| Author | Message | ||
| mark (Coolbus)
Registered Member Username: Coolbus Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 65.40.227.162 Rating: N/A |
One heck of a time trying to decide on the bus I want to buy (to convert, or already converted). What I KNOW I want is a 35' bus. It will be used primarily on shorter trips to be used at State & Federal parks, and weekend outings with me wife & 3 kids. I had earlier decided on a 4106 GM, but now I'm not sure. I liked the 4104 also, but it's not avalilble with an auto tranny. 4 speed is not practical for my particular need. Is there another bus out there that is similar to the 4106, available with an auto tranny, 35 footer, possibly a little newer than a 4106? Not that a 4106 is too old for me, but I don't want to go back too far! What models out there come in 35'? (excludeing skoolies - I already have a Gillig 636D with a 3208 Cat/turbo/Allison/hwy gears) any suggestions? thanks Mark | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.29.24.94 Rating: N/A |
Any of the MCI 5's Len | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Registered Member Username: Blue_velvet Post Number: 379 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 67.174.112.202 Rating: N/A |
Hey Mark: We sure enjoy our 4108 with the V730 auto. The Buffalos have massive bays, much taller than a 4104 or 4106(which we used to have), and the bay doors slide up instead of hinging out, so it takes up less width in a campsite and there's no fear of "a head knockin'" from them when open. Our 4108 also has a 24v system, which I prefer for the starting/ charging system. Every 35' parlor GMC prior to the 4108 was 12v. Bear in mind, NO 35' GMC parlor came from the factory with an automatic, so if you find one it will have been modified and requires some inspection to insure the work was done properly. Cooling the auto is also imperative. It's not uncommon to find converted 35' coaches out there with automatics. As mentioned, an MC5 could also be a good choice. If you shop for an MCI, I would look for one with the 8v71 instead of the 6v71, since you need all of the HP you can when driving a conversion. MCI made special MC5's for Saudi Arabia that even have double-roofs on 'em, so they could be a nice choice if you find one that was re-imported. HTH, Brian Brown 4108-216 Longmont, CO | ||
| Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
Registered Member Username: Pete_rtsdaytona Post Number: 271 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 72.40.13.177 Rating: N/A |
Mark What about a 35' RTS --> http://community.webshots.com/user/hawk_ii Pete RTS/daytona | ||
| Doug Wotring
Unregistered guest Posted From: 71.230.19.29 Rating: N/A |
Brian, Several 35 foot Buffs came from Pontiac with Autos. | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_liebler Post Number: 229 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 67.140.163.114 Rating: N/A |
Brian, My 4107 parts manual shows the VS2-8 and all it's parts so there no doubt were 4107s from the factory with VS2-8 automatics. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_liebler Post Number: 230 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 67.140.163.114 Rating: N/A |
Mark, Newer 35 foot GM busses, the 4107 from 1966- 1969 or the 4108 1970 through 1978, are a bit taller than the 4106 and offer bigger bays and a flat floor(no wheel wells) in the bedroom. As with the 4106 they can be fitted with an automatic transmission, either the Allison vs2-8 or the V730/731 are commonly used. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Registered Member Username: Blue_velvet Post Number: 381 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 72.19.152.144 Rating: N/A |
Doug and Jerry: My Maint. Manual for the P8M-4108A and P8M-4905A lists only the 40'er as having an option for an automatic (either the VS2-8 in earlier ones or the V730 in later coaches). If you know of 4107s being produced with the VS2-8, I stand corrected. Even so, I suspect a factory slushbox in a 35' Buffalo to be a rare breed indeed. bb | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
Registered Member Username: Blue_velvet Post Number: 382 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 72.19.152.144 Rating: N/A |
Speaking of taller, here's a side-by-side of my 4108 and the 4106 before I sold it. bb  | ||
| Greg Peterson (Gpmci102)
Registered Member Username: Gpmci102 Post Number: 23 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 71.194.70.124 Rating: N/A |
You could also try what the famous Mr. Walker advertised once on ebay. He took a MCI9 and cut it down with a Sawzall to 35 feet in length. This would give you a 4-speed auto with a turbo charged engine. If you got one with an 8v-92ta it would really fly. Somebody even had a good picture of it posted on one of the boards. He probably cut out a damaged or rusted section of the bus and repackaged the whole thing as a benefit. Seriously, I don’t know how hard it would be to shorten the bus but you would have a more powerful and modern platform if you could do it. The structural reinforcement required to put it back together would also probably make a slide out possible. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1018 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.113.23 Rating: N/A |
Greg - The picture you saw of a 35' MC-9 was due to the wizardry of PhotoShop, not Walker's expertise. (And I use the term "expertise" very, very loosely!!) The background scenery gave it away, btw. . . | ||
| Greg Peterson (Gpmci102)
Registered Member Username: Gpmci102 Post Number: 24 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 71.194.70.124 Rating: N/A |
RJ, I knew it was not the real thing but I was hoping who ever posted it would do it again because it was very funny, at least with my weird sense of humor. The bus looked shorter than a minivan. Walker did have a picture of the real bus on ebay. What do you think of the possibility of shortening the bus by taking out a section? | ||
| Bob Boyce (Bob_rts)
Registered Member Username: Bob_rts Post Number: 15 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.44.207.147 Rating: N/A |
The RTS is a nice sporty looking bus available in 35' or 40' lengths, and 96" or 102" widths. They are made up of modular 5' sections which can be taken apart to add or remove sections. I was suprised with the way it handled when I drove mine home, felt like I was driving a big sports car ;-) | ||
| Mike Eades (Mike4905)
Registered Member Username: Mike4905 Post Number: 119 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 24.28.40.72 Rating: N/A |
You might want to rethink your reqiurements. A 40 will work in almost all cases. Don't let five feet make you settle for something you really don't want. Mike |