| Author | Message | ||
| michael bray (Artexpress)
Rating: N/A |
is there any way i can reduce the height of my wheel wells in my 1988 Bluebird bus? | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
what ??? you mean for 'looks'....yeah....fiberglass or rubber extintions.... | ||
| mel 4104 Rating: N/A |
the wheel wells have been designed to that height by some very high priced engineers and if they could have cut 1/2" of there height they would have and if you have metal wheel wel covers on the inside of you bus do not change them out for fiberglass as if you have a tire blow out partsof the tire can go right through the fiberglass much faster than the metal covers as transit and school buses have found out, sometimes sending the person siting above them in to the roof. | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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mel...we are talking about different things...you are talking about the inner wheelwell...I was talking about the 'extentions for the outside...for 'looks'....guess the original question wasn't tooo specific... | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A |
If you do cut them down, and I too don't recommend it, use only steel to fab new ones. I once looked at a high end motor home that blew a tire behind the front passenger seat. Took out a good portion of the floor under the seat and the stepwell, along with the on board systems computer, and part of the seat---fiberglass. 2 wks. ago while driving a friends stick and staple, we blew an inside dual. A chunk of tread abt. 8" x 20" came thru the floor right beside the toilet. Had I been on that toilet, there would have went next Fridays dinner and a case of Charmin. We now have a 1ft x 2ft. section of floor to replace, along with steel lining the wheel wells. | ||
| R.C.Bishop
Rating: N/A |
I considered the same several years ago when I purchased the coach....however, after "watching" what takes place over a period of driving and letting it sit, reconsidered with much thanx to the LORD.... Have you ever seen the distance between your tires and the wheel well above AFTER the air bags have been dumped? I absolutely believe the manufacturer knew exactly what could and should be done regarding the space allowed....for once I agree with the engineers...  I can just imagine Jmaxwell's situation as stated above.......Think about it. RCB '64 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Rating: N/A |
Both Blue Bird and Thomas offer as an option flat floors in their buses. The option basically eliminates the rear wheel wells. The option is usually ordered in buses that will be used to transport wheelchairs. So yes, you can eliminate the rear wheel wells on a Blue Bird. In order to compensate for not having any rear wheel wells the buses usually come with smaller tires and an air suspension in the rear. The result does work but I wouldn't want to have to put on a pair of tire chains. Our church has a Thomas front engine Saf-T-Liner that has a lift. The bus came from the factory with a flat floor, rear air suspension, and little donut tires. In order for us to be able to get highway speed out of the bus we put larger tires on the bus all the way around. Now the back end of a bus looks like it is jacked up like some kids hot rod. A four inch increase in tire height required more than a two inch increase at the air bag. Which resulted in an increase of almost twelve inches at the rear bumper. If your bus does not have an air suspension in the rear you would have to block the susupension up to give you sufficient clearance, pariticularly if you keep the same size tires. In other words, for every inch you take the wheel wells down you would have to increase the height of the suspension in order to keep the same wheel well clearance. So I guess the answer to you question is yes you can eliminate the rear wheel wells on your Blue Bird. Only you can determine if it is a good idea for you. Mark O. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
Wow. "Now the back end of a bus looks like it is jacked up like some kids hot rod. A four inch increase in tire height required more than a two inch increase at the air bag. Which resulted in an increase of almost twelve inches at the rear bumper. " That of course throws of the caster, alignment and steering stability, and generally would make the vehicle unstable at highway speeds. I bought my bus from a church bus operator... If I bend over, please do not delay a swift kick. | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Rating: N/A |
Since we put four inch taller tires in the front as well as in the back the front bumper is higher as well. The increase in height on the rear suspension was only about two inches. The looooooong rear overhang caused the significant increase in rear bumper height. As far as I can tell, it hasn't made any significant difference in the driveablity of the bus. The only real change is that with the air bags inflated as much as they are the ride quality is not nearly as smooth. But then front engine transit type buses with short wheelbases aren't known for their boulevard ride. They do tend to jump from bump to bump. The bus drives straight with hands off of the wheel, the bus doesn't wander around going down the road, and the bus generally is easy to drive with just one hand guiding the wheel. In other words, at least on this particular bus, I don't think the castor and alighnment has changed enough to be of concern. But you are correct in saying those problems could rear their ugly head. Mark O. P.S. As far as purchasing a vehicle from a church, I have seen school district vehicles retired in worse shape than some church vehicles. If the vehicle is in decent shape and the price is right the former owner shouldn't really be a factor. MRO | ||
| Johnny Rating: N/A |
We have what sounds like a similar Bird at work...1998 TranShuttle, originally had a w/c lift (long gone). It's a flat floor, though not a low one with three high steps to get in. Tires are 265/70R19.5, rear gears are 3.54's. It has rear airbags (front leaf springs). The ride is stiff but controlled, impressive for this very-short wheelbase. My bus came from a boys & girls' club, & was in terrible condition--mismatched tires (5 bias, one radial), low fluids, shot engine, & shot brakes. The scary part was that it had been through at least one inspection with everything but the bad engine. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
Yup... Any non-profit entity will try to cut some corners due to lack of sufficient funds. It was unfair to single out churches as I did, but unfortunately there's more used buses coming from them, than the Boy Scouts. I guess I misunderstood when you mentioned the 12" higher rear.. But those air bags? Doesn't over-inflating the air bags cause the shocks to extend further than their designed settings for normal use? I dunno, but the poster asked if it's ok to reduce the height of the wheel wells. I would think the answer would be "no", unless he's prepared to change out to an air bag system, and add everything else the manufacturer would to make the vehicle safe to use. You'll have to excuse my input now and then, if you would? But it always amazes me that us bus crazed weirdos compliment the manufacturers of buses for their ability to engineer a vehicle that is as safe as it is and can last for millions of miles..... Then we go change the engineering of it, as if we can do it better.... Strange, isn't it? | ||
| michael bray (Artexpress)
Rating: N/A |
We are converting our 1988 bluebird (36 pass.) into a childrens art studio. We'll no longer be carrying passengers. The bus will remain stationary whenever there are kids on board. Anyone out there ever converted their bus into an art studio or other similar type thing? Wonder how you might have worked the dimensions out. We're looking at building a table for the kids at 30" wide and 9.5' long, with a bench under the windows and the other bench on the other side ending up somewhere just over the runner down the middle. Along the other windows, we'll have a higher counter 25" wide to prep the art projects, with storage underneath. Any suggestions or similar experiences? |