| Author |
Message |
steve souza (Stevebnut) (24.91.90.28)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2001 - 1:55 pm: | |
OK busnuts here is a system for leveling your coach.
parts---
7-1/8" FPT tees @$1.55
1-1/8" FPT elbow @$.79
8-1/8" mpt x close nipples @ $.69
3-1/8" mpt x 1 1/2" long nipples @ $.79
4-GT air seat valves #134-3 @ $15.
4-air pressure gauges (mine are 1/8"mpt)@ $10.
5-1/8"MPTx1/4"tube @ $1.00
4-1/4"x3/8" tube to tube (to go from 1/4 air line to 3/8 airline on your stock bus air bag lines)@ $1.69
100' roll of 3/8" DOT airline $29 (cheaper by roll)
100' roll 1/4" DOT airline $29. (only need a few feet but cheaper this way)
The air seat valves and airline are from www.usatruckpartsonline.com. However, if you get them from usatruckparts there is a $200 minimum order.
The rest of the parts came from the local home depot.
I eliminated the factory level valves and ran new DOT tubing from the new level system in the dash to each pair of bags. (four lines altogether) My bus has eight bags total.
I have pictures to E-mail anyone interested e-mail me steve55s@mediaone.net This is a cheaper way than buying the leveling kit complete (450.bucks!!) as this homemade kit should cost less than $250 bucks.
Happy level busing!
Steve souza |
R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.6)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2001 - 10:39 pm: | |
Thanx Steve....A whole bunch of savings. Could be a weekend of fun, huh? Think of the possibilities.
RCB |
steve souza (Stevebnut) (24.91.90.28)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2001 - 11:27 pm: | |
Fellow friends I cannot take full credit for these plans as others on the board helped with the info you have before you. Thats what part of bussin is about, friends helpin friends with there busses as I have had much help from this board with my bus prject. So if you have helpfull info or perhaps a funny story about your bus please share and feed the board.
Steve AKA stevebnut |
Earl-8-Ky (64.66.228.247)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 10:26 am: | |
I have a MC8 and it has a 3pt. leveling system on it. Why would you need to go to 4? |
Jim Stacy (32.101.44.143)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 10:02 pm: | |
Earl,
Four point allows better control on uneven ground. If a front wheel is in a low spot, you can raise that corner directly, not try twisting the whole coach from the rear. The added benefit is that you can eliminate the leveling valves, the primary cause of suspension air loss. My '04 will sit for several months with no attitude change.
Jim Stacy |
Scott Whitney (205.177.62.25)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 4:00 pm: | |
I think the potential problem with a 4pt though, is that it is not fool proof. One could, in theory, catty corner the bus and put most of the weight on two opposing corner wheels and stress the frame. Maybe these busses are strong enough, but if I understand correctly, there is a possibility to damage something if not used with some care. For example, if someone put 120psi to the LF and RR wheels and leave the RF and LR wheels at 0 psi, wouldn't that spell disaster? I am speaking only from theory I have read and not from experience though. Would like to hear more about this issue from first hand experience as I am still undecided on how I want to tackle this project myself.
Scott |
steve souza (Stevebnut) (24.91.90.28)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 4:58 pm: | |
Scott-- I'm sure if you tried to twist the frame by lopsided inflation it could be done because of no safety system built into this leveling system. We must use caution anytime a factory system is overidden and operator thinking is required so if you use this system I AM NO EXPERT and this is only a suggestion as to one possible sollution to a airbag leveling problem. Perhaps some further engineering would be applicable for a fail safe (spouse friendly) system. No disrespect intended to spouse who does not understand mechanicle stuff.--Steve |
Jim Stacy (32.101.44.168)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 10:58 pm: | |
If you could twist the frame by uneven presssures, it would happen every time a corner lost air pressure on a parked bus. There are few vehicle structures as sturdy as a 4104. Give the designers a little credit.
Jim Stacy |