| Author | Message | ||
| Ernest Overton (Blackexpress)
Rating: N/A |
Hello all I'm selling my fishbowl suburban model with VS26 allison. Thinking of going one of three ways came across a nice GMC 4104 already converted 4kw diesel genny for $7,500 best offer second choice is a 1980 GMC transit with 6v92 turbo and allison unconverted or 1990 Gillig phantom with recent rebuild unconverted. Would appreciate any input I have already been thru 3 buses 1972 carpenter,1980 Gmc 4905 and the fishbowl thanks Ernest | ||
| Brian Brown (Fishbowlbrian)
Rating: N/A |
Man, can WE relate. I'm presently selling my Fishbowl partial conversion, and had a seated MC8 prior to that, and have recently purchased a completed (in mid-80's) 4106. I'f you're at all like me, I'd go for the '04 and just start using it. There's plenty of things to upgrade along the way... to make you feel like you can hang with the guys that built theirs from scratch. I really liked the move up from a transit to a parlor coach. Bays are so nice for the kids' toys, my endless array of tools, and the slimy stuff. I've found that busses are bad investments (of time and $). If you can find a workable completed one... let someone else take the hit. OTOH, if you're a perfectionist and like to tinker... if you'd rather work on it than camp in it... start a new conversion and hope it'll be usable by 2010. And don't ever try to sell it (you'll weep at how little someone is willing to pay for your blood and sweat), and just take pride in the fact that you did it yourself. My $02, Brian Brown PD4106-1175 My Bus Site | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
get the 4104 | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
Two Dogs is the real expert here, better follow his advice. Especially since he owns an Eagle. . .  | ||
| John Rigbyj
Rating: N/A |
Get the 04. John | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
R.J.---I ain't no expert---he only gave three choices.... | ||
| Geoff (Geoff)
Rating: N/A |
I would be very leery of a 4104 that is only selling for $7500. It could end up costing a lot of money to repair. If the transits are mechanically sound, they would be a better choice. The best thing to do, given only these three choices, is to have the buses inspected and get the one that is the best mechanically. The conversion on the 4104 would then need to be inspected, if it passes the mechanical test. Why are you limiting yourself to only these three buses? If you budget is $7500 or less you are not going to get much more than a shell, and for the money one of the transits is probably the best mechanical choice. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| mel 4104 Rating: N/A |
having had both and now drive a 4104 and am not looking for any other type of coach. i worked on the other buses you mentioned and just like the 4104 as it has to be the best bus to work on, the engine has every thin that you have to work on right in front of you when you open the rear side door and the tail gate, except the mufflers. also there are no belts on it unless some one has added themas an extra drive. parts are very easy to find and no more expensive than for any other DD, it is also 35 feet longto drive and they will let you into state and provincial parks and RV parks where as the 40 ft. models may not get in. and the life of them is only shortened by poor up keep. yes they are 55-60 years old and should run for an other 100 if looked after, not so with provost, eagle, flyer and others. but just rember do what you think is bset for you as it will be your choice. | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
yeah....4104....hey....easy on the Eagles...us movie stars prefer them | ||
| Jim Bob Rating: N/A |
I guess I'm schizophrenic. We have an Eagle AND a 4104! Both have good points, but if I had to bet on which one will be around in 40 years, I'd bet on the '04. Jim-Bob | ||
| Brian Brown (Fishbowlbrian)
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Let's be fair now. The Eagle will be around in 40 years... around just about everywhere... in like 20 million flakes of red rust. Har har har. Just kiddin' BB | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
SNIFF | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
Rating: N/A |
The economics pretty much ALWAYS work out in favor of an existing conversion, SO LONG as the conversion was good AND the shell was properly prepped ahead of time. Too many people get a bus, throw a floor in and start "filling it" without doing the insulation and prep first. If this is the case, it'll never be really right unless stripped and re-filled. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
After learning that the floors, wall panels and window frames are all integral to the engineered structure of the vehicle, I'd much prefer to purchase an untouched shell.... or a conversion that didn't modify the integrity of the construction by replacing aluminum inside panels with foam insulation and thin paneling. After taking the luggage racks and seat side rails out, I found the coach door jams when the air is out and it's not level. Didn't do that before... About three years ago, I talked with a guy about the bus conversion he bought. He said he had to do something about the windows. They popped open if he made a hard left turn.. Nice. |