| Author | Message | ||
| george bruton (Tazman632000)
Registered Member Username: Tazman632000 Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 24.25.56.108 Rating: N/A |
looking to purchase a 4104 maybe some time next week wondering how much wind noise there is also road noise im going to be traveling with wife and three kids. what are the main points i should look for when inspecting the bus. im trying to get the present owner to have a bus mechanic go over the bus before i purchase it. im trying to decide between this and a mci-9 but they just seem to big to deal with in most places.everything i ve read has been positive about the 4104 any draw backs about the 4104 ect? thanks | ||
| Tim Hoskinson (Tdh37514151)
Registered Member Username: Tdh37514151 Post Number: 207 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 4.252.65.4 Rating: N/A |
Hi Geroge the 4104 is a nice bus and as far as wind noise as with any vehicle as long as the door and window seals are in good shape they are a very quiet vehicle to drive. We travel in ours with the two kids and my wife and can carry on conversations at a normal level. The kids offend watch tv while going down the road. The 4104 is faily maneuverable although the four speed transmission leaves you with a high gear to start out in when trying to get in and out of camping spots. The first and reverse gear was designed for low resistance take offs and is not well suited for incline or low speed maneuvnering. Out on the open road it is really quite suprising how nice they are to drive. As for the bad the last year the 4104 was built was 1960 this puts the youngest 4104 at 47 years old. At the end of the their commercial use they would have had a good bit of wear add to that all the years since and you could be looking at a huge project. If you are not a person that can do a good bit work your self it is very important that you buy one that is in exceptional condition. If you don't have the experiance to know what to look for on the bus then do have a reputable bus mechanic look it over. The cost of having this done could save you alot of heart ache and money in the long run. Best of luck. Tim | ||
| Jim Wilke (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 119 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 207.244.171.125 Rating: N/A |
A bus is usually quieter than any front engine motorhome you will find. You will find buses to be extremely stable in a crosswind that would push a motorhome all over the road. Our 4104 gets 10 mpg. Our nephew's 454 Chevy powered motorhome which weighs half as much gets 6 mpg. (Maybe less since he always drafts us wherever we go!) As Tim says, you may have to spend time & money repairing long years of wear. We had to repair worn shift mechanisms, steering with lots of play, etc. But when you get it "tightened up" and learn how to drive (not just move) the bus, you will really enjoy owning it. We go out to dinner in it just to get to drive it between trips. Jim-Bob | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 298 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.20 Rating: N/A |
My 4104 makes a lot of wind noise but I have all the original windows and the PO ran a few cables out the windows so it is probably noiser than most. It is a great driver at 60-65, no faster than that. As already posted, the four speed is my main complaint. It need at least five with a nice low first and 8-9 would be nice. Make sure you get power steering. Mine is the original and works fine now that I adjusted the steering gear box. You will read very often that the Sheppard steering is the only way to go but I think that is because people didn't try to adjust the box. It is a pain to get to but very simple to adjust. Aalso check the clutch pedal. There should be 1.5" of play and it should be easy to push in. If it is very hard it is not adjusted properly or the linkage is probably worn out. It is simple to adjust if the linkage is good, it just has to be done exactly by the book. Same thing for the shift linkage. If it is hard to shift the linkage is probably worn out. It is not necessary to use the clutch once the bus is moving. You will read a lot about double clutching but it is just not necessary except once in a while for a missed shift. It is no easier to shift with the clutch than without. Be sure to get a Maintenance Manual and Parts Book. The part numbers may not be accurate but the parts drawings are really necessary to see how things are put together. This a great classic and a lot of fun. It is not so big, it is surprising at the narrow and close places it will go but, after all, it was made to go into small towns. | ||
| Jason Whitaker (Jeepme)
Registered Member Username: Jeepme Post Number: 40 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 216.17.251.109 Rating: N/A |
I must need to do some work on sealing up my windows because my 4104 is fairly loud up front because of wind noise and in the back bedroom it is way too loud because of the engine. This is with lots of insulation on the rear wall and seat. I haven't been in anyone else's bus so I don't know how it compares but I'm hoping to quiet mine down. Just haven't had a chance to look into it with all the other conversion projects. That said we love ours. Just got back from a 3000 mile trip. Jason 4104 | ||
| Bob Ayers (Califbob)
Registered Member Username: Califbob Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 4.243.108.22 Rating: N/A |
George E mail me at duntrkin@escapees.com | ||
| bernie newcomb (Newk)
Registered Member Username: Newk Post Number: 11 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 205.188.116.13 Rating: N/A |
good luck with your 04, mine is a 1958. i get wind noise from the entry door,it dosen't fit just right. we have had a lot of fun with our 04, i hope you enjoy yours Bernie | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 421 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.126.56 Rating: N/A |
Yes it is going to be noisy going down the road for anyone in the bedroom. Sort of like a grinder at full throttle. Can be soothing to a bus nut, except most don't feel soothed if they aren't the one driving.  If this is an important issue, give serious thought to the different sound deadeners.Thin sheet lead works really well if you aren't concerned with the extra weight. Other materials work reasonably well, but eat up precious space. Also there is going to be a lot of heat soak for several hours after a couple hundred mile trip in summer time. Nice in cold weather.Wind noise at front door is common unless time is spent with new seals and good door alignment. Maybe you could change the windows across from drivers seat to the Pennisula slider models while you are at it.Gives nice air flow in warmer weather and have screens. Nicer at least at driver's side at turnpike toll booth or driving through MacDonalds pickup window. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 300 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 65.142.156.160 Rating: N/A |
Jason, Ditto for my 4104,exactly the same as yours but I don't worry much about it-I figure it is part of being such a classy classic!! It never occured to me to drive through MacDonalds pickup window I would be afraid of taking their sign with me! Anyway, it feels good to get out and walk around at my age. |