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Huskypups (63.178.213.193)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:11 pm: | |
Ok, I'm hooked. Now I need help (professional help, no less . But in the meantime bussnut help will do. My delemma: Do I want a 1967 PD4107-5093, or should I hold out for should I hold out for a PD4905? The 4107 in question is $2,500 and has a "blown" clutch, numerious cracked windows (including Rt front windsheild), misc. loose panels and bay doors, and has been sitting since 1995. "Has less than 2,000 miles on professional engine rebuild" said the owner. I have gotten a quote of "around $1,00 plus parts" to replace the clutch. I was also told $15,000 (yes, that's $15K) to rebuild a 8v71(localy). (Me personaly, I think the rebuild guy is just a bit of center, if not down right nuts, and a greedy ole soul.)
Any comments, thoughts, or suggestions would be greatly welcome.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post
David
p.s. The wife thinks I'm certifiable, ain't it grand?? |
RJ Long (24.127.8.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:34 pm: | |
David -
Let's look before you set the hook. . .
Are you sure about the VIN on the 4107? GM didn't build 5,000 of them.
Owner's quote about the pro engine rebuild - ask him to show you the reciepts. If he doesn't have them, ask him why not. Mumbo jumbo is a red flag.
Windshields are about $150 or so. . .
Why has it been sitting since '95? Another red flag.
A 4905 has more basement storage, a MUCH better ride, and more interior space to play with than a 4107.
IMHO - keep lookin'
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Jayjay (207.30.115.195)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:36 pm: | |
Certifiable you may be, but at least you're not stupid. Leave that old hangar queen where she lays. Hold out for the 4905. Bay doors (unless you steal them) are non-existant, and loose panels mean MAJOR structural problems. Rebuilt or not, 6 or 7 years takes its toll on an engine and trans. (and brakes and diff,and...well you get the idea.) You could easily spend 2G's just on windows! Want to reinforce you old ladies opinion? Leer at the next school bus you see and say: "wow! wouldn't that make a dandy camper? Maybe add a few pastel flower decals on the painted-over windows'? Cheers...JJ |
Steve Fessenden (63.27.89.140)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:47 pm: | |
I agree. Keep looking. If you can't drive it don't buy it. It is cheaper to find a bus with the drive train and body in the condition you want it in than to fix up one that needs too much work. A 4905A or H8H (same thing, just the last 2 years of production) will have integral power steering too. Bay doors are not cheap and the skins cost about $250 per door. Windows don't get cracked in service much. Sounds like vandalism.
It is OK to buy less coach than you need if you can sell it easily if you decide to go with a different shell. I owned 2 4905s before I bought my current coach. Owning a bus will teach you a lot more than just reading, looking and talking. But I don't think you would get your money out of this one if you changed your mind.
If you want a 35 foot coach, 4108s are out there too. Power steering was not standard on the 4108 but I suspect most of them had it.
Steve Fessenden |
Scott Whitney (24.205.234.21)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 2:56 am: | |
Hi Dave,
That was a long post? You should read some of my doosies when I am having trouble some time. . . Novels, they are. . .
:^)
I think you already got the best advice from RJ, JJ and Steve, so not much else need be added. But let me just give you an another thought if you are really set on this particular bus. I suggest telling the seller, you are not interested unless you can test drive it. Insist that he get the clutch fixed first and get it at least road worthy. That way you can check other things like brakes, transmission, rear end etc. . . I'd hate for you to buy a non-drivable bus and get discouraged or overwhelmed with repair bills before you even get a chance to drive it.
Scott |
Huskypups (63.178.213.66)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 5:29 am: | |
I must say that I never expected such a quick response. Thank you all for confirming my inital thoughts. Having looked at all kinds of 'stick and tin' rvs, I finaly decided to invest in something that will be around for long time to come. I've looked at a couple of nice Eagles, and some fair MCIs, but nothing said 'CLASS' like that Buffalo (even with the broken windows). I guess the search is on then. Now I just have to figure out what to look for when I find one to test drive. Oh joy, another new learning curve...LOL. Any thoughts on the 4903 (what is the difference between an 03 and 05 anyway) that is listed for sale in the classifieds on this site? If anyone happens to know of a shell in the $10-15K or less price range (cheap ole so-and-so ain't I) keep me in mind.
Thanks for the advice and the many hours spent dreaming while reading this board.
Dave |
Huskypups (63.178.213.66)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 5:35 am: | |
p.s. RJ, unless my eyes crossed and my brain seized up, the ID plate said "PD4107-5093". However, I was probably so smitten that I fudged it all up
Dave |
Ace Rossi (24.28.44.126)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 7:52 am: | |
I had a 4107 and loved it. We opted for an eagle for the better ride and longer length! If the 4107 is running at least you can tell what it MIGHT need! If it isn't keep looking but for the model itself, it is a good ole' bus! |
RJ Long (24.127.8.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 12:03 pm: | |
Dave -
Me thinks your eyes & brain were too smitten. . .
Double-check the ID plate, and cross reference it with the stamping on the chassis inside the compartment underneath the driver. My guess is it really says PD4107-0593
4903 and 4905 are basically the same. The '03 has the same dashboard as the 4107, the '05s dash is different and much better, IMHO. Try to find a late '05, post-'75 or so, for the Sheppard integral power steering.
Ol' Jim in FL has a reasonably-priced 4905 for sale still, I think.
http://www.ol-jim.com
Good Luck, and keep us posted on your hunt. . .
RJ |
Steve Fessenden (63.25.54.173)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 4:33 pm: | |
Ole Jims 4905 is the first one I bought. I sold it to him when I got one with autormatic. That bus was driven regularly all over the south the year before I bought it. Engine was not new but gave no trouble. Clutch, transmission etc were good. It did have a damaged bay door when I sold it.
That is a good bus to buy and see if it is what you want. Like I said, owning any bus will teach you a lot. Should be affordable and resellable. Just driving it will teach you a lot. The guy before me camped in it with a porta-pottty, a bed, an extension cord and a jug of water. Did Flea Markets all over the South.
I loved that bus and really wanted to convert it, then found another with a with an automatic transmission and rebuilt engine. Then I hurt my back and had to drop the idea of doing my own conversion for a while. So I bought a 20 year old factory conversion. |
Huskypups (63.178.213.74)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2001 - 12:55 am: | |
Aahhh, the never ending search for knowledge. Now that I have a direction I have a new delemma: I have more questions than my brain will hold!! Should I start a new thread in the newbie area (some of my questions are kinda basic, but GMC related), start a new thread here, or just continue this one? (It's kinda ugly when question start falling out of my head. The wife gets upset, the kids make poke fun, and the dogs tend to eat all the questions)
And on a different note, before my momma smacks me for forgetting my manners, I would like to offer all you my humble thanks for making me feel at home and freely sharing you combined wisdom and knowledge to help me on my journey to the asylum.
Dave |
Scott Whitney (24.205.234.21)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2001 - 2:31 am: | |
Hi Dave,
If you have other questions unrelated to this bus buying decision, might be best to ask in a new thread. That way the topic is retained and it stays more logical when the posts are archived for searching etc. You never know when someone three months from now may have the same question and finds the answer by searching the previous posts. But if multiple questions are of the same topic, by all means ask them in the same post. Or maybe search for your question first. You may find there is already a thread about your topic started - and you can just add to it.
Scott |
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