Vagabonder

[TygerCub]

Congratulations on a fine purchase! Looks like a fine bus! Is that one a pusher, or puller?

[tfdfyrman]

Nice bus. I was looking at the AmTrans at the bus barn behind my shop before I found my Thomas. Thet are good loking busses. I was hoping to find a pusher with the DT466 but never did. I ended up with a CAT 3208 though, not a bad second choice.

[tfdfyrman]

I am scared as hell to drive the thing. Anyone have any problems driving for their first time?

You may have already driven it by now but the biggest thing to be aware of is the forward controls of a flat nose. FC being you are in front of the wheels. It is much different than any other vehicle. Not hard to get used to though and once you do, it rocks. I drive a fire truck for a living so I was used to FC's before I bought my skoolie. Also be aware of tail swing pased your pivot point of the rear tires.

[TygerCub]

Yeah, don't leave us hanging like that... what about Mr. "I Am Da Law!"?

As for driving: don't worry about that. If I can do it -- a woman who's never driven anything larger than a tiny Toyota pickup -- you can too! Just do what I did and use the round mirrors to stay between the lines and watch your back tires on turns. You'll do a few "curb checks" at first, but if you can find an empty parking lot to practice in for a half hour or so, you'll quickly get a feel for the size and capabilities of the bus.

You'll have a blast!

So... tell us more about your busy-body-neighborhood pest.

[TygerCub]

What a sweet looking bus! You guys are gonna have SO much fun!

Welcome Home!

Keep the pictures coming!

[lapeer20m]

and it has a new alternator....that's a bonus. Every bus i've ever owned needed an alternator at some point.

nice looking bus!

[ezbme]

Congrats & Nice bus - Love it! Have a blast as it is so addictive!

[ezbme]

Originally Posted by case

More pictures on the way! I had to stop progress to build a fence around my yard so I would have a space to park the bus. I am bringing it home today or tomorrow. It's parked on the inlaw's 40 acres right now.

I left florida in 2004 for the same reasons. Places I used to play as a kid, I was afraid to go to as an adult. I was never so happy to leave. You couldn't convince me to move back, I don't even like visiting much, except I still have alot of family and friends there.

& yes we are another agreeing to your every words... leaving Florida after about 14 years & lived all over the state. CAN'T WAIT to get to New Mexico!

We used to LOVE Florida but now, it is just old... Might visit someday, might not.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by case

Now if I could just think of anything besides school buses.

Not going to happen!

[Griff]

Originally Posted by case

...and I can actually read some of the part numbers. Hopefully I won't have to read any of them any time soon...

Not to jinx you, but you might wanna write 'em down anyway while you can see 'em before they can get grimed up again...ya just never know...

[Griff]

Congrats on finding the camera charger, heh, heh!

Nice pics, nice bus!

Hey...and the first pic - this little guy looks up to you and apparently likes what he sees - he wants to be like Daddy! I think that's more than relevant!

Keep up the great work - bus and child-rearing!

[TygerCub]

What a cutie pie! :P It's great to see you starting your son out right!

Okay... non-mechanic asking this so bear with me:
What did you use to clean the engine? Did you do it in your yard or on the road? Did you have any special tools or materials (pressure washer / steam cleaner / sponges & gloves / etc)?

BOB's engine could definitely use a good cleaning. Any advice you could offer someone who's not done something like that before would be greatly appreciated!

[ezbme]

Originally Posted by case

Thanks ez.

I was born and raised in Bradenton, spent 20 years there or so. I've ridden many a SCAT bus (I've always thought the name was ridiculous)

I recently moved to Sebring from Sarasota... This wasn't a Sarasota SCAT bus tho, this was a Space Coast Area Transit bus from Canaveral area. I ALWAYS got a kick outta the name, SCAT... I really like your AmTran... I woulda bought one myself if I could have found one in the area but the Scat is working out fine!

[ezbme]

Originally Posted by case

Yeah it's a good looking bus! Do you have on board AC? That's an added bonus on alot of the transits I see. How is your clearance by the way. Here is Spokane, it's pretty hilly in spots.

Thanks! I haven't seen another smooth body Thomas Transit Liner anywhere, online or on the roads... It is driving me nuts!
The clearance hasn't been an issue so far but Florida is pretty flat. We do have onboard AC which is more like onboard fresh air as it does not get cold. I removed all the ac duct work from the interior already (ceiling) as it just took up too much room & well it isn't blowing cold. There is an extra alternator, a 28Volt for the AC which is doing nothing now - haven't figured out what I want to do with it yet. Also, in the future I will remove the 2 huge 3 fan units underneath that are mounted to the chassis that run the AC as I can benefit from the space I will acquire for basement storage & water tanks etc. We are setting up the bus for storing our inventory & our business office as we will be moving to New Mexico in about a month! This will be her first real road trip. Kinda ike our mobile ware"house".

I too had a serious problem with alchohol in the past & so did my dad... I quit cold turkey when I was diagnosed insulin dependent diabetic. Was a good/bad situation but it made a huge change in my life for the better. I can now have a drink in moderation but really I don't miss it. That & my wife & I just had our first child on mothers day, a lil baby girl named Nia! We are happy campers!

[ezbme]

Originally Posted by case

Congratulations! I had my first just over a year ago. Maybe one day they can play together.

I don't miss the drinking either, life is so much better now. I tried quitting by myself but never could...I must have tried 1000000000 times.

Yea maybe they could play together! We have a friend in Spokane... Heck for that matter you & family could bus it to our property in New Mexico for a mini vacation & we could do the same in WA!

[ezbme]

HAHA...looks like fun!
How much metal work do you have to do?

[ezbme]

He has vanished....Abductors requested a ransom...

[shortstuff]

Originally Posted by case

Thanks Smitty - we will surely to keep track of the progress. Man I am so stoked! I have so many ideas! I can't wait to get the seats out and start taping out the floorplan.

Congrates !
Getting the seats out was the worse part, first time I was ever under a bus .Hubby had to grip from inside bus while I turned from underneath it . They are boltd to the floor with 4 bolts each .

[newbusser]

What ever you do, don't use osb!!! It shrinks and expands with changes in heat and humidity.

Go for it and get a good grade of marine ply for the floor. In the long run you will be glad you did.

I almost made that mistake and got warned off.

Good luck!
Scott

[CAMO-MONSTER]

Originally Posted by ezbme

He has vanished....Abductors requested a ransom...

no it sasquatch up here.

camo-monster