| Author | Message | ||
| rickyd (68.35.160.19) Rating: N/A |
what kind of unit is a 1977 bluebird wanderlodge there is one for sale near me pretty cheap (5k)anyone have experience with one 65 k miles paint is faded carprt nrrds replacing | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
That is a great deal, no matter what. If it runs and drives, it's a screaming deal. Although it's not new enough for an airbag suspension, it does have a 3208 Cat, regardless of what some may say about that engine they have a great service life in a coach. 65K on the All American Chassis is "Barely Broken In". If you don't buy it' please let me know, I can probably find it a good home. Oh yeah--Everything you ever wanted to know is at: www.vintagebirds.com | ||
| William R. Graf (Billfrombrazil) (208.145.80.32)
Rating: N/A |
I saw one in Arkansas once in a guy's garage. The one thing I didn't think much of was the wiring, hard to get at and didn't appear to be color coded. Looked like a hard one to make repairs on. On the other hand they are built much like our Crown I believe and I like the sturdiness of a full frame as opposed to a unibody. Sounds pretty good to me. | ||
| jmaxwell (66.81.57.240) Rating: N/A |
Just an opinion but, You can buy it a lot cheaper from a local school district! After 27 yrs., a good chance that all the major RV systems are either shot or in need of major repair and replacement. For the same 5k u can buy a much newer and more modern transit bus that rides 10 times better and has more power and probably has been well maintained until it's retirement from public service. | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (170.215.59.159)
Rating: N/A |
And if you don't want it and Gary doesn't want it, let me know as my wife just loves them Wanderlodges and it would make a great interim coach while I work on the Fruitliner. Peter. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
"Just an opinion but, You can buy it a lot cheaper from a local school district!..." Please. This is not a conversion. It is already a coach, and indisputably one of the best coaches in the world. It is not a "Skoolie", does not need to have the roof raised, doesn't need to be reskinned, has more storage, all of the systems are installed, just needs a "Remodel". A 77 Bluebird Wanderlodge is a better unit than many of the new coaches and if given a little care will outlast the plastic palaces being built today. I would also say an as-built wanderlodge is better than 80% of the conversions I've seen. Bluebirds, until recently, were the ONLY bus certified for "Rollover" by the DOT and I, Personally, have seen a Bluebird rebuilt after a roll. Peter--I would defer to you, I have (Am Building) my own, I'd would just hope it goes to to someone that knows what they're getting. Gary | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin) (64.228.43.63)
Rating: N/A |
Gary, The Wayne skoolie body was also certified for rollover. Long live skoolies!!! (Remembrances of Greg & Kevin?) Regards, Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Really? I did not know that. Did you know that BB no longer carries the rollover rating? When they went to the "Smooth Sides" in response to market demands and prodution costs, the "Rollover Certification" went out the window. along with the rivets. Unfortunately, this resulted in the death of some schoolkids a while back. Gary | ||
| mark (66.43.13.75) Rating: N/A |
Peter! ...Just gotta ask!... What is a fruitliner? I've never heard of one before, except for your references to yours. Just curious!! Is there another name for it? See ya' mark 636 Gillig | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A |
Mark - The Mad Brit's using a slang term for a Freightliner. . . BTW, is your Gillig a pusher?? RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.166) Rating: N/A |
"Bluebirds, until recently, were the ONLY bus certified for "Rollover" by the DOT and I, Personally, have seen a Bluebird rebuilt after a roll." Too bad mine is a ThomasBuilt.  FWIW, we have 2 rebuilt rollovers at work: a 2002 Ford E-450 cutaway with an El Dorado wheelchair-lift body (dumped on the right side) & a 1992 E-350 cutaway with what I think is a Goshen/Supreme body (rolled on the left side). The 2002 has problems, but none seem to be related to the rollover (it's eating brakes & on its second tranny at 50K...which sounds to me like an operator problem). The 92 is probably one of the 3 tightest buses we have (out of at least 30). Our only Blue Bird (1998 TranShuttle) was repaired after a fire. | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (216.67.207.181)
Rating: N/A |
Mark, Yes, Fruitliner is slang for Freightliner, also Frightliner is too. Peter. | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.166) Rating: N/A |
Don't forget "Freightshaker". | ||
| Larry (208.18.102.190) Rating: N/A |
"Just an opinion but, You can buy it a lot cheaper from a local school district!..." Gary, I was glad to see someone make the clarification Wanderlodge Is no a school bus just because it says Bluebird. When you say I own a Blue Bird most seem to think you own a schoolie. Ohhhhhhhhh my. "J" "After 27 yrs., a good chance that all the major RV systems are either shot or in need of major repair and replacement." Age has nothing to do with a unit if proper attention is taken, these will probably be going for another 27 years. No more use than the systems get they will probably get along just fine, however most would update as time goes on anyway. I was trying to buy one when I purchased the 4106, never could fine one in my price range. I like the others would go that one, for a real wanderlodge (5k), in a flash. I drive a 64 - 4106 and it is probably better than it was new and it approaches 40, no reason it won't go another 40 with proper attention. Like your opion that is mine. | ||
| Larry (208.18.102.190) Rating: N/A |
Hope this don't get my head wacked but though this would help clarify this thread: This is a Wanderlodge ; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2440278665&category=50056 This is a Bluebird Schoolie; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2437776896&category=6728 Sorry Ian, if I overstepped my bounds but just thought this might help clear the waters and folks won't make the mistake of thinking they are the same and are just saving money. Thanks, Larry | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
I disagree that most of the RV systems are probably shot because it is 27 years old. I would suspect that the majority of them are in first class condition and for the few bucks to replace an item or two, I think it is a great deal. If you do not want it, let me know and will be glad to take it. Richard | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (216.67.207.181)
Rating: N/A |
Richard, I think I am first inline if "rickyd" doesn't want it........ LOL. Peter. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
It would be easier to refurbish all the systems in the wanderlodge even it had been sitting in a field for all 27 years. As long as it's not rusted out, you can fix everything. For a five-Grand buy-in, you could spend 10 grand making everything perfect. for 15 grand, what kind of Skoolie can you build? Keep in mind that the wanderlodge is the choice of Sheiks and despots. that's where they think Saddam is hiding now. They also said he has had multiple plastic surgeries, I think they need to start looking for a Michael Jackson look-alike with an Arabic accent. Gary (When I go off-topic, I don't mess around) | ||
| Larry (208.18.102.91) Rating: N/A |
Well Gary, glad you did and you are prob right, do it in a Wanderlodge. Great for a good laugh, I needed that. Larry | ||
| Larry (208.18.102.91) Rating: N/A |
Hey guys, what position in line does that put me? If I had been Rick, I would have broke my neck getting there & would have taken off so fast to get there, I would have forgot my car. Larry | ||
| DonTX/KS (205.187.92.89)
Rating: N/A |
Wanderlodge Recalls: Someone told me that they are recalling all Wanderlodge coaches. You can tell if the recall has been accomplished, they paint them Yellow. Any truth to that? | ||
| Phil Dumpster (12.230.214.167) Rating: N/A |
That eBay schoolie is just the kind of bus I was looking for 7 years ago. Correct engine and running gear, too. Probably nothing left below due to being in Utah since 1987. Wish it was a California coach. Those things are so easy to do major repair on. | ||
| mark (66.43.13.90)
Rating: N/A |
Hi RJ ~ thanks for your reply (and others, too)! I had no idea that a Freightliner had so many nick - names! "Friutliner" sheesh! Do I feel dumb! My Gillig is a rear engine model, by the way. It's got a 3208 cat turbo. I don't have anything against schoolies, either! But I do think that a deisel pusher is the way to go! I wish I had enough computer skills to send you some pic's of the bus. Can't figure it out yet! I won;t be doing much more on the project until around the first of the year or so because I'm in the heating business. (busy time of year) So far I've gutted the interior, removed all of the side windows, and skinned over the sides. What a fun project!! When I first got on this board, I asked some pretty basic questions about busses, the conversion process, etc. I've learned ALOT in the last couple of months, and want to offer a sincere thanks to everybody here that takes the time to give their VERY VALUABLE $.02 ! Mark 75 Gillig 636D (still learning!) | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
so Mark-- Since you're in HVAC, how are you heating your bus? Gary | ||
| mark (66.43.13.7) Rating: N/A |
Hi, Gary Actually I'm not in the HVAC business. I have a fireplace & stove shop. But it is funny that you should ask! I actually haven't fully decided yet, but it will probably be a small gas (LP) stove! (fireplace) LOPI stoves of Kirkland, WA manufactures a very small free-standing gas stove that would work great in a bus. It's called the Sturbridge (if you want to see one, go to www.lopistoves.com ) My brother-in-law is putting in a built in unit manufactured by Fireplace Xtrordinair. It is called the Bed & Breakfast. It, too will work great in a bus because of the small size, and the small footprint that it takes to put one in, Both of the units I mentioned will have a nice visible flame with charred, glowing logs visible through the glass fronts!! Look at the bult in fireplace @ www.fireplacextrordinair.com (the Bed & Breakfast) Anyway, we're both in the planning stages, but we both want the fireplace look See 'ya mark 75 gillig 636D | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Ah... Actually I know Lopi Stoves--have considerred using a pellet stove in my boat. Is the tiny gas one small enough for a bus? I'm thinking about using the original chassis heaters, there are three, and getting one of the diesel fired boilers. Gary | ||
| Jeff Miller (205.217.70.139)
Rating: N/A |
I had a '77 Wanderlodge, sold it last November for $44k, turned him down twice (I was the bigger fool). It was better than perfect. Yes, everything worked, lots of it original. Solid damn thing too. If you can get a complete and running '77 FC35 diesel for $5k it would have to be very rough to not be a steal IMO. "Book" a year ago (last year '77 was in NADA) was around $17k. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Hey Jeff, Funny meeting you here-- Gary |