Only bus that's hit a sailboat?

[Drewser]

I posted this in the new guy forum but wanted to document it for the start of our build...so a lot of this is copy/paste, adjusted for posterity.

My journey started about 15 years ago when a family member offered us a free charter bus that had been "converted" by a great uncle who had passed. Seemed like it would be cool until we realized how rough it was and what kind of time and financial commitment it would take. We weren't anywhere near ready so we passed. But that was the first time we started dreaming.

Finally bit the bullet last week and bought a bus. It's kind of a special bus to me because I know it. I drive buses for my kids' school (volunteer...sports and field trips) and this was a bus I drove pretty regularly before they recently replaced it. It was actually my favorite bus to drive in the fleet, and was even the bus I tested for my CDL on many years ago.

Now as for the thread title, I think this is probably the only school bus in the country that has hit a sailboat...post if I'm wrong. Boat was parked in a non-spot that the storage lot added at the end of a row to make money. Was dark and the mast busted out a window when making a turn around the lot. I wasn't the driver...I've only hit a box trailer in it. But yes, that driver gets teased regularly for it.

Back to the story. Not only are we better off financially now, but my oldest son is 24, a certified welder and turbine mechanic. His best friend and friends older brother are both big diesel mechanics. Friend's boss rides motorcycles with my son and has a transmission shop...offered us wholesale prices on any parts we can buy through him. Better position all around

The school had posted it online for a few weeks with no bites (just tire kickers) and they were about to send it to auction. I joked that I'd give them $3k for it and they said ok. So then I had to go talk my wife into it.

I like that I know the full history of the bus. I have mechanics reports on what it needs and know who owned it (1 charter school and then 2 private schools here in Arizona). Always been in Arizona and it's an activity bus so has storage, air ride, and does great on the highway. About 150k miles.

Details:
2003 Blue Bird RE with 8.3 Cummins. Alison MD3060 with push button selector

Pictures coming shortly Will be doing a roof raise and build out close to the "Chuck Cassidy" methods... Like his builds a lot. Also like Ross Taylor's videos from Flagstaff...he has good stuff and is only 2 hours away from me. Appreciate any feedback and tips.

 

[Drewser]

Quick update. One of the issues with the bus was a terrible rattle/shudder from about 5-10mph. Was taken to mechanic before selling and mechanic said it was a bad u-joint, so that's what I was expecting. Definitely felt it when I picked up the bus and moved it to my son's house.

Took some time this weekend to crawl under it. My son sent pictures of the u-joints to his mechanic buddies. They happened to notice in the pic that the rod to the height control valve was disconnected (part of "Rear Comfort Air Suspension"). Looks like the bushing had failed that was holding it. My son reconnected it and zip tied it and low and behold, the back end lifted up better when the bus was started. Took it for a drive and the shudder was completely gone...bus drove normal. Seems it was throwing the axle geometry all out of wack.

What I can't figure out is why a mechanic wouldn't notice that and say it was the U-Joints...

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

I have been through and in Mesa a number of times, brings back memories. I see a nice big a/c compressor, hope you will keep that, I know how hot Arizona can be in the summer. Good luck on your build, you seem to have a good start.

 

[AlphaHare]

Welcome and nice bus! Post pics... ;>)

 

[Drewser]

I see a nice big a/c compressor, hope you will keep that, I know how hot Arizona can be in the summer. Good luck on your build, you seem to have a good start.

I've got a whole other thread trying to figure out what to do with that AC... Have read the "think before you remove the factory AC" thread too...

 

[nikitis]

As someone who never had factory AC in his bus, I can tell you I wish I had a unit and would of paid an AC tech to work on it to keep it.

 

[magnakansas]

Vibration

That vibration was/is the ujoint. BUT, the ujoint was at a bad angle for driveshaft harmony. Lifting up the body changes angle of rear axle/ujoint. You still might have one or more ujoints that are worn, and or not well lubricated.

Many buses never have a really in depth inspection, wheel bearings rarely are taken apart and inspected. The wheel bearings tend to get service only after a problem occurs. Cooling systems serviced only after a cooling problem.

Stuff like that.


Have fun and enjoy the ride.

William

 

[Drewser]

That vibration was/is the ujoint. BUT, the ujoint was at a bad angle for driveshaft harmony. Lifting up the body changes angle of rear axle/ujoint. You still might have one or more ujoints that are worn, and or not well lubricated.

Many buses never have a really in depth inspection, wheel bearings rarely are taken apart and inspected. The wheel bearings tend to get service only after a problem occurs. Cooling systems serviced only after a cooling problem.

Stuff like that.


Have fun and enjoy the ride.

William

Yeah, I see what you are saying...was def ujoint making the noise, but not sure it's bad or needs to be replaced. Probably worth still looking at them, but at least we can drive it now.

I was going through the service manual and the recommended maintenance schedule...things like oil seat belt latches monthly. I can guarantee 98% of the "maintenance" has not been done. It would be a full time job keeping up with all of it...

 

[Drewser]

Made some progress this past week. Aside from fixing a bunch of air leaks with new drain valves, we also finished stripping the interior and installed a new driver's seat donated by my father in law who just retired from his truck driver career. Soooo much better than the leaky original. Turns out all the luggage racks are aluminum so that worked out nicely at the scrap metal dealer. Also took all the seat frames, which were about 880lbs of steel.

Our next step is to get our title converted to motorhome to remove the CDL requirement and lower my insurance. In my state, there are 6 "life support" items, and 4 or more are required to make it a motorhome. My inspection is this Friday, so we installed a fridge, sink with running water and water tank fillable from outside, 110v power, cooking appliance, and heater. This will of course all be upgraded during full build out, but first things first. Also gave the bus it's first bath in a very long time.

Side note, we got to spend a bunch of time chasing electrical gremlins. We disabled the vandallock system and emergency exit buzzers, along with removing some old AC blower wiring for driver seat and the stop sign. Upon completing it, we had no radio, interior lights, or outside clearance lights. Reinstalled everything to troubleshoot and still didn't have them. Then decided to check fuses and sure enough had a blown fuse. Took everything back out and it all will works. Sheesh

 

[Drewser]

Just realized I fat fingered the mileage in the first post...it's 105k miles, not 150k miles. Oh well...