Meet our new bus... Mr. Beefy!

[thebrent]

Its super cute. I had a 1989 5 window short bus. It was awesome although I always wanted a 6 window. Your price was good! Have lots of fun!!!

[RandyLee]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Used properly, starting fluid is not bad for our engines.

I prefer WD40 to use instead of starting fluid it won’t hurt the engine and works so sweet

[EastCoastCB]

idk if those oil pans in the pic will work. Hard to tell but they look like they're car sized.

[HazMatt]

Might be why there's a pair. Drain one while the other is filling..?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Might be why there's a pair. Drain one while the other is filling..?

Have you changed the oil on a bus? 5 gallons of hot oil coming out a nearly one inch hole.
You need a BIG container.
I use a deep 7 gallon bucket in a hole.

[HazMatt]

I got split ends, but think I'll take a pass on that hot oil treatment!

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Have you changed the oil on a bus? 5 gallons of hot oil coming out a nearly one inch hole.
You need a BIG container.
I use a deep 7 gallon bucket in a hole.

I believe the intent was to drain potentially water contaminated &/or stale fuel.
May now be a non-issue, since we've reports it's litter mates fired up successfully.

[Meathead]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Thanks David!


Austin, TX. Plan is to drive up next week in a rental car, move it to a nearby shop to blow the cobwebs out, mount tires if necessary, and then drive it back. Hopefully it will need nothing more than gas, batteries, and a little pre-trip TLC.

Do not put gas in a 444e!

And Mr. Beefy is what the gals call me, but you can use it if you want.

[TheHubbardBus]

Afternoon all, for any of you who saw these buses in person. Any ideas on the battery type? What size and what terminals .. were they group 31 or something different?

Jody's arriving in Austin this afternoon and has some time so if possible he's thinking of picking the batteries up today.

Thanks all!
-- Sharon

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Afternoon all, for any of you who saw these buses in person. Any ideas on the battery type? What size and what terminals .. were they group 31 or something different?

Jody's arriving in Austin this afternoon and has some time so if possible he's thinking of picking the batteries up today.

Thanks all!
-- Sharon

My bus came with a single 8D battery that I replaced with 2 group 31DC. If you're in a dominant cold area I would stick with 2 batteries, some have 3. My bus ran/started fine on one group 31. most will be set up with a thread terminal of 5/16" or 3/8"

[RandyLee]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Yes, we paid more than we hoped to.
No, we haven't seen it in person.
No, we don't even know if it will run (it did a year ago, so there's that)

Are we nervous? You betcha.

But we own a bus! Or at least a couple pictures of one!

6'4 headroom, AC, air brakes, t444e, Allison 2000, ~150K miles. $4550 auction price.

Whatcha think, Skoolie.net. Did we do OK, or are we morons? (It's OK, we've got thick skin!)

Any updates yet ? Did he get the bus ? Is he driving home?

[HazMatt]

Indeed!
Inquiring minds want to know.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by RandyLee

Any updates yet ? Did he get the bus ? Is he driving home?

Well.. wow.. big few days.. I'll respond, he's in a state park, low cell reception and low battery (charging now).

Bus needed batteries, no worries, picked those up this am and he started right up.
Brakes seemed squishy.. but service tec took it out and tested it. said it has a small leak but pressure builds up ok when driven. (this proved to be true, I believe).

Trip Permit (don't think that's the right name but.. can't come up with it at the moment).. Took over 3hrs at DMV.. just for the wait.

While he was there, service tech at yard removed governor.. so.. sweet.
Delivered bus to him with full tank another bonus . Started to hit the round around 3pm Austin time.. Traffic is awful.. even more fun in a vehicle you've never driven before .

I waited at home anxiously for any news. At the time I didn't know he had a full tank. Started to freak out a bit after 4 hrs (his destination was ~3hrs in according to goggle.. realize that's in a .. normal vehicle) no calls and no gas purchases... Super happy to finally get that call.

Anywhobe.. so, may be some issues with tranny, had some .. hesitation off the line but on the highway ran great.. was Jody was a bit hesitant to stop before destination so.. poor guy is on .. survival rations tonight.. hopefully some good food tomorrow.

Tomorrows schedule is much more relaxed with only ~3hrs driving.. and none of the other .. stuff. Will have had a chance to charge cell, get some rest (I hope) and will know if it will.. start / run fine again.. so hopefully will feel confident to stop and get a good meal and some supplies.

Think we're still lovin' it.. but.. too much going on today to get a clear feel from him Wish I was with him to help.. he's glad I'm not due to potential problems.. so there ya have it..

I can recall a number of ... events in the VW bus with us all and thing breaking down. Fun in hindsight...

Praying for safe return and only .. reasonable adventures during the trip

[Mark_In_MA]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Well.. wow.. big few days.. I'll respond, he's in a state park, low cell reception and low battery (charging now).

Bus needed batteries, no worries, picked those up this am and he started right up.
Brakes seemed squishy.. but service tec took it out and tested it. said it has a small leak but pressure builds up ok when driven. (this proved to be true, I believe).

Trip Permit (don't think that's the right name but.. can't come up with it at the moment).. Took over 3hrs at DMV.. just for the wait.

While he was there, service tech at yard removed governor.. so.. sweet.
Delivered bus to him with full tank another bonus . Started to hit the round around 3pm Austin time.. Traffic is awful.. even more fun in a vehicle you've never driven before .

I waited at home anxiously for any news. At the time I didn't know he had a full tank. Started to freak out a bit after 4 hrs (his destination was ~3hrs in according to goggle.. realize that's in a .. normal vehicle) no calls and no gas purchases... Super happy to finally get that call.

Anywhobe.. so, may be some issues with tranny, had some .. hesitation off the line but on the highway ran great.. was Jody was a bit hesitant to stop before destination so.. poor guy is on .. survival rations tonight.. hopefully some good food tomorrow.

Tomorrows schedule is much more relaxed with only ~3hrs driving.. and none of the other .. stuff. Will have had a chance to charge cell, get some rest (I hope) and will know if it will.. start / run fine again.. so hopefully will feel confident to stop and get a good meal and some supplies.

Think we're still lovin' it.. but.. too much going on today to get a clear feel from him Wish I was with him to help.. he's glad I'm not due to potential problems.. so there ya have it..

I can recall a number of ... events in the VW bus with us all and thing breaking down. Fun in hindsight...

Praying for safe return and only .. reasonable adventures during the trip

You're way over the hump at this point. You got it started, it's had some nice, long run time to get everything nice and warmed up, it's got fresh fuel, and all the metaphorical cobwebs have been shaken out.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by Mark_In_MA

You're way over the hump at this point. You got it started, it's had some nice, long run time to get everything nice and warmed up, it's got fresh fuel, and all the metaphorical cobwebs have been shaken out.

[HazMatt]

I suppose it could've been a smoother start... Then again, it could have been considerably rockier!
Austin traffic can be horrific, too bad events conspired to result in a late start.
Delighted to hear the shakedown cruise went well!
Happy Trails... 🤠

[RandyLee]

We are happy that it runs and drives ��
Yes Austin traffic is horrific
Tell him the fan club is cheering him on ��

[TheHubbardBus]

Good morning all!
He's back on the road again getting an early start.
Hopefully he can get into town, get some food and then head to next site early enough to get the tent set up. We still have the seats in the bus so no where to sleep in there comfortably.

Apparently a pretty bumpy ride, said he thinks he caught air at one point.. (adds shocks to list)

Appreciate all the support and good wishes!!

[HazMatt]

Cool!
(+5#)

[jofred99]

Shocks may not be the answer on this bus. One of the bus techs told me that the drivers didn't like the short wheelbase because they had a tendency to bounce.


Glad the adventure is going well!

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by jofred99

Shocks may not be the answer on this bus. One of the bus techs told me that the drivers didn't like the short wheelbase because they had a tendency to bounce.


Glad the adventure is going well!

Thanks for the info.. hopefully a bit more weight will help as well. I'm sure that will be one of Jody's questions to the group when he returns.