Greetings from the Tool-a-holic in Nelson BC

[starlight_tools]

"Please don't think me weak cause I didn't turn the other cheek, just because I could"

Well I'm a tool-a-holic and I could change if I wanted to, but I don't!

I'm not sure if you'll let me stay in this forum, as technically I do not have a bus, but I definitely have a bus conversion. LOL

I was at a client's place up in Rossland not long ago and noticed a Grumman Olsen Step van, Ex Snap-On truck, assembled by Lynch Display Vans, complete with Power tailgate that had been sitting there for a long time. As I was getting ready to leave, my client asked me if I knew anybody that was looking for something like it. Well to make a long story short, I am now the proud owner of a 1990 Chevrolet P60 Grumman Olsen Step Van with a 20 Foot box which I plan to convert to a mobile tool repair / machine shop.

But to keep this in context, I had an interesting find when I started to check out the van further.

Back in 2008, the original owner of the van, bought what appears to be a Navistar International 3800 School bus from the local school board that had a rusted out body, but powered by a DTA466 with only 150,000 KM. this bus was supposedly used for mostly school excursions, so was mostly highway driven

He had the Grumman Box lifted off the Chevy frame and placed on the Navistar bus frame, so even though the registration for the van says Chevy, I am not sure just how much Chevy is there besides the steering wheel.

The Van currently has 195,355 Km on it and the Safety inspection which was done in July of 2014 was clocked in at 195,229. And most of those extra clicks were me driving the van home.

I have contact with the original Snap-On dealer / owner and hope to get more concrete info on just what it is that I actually have.

So I have been researching not only Snap-On Tool trucks, but Navistar 3800 buses as well.

Pic's will come once I get the broken camera replaced.

Walter

[nat_ster]

Welcome

There is room for all kinds of people here.

A man with tools is usually a handy man. Tools open possibility.

Looking forward to the pics.

Nat

[claydbal]

sounds like really cool truck.

[bansil]

no doubt cool project

[Tango]

Mmmmm...Frankentruck! But it sounds like it has great genes. Fix the cam, let's see some pix.!

[starlight_tools]

Originally Posted by Tango

Mmmmm...Frankentruck! But it sounds like it has great genes. Fix the cam, let's see some pix.!

Actually not much of a Frankentruck.

Grumman Olson and other body makers are known for the fact that they do not make the stripped chassis, they buy them from many of the truck manufacturers like Chevrolet, Ford, International, freightliner etc.

There is an add on the hinternet for a 2002 Snap-On Tool Truck by Grumman that is listed as an International. Not much info on the power train other than 103,000 Miles.

From what I can determine, about the only item in that truck that was original Chevy is the steering wheel.

Cam replacement is being worked on.

Walter

[somewhereinusa]

I don't think it exists, I haven't seen any pictures.

[EastCoastCB]

Yep. never happened. ;)

[nat_ster]

Yup, same here.

No pics, it never happened.

All I see is chit chat.

Nat

[bansil]

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

Welcome

There is room for all kinds of people here.

A man with tools is usually a handy man. Tools open possibility.

Looking forward to the pics.

Nat

Originally Posted by Tango

Mmmmm...Frankentruck! But it sounds like it has great genes. Fix the cam, let's see some pix.!

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

I don't think it exists, I haven't seen any pictures.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Yep. never happened. ;)

Originally Posted by nat_ster

Yup, same here.

No pics, it never happened.

All I see is chit chat.

Nat

Originally Posted by bansil

In case it hasn't been said, we need to see proof of life.

[starlight_tools]

Patience Camera is on order, will get pics soon.

In the meantime, I managed to dig up the Navistar build sheet for the bus portion of the truck.

Built Mar 08, 1990, 3800 with 193" Wheel Base and 25,500 GVWR

[starlight_tools]

OK so got the camera fixed

Here are pictures of the "Magic Bus"


Came with lots of dirt, but not the load of Lumber.

Oh here is Charlie, my swamper!

Walter

[HolyBus]

Man, I am likin those chrome bumpers! Any chance they fit a bus?

[bansil]

cool,
Is that metal corrugated panels or basic painted wood peg board?

looks like a very nice and clean platform, congrates

[HolyBus]

It even has the fold down back porch. Nice, real nice.

[starlight_tools]

Originally Posted by bansil

cool,
Is that metal corrugated panels or basic painted wood peg board?

looks like a very nice and clean platform, congrates

The interior is white painted pegboard with black elastic straps that clip into it to hold tools of all sorts.

Walter

[c_hasbeen]

I like your dog!