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11-08-2004, 09:40 AM
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#1
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Almost There
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Carroll, IA
Posts: 72
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1984 Chevy / Wayne conversion
Well I took the plunge. A friend and I just bought a bus on ebay and will be working on it this winter.
first things first, did I get a decent bus? I would have preferred Diesel but $810 seemed like a pretty good deal. ebay link below.
I have a digital camera so as soon as I go get the bus the pictures will start to flow in.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT
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11-08-2004, 09:50 AM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 1,839
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I payed more than what you did for yours and my bus is over 10 years older.
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11-09-2004, 01:07 AM
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#3
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 243
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I paid more for mine also and mine is a lot shorter
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11-22-2004, 09:32 AM
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#4
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Almost There
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Carroll, IA
Posts: 72
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I finally picked up the bus. I have some photos on my website and the rest will be added later today.
One question for everyone, can steel transmission cooler lines be replacced with standard hydraulic hoses?
view photos and trip comments here:
http://siebrecht.us/skoolie
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11-22-2004, 10:54 AM
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#5
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 243
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Steel lines would probably be cheaper. You can usually cut off the old line near the fitting and attach the new ones with rubber hose and clamps. Otherwise, the best fix is to just replace them with new lines and fittings. Not terribly expensive. We run long lines in my stock car to place a cooler up front and we attach them to the cooler using rubber fuel line and clamps and I have never had one come off or fail.
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11-25-2004, 08:25 PM
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#6
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Almost There
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Hartland, WI
Posts: 92
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1989 Chevy Bus
I picked up my 1989 Chevy Thomas bus for 800
It has a 8.2L detroit deisel
Alison at545 auto trans
70k miles
66 passenger.
IT runs and drives great
I bought it from Chicagobussales.com
Jon
__________________
In search of Bus #2
(Sold)1989 Chevy Thomas 8.2 Detroit Allison AT545 Custom 3rd door added in back.
GM Service Tech
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11-26-2004, 06:02 AM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West Tennessee
Posts: 57
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I had one set up like that last year....great bus for traveling....we made a 5000 mile trip out west and averaged 8.5 mpg...course it was a slow trip...
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11-27-2004, 10:20 AM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 1,009
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Ward Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/MT643
Rated Cap: 77
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With an AT545 Allison (and you have my sympathies), get the biggest trans cooler that will fit behind the grille. This trans is ALWAYS slipping--it never locks up.
And a Detroit 8.2 litre? Again, you have my sympathies.
__________________
Jarlaxle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optimism is a mental disorder.
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11-29-2004, 07:12 PM
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#9
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Almost There
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Hartland, WI
Posts: 92
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Jarlaxle where did you get your info.
Where do you get your info on the Chevroelt bus powertrain.
I have heard nothing but good reveiws for the at545 from guys at the truck shops that I know. They say that this trans always shifts firm and almost never slips. As for the 8.2L detroit it does have its problems as in headgaskets and other minor problems but that engine has been in marine aplications for years.
I was just wondering if you had experieance with this powertrain or if your just a die hard Ford fan.
__________________
In search of Bus #2
(Sold)1989 Chevy Thomas 8.2 Detroit Allison AT545 Custom 3rd door added in back.
GM Service Tech
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11-29-2004, 08:59 PM
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#10
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
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Quote:
This trans is ALWAYS slipping--it never locks up
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I think he is refering to the torque converter which in that allison trans is designed not to lockup. Just get a BIG trans cooler since slipping torque converters create heat. Lots of people are iffy on the 8.2 but the only bad thing I have heard from bus mechs is the head gaskets going. What kind of speed will it do on the highway?
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11-29-2004, 10:46 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 1,009
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Ward Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/MT643
Rated Cap: 77
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I've heard NOTHING good about the 8.2 other than "it's cheap to replace when it lets go". The higher-HP turbos (over 200) are complete disasters; the low-power versions are...well, better. Don't overheat it, don't run the oil low, & DON'T OVERREV IT!
Edit: No experience with an 8.2/545, but plenty of miles in shuttles with the Allison 545 (behind Cummins B's & IH T444E's). Reasonably durable, but a huge power hog.
And my favorite bus is International.
__________________
Jarlaxle
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Optimism is a mental disorder.
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12-01-2004, 01:08 AM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1
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chicago bus
Het JonCBrand, I live in the Chicago area and am looking for a bus. I checked out Chicagobussales.com and saw their prices. I am wondering how you got your bus so cheap? Thanks in advance
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12-01-2004, 09:28 PM
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#14
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Idaho
Posts: 448
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Have you checked out http://www.422sales.com/ they have had auctions in Chicago before so I check with them.
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12-14-2004, 01:45 PM
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#15
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Almost There
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Carroll, IA
Posts: 72
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Today I went to the courthouse to re-title as a motorhome and get the bus registered. Way easier than I thought. The hardest part was waiting for the staff to figure out how much to charge me. All I had to do was fill out this paper saying what modifications i did, 110V power, alternate heat or air source, etc. No pictures required. $102.50 later I have a new title that says I have a motorhome and new plates to but on the bus. Sweet day. All thats left is getting it insured. Going to put that off for a while since its winter, if I decide to take a trip its a simple phone call to the insurance agent.
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02-02-2005, 11:23 AM
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#16
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Almost There
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Carroll, IA
Posts: 72
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Here are a few pictures of our recent quick mods and trip to the Iowa winter games.
After power washing
putting carpet in
We just had to go for a road trip to the winter games in Okoboji
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02-03-2005, 11:34 AM
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#17
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Almost There
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Carroll, IA
Posts: 72
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Restraunt booths
I just got 2 booths out of the local KFC for $20 each. This should be pretty sweet for playing cards and drinking games on the bus. I'll post some pics as soon as I install them.
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04-25-2005, 08:41 AM
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#18
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Almost There
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Carroll, IA
Posts: 72
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The bus is Painted
Its finally painted, tonight we will be painting on the graphics and lettering, I'll have more pictures when I'm done with that.
There are more pictures if you follow this link
http://getleid.us/modules.php?name=N...article&sid=25
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04-25-2005, 09:54 AM
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#19
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
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great photos!
wish i had an indoor place to paint my skoolie !
we just got several inches of snow........it was 80 degrees last week....that's michigan for ya!
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
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04-25-2005, 05:43 PM
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#20
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 138
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 370
Rated Cap: 44
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Re: The bus is Painted
Quote:
Originally Posted by glock17
Its finally painted, tonight we will be painting on the graphics and lettering, I'll have more pictures when I'm done with that.
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Lookin pretty good. Can you share with us more on how you painted your ride... did you have professional equip, or a pro there to help... what type of paint/primer did you use, did you have a small portable air compressor? Things like that. I am about to paint mine and I have been back and forth on either spreying it, or rolling it...
__________________
'89 Ford 370-2V Wayne - Sold :(
https://www.dammitandy.com/bus
Plotting the next project now. Looking for a clean diesel pusher with low rust/miles. Identical plans with plumming and biodiesel added :)
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