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10-03-2012, 11:49 AM
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#121
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1,013
Year: 1976
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71 Mid-Ship Mounted
Rated Cap: 79 at Birth
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Congrats on the registration...now you can do it your way
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10-03-2012, 01:41 PM
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#122
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Thanks guys. Man, I was having flashbacks of driving through OK, TX and NM yesterday. I went out to the Central Valley and it was hot, really hot. My bus was like an oven. I drank a gallon and a half of water throughout the day. Insulation wasn't that high up on my to do list but it sure as hell is now.
Normally I can drive for hours at a time without stopping and be just fine. This heat zaps the life out of me. I walk around like a zombie and can't think straight. Not rectifying this problem is going to take the fun out of driving anywhere. I will probably start by coating the roof. Then I will work of insulating the inside. I have been looking for that polyiso stuff that has been talked about but not having much luck. I have a buddy that has a roofing company. Maybe he can source it for me.
The other item I might add is AC. I have seen compressors for pretty cheap on fleabay. My BIL can help me put together a system that will work while I'm driving. Maybe add a couple of small window units too.
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10-03-2012, 02:58 PM
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#123
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1,013
Year: 1976
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71 Mid-Ship Mounted
Rated Cap: 79 at Birth
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Since I live in the Central Valley, I know just what you mean with the foof heat. For what its worth, I put up styrofoam type insullation on mine and then the carpet. It help a great deal. I still have one area in my shower that is just the roof since that is a water area. Durring the summer I can't put my hand on that without burning. I also found the windows are a huge source of heat transfer too so think about some kind of solar screen or tinting if you decide not to skin the sides. Alot of the folks here say the roof coating is great too.
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10-05-2012, 05:48 PM
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#124
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
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10-09-2012, 11:36 AM
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#125
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
I ordered a gallon of Ospho for West Marine that some of you mentioned in your threads. The price was $34. That's much better than $150 for a gallon of POR15. I don't care how good POR works, I'm not paying $150 for a gallon of anything. Well maybe some really good ice cream.
Thanks to all that mentioned it.
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10-13-2012, 11:24 PM
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#126
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
I'm getting two 8d batteries tomorrow. Do you think they would be OK for house batteries?
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10-15-2012, 02:04 PM
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#127
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 227
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Super Coach II, 36 Ft. RE
Engine: Cat 3208T, MT643
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal
I'm getting two 8d batteries tomorrow. Do you think they would be OK for house batteries?
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I don't think they're considered deep cycle batteries, which is what you need for house batteries. Hold off on buying the 8Ds until you've done a bit of research on deep cycle batteries. Some good alternatives are golf cart batteries or Trojan T105 or T125.
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10-15-2012, 03:20 PM
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#128
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locutus
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal
I'm getting two 8d batteries tomorrow. Do you think they would be OK for house batteries?
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I don't think they're considered deep cycle batteries, which is what you need for house batteries. Hold off on buying the 8Ds until you've done a bit of research on deep cycle batteries. Some good alternatives are golf cart batteries or Trojan T105 or T125.
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I got them for free. They were changed out on rotation. I have golf cart batteries too.
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10-15-2012, 04:05 PM
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#129
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 227
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Super Coach II, 36 Ft. RE
Engine: Cat 3208T, MT643
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Free is always best! In that case I'd definitely go with the 8Ds. Congratulations.
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11-20-2012, 08:47 PM
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#130
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Cc did you end up getting your king pins done?
I think I will have mine done next summer,to much wander at 60
Going to look for shocks for christmas present,did you just do hydro's or gas?
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
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11-20-2012, 09:01 PM
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#131
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
I haven't done the king pins yet. The bus does not wander but my front tires are getting chewed up. They showed me the amount of play at the shop. They are definitely worn.
These are the front shocks that I got. I'm happy with them.
http://gabriel.com/our-products/heav...ercial/gasslx/
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11-20-2012, 09:40 PM
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#132
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,208
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800 International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
did you get a better ride with the new shocks? I want to try and improve my ride, make it a bit softer ride, when I have the money i want to get summer tires as well.
gbstewart
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11-20-2012, 10:28 PM
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#133
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbstewart
did you get a better ride with the new shocks? I want to try and improve my ride, make it a bit softer ride, when I have the money i want to get summer tires as well.
gbstewart
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It improved my ride but not by making it softer. Now I don't feel like I'm going to fly through the roof when I go over a dip in the road. If you want softer riding, I think you need to look at tires and springs. I only have 2 leafs in the front and they weren't doing the job well enough. As good as the maintanence was on the bus, it stil had the original shocks. I suspect this didn't help my king pins out.
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06-05-2013, 12:46 AM
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#134
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
It's been a while since I posted about my bus. Everything I put in to register as a MH has been ripped out to fix the floor. Work has taken up much of my time so progress has been slow. I've had a trailer hitch installed. I've used it and it is very handy. I've acquired the sheetmetal for skinning the windows. Now I need to start grinding rivets. Insulation will be a must. After a few long distance trips, the heat is unbearable. My dash is also hot enough to cook food. Duh, I didn't realize the radiator was right there. The genius in me couldn't figure out why the ice in my drink would melt so fast. Now I do. That AT545 must go. At this point, I know it will cost me about $2500 for a rebuilt MT643 with my AT545 as a core. Install will be extra. I didn't want to spend this money but I can't stand driving the bus over 50 mph or up any hill, even for a few hundred yards.
More to follow.
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06-05-2013, 10:54 AM
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#135
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Hey CC --- at least you'll get a few bucks back in fuel with the 643 over time. The full lockup makes a really big difference whether pulling a hill or saving your brakes coasting down one. Go for it.
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06-05-2013, 07:11 PM
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#136
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,626
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All-American R/E
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
While you are moving to a 643, get one with a retarder. Best thing since coffee!
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06-05-2013, 09:02 PM
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#137
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
Hey CC --- at least you'll get a few bucks back in fuel with the 643 over time. The full lockup makes a really big difference whether pulling a hill or saving your brakes coasting down one. Go for it.
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Yes, yes. I'd pick up at least 1-2 mpg and drop the noise level down big time. Once I hit 2000 rpm, the noise increases dramatically and adds to the discomfort.
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06-05-2013, 09:04 PM
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#138
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
While you are moving to a 643, get one with a retarder. Best thing since coffee!
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.
That's an idea as long as it doesn't add too much more to the cost.
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06-06-2013, 11:05 AM
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#139
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: from: Prescott, AZ currently: Denver, CO
Posts: 469
Year: 1992
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: All American RE
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
While you are moving to a 643, get one with a retarder. Best thing since coffee!
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I'd second that.
Our 643 does not have a retarder and I was quoted by two diesel shops that it would be about $750-1k when all said and done. Stronger head bolts, the whole 9 yards.
That would pretty much be the icing on the cake.
__________________
Ryan
Bluebird All American RE: Great White Buffalo (gone but not forgotten)
Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10065
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07-10-2014, 12:13 AM
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#140
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Re: 1997 AmTran International DT466
I haven't posted here for a while since I haven't done much with the bus. I recently got to do some work to the bus. See my pretty pictures.
Hosted on Fotki
Hosted on Fotki
Hosted on Fotki
I cut off the sheet metal so it didn't cut someone's leg off while they rode their bike past my bus.
Hosted on Fotki
P.S. The damage was caused by some dickhead that bailed after nailing my poor bus at 215am according to the PD.
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