|
|
04-09-2019, 07:14 PM
|
#3901
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
Howdy All --- Been a while and I have very little to show for it. In spite of having been off chemo for over a month, I have felt just as bad (if not worse) than ever (?). This really sucks. All I have managed to get done was to have the ladder powder coated...and get some rattle can paint on the bottom of the rack frame. Now I need to flip it back over and finish painting the other side. From there, it can be mounted onto the bus (after a fair amount of drilling and such).
Ladder turned out pretty OK with silver powder coating.
Probably looks pretty much like the last pix but the paint is different. I discovered that Rustoleum's generic "silver" is pretty awful paint. Does not harden at all and dries out with silver dust on the surface that wipes off with anything. Had to go back over it all with a scruff pad, wiped it down with a track rag, then applied a (hopefully) tougher silver paint. Used DupliColor "Wheel Paint". Appears to form a much better bond and surface.
We'll see.
Back to the VA hospital later this week to see what the latest plan is. Man...am I ever ready for something different. Hmmmm...for some reason that thought reminds me of the old line..."be careful what you wish for".
ONWARD-ish!
|
GREAT job - that ladder is a piece of art and the deck frame is likely the best I've seen anywhere - hang in there Tango (Y)
|
|
|
04-09-2019, 09:17 PM
|
#3902
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
Howdy All --- Been a while and I have very little to show for it.
|
We'll cut you some slack.
That ladder looks absolutely terrific.
Quote:
Back to the VA hospital later this week to see what the latest plan is. Man...am I ever ready for something different. Hmmmm...for some reason that thought reminds me of the old line..."be careful what you wish for".
|
Really hoping they can help you in a big way. Stay strong.
|
|
|
04-09-2019, 09:50 PM
|
#3903
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Wamego Ks
Posts: 617
Year: 2007
Chassis: Collins
Engine: 6.6L LMM Duramax
|
The rack and ladder look great! Wish you the best and hang in there. Will send prayers up for you.
__________________
2007 Collins (Chevy Express 3500)
LMM Duramax Diesel with newly rebuilt 4L85E Transmission!
|
|
|
04-10-2019, 12:48 PM
|
#3904
|
Almost There
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 97
Year: 1965
Coachwork: Looking for a bus...maybe
Chassis: International Scout
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 2
|
Looking good Tango. Hang in there buddy.
|
|
|
04-10-2019, 03:07 PM
|
#3905
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
|
Many thanks to all for the kind words and good wishes. I will take all I can get these days.
Hey Guido...are you gonna have a few free minutes in Houston anytime soon? I could use a pair of hands to help me flip the rack over. My usual helper on such stuff runs the Art Car Museum and with the big, annual Art Car parade next weekend, he is pretty much swamped around the clock right now. Literally a 5 minute job at most and I'll buy lunch at El Rojo Loco.
|
|
|
04-11-2019, 08:13 AM
|
#3906
|
Almost There
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 97
Year: 1965
Coachwork: Looking for a bus...maybe
Chassis: International Scout
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 2
|
Sure thing. I'll give you a call, I have some time tomorrow afternoon.
|
|
|
04-11-2019, 09:49 AM
|
#3907
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Birmingham Al
Posts: 602
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Blue Bird
|
Tango gets more done while sick, than I do healthy (not mentally) and several years his junior. Makes me rethink my habits and priorities for sure.
Art is an understatement.
|
|
|
04-11-2019, 09:55 AM
|
#3908
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dredman
Tango gets more done while sick, than I do healthy (not mentally) and several years his junior. Makes me rethink my habits and priorities for sure.
Art is an understatement.
|
Ditto, cubed.
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
|
|
|
04-12-2019, 03:31 PM
|
#3909
|
Almost There
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 97
Year: 1965
Coachwork: Looking for a bus...maybe
Chassis: International Scout
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 2
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dredman
Tango gets more done while sick, than I do healthy (not mentally) and several years his junior. Makes me rethink my habits and priorities for sure.
Art is an understatement.
|
Just keep your shirt on would ya?
|
|
|
04-14-2019, 10:34 PM
|
#3910
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
|
Well Howdy Boys & Girls --- It appears that I need to find a home for my Skoolie project as well as a goodly number of parts & such...and do it fairly soon.
My last visit to VA hospital confirmed my suspicions. All the chemo they poured into me over the past few months thoroughly whacked me out...but has basically done nothing to slow the cancer. It has grown substantially and is not responding to the (very) aggressive treatments they have had me on. I have known from the beginning they had no cure to offer for the type of cancer I have (small cell lung cancer) and that the best we could hope for was to buy two or three years, but even that appears out of the question now.
And while I have never figured on living forever...I really hoped to complete this project and drive it a bit before I croaked. Barring some major miracle...not gonna happen.
So...I will be putting together as much info as possible on what will be available. The bus, its' state of build, the engine, trans, running gear, brakes...all I can get on paper. Any of you who have followed along over the years have some idea just how much time, love and energy has gone into building this old gal and I would really like to see someone who appreciates classic Skoolies pick up the torch and finish her out but I am also prepared to part her out if necessary. My only heir is my daughter and she would be completely lost trying to deal with it, so if necessary...I will part it out.
I cannot begin to tell how much that idea hurts after all I have put into it over the past seven years, but now I need to try and do what's best for my survivors.
Anyone interested in acquiring the whole project can PM me. Otherwise, I will post a (long) list of top of the line parts & accessories in the next couple of weeks.
For now, here are a few of the basics:
Chassis: 1946 Chevy 1.5 ton shorty with body by Wayne
Engine: Mid-90's Cummins 4BTAA Factory Recon - Refurbished and tested by Diesel Specialists
(130 hp/327 lbs, torque but estimated at about 175-180 hp based on tuning)
Trans: Factory built (brand new/never run) Gen 5 Allison 2200MH, 6-speed, dual OD automatic, SAE 3.
Radiator/Intercooler: Custom built
Rear Axle: 1998 Chevy 3500 4x2 Dana 80 HD Duallie w/wide track w/4.30 gearing
Brakes: 4 wheel disks with Hydroboost
Tires: 8R19.5 Bridgestone R187 Steel belted radials
PS/PB
New leaf springs all around
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Let me know if any of you are up for finishing this classic (all major components are there).
Meanwhile...All my best to my Skoolie friends & family.
ONWARD!
|
|
|
04-14-2019, 10:47 PM
|
#3911
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
|
Prayers to you brother. Hopefully you'll make a deal to see it completed. Make a list of your vision for it's completion.
|
|
|
04-14-2019, 11:07 PM
|
#3912
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
|
**** a duck.
Honestly, your attention to detail and countless re-works for perfection inspired me to up my game on my own build....and I thank you for that.
|
|
|
04-16-2019, 05:55 AM
|
#3913
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
|
What a heart-breaker! So sorry the prognosis wasn't better, and that you put up with the pain and poison needlessly.
I've lurked your build thread for some time, and it's been an inspiring trip, thank you for sharing!
It says a lot about you that, on the heels of such devastating news, you'd expend this much time and effort to see that your baby finds a good home. I doubt I'd react with such grace...
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
|
|
|
04-16-2019, 11:41 AM
|
#3914
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 482
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
|
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Hopefully you can find someone who can continue your vision for the bus. Your work is awesome!
__________________
Dave
|
|
|
04-16-2019, 11:58 AM
|
#3915
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Damascus, OR
Posts: 681
Year: 2004
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e w/ 2000 Allison Trans
Rated Cap: 35
|
Tango, heartbreaking to hear. I hope you will find someone to take on this project with as much passion as you have. All the best
|
|
|
04-16-2019, 01:57 PM
|
#3916
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
|
I'm extremely sorry and disappointed to hear this news, but I must say you are handling the 'transition' with as much care and class as you put into your build - you have set a great example to not only your daughter, but to all of us on the forum, and it's my guess that the same applies to everyone in your life - my talents don't come close to yours, but watching your build, and admiring the art you have created has encouraged me to put more into my build than I had originally planned - and my thanks go to you (Y)
|
|
|
04-17-2019, 04:05 PM
|
#3917
|
New Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
|
I just wanted to add to those here offering well wishes. I am sorry to hear the news. I joined this forum just to keep up with your build. Heck, this may even be my first post!
I also wanted to say that your build has inspired me. You didn't take shortcuts and you did things right. I appreciate your artistry, dedication and tenacity. I'll be thinking of you when it is my turn to build my old shorty.
It'll be done the Tango way.
|
|
|
04-17-2019, 04:11 PM
|
#3918
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
|
Can't find the words to say, just that we all LOVE you Don.
|
|
|
04-17-2019, 05:22 PM
|
#3919
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 105
|
That sucks Tango. Wish you the best.
__________________
2002 E450 Thomas/ U-JOINT 4X4, family hauler
1954 Crown 35 foot RV conversion, guest house
1945? City Bus (unknown manufacture), yard art
1940s 'Binder 7 window, man cave
|
|
|
04-17-2019, 05:41 PM
|
#3920
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,325
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
|
Yea, I can not find the words to say either. You have a great build, and great words for others who need your advice. Sorry to hear the news. Wish you the best.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|