the wait is over

[Hvbuzz]

Hard to believe its been almost a month since we got home. Work has been real busy, so I haven't had anytime to work on bus since we got home. I did find a little bit of time last night and today to try and work on the valances. I didn't get them finished before we left. I got the front two mounted up today. I just temporarily wired up the passenger side, to see what it was going to look like.

Took me awhile to try and figure out what to suspend the led's behind my cutout. Finally decided to use an old wooden yard stick. The led strip is sticky backed, but figured it would eventually want to separate. So I ran some extra tape around it too. Then the bottom lights I carefully stapled them in by hand.
20150815_142315 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Here is all led lights. Front facing and the down strip.
20150815_150114 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

It has a very cozy feel, mostly just back lighting though. At times I think it will be nice, but when I want to really see something, I guess I like the flourescent lights I already had in there.

This pic has the flourescent light on too, which is on the drivers side.
20150815_150200 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Top light only
20150815_150058 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Bottom light only
20150815_150130 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

The only other thing I guess I wish I would have made the skirting alittle longer to hide the bottom leds. They have a pretty good glare if you look right at them.
20150815_150435 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Originally, this was just to hide the cheap roll up shades. So, I guess I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I get the option of some different lights at times now too.

[family wagon]

That does a fine job of hiding cheap roller shades! It looks great. I don't remember whether you mentioned what color temperature those LEDs are.. warm white, cool white, maybe some RGB, or a blend?

[Hvbuzz]

Thanks Family Wagon,
They are just the warm white. Just the cheap ones on Amazon.

Amazon.com: LE® 16.4ft 12V Flexible LED Strip Lights, 3000K Warm White, 82 Lumens / 1.5 Watts per foot, 300 Units 3528 LEDs, Non-waterproof, Light Strips, LED Tape, Pack of 16.4ft/5m: Home Improvement

The other nice thing about these is that they are 12volt and will be running off my converter or battery bank.

[HolyBus]

Looks real good from here! You could route a line along the bottom inside edge to create an inset for the lights if you don't want to look straight at them.

[Hvbuzz]

Well its been a long time since an update. Mainly because I haven't done anything to the bus. Last week I finally replaced the fan clutch. I priced one from International, $500 out the door. I then contacted Vanderhaag's, where I have gotten parts from and had them replace my clutch last year. They carry Borg warner fan clutches. $270 out the door price. Pretty easy change out. So that leads me up to the last couple days. We made a small 300 mile road trip pulling the new trailer. Perfect time to test out the fan clutch. 95 degrees and high humidity. The water temp of the bus never got over 210*, most of the time just sitting there at 195* which is where the new thermostat opens, I put in last year. One problem solved. It was a big change. I believe the fan clutch has not been working right since I bought the bus. The engine actually sounds different now. I'm still planning on upgrading the radiator, intercooler, and turbo this year. That will probably be after summer though.

[cadillackid]

is your fan clutch an air clutch or a standard thermal fan clutch?

-Christopher

[Hvbuzz]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

is your fan clutch an air clutch or a standard thermal fan clutch?

-Christopher

Just the standard thermal

[Hvbuzz]

I started a project last fall that was going to be just a winter project to keep me out of the house. A new trailer to pull either one of my jeeps around with the bus. I wanted a small light weight trailer that I could jack knife behind the bus for help getting out of tight situations. Light enough, that I could use the one DD jeep to pull around like a utility trailer. Well, the winter project turned into hurry up and get it done last week, so I could use it for our first short trip this week. 300 miles with it, and I have to say I love it over my car trailer. It follows the bus tire tracks and I no longer have to make extra, extra wide corners. So any way a few pics, even though they are not bus pics.

It started with a $150 craigslist find. 6000lb dexter axle. I bought it from Ring O Matic manufacturing plant. Later on, I might upgrade the axle to something bigger. For the price, it was worth trying out.

00D0D_4KGfuNXjMDC_600x450 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

I am tired of buying cheap trailer tires that don't last. Orginally I was thinking of going with 17.5 tires. Until, I priced them. So 19.5 tires seemed more like a better fit for me. That meant changing a few things.

8 bolt hubs
20151101_095823 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Single wheel 19.5 rims

20151120_174325 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Buying steel, and getting started
20151123_145341 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20151124_124040 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20151124_162513 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20151125_170533 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

This is a very dedicated trailer. So I wanted everything to have its place.
20151129_160529 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20151204_164815 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20160207_120944 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Drive over fenders, and recessed storage for holding spare tires, including the bus spare
20160529_175121 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Final weights. I was hoping for right around 1000lbs. Real world. 1300Lbs
20160605_152750 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Final axle weight with little jeep loaded. 4460lbs.
20160605_164443 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Lots of lights
20160605_205435 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Bus Pics!!
2016-06-11_08-35-44 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

2016-06-11_08-36-32 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

2016-06-11_08-37-01 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

2016-06-11_08-36-49 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

[Tango]

Nicely Done!!!

[Hvbuzz]

Originally Posted by Tango

Nicely Done!!!

Thanks!



Bus tire between the fenders
20160612_102310 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20160612_102255 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Trailer spare for now. Plus the ramps.
20160612_102242 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

[M1031A1]

THAT is a top class job! Well done!!!!!!

[Hvbuzz]

Just tried to type up an update and lost it all...

We got back from our annual trip to North Dakota. Bus ran great. The fan clutch I replaced took care of all my overheating problems. It ran right at 195* the whole trip except for a few long grade hills in 90* ambient temps. Then it only reached 205* and never reached the 210* mark.

Few pics

A very quiet and not busy truck stop in South Dakota we stayed at on our return trip.
20160706_083450 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20160706_083258 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Tractor rides..
20160701_103209 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Horse back rides
20160703_171734 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Country fairs
20160702_171041 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Parades for the Fourth, the kids always have a great time.

This year there was a first.
20160630_104139 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr
The wife finally drove! White knuckled and all. Of course she had to hit about 20 miles of road construction and two way traffic.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Hvbuzz

Just tried to type up an update and lost it all...

We got back from our annual trip to North Dakota. Bus ran great. The fan clutch I replaced took care of all my overheating problems. It ran right at 195* the whole trip except for a few long grade hills in 90* ambient temps. Then it only reached 205* and never reached the 210* mark.

Few pics

A very quiet and not busy truck stop in South Dakota we stayed at on our return trip.
20160706_083450 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

20160706_083258 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Tractor rides..
20160701_103209 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Horse back rides
20160703_171734 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Country fairs
20160702_171041 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Parades for the Fourth, the kids always have a great time.

This year there was a first.
20160630_104139 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr
The wife finally drove! White knuckled and all. Of course she had to hit about 20 miles of road construction and two way traffic.

great t osee pics of a bus in action.. being enjoyed rather than in pieces being built!! Nide thing about school busses is that eveeryone expects you are going t ogo slow.. so construction zones, narrow roads.. i just slow down .... same with roundie-round ramps and such too...

my fan clutch fixed my issues too... my bus used to run 210-212 running in 90* heat on nearly flat ground.. not I never even see anythuing higher than 185 before i hear the fan roar...

-Christopher

[Hvbuzz]

We also stopped on our way home north of Omaha and camped. Found a nice campground.
20160706_171921 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

We spent a couple days there.

20160707_194039 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

We spent a couple days at Omaha's Zoo. Its been 4 years since we were there last. It amazes me how much they keep improving it.
20160708_100122 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr




Teenagers... who knows how many selfies are taken. But not let dad take a picture.
20160630_111000 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

Unless they are goofing off.
20160706_151814 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

[Hvbuzz]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

great t osee pics of a bus in action.. being enjoyed rather than in pieces being built!! Nide thing about school busses is that eveeryone expects you are going t ogo slow.. so construction zones, narrow roads.. i just slow down .... same with roundie-round ramps and such too...

my fan clutch fixed my issues too... my bus used to run 210-212 running in 90* heat on nearly flat ground.. not I never even see anythuing higher than 185 before i hear the fan roar...

-Christopher

Same here. Coolest the bus has ran since I bought it. It has a 195 thermastat in it now. So that's where is should be running. It had a 180 before I changed it , and mine to would always run 210-212.

Everybody does get out of your way. On, on ramps, I just put the blinker on and merge. Everyone usually moves quick.

Yeah 71 mph is slow, in an 80 mph zone.
20160705_143825 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

[M1031A1]

Daughter's tongue is holding its breath WAAAAAYYYYYY too long!!!!!!! She needs to let her tongue BREATHE once in a while.......

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Hvbuzz

Same here. Coolest the bus has ran since I bought it. It has a 195 thermastat in it now. So that's where is should be running. It had a 180 before I changed it , and mine to would always run 210-212.

Everybody does get out of your way. On, on ramps, I just put the blinker on and merge. Everyone usually moves quick.

Yeah 71 mph is slow, in an 80 mph zone.
20160705_143825 by Hvbuzz, on Flickr

why a 195? i was always told for a diesel that 180 was more than plenty warm to run it... is it for better heating in winter?

I didnt turn my engine up to run faster than 65.. people can deal with me yeah most let you in on ramps... since my bus looks totally like a bus, the truckers even let me in all the time..

-Christopher

[Hvbuzz]

Originally Posted by M1031A1

Daughter's tongue is holding its breath WAAAAAYYYYYY too long!!!!!!! She needs to let her tongue BREATHE once in a while.......

Thats funny!

[Hvbuzz]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

why a 195? i was always told for a diesel that 180 was more than plenty warm to run it... is it for better heating in winter?

I didnt turn my engine up to run faster than 65.. people can deal with me yeah most let you in on ramps... since my bus looks totally like a bus, the truckers even let me in all the time..

-Christopher

That's all I could find. Since mine is a '95. It has the newer style thermastat. The housing and thermastat is all one piece. The radiator hose slips right onto it. From what I was told was, the newer ones were to run hotter, to try and help emissions, or some bs like that.

I haven't turned mine up yet either. Just regeard. But... I think I'm am going to start gathering parts up this summer to make more power.

[Jolly Roger]

If you don't mind me asking?
How much did your re-gear cost you?
Did you just send/take them the pumpkin?
For me I can only find one place that will do it for 3000$ but only if I buy the gears and bring them the hog head?
I am still trying to find a replacement rear end without much luck?
Just looking for opinions.
I am going Monday to look at some 10r22.5" rims to replace my 9r20 tubed ones but with my rear end at 6.50 it is not going to make much of a difference except maybe from top speed of 49 to at least 54?