Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-11-2015, 06:27 PM   #1
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Heavy Fuel

Hey all!!!!!

Well, after five years (that's right Ol Trunt......) we FINALLY got the bus we have been searching for! Her name is "Heavy Fuel". Since Diesel has a few more hydro-carbons in the chain then gasoline, AND one of my favorite songs from Dire Straits is named Heavy Fuel as well, I felt it is appropriate to name her such. I'm flying out of Houston Sunday, going to meet a very good friend "DaDukeStars" from World of Tanks. We've been playing that game on line with each other for four years. Between him, MyBugg, and myself we formed the intentionally politically incorrect - and existing brand in Australia - Dicken's CIDER clan on WoT. However, I digress. Chuck and I are driving from his place near Sacramento down to Wasco and getting the bus, doing fluid changes, removing the seats, and prepping her for her trip home to Katy, TX. I AM PUMPED!!!!!

Here are the pics I have of her so far:
Attached Thumbnails
7588_1_1.jpg   7588_1_2.jpg   7588_1_4.jpg  

M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 06:28 PM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
BTW, purchase price including all fees, et.al. was $2127! I'm hoping to be back to Katy by Friday next week. I'm bringing my camera, and a few other goodies with me to document the adventure.

As far as the bus goes, she's a 1989 Thomas with a 3208 CAT, MT643 tranny, and 172K miles on the clock. Cargo bays are below. She's set up almost identically to my daily driver #337. Only the Cat is 100% mechanical.

So now we are beginning our five year conversion. Our plan is to have it finished as my son graduates high school.

I wish to thank ALL of you for helping us with all your ideas, suggestions, inspirations, and insight to help us get this far. I'm looking forward to sharing ideas (maybe stealing some too) as we build her up to be our tiny home.

Until I get back from California! WO HOO!!!!!! ;)
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 08:08 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Gainesville. Georgia
Posts: 544
Year: 1992
Coachwork: bluebird
Rated Cap: 72
WOOHOO 4 U!!!!

The-Breeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 08:27 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
milkmania's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
Whoo Hoo! I know you're excited!
where's the cigars?
milkmania is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 08:32 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
gbstewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,208
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800 International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 72
welcome, lets have lots of pictures
gbstewart
__________________
my bus build viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5931
gbstewart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 08:33 PM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
milkmania's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
you taking the Albequeuererrky route home or the El Paso route?

lots of pics on the road, please
At this point, even a walmart parking lot excites me, if you see Shaggy & Scooby, tell them hi!

almost ashamed to say..... I actually took this pic
Attached Thumbnails
scoob.png  
milkmania is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 08:33 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
ol trunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,226
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
Congrats! With so few miles that bus should last forever. Like I told Tango---stop measuring and get cutting! Jack
ol trunt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 09:31 PM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkmania View Post
you taking the Albequeuererrky route home or the El Paso route?

lots of pics on the road, please
At this point, even a walmart parking lot excites me, if you see Shaggy & Scooby, tell them hi!

almost ashamed to say..... I actually took this pic
Going El Paso. TRUST me, I'm taking LOADS of pics! Bringing camera with me in my Alice Pack.
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2015, 10:08 PM   #9
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
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
Outstanding! And an all mech Cat is the only way to go. Have a good ride. I'm just to the East of you near downtown Houston.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 12:13 AM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 1,001
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International
Engine: TE 444
Rated Cap: 12
turbo or non-turbo?
if you can get the maintenance records, check and see when the valves were adjusted, something that is supposed to be done every 20K miles or so, no hydraulic lifters, engine was designed in the 1950's, bulletproof otherwise
Kubla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 06:10 AM   #11
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Tango,

I'm hoping to get together with you on some ideas I have. Been following your thread since inception.

Kubla,

Turbo. It's the only way to go. Records come with the truck, already called and asked last week. The guys there were very courteous.

Duke is going to get me at the airport Sunday, we get him on World of Warships that afternoon, then early Monday morning we head down to Wasco to meet the guys @ 0700 hours. He's got impact/air tools to help make seat removal more efficient. Going to crash at a Motel 6 that evening and finish any last-minute details like oil change/chassis lube, etc. and be on the road A.S.A.P.

When I get home this afternoon it's pack my Alice Pack and get any loose ends finished with the storage company. I'm going to have to do the work on their lot since I rent and I'm stuck in the 'burbs (*YUCK*).

More to follow...
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 08:41 AM   #12
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 262
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Amtran
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 71
That is a fine looking bus.
__________________
"This is my ship...the Nebuchadnezzar, it's a hovercraft."
~Morpheus
The Nebuchadnezzar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 09:36 AM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
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
Any time bud. Just have a good trip and keep the shiny side up.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 09:59 AM   #14
Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Monrovia California
Posts: 151
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Engine: 3208 turbo Cat
Rated Cap: 78
You will love that engine, this is a trip you will always remember.
juliol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 03:10 PM   #15
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
More news:

I have a storage place about 20 minutes from my apartment for $75/month WITH electrical hook-ups, AND a bathroom, AND a wash station!!! Wo HOO!!!!!

One of my bus driver friends is now seriously considering talking her hubby into getting one of these as well. The storage lady is looking forward to seeing the bus too! DANG this is infectious...... I LOVE IT!!!!!

Now I'm working on getting to Wasco for a Monday pick-up. Working at the apt. to help wifie with sorting our junk..... Thank GOD we're dumping most of this stuff....
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 04:21 PM   #16
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Houston/Huffman. Tx
Posts: 1
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Thompson
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cat
Look me up on Google blogs. Search for Daddys dog house and look for 93 Thompson body school bus. I was in Katy but now I'm in Huffman.
bcschro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 04:44 PM   #17
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
bcschro,

I sent you a PM.....
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2015, 08:46 PM   #18
Bus Nut
 
FlyboyHPD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 403
Year: 1999
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 84
Awesome looking bus and the price is a steal. Congrats !! I sent you a PM inquiring about your storage area. I'm looking for the exact same thing and live in NW Houston.
Have a safe trip back.
FlyboyHPD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2015, 09:00 PM   #19
Bus Crazy
 
milkmania's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
Quote:
Originally Posted by M1031A1 View Post
bcschro,

I sent you a PM.....
you there yet?
milkmania is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2015, 09:26 AM   #20
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
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
Congrats again --- Sounds like the deal of the century on your workspace and I admit to the sin of Envy. The leaky, piece of crap, un-air conditioned tin building I'm in costs me as much as a one bedroom apartment! The spray on excuse for insulation is beyond worthless and drops down continuously, the electrical is a mess and pops breakers every other time you turn anything on and the roof leaks.

The only thing in it's favor is that it is not too far away from where I live & work.

Having a decent, dry work space can make a WORLD of difference.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.