| Author | Message | ||
| Dan Dale (Beefmalone) (67.32.250.57)
Rating: N/A |
I'm looking at buying an old Mack conversion bus & I know absolutely nothing about these things. It's already been converted with couches, fridge, bedroom, bath, etc. The owner tells me it was formerly one of Willie Nelson's tour buses, but I take that with a huge grain of salt (and I don't care anyway). I've looked all over the web and can't find any info on Mack buses. I do know that it's a turbodiesel pusher with a 4spd manual trans. Right now it's sitting on the bank of the MS river hooked up to "shore power." It will crank up and run. Doesn't seem to smoke or make any bad noises. When I push the brakes they hiss like they seem to be working. I can't try and drive it right now b/c it's parked on grass & it's been raining way too much to try and move. I also didn't try and crank it off the batteries, but I'm sure they're probably dead. The gas pedal also sticks. When I push it down it stays where I leave it unless I reach down and pull it back up. Is that a tough fix? Owner says it was last moved to its current spot a little over a year ago. Before that it sat for 5+ years. Anyone have any guesses on the value? We haven't gotten down to price negotiations yet, but I think he's gonna want between $3-5k. How much will it cost to replace the airbags? This is a pretty cool looking bus. It has funky quad front windows...2 big ones and below them are 2 smaller ones that come together with the big ones at an angle jutting outward. Kinda hard to describe. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. | ||
| Geoff (64.1.0.121)
Rating: N/A |
Put that bus aside, and spend the next 6-12 months getting an education. Read this and other boards on bus conversions. Go to as many bus convention rallies as you can. Go visit some bus lots, and go look at individual conversions for sale. Finally, buy as many books and magazines on conversions as you can find. You need to learn about buses before you buy one, the one you are looking at now may be nostalgic but it is not a good choice. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Emery Leraand (142.173.181.60)
Rating: N/A |
Now 3 years in and it looks like my $3,000 bus will come out at near $100,000 when complete (snow pesos, not US dollars!). Went against good advice in choosing an antique, but for us it still looks right. Final answer is that there really isn't one. Some will be perfectly happy with another persons work, some of real nut have to have a wrench on every bolt (and replace most with new) and most will fall between the 2 extremes. Just don't buy an old conversion planning to go traveling without some challenges. Emery 1958 MCI 96 | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.25) Rating: N/A |
It sounds like that old Mack bus may be suffering from sitting and not being maintained. I'd be afraid you will start to find a rat's nest of other problems with it (and maybe even a real rat's nest or two!). If you plan to just live in it where it is parked, that is one thing. But if you plan to drive it around, then buy a bus you can drive home in from day one. Too many good busses out there for sale now, to buy one that you can't drive off in. Scott | ||
| Dan Dale (Beefmalone) (130.74.113.154)
Rating: N/A |
Well, we could really go either way with it right now. We have a shed at the house that's set up to have a TT parked under it & the bus would fit. That way it could be hooked up to power, sewage, etc. & we could use it as a "guest house." That's kinda the plan at this point if we get it. Just to park it and then tinker with it here and there. I wouldn't be planning on hitting the road anytime soon. I like the bus' looks and I really like the fact that it's already been converted. On the budget I have there's no way I can afford to buy one that's already done much less pay someone to convert one for me. I'm still curious as to what the known problems are going to cost to fix. How much does it usually cost to replace a set of airbags? Are sticking throttles a PITA or a simple fix? | ||
| Phil Pellowski (Viater) (164.58.86.161)
Rating: N/A |
One of the things you might consider is if the bus was converted by a "Professional" or by an owner. This leads to the 2nd half of the question; was the conversion done to code? If not (Like so many early owner conversions) then at the very least you might find it hard to buy insurance and at the most you might have a very unsafe vehicle which will take lots of $$$ and time to fix. Just somethin to think about. Phil PD4106-1726 | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (67.33.236.124)
Rating: N/A |
how do you tell the difference? It looks professional to me. Everything seems to have plenty of fit & finish. I'll get pics this weekend so you guys can see this rig. I've been looking around and found airbags for $100apiece...does that sound right? How much would I expect to pay to have them installed? Just curious. thanks | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.39) Rating: N/A |
The air bag price doesn't sound too bad. I have heard of people paying about $80 for them. But it depends on the type of bag. My local truck shop quoted me $180 something per bag. I said no thanks. Shops will charge you by the hour to replace the bags. I'd guess you'll find a rate of about $50-$80/hr depending on where you are and the type of shop. Depending on what they find when they get into the job, the price could vary a lot. I'd be going out on a limb to guess what it would cost to change 8 bags (assuming it has 8), but it is a fairly sizable job. In my opinion, a bus of this vintage needs to be loved for what it is. And it is certainly best if you are prepared to do all repairs yourself. I think that if you start sub-contracting out repair work, that $3000 bus is going to cost you an arm and a leg in the end. Stuck thottle could be an easy fix. Pull the cable apart, clean it out, and lube it up again. It is probably just gunked up from lack of use. Scott | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (66.156.168.173)
Rating: N/A |
Is it hard to replace air bags? I am somewhat mechanically proficient having built a '66 Lemans drag car from the ground up. I have lots of experience with cars, trucks, and 3wheelers...just none with buses. Carpentry, plumbing, and wiring is another story entirely which is why I was looking for one that was already "done" & maybe just needed fixing up things that were already in place. | ||
| Luke Bonagura (Lukeatuscoach) (12.90.10.148)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Dan: I have been involved in the bus industry for 40 years and will give you the benefit of my experience. First, let me say that I would never ever tell another person how they should or should not spend their "Hard Earned Money"!! That is their business. However you posted a question here looking for answers and the answers provided so far are excellent!!!! Whether they are what you want to hear or like is another issue. The most important issue is that Mack has been out of bus production for many years. Even if you had a parts manual with the coach, it would be useless, as they would be MACK part numbers which no one I know of could convert to current part numbers???? You stated that you were quoted a price for air bellows. Air Bellows come in all size, shapes and for many different weight loads. Years ago I went to he Firestone factory in Noblesville, Ind. I saw air bellows that went from the size donuts up to those that your 2 arms would not reach )half-way) around that were used by railroads and everything in between. The only bellows that will work on that Mack is what was designed for it. As someone else so aptly put it, if you want to buy it to perhaps tow it & park it GREAT!!!! If you every intend to operate it on the Highways, then plan on hitting the lottery before you even start!!! I have folks come into my place of business every week who want to buy a bus, not a conversion for $2,000. to $5,000., expecting to drive it away & convert it. I can't sell them anything, because what they are looking for does not exist, at least in my mind. If I sell a coach, it will be ready to convert, mechanically!!!! Unfortunately except for the very rare occasion a good FOUNDATION (the bus) upon which one would build a motor home (the interior conversion) for that kind of money, does not exist in my opinion. The Foundation (the bus) must have a sound brake, steering & suspension system along with the most expensive items namely a good engine, transmission and differential and basic coach structure!!!! It sounds like you are very anxious to make this move, but since your available initial investment is quite small in relationship to what you want, I would certainly tread very lightly if you expect to ever put this Mack on the road. Listen to these folks who are answering your question, they have been ther & done that!!! and unfortunately all too many have been HURT financially!!!!! I Hope this HELPS and good luck withyour decision. LUKE at US COACH | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (66.156.168.173)
Rating: N/A |
Let me say I appreciate everyone's posts. When I see someone doing something I think may end up being a big mistake later I'm the first one to speak up.  I thought airbags were pretty generic other than the size...I didn't realize they were make/model specific like shocks or brake pads. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm looking at if I do get it. If nothing else (and assuming I can get it for the right price) it will make a good guest house. Being able to drive it would just be a bonus & something I could tinker with in my spare time. Are there any FAQs out there for first-time bus buyers that covers the things one should look for/at when checking out a bus? thanks again for the tips & advice! | ||
| Steven Gibbs (12.148.43.6)
Rating: N/A |
Dan, Having completely coverted an MC9 during the last two years (spending almost 70K) and doing all the work ourselves, I can attest to the good advice given so far. However, I will throw in another point of view. As you've said, you are looking for a guest house and MAYBE a weekend camping, tailgating platform. If the interior is in good shape and things work and you can get it for 3-4K you will probably be happy with it. You probably wouldn't put anything more than PL/PD insurance on it and would probably be able to get most of your original investment out of it in a couple of years. I'm reminded of the 2-3K motorhomes out there. My uncle bought one about 12 years ago. We would work on it all week patching it together then go out and have a great time camping for a week or weekend. By the next time we wanted to use it, more things to duct tape back together, more nights working on it and more fun on the weekends. After a couple of years he sold it for what he paid for it and we have some good memories to look back on. Actually, I think we had as much fun fixing it up before each trip as we did using it. As far as bus mechanicals, you will find that in some cases they are easier to work on than cars, some things will be harder (bigger hammer needed), however, nothing is that much different from a truck. Have fun, do the work yourself, and if you really start to get the bug; sell it and move up into one of the nice GM's out there in the 30-55K range. FWIW, Steve G. MC9 Pontiac | ||
| William R. Graf (Billfrombrazil) (206.158.10.224)
Rating: N/A |
Dan, We bought a converted Crown Coach, a former school bus, that was ugly as it could be but had a lot of high-priced stuff put in the conversion. We paid $7,900 for it with good tires and basically good mechanics. We are just about to go on the road full time with it after about five months of working 60+ hours a week completely redoing the interior and some mechanical work. I have done over 90% of the work myself and have put another $3,500 or so into it. We have used oak and maple flooring out of a school for floor up front and cabinet fronts, donated drawers (metal) that we are making wood fronts for, etc. I found some of the redoing frustrating because I was somewhat held to what had been done before buty overall we are thankfull for the way things are going. On our bus I ended up replacing the throttle cable, had one made up by a company that supplies cables for trucks that are converted for feedlot use and etc. Some things have definitely been a challenge but none that haven't been fixable. The great advantage of the Crown is that most of the running gear was made up of standard truck parts, so even though they too are out of production the parts are still available. Hope this helps Bill | ||
| Johnny (63.159.193.85)
Rating: N/A |
Wouldn't this use mostly Mack truck parts--for ease of inventory at the factory, if no other reason? If so, they shouldn't be hard to find, though it will certainly take some digging. I went the opposite route of most here: I'm doing a long-nose school bus (1984 Ford B-700/Thomas body 71-passenger) that I got free due to it sitting for 4 months with a broken rear window, graffiti on the sides, slashed seats, a slashed tire, & a shot engine. I also had to re-do the front brakes. Had I paid someone to do all this, I'd probably have needed to mortgage my house. So far, EVERYTHING except balancing the new (used) tires was done either by me, or by friends working either for nothing, or for bartered stuff (usually car repairs). FWIW: I drive a rollback wrecker for a living part-time. The current truck is a 1972 Ford F-800, with a 361 FT gasser, Clark 5-speed, & air brakes. Before being (literally) pulled out of the bushes, it sat for a long time--the old inspection sticker expired in Dec. 1993; the plates in May 1994. It was pulled out, got 2 new tires, 4 Bandag recaps (all 6 are 11R22.5), new fluids, belts & hoses, a radiator flush, a cleaned-out carb, & new rubber fuel lines. Other than some air leaks (nothing major), a fuel pump (diaphram rotted), & needing front brake shoes & air lines, it hasn't had any problems (well, except for 4MPG). I finished a 5-hour shift in it today, & it drives nicely (well, as nicely as a 30-year-old MDT with a 31,500lb GVWR ever will) & even the ancient PTO-driven ramps & winch work perfectly. The boss has a grand total of ~$2500 in this truck, $350 of that for the semi-wrecker required to get it to the shop. Basically, this is a long-winded way of saying this: if possible, have a mechanic you trust (who is familiar with buses in general, & hopefully trhat model in particular) look it over, get his thoughts, & go from there. | ||
| FAST FRED (65.59.77.189) Rating: N/A |
For realistic info on a Mack conversion I would suggest you contact Dick Lamb , a long time pro convereter in ME. Dick has had a Mack for ever and brings it to Bus Bashes when he gets the time. I'm sure he will steer you in the right direction . Sorry I dont have his Phone no. FAST FRED | ||
| charles seaton (205.183.220.250) Rating: N/A |
One thing I think everyone is forgetting is the fact that if this is a Mack Over-the-Road Coach, there really weren't a lot of them manufactured. While used and sometimes new parts for GMs are still available to us, Mack bus parts are probably pretty difficult to source. | ||
| RJ Long (24.127.74.29) Rating: N/A |
Charles - This is NOT a Mack highway coach. FYI, according to Larry Plachno's book "Modern Intercity Coaches", Mack built 26 model 97Ds in 1958 - they looked similar to the 4104. Mack also built one 40-footer, the MV-620, to compete with GM's Scenicruiser. It still exists, now being owned by a transportation museum in PA. HTH, RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA |