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Old 08-06-2016, 04:08 PM   #21
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Location: North carolina
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I am interested even though I am in NC.
I was born and raised in. Kilgore,tx and have family all around the DFW area and a brother that does commercial refrigeration All over TEXAS
I have been looking for an AC unit to add to my build and even though I have to/need to work on it and my family is coming up to N.C. next year to see my oldest graduate .
My build was to get us back to Texas but haven't made it yet?

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Old 08-10-2016, 12:31 PM   #22
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Year: 1997
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Update:

Got all the A/C evaporators out. It was fairly straight forward since they were bolted to the roof.



Next I got the compressor out. It was a bit more difficult to get out since some of the bolts where overtightened. It was also a bad day not to have my gloves with me.




I still need to take out the condensers under the bus and deal with the wiring rats nest.



At least I have the diagram!



It has been so hot here in Texas I get more done in the "cool" of the evenings






I also want to add a kill switch to the starter batteries, but its connected with 4/0 AWG wire which is harder to find. I am also trying to figure out the best way to put lugs on 4/0 wire since I can not find an affordable crimper for that gauge. I am supposing I will have to solder them?
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Old 08-10-2016, 01:21 PM   #23
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What are you using for the tire covers. For the heavy lugs I found the hydraulic
crimpers from e-bay do a great job you can get them all the way up to 16 ton
Just look up electrical terminal crimper. Presently they have a 10 ton battery
lug crimper for 29.99.
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Old 08-10-2016, 01:34 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonpop View Post
What are you using for the tire covers. For the heavy lugs I found the hydraulic
crimpers from e-bay do a great job you can get them all the way up to 16 ton
Just look up electrical terminal crimper. Presently they have a 10 ton battery
lug crimper for 29.99.
I got these off of Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the tip on the crimpers. I was thrown off by the MCM ratting, but found a chart that converts that to AWG# which helps.
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Old 08-10-2016, 01:43 PM   #25
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Making good progress there Justin. Yeah, it seems like everyone has a rat's nest of wires when we first get our buses. At least there is a basic wiring diagram to help sort through the mess. Hang in there and take it one day at a time.
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Old 08-12-2016, 11:38 AM   #26
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Nice bus! I am looking for a RE bus and I like the idea of a bigger engine such as the 3126 Cat, DT466, or the 8.3 Cummins. Does your bus feel under powered at all. I know what your engine feels like in a Dodge truck and you can turn up the wick on those 5.9's but how does it feel in the bus? Keep us updated.
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Old 08-12-2016, 12:28 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by superduty_59 View Post
Nice bus! I am looking for a RE bus and I like the idea of a bigger engine such as the 3126 Cat, DT466, or the 8.3 Cummins. Does your bus feel under powered at all. I know what your engine feels like in a Dodge truck and you can turn up the wick on those 5.9's but how does it feel in the bus? Keep us updated.
Thanks! I certainly would have preferred something like an 8.3. And given how everyone rants and raves about the 466, would have gone in that direction. But this is the bus that opportunity presented itself with.
I have not driven other full size busses, so I can't compare the performance. It drives great. But I am in Texas, there are no big hills and the bus is empty. So time will tell on wether or not it's too underpowered. I have no illusions of passing any cars on my way up a hill, but as long as it makes it up the hill I will be happy.
The nice thing about the 5.9 is that its cheap and easy to work on. And like you said, you can crank it up. I have not done anything yet in that department, plenty of other things on the bus to keep me busy at the moment.
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Old 08-12-2016, 05:12 PM   #28
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Justin McCormick View Post
Thanks! I certainly would have preferred something like an 8.3. And given how everyone rants and raves about the 466, would have gone in that direction. But this is the bus that opportunity presented itself with.
I have not driven other full size busses, so I can't compare the performance. It drives great. But I am in Texas, there are no big hills and the bus is empty. So time will tell on wether or not it's too underpowered. I have no illusions of passing any cars on my way up a hill, but as long as it makes it up the hill I will be happy.
The nice thing about the 5.9 is that its cheap and easy to work on. And like you said, you can crank it up. I have not done anything yet in that department, plenty of other things on the bus to keep me busy at the moment.
I hear you on the bus. I am window shopping for one now. I have a want list and will likely be compromised during the search and price. Can't always get 'everything' you want in a bus. Yours is definitely a good start though!
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Old 08-12-2016, 05:16 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by superduty_59 View Post
I hear you on the bus. I am window shopping for one now. I have a want list and will likely be compromised during the search and price. Can't always get 'everything' you want in a bus. Yours is definitely a good start though!
I've been bidding on a few buses lately.
There's one out west I'm watching rt now that has EVERYTHING I'd want in a bus.
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Old 08-12-2016, 06:09 PM   #30
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I've been bidding on a few buses lately.
There's one out west I'm watching rt now that has EVERYTHING I'd want in a bus.
Have your eye on the Gillig? It's currently at $2325 with 3 days left... It's really a nice bus.
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Old 08-12-2016, 09:42 PM   #31
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those were nice looking A/C units.. not sure why you would want to tear them out... esp being in texas... you will want road A/C unless you plan to live in it parked all the time more like a home...

Nice TM-16 high capacity compressor...

I just drove 1000 miles through the heat in the mid-upper 90s with humidity and theres no way a lowly camper unit or 2 or a window unit wouldve began to keep me cool.. I had both units maxxed pushing 35 degrees drop across the coils and was decently comfortable..

got passed by a couple skoolies without A/C and the people inside were wiping the sweat off their faces as they drove by..

-Christopher
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Old 08-13-2016, 12:20 AM   #32
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Originally Posted by BusFiend View Post
Have your eye on the Gillig? It's currently at $2325 with 3 days left... It's really a nice bus.
The gillig is nice, but this one in Colorado has everything I'd want in a bus.
Public Surplus: Auction #1661224

Quote:
Retarder, Rudd auto tire chains, air door, air seat, interior book racks, storage compartments, remote heated mirrors, Radio, 100 gallon fuel tank.
Quote:
Year: 1998
Make: International
Model: Genesis
Mileage: 154620
VIN: 1HVBGAAN3WA081268
Running Condition: Good/Fair
Engine: DT466 (250HP) Diesel
Transmission: Allision Automatic
Body Style: Transit
Tires: Fair
Brakes: Good
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Old 08-13-2016, 02:51 AM   #33
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That is a nice looking AmTran.
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Old 08-13-2016, 07:10 AM   #34
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wow nice 250 HP motor.. what trans would it likely have? in that year have to be at least a 643 ? or were the ystill putting 545's in then?

-Christopher
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Old 08-13-2016, 07:19 AM   #35
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Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
wow nice 250 HP motor.. what trans would it likely have? in that year have to be at least a 643 ? or were the ystill putting 545's in then?

-Christopher
643, with retarder. 3.73 rear.
98, the LAST year of availability for mechanical engines, too.
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Old 08-13-2016, 12:41 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
The gillig is nice, but this one in Colorado has everything I'd want in a bus.
Public Surplus: Auction #1661224
Wow, very nice! hope you win it.

Having the retarder is a nice bonus. I am looking into adding one onto my bus.
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Old 08-13-2016, 12:57 PM   #37
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Wow, very nice! hope you win it.

Having the retarder is a nice bonus. I am looking into adding one onto my bus.
I'll be adding one to my 92 some day.
Yeah, the CO bus is awesome. I'm thinking I'll likely be outbid. I'm no longer in the lead but may give it another try.
I was also bidding on a really nice shorty in VA but it went WAY up at the end.
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Old 08-13-2016, 03:11 PM   #38
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643, with retarder. 3.73 rear.
98, the LAST year of availability for mechanical engines, too.
3.73 gears!! That explains the need for the spoiler. That bus must be FAST!!
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Old 08-13-2016, 04:13 PM   #39
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3.73 gears!! That explains the need for the spoiler. That bus must be FAST!!
Some new member will come along in the next two weeks, claiming to have been "lurking". They will be searching for exactly such a bus as this.
Happens so often.
Then they go buy a 175 hp forty footer with a 545. Or a cat from michigan.
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Old 08-14-2016, 08:38 AM   #40
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Engine: 7.3 powerstroke & MBE906
I am planning on leaving the bus airco in our micro bus and driving the airco compressor with an additional electric motor on reduced power when the bus is stationary. I would imagine you would just get reduced cooling.

I am thinking about a 12 volt motor at 50 Amp. So 600 watts. A good DC motor is about 85% efficient.
I would expect something like 5000 BTU cooling. May be a little better since the evaporator and condensor are now oversized elative to the compressor output.

later j
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