: Tekebird
Post Number: 260
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 71.59.75.212
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 10:42 pm: | |
8 and 9 door are identicle |
Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member
Username: Buellhans
Post Number: 87
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 199.60.189.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 12, 2007 - 12:04 am: | |
Douglas I do relize my 92 is not the origional but heck it goes great . And it was in saudia |