| Author |
Message |
ECOman (69.81.32.246)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 9:36 pm: | |
I'm thinking about buying a 61' 4106. I would love hear some words of wisdom from anyone that knows/owns a 4106 model bus. What can I expect as far as anual upkeep and maintanance cost.
I'm looking at this unit...
General Motors model 4106 Coach -
Serial # PD4106 - 223
Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V-71 @ 100,000 miles since rebuild 110v heater installed
Jake brake w/aluminum head covers
Transmission: Allison VS2-8 @ 100,000 miles since rebuild Steering Power assisted - factory installed unit Differential Stock 4.11:1 ratio
Tires: Kuhmo 12R - 22.5 Radials on 10 hole rims -@ 60,000 miles Balancing material in tires Spare in tire carrier
Starting batteries: Three, 1 year old, w/3 yr. guar
House batteries: Four golf cart batteries, new 1/03 w/ 1 year guarantee
Generator: Onan 6500 watt, gasoline powered
Inverter: 750 watt w/ 20 amp batt charger.
Transfer switch: Auto/manual sw from inside between inverter and generator.
House electric: Wired for 50 amp campground service or invert/ gen. use
Coach interior lights: Both 120v and 12 volt
Bus systems volts: The coach is originally wired for 12 volts.
Tanks: Diesel fuel - 140 gallons
Waste: Black and gray together - 180 gallons
Fresh water: 110 gallons
5 gallon portable gas tank (for generator)
Propane: One 40# and one 20# portable tank.
A/C Two Coleman roof air units w/heater strips
Hitch 2" receiver (med. duty) w/plug for trailer lights
Heating Original bus heat works
Propane heater by driver
Water heater 10 gal. electric/propane
Water system On demand pump
Filter container Can feed directly from hose supply Accumulator in water system.
Refrigerator New Norcold 8 cu ft. 110/propane
Sleeping Queen air bed in rear.
Both couches fold out to sleep 2 adults each
Storage under the bed and both couches
Cooking Microwave
Four burner propane stove Oven
Antenna Rotating amplified TV antenna.
Connection for cable or dish antenna
Phone Wired for telephone connection
Entertainment 9" tv/vcr w/remote in bedroom - connected to aerial system.
13" tv/vcr w/remote in living area - connected to aerial systm two AM/FM/Cassette units
Rear vision Backup camera and monitor
Booth Newly reupholstered booth that seats 4 w/storage underneath
Windows All opening windows are screened
Peninsula windows w/screens installed in drivers window and door window
anyone can email me @
ecoman2@yahoo.com
with 4106 info and anvise.
Thanks so much in advance. |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.65.65)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:47 am: | |
We like ours. It is configured in much the same way, except it is a standard shift transmission.
We have stock windows and a larger inverter charger and only one couch, no insulated windows.
You're likely to have a kind of narrow aisle between the couches and in time, you'll probably like a larger inverter.
Your annual upkeep for the first several years will very much depend on whether you've got to play catch-up on maintenance.
If the coach has no leaks of rainwater, oil or air, good tires and brakes and everything works, a thousand dollars a year will go a long ways for upkeep and servicing.
A good inspection by someone familiar with buses can tell you what's going to need to be put right before you own it very long. That and a good rain.
The inspection could be the best money you will ever spend because a rotten floor or bad suspension will set you back a bunch.
For an automatic in a vee drive, you should be able to get pretty good mileage, but that depends on the speed that the bus tops out at 2100 or so.
If 80 mph, you might average in the nines; if only 65, 7.5 might be a lot more likely. I put it like this because I don't know the overall high gear ratio of the VS2-8. The standard transmission is .808 which gives us 83 mph at 2150 with the same tires.
I remember Don TX/KS making a post and mentioning running one of these transmissions. He sounded like he liked it a lot. He may know the actual high gear ratio which would give you a clue about speed and economy.
For what it's worth.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
Claimjumper (208.186.109.110)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 10:47 am: | |
I have a 62 4106 with 8V71-VS2-8 combo,I think the rear end is very tall unless you will be on flat land all the time. I had to change to 5:55 gears to do any climbing (11 western states) the coach still tops out at 85 MPH at 2250, you would also enjoy an "on demand shifter system" with this trans. My coach weighs in at 25900 ready to go and is configuered much like this one.>>>Dan |
DonTX/KS (66.82.9.20)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 4:17 pm: | |
One of the sweetest buses I have ever had the pleasure of driving, was a VS-2 4106. I got to drive it home for a new buyer from Charleston SC to Kansas. I got between 10 and 11 mpg, traveling at 75 or 80 most of the time. It had the original gearing, 4 1/8 to one as I recall. As stated above, makes one hell of a flatland bus, but sometimes in the hills you could wish for some lower gearing. I get along good with this setup, it shifts down and keeps on plugging. I like to see the scenery.
The payback in that setup is that the VS2 (if properly adjusted) does not shift down until about 1150 rpm, with maximum torque being developed at 1200 rpm. It will shift up around 1700, and cruise all day in the mid teen rpms, getting that really great fuel mileage.
Give this bus some really serious consideration.
I sought out and found a VS2-8 for my GMC 4905, that is the original equipment for that bus, and it was one of the best moves I made. |
FAST FRED (63.234.22.184)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 4:25 pm: | |
Your looking at the "Sports car of Coaches"
Don't know ANYONE that owns one that is not delighted with the performance.
Some folks are not happy with the lack of maint from past "drive it till it breaks" mentality owners.
So have it checked out , and demand the log books and maint records.
IF your's has had service by Da Book ,
it will deliver more fun per dollar than any other coach on the planet.
Biased?
Sure , it took over 5 years of looking to find mine!
And I love it a decade later, and wouldnt swop for ANY lesser coach.
Sportscars Forever!!
FAST FRED |
Frank Allen (64.12.116.135)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 11:28 am: | |
we have had ours for 17 yrs a really are found of it, has done us a really good job, would be good to have it looked over by a pro if you can find one
Frank Allen
4106 TX |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (66.82.9.60)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 12:16 am: | |
I got a 4106 because everyone on the boards who has one likes them and I wanted 35' and no tag axle. I completely redid the coach (it had been converted the first time in 1973). I had to renew everything mechanical, air bags, brakes, engine, transmission, etc. to get a reliable coach and now I'm fussing with electrical problems. I get 6.5 mpg and have a top speed of 72mph with the Allison V730 (I think). I didn't save weight while building it so it now weighs just over 28,000lbs with all tanks full and the driver. I will probably have to redo the dash and the electrical system in some way. Now that all that is done I expect to spend about $1,000 every 25k miles on regular maintenance. But that is a budget, not reality. I would be interested in what others have for a maintenance budget.
The good thing is the body is in good shape, it only has about 700K on it from new!
In four or five years I'll know if I'm happy with my choice!
John Root
Rocinante
PD 4106 1638 |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.65.65)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 10:05 pm: | |
John, unless you do a lot more driving than most of us who have these conversions, you will likely find your maintenance tied a lot closer to time than miles.
Lubrication and servicing of the oil bath air filters might be mostly related to miles driven, but much of the remainder will need to be done within certain time intervals.
Tires, brakes, air parts, electrical and body maintenance come to mind as examples. Washing and waxing your coach is very important for keeping the body healthy.
We use a wash and wax product every trip or about four times a year, and we do it ourselves to prevent damage. Takes a couple of hours.
Works pretty good.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
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