Not a skoolie

[joeblack5]

thanks Christopher.

In the mean time I made the first layout, would like to move the fridge directly behind the driver so that I can close one more window off. Depending on the rear wheel well make a bunk bed for the kids.

Later J

[Nomadiana]

It looks like a nice bus. I like it. Did they tell you which city it served as public transit? Somewhere near where you're picking it up, I gather, but I'm curious!

[david.dgeorge07]

Looks like a good layout.

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[JDOnTheGo]

Good looking bus! I'm also interested to see your progress!

On the ride height question... I have no idea what your bus has but... if it helps... my MCI has computer controlled ride height and a switch that allows you to select low or high positions (and kneel). These positions are only available under certain conditions (less than 15 mph) and exist to allow navigating thru 'tough spots'. Not sure that helps...

[vtxvette]

I saw a tour bus driver, try to pull out of a steep driveway onto the street. an hour later, I passed the same area and they had two LARGE wreckers out there, trying to get him unstuck with as little damage as possible. I'm guessing that the bus driver was soon looking for a new job.

I'm in NC, and was also looking at that bus. I'm looking forward to see your progress and how the transit bus works for you.

[Brewerbob]

Don't know about PA but MD requires a driving test for the Class B which is required for anything over 26,000 regardless of brake type.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Air ride suspensions, which many city buses have, usually work with 3 main components. You typically have pivoting arms, which attach to the frame and axle, pivot up and down, and generally serve to hold things in place. They *DO* carry weight, but *DO NOT* provide the spring function. Next is the actual air bags, which mount between the pivot arms and frame. They work much like heavy duty balloons in providing spring action and suspension travel. The more air you put in, the more weight it takes to push them down. Last is the "leveling valve" which is usually attached to the frame and connected with a link to the axle. It is designed to maintain an equilibrium at a specific height. Tandem axle suspensions (such as road tractors and road trailers) usually only have one leveling valve per pair of axles - it is generally assumed they are usually riding on relatively flat ground and both axles will be riding at about the same height. School buses usually have sprung front axles (there are a few rare exceptions), the rear axle is the one that will be air-ride, if so equipped. City buses may have front air-ride suspensions, and these are what is used in the kneeling buses. Most have a quick-dump valve that can evacuate all the air in the front bags fairly quickly (and it locks out the usual leveling valve, so it isn't trying to air-up the suspension while the driver intends for it to be lowered). Most air-ride trucks have a similar feature to allow them to slide under low trailers, or low bridges.

Air ride suspensions can be adjusted (by altering the length of the link, or the mounting brackets) but just remember they are factory designed to ride at a specific height. There are systems which can raise the bags for various purposes but generally these are not intended for road use. One place I worked had high-cube trailers and they had such a system which could raise the suspension well over 9" from its "road height" (by running close to 100 pounds of air into the bags). That was fine as long as you were in a parking lot - if you hit a pothole with that sort of inflation, you're *VERY* likely to bust one or more air bags. And no, there's no easy way to use the air suspension to raise the vehicle to change a tire, you'll need a jack. (You can, however, use it to raise the vehicle to make it easier to place said jack, though I wouldn't recommend it. What if the system returns to normal while you're under the bus?)

[joeblack5]

OK. All good. Thank you all. On the road 100 miles north of Roanoke. Take a nap for a couple of hours. We are supposed to be at high point tomorrow by 8am. So far no problems with our trusty 1987 300td. Besides that the ventilation blower quit.
I hope I will have some answers by tomorrow night.

Later j

[Rameses]

Are you on the road? How does it drive? Did you get your tow bar set up for the Benz-on-Benz towing action?

[joeblack5]

Hello All,

We are on the road back. Overnighting just north of Roanoke.
I did not hook the lights of the dolly up to the bus. Was tired to so better get some sleep.
Seems to run good doing 55, computer limited. Uphill at the pass at interstate 77 max 45 4th gear.

Temperature stays at 205.

Thanks all for teaching me some vocabulary. When the good folks of the bus company started explaining things i was a little prepared. So this bus has a ferry position, air front and rear.

Later J

[david.dgeorge07]

Get some rest! Looks like a lot of fun!

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[joeblack5]

yeah, thanks David. need some sleep. like to start driving at 3Am, if i can rig some lights that is. It is amazing how comfortable driving in front of the wheels is.. that is on the highway haha

Later J

[MarkyDee]

Have fun and live it up a little for me. I won't be driving my high-floor coach any time soon as Indiana wants me to have a CDL unless the bus is titled/registered as an RV. To do that, I have to have it mostly converted....

Shoulda gone the VT titling route....

[vtxvette]

Nice pictures. Keep us posted . I'd like to know how you feel about the top speed being 55 mph, and going up hills at 45 mph. Maybe it'll go uphill faster when you aren't towing your car. keep us posted.

[Rameses]

How do you like the transmission retarder?

[joeblack5]

Made it home , will post some pictures later.

Conversion will start asap since my temp tag is only valid for 10 days.

The retarder is a little of a mystery. The bus does not pick up speed going down hill unless it is pretty steep.

During slow down it changes gears and then braes on the engine.
the city bus I "drove" ( not me) with slowed a lot more aggressive.

On normal slow hills it keeps 55. The hill at interstate 77 is long and pretty serious. I am just hanging with the trucks. Does not border me. may be people behind me?/

Did not calculate mpg yet, and might not be very accurate on this distance.
It has 5 gears, supposingly alllison 300 series. How did the 6 gear reprogram work out?

I will crawl under it and make some pictures and see if anyone can identify what transmission it is. The cooling fan is hydraulic and it regulates depending on temperature.
The AC works , it has a separate 24 volt alternator that feeds all the AC related fans.
later J

[joeblack5]

here are some pics from our loot.

First night on the road, as you can see no lights on the dolly. I was nervous cutting into the bus system at this moment.


http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...ture16293t.jpg


Picking up fuel at a Lowes truck stop. Very busy and so very exciting manouvering our little bus between the big rigs. A little micro world in itself.



School Bus Conversion Resources - joeblack5's Album: not a skoolie - Picture


Here is the dash layout, the empty spot is for the transmission temp... birthday present???.. The fuel and oil pressure gauges are intermittent and part of the multiplex bus wiring. may be bad connections?

The oil pressure is 30psi at idle hot. that is read of the mechanical gauge in the back.

the speedo read 55 but the gps says 52. The tires are pretty worn.

Bigger tires, the 6th gear or different rear end ratio?

Would like to go one size up in tire, not sure about the possibilities. Found rims with my bolt hole pattern in 22" but it would have to be a pretty low profile tire, ....ideas are appreciated...



School Bus Conversion Resources - joeblack5's Album: not a skoolie - Picture

Almost home we are at the PA state line and welcome center.


School Bus Conversion Resources - joeblack5's Album: not a skoolie - Picture

Back in PA cops all over the place, but we did not get stopped.

Below we are rolling into State College.

School Bus Conversion Resources - joeblack5's Album: not a skoolie - Picture


later J

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Back in PA cops all over the place, but we did not get stopped.

Why would you? Buses are invisible.

[cadillackid]

nice trip!!! is the I-77 hill you are soeaking of the one just going into virginia? where it goes way uop from almost nowhere to that awesome scenic overlook? ive run that hill a few times in my busses... its a big one!!

-Christopher

[JDOnTheGo]

Joe, Well done getting her home! I wish I had an assistant that knew how to install hitches and wash windows!

The retarder often (usually??) has a switch on the dash. Once it is switched on, the retarder lever ("joystick") becomes effective. If it is working, you will know it. The braking action on a level service is significant - depending on the position of the lever (forward = less braking, aft = more braking).

If traveling a lot, the diesel lanes at truck stops are the way to go (in my opinion). So much more room, the pumps flow much faster (which helps when pumping 150 gallons), and everyone there knows the rules and keeps things moving. The negative is that you must go inside to approve your card. Pilot/Flying J has a credit card that allows you to pay at the pump though. I've heard rumors that this pay-at-pump with a typical credit/debit card issue may be changing in some places.