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Old 01-06-2015, 09:25 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Kansas
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Year: 1993
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 66 Passenger
The Story of Transcendence

Hello all....I'm excited to share my project with everyone and be a part of this great group of people. I bought a 1993 Bluebird about 2 years ago and haven't made too much headway yet into the conversion. I had a slight set back on the day of purchase that took quite some time to hunt down parts and a lack of time to work on it regularly. But it's back in running order now and I can't wait to get started on the conversion.

I hope to make this my full time home in the near future by converting this into an off the grid home. I'd also like to get this running on WVO. I'm sure I'm going to have many questions, but I've done a lot of reading here in these forums and it doesn't seem too difficult with the right equipment and parts.

I'll start from the beginning day I purchased it and bring this up to date as soon as possible.

This was the day of purchase!!
blogger-image--884988623 by wesslewis, on Flickr

Riding off into the sunset!
blogger-image-1734099035 by wesslewis, on Flickr

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Old 01-06-2015, 09:36 PM   #2
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Welcome! --- and don't hesitate to ask questions. There are a couple of folks here going the WVO route who can no doubt contribute some experience.
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Old 01-06-2015, 09:52 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
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Driving home into the sunset was a great feeling of joy and excitement.....I finally have a Bus!! I was on the highway cruising at the super high rate of speed of about 60, when.....all of the sudden, about 10 miles from home, I started to hear a horrific squeeealllllll coming from the front drivers side wheel. I poked my head quickly out the window and smoke was pouring from the wheel. I slowed way down and exited about 1/4 mile up, pulled over and got out. The hub was hot.....real hot. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of this story.....Needless to say....It was about a long slow 2 hour drive home. There was no way I was going to call a tow truck....I can't even begin to imagine the cost of a tow.

I pulled the cover off to check...There was hardly any oil in the hub. The inner hub seal was bad and most oil leaked out....I had no idea. Oh well...I just smiled and knew I had keep moving forward.
photo-2 by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-06-2015, 09:54 PM   #4
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Thank you Tango.....I'll definitely ask questions. Seems there is much to learn from everyone here.
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Old 01-06-2015, 10:06 PM   #5
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So....after about 2 weeks or so, I finally had a chance to pull the front end apart to assess the damage. Pictures speak louder than words here.......
1390621_10201664084597384_66545502_n by wesslewis, on Flickr
1395836_10201664086637435_1984989629_n by wesslewis, on Flickr
1374288_10201664849456505_467526727_n by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-07-2015, 05:11 AM   #6
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NOOOOOOOOO!!

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!



Your white Chuck Taylors!!
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Old 01-07-2015, 05:11 AM   #7
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Oh!

And welcome! ;) Excited to see your build evolve into your masterpiece! She's a good looking bus!
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:36 AM   #8
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my right rear axle seal started to leak on the way home.
just one more thing to fix!
You seem like a very determined and skilled bus owner. Welcome aboard!
From the estimates Ive seen, be glad you didn't get towed. I think $3-$4 per mile is the norm.
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:59 AM   #9
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Welcome, looking forward to seeing your progress.
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:41 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FreedomPanda View Post
NOOOOOOOOO!!

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!



Your white Chuck Taylors!!
Funny you mentioned the Chucks, They only about 2 weeks old and practically brand new.....I yelled the same thing when it happened!!
I took this photo as soon as I got home.....I've created a memory!

photo-3 by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:42 PM   #11
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Also....Thanks for warm welcome guys!!
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:21 PM   #12
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When I pulled the hub off and started to inspect the rest of the suspension, I noticed that the left leaf spring at some time in it's life, had it pretty rough.
1391825_10201664085837415_1669748344_n by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:29 PM   #13
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So.....The hunt for parts began. After many months, I finally tracked down the complete front suspension from hub to hub from a salvage yard near Dallas Texas. Here is the donor bus getting dragged around by a huge forklift!! I felt sorry for that poor little bus, but I'm quite thankful for it donor parts! ;)

10176202_10203063024730013_7500060720186730747_n by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:40 PM   #14
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Work began on taking apart the donor front end. I then had the springs re-arched and new bushings put in. I ordered new seals, inspection caps, and pins.
10354185_10203297546112901_4035523946218659031_n by wesslewis, on Flickr10426343_10203297546392908_6225511050561868450_n by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:54 PM   #15
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Then...the winter of 2013 set in. The bus was lonely all winter long with the left hub and wheel removed. I was anxiously waiting for spring so I could get it rolling again. Sure looked nice out in the snow though. IMG_0641 by wesslewis, on FlickrIMG_0635 by wesslewis, on DSC03849 by wesslewis, on Flickr
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Old 01-07-2015, 08:56 PM   #16
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When I saw that spring my eyes got big! You are so lucky that didn't completely break while you were driving! Looks like you've done the right repair so all should be good. Jack
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Old 01-07-2015, 09:43 PM   #17
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Thanks for the pix. I don't think I've ever seen a leaf spring broken in half before. Be glad you caught it bud!
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Old 01-07-2015, 10:43 PM   #18
Skoolie
 
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When I saw that spring my eyes got big! You are so lucky that didn't completely break while you were driving! Looks like you've done the right repair so all should be good. Jack
My eyes also did the same thing when I noticed it!! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I've never seen a spring cracked in half.....let alone two of them.

After this incident, I began to wonder why I didn't inspect the bus a lot closer before I purchased it. But then again....I was a bit intimidated by the bus in the beginning. My mindset was such, that I didn't really know too much about big rigs or buses so I really wouldn't know what to look for. Turns out, They are no different than any car or truck.....You just need bigger tools to work on them!
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Old 01-07-2015, 10:58 PM   #19
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Thanks for the pix. I don't think I've ever seen a leaf spring broken in half before. Be glad you caught it bud!
I'm really glad I caught it also.....I've done some pretty thorough looking around on and under the bus since then, mostly everything seems to be in good order.
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Old 01-08-2015, 06:34 AM   #20
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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Broken leaf springs aren't uncommon. I've seen quite a few with em at the many auctions.
One of my rear air springs is on its way out. They have a lot of weight put on them in their lives.
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