| Author |
Message |
john Wood (206.252.234.101)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2002 - 5:04 pm: | |
I know that I do not want a 45' bus and may buy a 40' but I think that my wife would be happier with a 35' with the thought she may be piloting it. What are the options as to model numbers and manufacturers of 35 footers? (a bus novice here!)
Also; Any thoughts as to the best 35' platform and why so?
Appreciate your wisdom and experience; Thanks
jw |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2002 - 10:46 pm: | |
John, we have a 35 foot bus and go almost anywhere with it. It's a stick shift; most of the earlier automatic versions were transits. We like the economy and manueverability and we haven't put enough stuff aboard to run out of room, yet.
You probably will want the better performance of the 8V71 because it doesn't seem to cost much in fuel. That combination can climb nearly 3% grade without a downshift, using highway gears, which top out around 80 in the GMs.
If you get a transit version, it will likely be lower geared. Better climbing but poorer economy.
Each coach maker had points in its favor, but all of them mixed metals in their construction, so weathering and road salt damage should influence your choice of a coach.
Some of the highway coaches got a couple million miles on them, so an examination for cracking in bulkheads and worn parts should be your other major concern.
If you need an automatic in a highway coach, you will likely find it less expensive to go with Eagle or MCI, because they have fore and aft mounted powertrain and the GM uses a vee drive, which limits the choice of automatics.
From all I've seen, I would say that the best platform in a coach is the one you find in the best shape for the money that you are willing to spend, and don't worry too much about the brand.
I would dodge a Prevost because I have seen one that leaked badly, and I think those curved side windows could be a big problem.
I hope this helps.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
Jim Stacy (32.101.44.99)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2002 - 11:34 pm: | |
John,
Thirty five foot intercity coaches are not common. The last GM coach was built in 1980. There were very few Eagles or Prevosts built in 35'. MCI built the MC5, 5A, 5B, & 5C models several years ago, but not in great quantity.
There are a couple of new units such as the MCI F series, but these are out of the price range for most of us.
There are some late model transit buses available (the RTS at 102" width and available road gears certainly comes to mind). You might be interested in my article on 35' floor plans located elsewhere on this board.
Jim Stacy |
C. Ray Powell (Raypowell) (152.163.213.76)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2002 - 11:49 pm: | |
John,
I wanted a 35 footer & bought a 1980 MCI. I saw a 40 foot Eagle that had 5 feet removed from it. Not that big a deal if you are going to take it down anyway. Just another thought.
C Ray |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.35)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 5:40 am: | |
When I did the research I came up with a 4106 as the "best" for my needs.
Virtues are flat floor for no hassle conversion,
mine had no toilet to remove ,
and is 12v so most RV marine DC goodies work.
The alternator is 220A so can run a basement air cond if needed.
The majority of the body is monocoque alluminum , so its about the lightest 35Ft and there is only a small bit of steel to keep painted.
The 06 is one of the quickest coaches , due to the smaller frontal area and light weight.
I like the REAL "bus look",
as slab sided and "bus like" are what entry level MH look like.
WE kept ALL the windows , so the view is great , esp. laying in the sack & watching nature out the huge rear windows.
Parts are mostly avilable with one or two phone calls.
Best of ALL , after you convert the coach , in a very few years the transits that use almost the same style drive package will be starting to be scrapped.
That means a "modern" 4 stroke engine , automatic tranny (ugh) and bigger brakes and wide cut power steering front axle , will be avilable from a $2000 or so donor.
The suspension is all air bags , at about $75 each , the leveling valves usually need replacement , about $35ea for 3 needed.
Windshields are the cheapest of any coach.
Other folks will have other reasons for chosing somthing else,
perhaps they will explain their reasoning here.
FAST FRED |
johnhwood (206.252.229.134)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 12:40 pm: | |
Fred; are you saying that the 4106 would take the RTS running gear? That would be too cool. I and esp my wife do not wish to "stir" a manual. Cruising town is hectic enough! I'll save the "stirring" for the MG midget to go in the bay! (been reading earlier posts and thought a convertible might be easier to stow)
What is the headroom in a 4106 like? do they need "lifted?" or is a six footer comfy as is.
What years did GMC make this model? Where do you look for rot.
Thanx ALL of you for the feedback! |
johnhwood (206.252.229.134)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 1:24 pm: | |
What is a "Buffalo?" |
Ian Giffin (Admin) (216.209.143.17)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 1:44 pm: | |
Hi John,
A Buffalo is a city just south of us, here in Toronto, Canada. It's the one that got hammered with 6 feet of snow in one day, 3 weeks ago, while we didn't get a flake.
:-)
Ian
www.busnut.com |
RJ Long (24.127.8.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 1:37 pm: | |
John -
Follow this link:
http://www.busnut.com/busstop/
Scroll down to GMC, click on 4905. That's what's affectionately known as a Buffalo. Altho 40', also available as a 4107 or 4108 in 35'.
Don't have time to post fully right now, but will do so later today after I make my rounds. . . (gotta generate $$ to feed the bus!) |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.51)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 5:33 am: | |
The running gear of SOME of the RTS transits is very close to the std GM.
In most cases the donor cradle needs to be modified to fit.
There mught also be a need to reinforce the rear bulkhead as some autos need a Huge hole.
It will be a fast & easy if TCM or a supplier can be convinced to turn out a few hunderd cradles , that facilitate the swop.
With a cradle made , its just a nuts & bolts ,
WITH lots of heavy lifting.
Shops that can do the work , would probably do it as "infill" to their work sched.
So it might be done as a negotiated flat price, or with 5000 4104 and over 5000 06 Plus the 49XX , a specialty shop , with the ability to make a profit selling labor at low cost , would probably spring up.
And of course the huge coach conversion industry in Guatalahara would delight at the chance to sell you $2.00 mechanical work for $6.00 or $8.00 retail.
Time is on our side as the highway funds are bursting from our fuel taxes.
And piles of coaches , like the NJ deal will be coming at election time again.
Transits are no where as popular as coaches for conversion , so us nuts wont be bidding against each other.
The "perfect" bodies will go to the transit guys, the real uglys with great running gear, will be our targets.
The scrap man gets the rest.
FAST FRED |
Mike Eades (Mike14905) (206.62.200.101)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 7:22 am: | |
A Bufalo is a furry aanimal that used to roam the western plains. The Feds will give you one if you can transport it in the largest bays in the industry. The hound did a lot of running in the plains. We love our bufalo. I just wish I didn't have to feed it as often as I do. Bufalo is a GMC 4905 It is a great ride. You caan see them in all the old movies. Mike |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 6:01 pm: | |
Having decided on 35' and liking the look of the GM I have been looking at 4106 s, already converted, and hope to find the right one soon. What does anyone know about valuing them? How do people come up with the price? Is it visceral or is there some objectivity to it? What is a recently overhauled 8V71 worth? Almost new tires, new airbags, maxi brakes, etc. I assume the condition of the aluminum body is way more important than anything else. Where should I look for problems? I have seen some with a really clean looking body, good bulkheads, straight bumbers, good bay doors, etc. What should I look for, and what is involved in repairing the body? Thanks for any thoughts |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.51)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 18, 2002 - 2:27 am: | |
John, be sure to include drivability while you're checking them out. There is a big variability in these due to different equipment and degrees of looseness in steering joints.
Maxi brakes are another item. While they work good, they are known to be troblesome enough that some people wind up removing them. We've considered the issue, and we're going with spring brakes instead.
The right angle boxes under the driver's seat don't seem to be adjustable to take out any looseness (rebuild or replace, if loose).
I found making a list and valuing the items on it was real helpful in figuring out what I was willing to pay for the coach. If it's not there, and I wanted it bad enough to pay to install it, then that was the amount it was worth to me.
That said, you can get conversions all the way from $10-50k, without getting into the ones that were never a bus. I spent a lot of time looking at the ones under $20k and was satisfied with what we bought.
You're looking at a lot of the right things already, but lean hard on how well the various systems work together. Also, the more solid your various utilities are, the better you will like them.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 18, 2002 - 7:28 pm: | |
Thanks Tom,
I was really interested to see Fast Fred talk about the possibility of getting new running gear from retired transits. In a way that makes the issue of sound body more important that all the other stuff. I'm going to look at a 4104 with a 6V92TA with a 730 and am inclined to think that if the body is in good shape that would make the 20k he wants worth it. Does anyone know what has been the trend with prices? Should I assume that after it is all fixed up just the way I want it I'll still only get 20K for it in 10 years?
My wife says by the time I've done all I want to it we could have bought a 5 year old Intrigue, and be able to sell it for more than the bus in another 5 years. She does understand the bus fever, but she is capricorn (practical) not aries (foolhardy)like me. |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.32.241)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 1:54 am: | |
John, The 6V92TA might get hard to start below about 40 degrees, if it has been setting a day or more. It might be something to check on.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (63.25.125.15)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 8:41 pm: | |
Just to add to the list of 35 footers, at the high end.
Prevost made Le Mirage 35 footers in the early 80s. The ones I have seen listed were conversion shells. There was a professionally converted (from new) 35 foot 1982 Prevost Le Mirage for sale a year ago. Rare, but they exist if that is what you want.
I said high end, not better. The 4105 is probably one of the best buses ever built. |
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