| Author | Message | ||
| George Myers (12.85.15.180)
Rating: |
Secont try to post this I hate seeing this empty board so it is time to put something on about these wonderful coaches. My main reason for buying a Phantom was that I got so much more for my money. Five years ago when I bought it a decent MCI of the early 1980 era was over $50,000. The Phantom has the 6V92 engine I wanted, an Alison transmission, and integral power steering. The most significant thing I like about this bus is the way it drives. Essentially it is like a big car. I drove an MC-8 that had been converted new by Custom Coach and was in good shape. I found that the steering was the old valve and slave cylinder type. While I had no trouble steering, I had to think about it. The wheel moves an inch or two totally free and then starts to turn the front wheels. I got use to it, but didn't like it. I don't think about turning the wheel in the phantom, it just seems to go where I want it to. The other outstanding feature is the flat sides that end in an angle to the constantly curved roof (same radius of curvature all the way across). Our old conversion (GMC) had curved sides that transitioned into the curve of the roof. Each cabinet had to be fit to that continuously changing curve. This is not too difficult, but not as simple as a straight line or constant curve. The construction on my GMC was about a light weight as it can get. The Phantom is about as heavy as it can practically be made. School buses have frame rails. The ones in the Gillig are heavier than most. Eagles and Prevosts have tubular structures in the wall between the bays and the windows for their strength. The tubular structure in the wall of the Gillig is stronger. I call it a combination of bus and tank technology. Now for my Gillig Phantom We are converting a Gillig Phantom which we have had since 1995. That seems like a long time considering that it is not done yet; however, we have used it. It's the old story, too many other obligations and projects taking my time. Our goal is to take it to the FMCA national in April. The 1981 Gillig Phantom I purchased had been used by Camarillo County, California. While I can't say much for their maintenance, the body is in incredible shape. When I removed all the interior skin and lifted the floor I found no significant body rust or corrosion. My bus is serial number 37 in the Phantom series. It was manufactured by Gillig corp Hayward, Calif on 3-11-1981. --Gross Vehicle Weight is 34000 lbs --Dimensions are 35 feet long, 96 inches wide, 10 feet tall --GMC/Detroit Model 6V92TAC engine --Allison 740D four speed transmission. --4.10 rear end --Measured Weight -- Unconverted weight without seats and A/C --07780 front 14920 rear = 22700 total --Bennit Electrical shifter --Air throttle --Air ride with rear air bags behind wheels and separated as far as possible within the bus --Bus heat and air conditioning have been removed. --Windows are all flat glass, no plastic --I do not know what type of power steering it has, but it sure works well. Very easy to steer and is quite stable on the road. Have not had it in a bad cross wind yet, but what I have experienced was OK --I replaced the 22.5 wheels with 24.5. The cost of the wheels was about the difference between the cost of 22.5 tires and 24.5 tires. The tires that came with it were not safe. --I have both the original automatic height control that came with the bus and a manual leveling system. --The lighting system was converted from 24 to 12 VDC Our conversion so far, and plans for the rest, includes: --Raised the roof six inches. While not required, the extra interior space is desirable. Our exterior height will still be less than a highway coach. --Covered the unused windows with .040 steel using Sikaflex to bond them on. This means that the coach will have no exterior rivets, only smooth skin. If you have painted a coach with riveted skin you know what this means. --We installed 4 RV windows and kept three of the huge windows that came with the coach. --The coach is essentially all electric (no LP) The furnace is a Webasto that feeds hot water to the space heaters, domestic water heater (also electric), and engine heater. (not in yet) --All 120-VAC wiring is in conduit. --Shore line is 50-amp 240-volt. --Water tubing is Flair-It fittings on FlexPEX --We have a light wood grain formica for all the large flat surfaces. --The corners will be rounded and painted white. --Separate shower instead of the combination compartment in the GMC --Combo washer/dryer. The first appliance we bought. My wife considers it more important than tires. --Convection/microwave --Underfloor holding tanks, one 30 gallon black and a 70 gallon gray made using fiberglass on plywood. --Some underfloor storage --Twin beds --Driver and co-pilot chairs that swivel around to be part of the living area. --The front door was moved to behind the front wheel. --The original back entrance door is an exterior entrance full height storage compartment --There are two air conditioners on the roof that will blow into a dual duct system that will run the length of the coach. --We have the NuHeat floor warming system installed in the kitchen and bath area with the flooring on top. While not in yet, we have additional NuHeat for the front and the bed room. --The power plant is an 8KW Wrico and the inverter is a 4KW Trace. --There is a 12-VDC system for the coach with a series/parallel switch to convert it to 24-VDC for the starter. This system uses a Toyota alternator and a Sears automatic battery charger. --The original 24-VDC alternator provides power to eight marine batteries to feed the inverter and the remaining 24 volt needs of the coach. --The water system uses two steel tanks (80 gal and 40 gal) that are filled and them pressurized with air. There is no demand pump. -- A computer station will be beside co-pilot with map software and GPS (not in yet) --I have the Satellite TV system and the VCR that will be mounted over the windshield. The wiring is not in for the roof mounted antenna, but the antenna is in the basement. --There will be a TV up front and remote TV in bed room. --A center facing couch that makes into bed is in. --Dining table will looks out a window --There are three chairs that are all on pedestals and have electric front/back, up/down, and tilt controls. --The stove is electric with a flat ceramic top. | ||
| dougthebonifiedbusnut (24.147.157.103)
Rating: N/A |
hey george acouple of pictures are worth a couple of thousand words the coach sounds great would love to see it |
