2001 Gillig Phantom

[Josh9623]

I have started down the rabbit hole and purchased a Gillig Phantom transit bus.

So far I have mostly been working on pulling out the seats and cleaning up the wiring (not multiplexed) and trying to figure out where all the wires go as there are no schematics available and nothing in the panel is labeled. I have added an immobilizer, bluetooth stereo receiver, and a remote for the front door.

Unfortunately there was a hail storm shortly after I brought it home that destroyed the driver's window glass, hub oil window, turn signal and the front roof hatch. I've since fixed all but the turn signal (waiting for parts), and the hatch which I'm probably just going to patch over.

It is a 2001 Gillig Phantom originally in service with Lynx Transit in Orlando, then sold to the city of Gainesville, then retired and sold at auction.
It has a Detroit 50 Series with about 20,000 miles since it was rebuilt, and a ZF-Ecomat 5HP 592. I'd love to get 6th unlocked but I'm not holding my breath trying to find someone to re-program it.

I might try to stitch a video together at some point.

 

[rossvtaylor]

Welcome, Josh...and that's a great bus for a conversion. We have two 2001 Phantoms, as well. One is sold and the buyer is making payments, so it's in our lot for now. Ours also have Series 50 engines and they've been great. They are great highway cruisers and very comfortable to drive.

You won't be able to get access to any other gearing with that ZF, since it's only a 5-speed...so there's no 6th to unlock, like the MD-3060s. The ZFs are solid transmissions. The only caution is that it will be hard to find service centers, outside of some large cities, if you do have an issue. But that should be a rare instance.

If you contact Gillig they can send you the actual service and parts manual for your bus. It will be specific to your VIN and will show exactly what parts are installed in your bus. It's free and invaluable at the same time.

Here's a screenshot from the Gillig service manual. It shows every wire and the purpose, so you definitely need to get this for your bus. It even shows what crimp tools to use...very detailed.

 

[Josh9623]

I have been in contact with Gillig and they do not have the schematics for this bus. they provided the drivers, service, and parts book but they aren't the exact ones for this bus. I guess Lynx didn't order new documentation with the new busses so any updates or changes from their 1999 Phantoms aren't reflected.

 

[rossvtaylor]

I have been in contact with Gillig and they do not have the schematics for this bus. they provided the drivers, service, and parts book but they aren't the exact ones for this bus. I guess Lynx didn't order new documentation with the new busses so any updates or changes from their 1999 Phantoms aren't reflected.

Send me an email at ross at rollingliving and the dot com thing. I will send you my 2001 Phantom documents, which might help you anyway.

 

[javibus]

Hi Josh! Nice bus! I have a '97 Phantom that I am converting as well. Looking forward to see some progress. I have to update my build thread- feel free to check it out!