BUS CONVERSIONS   M A R C H 2 0 0 8 BUS CONVERSIONS  CONTENTS March 2008

F e at u r e 10 DC Supply Hardware by George Myers

F e at u r e 16 Dumpster Designing by Catherine Farnworth 10 I n d u s t ry P r o fi l e 20 Calling On Royalty... by Liz Goldner

J oy s o f B u s i n g 26 Cabinetry for the Bus Converter: Finishing

Miss March Centerfold 34 Madden's Magical Ride 20 by Dennis Myers F e at u r e 42 Building Interior Panel Doors by Jack Conrad

F e at u r e 46 An Excellent Bus Adventure by Dennis Myers

Q u e e n O f T h e R o a d 58 Kenai Peninsula: Part II 34 by Doreen Orion

O n T h e C o v e r D e p a r t m e n t s The 5 From the Editor 7 Advertiser's Index Madden 50 Bus Chat Cruiser 54 Products of Interest in front of Lambeau Field 62 Service Directory 42 Green Bay, Wisconsin 64 Sterling Classified Ads

 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 FROM THE EDITOR gobusing.com

ublisher Mike Kadletz and I attended is the featured bus in this March issue and will the UMA Motorcoach Expo in San continue into the April issue. They celebrated Francisco in January. It was the first heartily, and well deserved. What it told me is industry tradeshow for me, so I was all I’m in an industry that has a heritage that will Peyes and ears walking up and down the aisles support plenty of success in the future. looking at all the wares. It was impressive and Many of the successes are due to unique a great orientation for me. individuals. Last month I finished the two I have attended many types of trade shows, part story of Bernard Van Hool. Another some of them in other countries so I have entrepreneur, Clancy Cornell founder of ABC plenty of experience for comparing shows. was at the UMA autographing the book about Some things never change, like all the sales his family business. A review of his book is in people looking spiffy and anxious to engage this issue. Congratulations to Clancy and his in conversation. Like all shows, it was evident family. that their management had them cranked up There are other articles about products to get some orders, and as always it seemed shown at the UMA to give you a flavor of what to be working. is new and exciting. Indeed, I have coaxed I did come to one conclusion—bus people one more lady into the writing field and has like to eat! There was food everywhere in here own article in this issue. Cat Farnworth the exhibit hall. There was little need for the has joined Doreen Orion as one of our lady exhibit hall concessions to be open, and that authors and tells us about her budget conscious was a blessing! If all the bus shows are like furnishing ideas. They might seem extreme to this one, I’m going to make sure to diet before some, but you have to admire her creativity. attending. There is an open invitation to “busnutettes” to I also noted lots of anniversary banners. become writers and supply us with materials. Many touting years of successful operation, Keep them coming. something any company has a right to be proud about. For one MCI was celebrating their 75th Dennis Myers year in business. I bring this up because MCI Editor

See page 57 for details....

BUS CONVERSIONS   M A R C H 2 0 0 8 ADVERTISER'S INDEX gobusing.com

ABC Companies______71 Epic Conversions______15 MAK PUBLISHING 7246 Garden Grove Blvd Accent Limobus______3 Fastening Systems International____ 45 Westminster, California 92683 Phone: 714.799.0062 Advanced Truck Painting, Inc._ ____ 52 Grand Canyon Caverns Inn & Resort___ 6 FAX: 714.799.0042 E-mail: [email protected] All American Foam______29 Highway Transportation Services_ __ 40

Ardemco______61 Hub King______39 PUBLISHED BY MAK Publishing, Inc. Aqua-Hot______21 Marathon Coach______2 PUBLISHER Michael Kadletz B & B Coach______39 Moose Creek MotorCabins______72 EDITOR Back Issues: Bus Conversions______9 Nimco______51 Dennis Myers

Bus Conversions Subscription______8 Northwest RV Supply______53 CIRCULATION Karen Brady Bus Sales______63 Pedco______14 BBS MODERATORS Dallas Farnworth: Chat Moderator Bus I.D. Poster______70 Peninsula Glass______51 Richard Bowyer: Help board Jack Conrad: Calendar Byler Rivet Supply______31 Premier Coach, Inc.______53 Nick Badame: Main BBS Phil Lyons: Software installs / configuration

Campout At The Caverns______57 R & M Fiberglass______41 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jack Conrad | Catherine Farnworth Cruise King LLC______39 Recovery Room______53 Dave Galey | Liz Goldner | George Myers Doreen Orion | David Smead Custom Instrument Panels______21 Sure Marine Service______23 Interested in a Reprint? Custom RV Interiors______41 Vehicle Clinic______31 Call 714-799-0062 As is the case in all technical publications, extreme care should be taken before performing any procedures that involve mechanical or electrical Engine Heat Protection______41 Winlock Galey Publishing______31 devices described in Bus Conversions Magazine, especially where the safety of the individual performing the procedure and/or persons operating or Engine Power Source______29 Wrico______33 riding in the vehicle is concerned. Anyone performing any conversion activities should be aware of and build the conversion in accordance with the applicable code of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (800) 344-3555, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) (800) 336-0154, and the American National We Want To Hear From YOU! Standards Institute (ANSI) (212) 642-4900. gobusing.com Bus Conversions Magazine makes every effort to ensure that its articles are Write to us. Tell us what you like, what technically correct and safe to perform, but the final responsibility belongs to the person performing the operation, whether it be engine or equipment you don’t like, what type of information maintenance and repair or body modifications or any conversion activity you’d like to see in the magazine. Tell us on or for the coach. COPYRIGHT 2008 by Bus Conversions Magazine (ISSN 1070-6526). All about your bus, an interesting story while rights reserved. Reproduction of whole or part without permission is strictly on the road, a fabulous RV park or area prohibited. Reproduction of specific sections of articles can be requested in writing. The publisher assumes no responsibility for opinions expressed you visited. We welcome your letters and by writers in the magazine. Information is deemed to be reliable but not articles & photos! You can send them to guaranteed as such. It is the reader’s responsibility to confirm and double check facts with manufacturers and/or suppliers prior to use. us in one of several ways: Bus Conversions Magazine is published monthly. Bulk mail postage is paid email: [email protected] at San Bernardino, CA and at additional entry. Postmaster: send address changes to Bus Conversions, 7246 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683 Subscriptions: U.S. $38 (US) yearly, $70 (US) for 2 years, $99 (US) FAX: 714-799-0042 for 3 years. Canadian & Mexico add $24 per year, Foreign add $24 (US) per year. Add $24 (US) per year for first class postage in the U.S. only. Single Mail: Attn: Letters copies available for $5.00 (US) plus postage. Advertising: The magazine is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising herein. Editorial: The 7246 Garden Grove Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683 magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or art.

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ast months article discussed the Battery Isolators various sources for the direct current If you don’t want to install a second (DC) power. These systems need to alternator, what are the alternatives? The be tied together and managed. To traditional way is to install a battery isolator L that lets power go from one charting source do this, there are several pieces of hardware available. The ones you need will depend on to two battery banks, but does not let power the supply system you choose. go from one bank to the other. There are two Most conversions have at least two sets of types. One is a solid-state isolator. The other batteries that need to be recharged. This is best is a relay that connects the batteries together done by having at least one separate charging when the engine is running and separates them source for each system. However, if the battery when it is not. systems are the same voltage, a battery isolator A solid-state isolator has two large diodes can be used so that one charging source can inside. These are the devices that let electricity feed two battery sets. flow in one direction only. The current comes If you want to take a different approach from the alternator and part goes through one and have two DC supplies, of different diode to one battery and the rest goes through voltages (12 and 24 volts), from one battery the other diode to the other battery. They Below: One source feeds have approximately a one-volt drop between two batteries through set, a battery equalizer can make this the line from the alternator and the lines to solid state diodes. practical. This permits the use of the large 24- volt alternator that comes with most buses to the batteries. This loss, at the high currents Right: The solid-state charge all your battery systems. If you want a involved, generates a lot of heat, and a large isolator‚s case has fins to 12-volt battery bank to run a 24-volt starter, a heat sink (the large finned part) is needed. dissipate the heat that series/parallel switch will convert the system An alternator designed for an air- builds up under high cur- during cranking and return it to 12 volts for conditioned coach can produce more current rent charging. normal operation. than the solid-state battery isolators designed

10 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 for RV use can handle. The largest one I could “Some modern alternators are one-wire find was a 120-amp two-battery isolator. This probably would work on a 200 or even a 300- units. The wire goes from the alternator to amp alternator, but using one would be taking the battery. “ a chance. Alternators only provide their rated current when the battery is very low. If the batteries are almost dead, it would be a good batteries. The alternator and the regulator are idea to idle the engine for a while, when it is usually connected to the largest battery bank. Below: A relay isolator first started, to build a surface charge. Revving The relay then supplies current to the other should be wired up so the engine with a dead battery will significantly batteries when the engine is running. that it does not tie the batteries together until increase the current. There are some dangers with this system. the engine is running. The one-volt loss across the isolator can If the two batteries are not at the same voltage, cause a significant problem for the voltage there will be a high current as the one passes Bottom: A more fancy regulator on the alternator. It is essential that charge to the other. This would be the case with than most, relay-based, the sample voltage for the regulator comes a large dead household, or inverter, battery battery isolator. directly from one of the batteries when a solid-state battery isolator is used. The voltage regulator will compensate for this “lost volt” in the isolator when it is connected to one of the batteries. It will not compensate if the regulator is connected to the output of the alternator. This is easy with an external regulator. With internal regulators, one must be sure that the regulator is sensing the battery voltage on the correct input wire, not the alternators output. Because the batteries used for the inverter or household needs tend to be the ones that are usually discharged the most, they are the ones that the regulator should be connected to. The current tends to go to the lowest battery. Because the higher one does not need as much, this balances things out. Some modern alternators are one-wire units. The wire goes from the alternator to the battery. These units have internal regulators that keep their output at the correct voltage for normal conditions. In normal operation, they are connected with a heavy cable directly to the battery and the voltage at the alternator is essentially the same as at the battery. The one-volt loss across an isolator would not be sensed by the regulator, and the voltage at the battery would be too low for reasonable charging rates. These one-wire alternators will not work properly with a solid-state isolator. The second battery isolator type is a large, but simple, solenoid-driven switch (big relay). It ties the two batteries together. These are less expensive; however, the largest one I have seen is only rated at 80 amps. They do not have the one-volt drop that the solid-state isolators do. Eighty amps should be enough if it only carries the charging current for the starting

BUS CONVERSIONS 11 “In some solenoid battery isolators, and some pressure switches, the case serves as the sec- ond terminal, connecting it to ground. Either the isolator’s solenoid, or the pressure switch, must have two insulated terminals.”

bank tied to a fresh starting battery. This balancing could quickly drain a small starting battery or burn the contacts in the isolator. To keep this from causing a problem, care is needed to connect the switch to something that will only come on after the engine is running, not the ignition line as the instructions I saw The equalizer takes energy from one battery recommended. I think that by far the best and feeds it to the other. solution would be to put a pressure switch on the air system to turn on the solenoid. This would be one that comes on when the air goes the second terminal, connecting it to ground. over a specific pressure, not one that goes Either the isolator’s solenoid, or the pressure off at pressure, such as the low-air-pressure switch, must have two insulated terminals. The warning switch. These are available at auto current from the ignition goes to one terminal parts stores, but you will have to look in the on the two terminal unit. It then goes from the catalog to find one that works this way. Their second terminal to the single terminal on the primary function is as an oil-pressure switch other. It goes to ground through the case of the to turn on an electric heater for an automatic second unit. Either the solenoid or the switch choke. The one I have has two terminals, can be first in the circuit if it has two insulated one for the low pressure light that turns off terminals. at pressure and one for the choke heater that turns on at pressure. Connect it somewhere convenient in the air supply system. In the recommended circuit, the switch would be used to ground one side of the isolator coil. The other side is supplied from the ignition switch. The ignition must be on and the air pressure must be up for the isolator to tie the two batteries together. Because the household batteries cannot be connected to the starting battery until the air is up, they can’t take any of the energy needed to start the engine. This delay gives the alternator a chance to build some charge on the batteries that are partly drained, increasing their voltage, before the two sets are connected. This will significantly reduce any circulating currents trying to balance the two banks. Both the alternator and its voltage regulator must connect to the same battery bank. Remember that a relay is needed to disconnect the regulator when the ignition is off. Many coaches come from the factory with a In some solenoid battery isolators, and Vanner Voltmaster equalizer. some pressure switches, the case serves as

12 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 For a battery isolator to work, the two battery banks must operate at the same voltage. It will not work properly if one bank is regular flooded-cell batteries and the other is Absorbed Glass Mats (AGMs) because they need different supply voltages. Battery Equalizer Keeping the 12 VDC batteries up while on the road can be a problem when the coach’s main alternator is 24 VDC. Because 24-VDC battery banks consist of two 12-VDC batteries hooked up in series, one could simply tap off the first battery. The result would be that the first battery would be drained while the top battery remained at full charge. The alternator would then force current through the top battery, trying to recharge the bottom one. This would overcharge and damage the top battery. The device to eliminate this situation is called a battery equalizer. It connects to both batteries. It takes energy from the top battery and gives it to the bottom one. This is a complicated process, and battery equalizers are priced accordingly. The Vanner Voltmaster Battery Equalizer is by far the most popular unit. Many seated coaches have them when new. Series/Parallel Switch One major complication existed with the system I planned for the Phantom. The 12-VDC battery bank beside the engine will not provide adequate power to the 24-VDC starter. Many major truck manufacturers used a Series/Parallel (S/P) Switch to convert a normally 12-VDC battery bank to apply 24 volts to the starter. After the engine starts, it changes back to an all-12-VDC truck. This system was popular at one time, but apparently they are not used any longer. The S/P switches are available, but they take a while to get. This is a complicated way to get 24 volts and leads to the question, “Why not just use a 12-VDC starter?” Although they cost about $150, they are still less than a new starter. The S/P switch is a large solenoid-driven solenoid is engaged by a voltage from the Top: A series/parallel switch switch connected between two 12-VDC starter switch. When this voltage is applied, is set up to provide 12 volts batteries. One battery serves as the master the relay contacts move to the lower position. normally, but reconnects 12-VDC source (the left one in the figure). The positive terminals are disconnected, and the system for 24 volts for The alternator, and all 12-VDC loads, are the negative terminal on the second battery starting the main engine. connected to it. When there is no voltage on moves to the positive terminal on the first. The the solenoid, the second battery (right) is in starter always is connected to the positive on Above: A schematic of the internal operation of the parallel to the first. The alternator charges the second battery. That positive terminal is series/parallel switch. both, and both serve the 12-VDC loads. The now at 24 volts relative to the frame. The S/P

BUS CONVERSIONS 13 eorge Myers is an switch also has contacts to provide 24 volts G Electrical Engineer to the starter relay. I’m told that some trucks with 40 years of profes- are using three batteries and two S/P switches sional experience, primarily to apply 32 volts to the starter from a 12-volt, in the area of Engineering three battery, system. Analysis and technical writ- The heavy lines in the figure represent ing. He started his first bus the heavy conductors carrying the starting conversion in 1971 and current. The other terminals on the S/P switch has been a regular con- are much lighter, because they have to carry tributor to this magazine only the current for one battery. Number 10 since 1996. In addition, he has pre- wire should be adequate to connect these pared detailed books and other terminals. Number 10, and the switch videos on various aspects itself, probably would not be adequate if a of bus conversions that large (200+ amps) 12-VDC alternator were are available from Epic used. The maximum safe sustained current Conversion Support and (per the NEC) for #10 in open air is 55 amps. advertised here in Bus That would be half the output from a 110-amp Conversions Magazine. alternator. Note: #10 is only safe to 30 amps His latest, ‘TV Systems for if it is in a wall where no cooling airflow is My Series/Parallel Switch is about 5.5 Coach Conversions’, is the present. inches tall and 3 inches in diameter.. only publication on this The numbers on mine are LIT-0200 and subject. on the invoice it is a BEP *985. design is to ensure that the batteries that start Wrap Up the coach do not get drained by the household The equipment for the DC supplies must needs. Protecting the starting batteries is part be able to handle high current with an absolute of this, but recharging them, and the batteries minimal loss. This requires some large parts that serve the needs of the living area, is the with a lot of copper. The main concern in your real challenge. BC

14 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Bus Conversion Information Books | Videos | Notes

All Nine Books___$160.00 Designing Electrical Layouts for Coach Conversions____ $39.50 Plumbing Systems for Coach Conversions______$34.50 Hot Water Heating for Coach Conversions______$15.50 TV Systems for Coach Conversions______$16.00 Ask George 222 Bus Conversions Questions*______$19.50 Air Brakes & Accessories for Coach Conversions______$22.50 LP (Propane) Systems for Coach Conversions______$22.50 The Orange Blossom Special II______$19.00 Bus Conversions Sources______$9.50

Notes: Small Books All Four___$15.00 Coaching With Kids______$5.00 Fiberglass On Plywood Tanks______$6.00 Low Cost Conversions______$5.00 Super Insulating the Roof______$2.50

Videos: All Six___$65.00 Available in DVD or VHS Bonding Steel Over Window Openings | Coach Insulation | Coach Rallies #1 Making a New Front Cap | Making Tanks Using Fiber Glass on Plywood | Raising the Roof $15 for the first one | $10 for each additional Shipping & Handling___$5.00 * FREE with Books/Notes/Videos Order Over $50.00

P.O. Box 113 | Alpha, Ohio 45301-0113 Order Desk Operator Only: 888.420.5645 Epic Office: FAX/Voice 937.426.9850 http://www.busnut.com/epicconversionsupport.html

BUS CONVERSIONS e-mail: [email protected] 15 FEATURE Catherine Farnwor th Dumpster Designing am a designer--an interior designer, and mattresses had to go. There were crumbly live with my creation every day. It’s pieces of hard foam impregnated with rat our 1952 GMC PD 4103 Trailways bus nests and garbage. We moved in our mattress that had been converted to an RV in the that I had owned before Dallas and I had met. I60’s. The bus had been used as a bunkhouse With some spare lumber we made a makeshift for a 13-man construction crew at one time, bed so we had a place to sleep. and then had been sitting for over two years The dining table was way too big so it was unloved and unwanted. I call it “Early Sanitary cut down to a much more manageable size. Landfill”. The sanitary part is debatable but Even with this, we found even that it didn’t the landfill part is right on the mark. I’m such work well because every time a horizontal a penny pincher that we were thrilled when surface was created, more junk got piled on we purchased the bus for a dollar and then top of it. found $1.36 in change when we started the We decided to eliminate the table cleaning. completely and go with TV tables that we had My husband Dallas and I had to move in found at a yard sale. This seemed a great idea to our new acquisition immediately because at the time, but like many of our ideas, another our old bus, a 1948 Transit coach had been dilemma was created. Without the dinette sold and the owner wanted to pick it up seats we had no place to sit! immediately. There was no time to plan, or for A quick search of a local junkyard that matter shop around. We decided to have provided a solution. We found two seats fun and scrounge for the cheapest furnishings (free of course) in a van that was about to be we could find. Together we gave the interior crushed. Even with my short legs the seats a good cleaning to get the worst of the mess were very hard to get out of so, once again, out of the bus so that the redecorating could another junk vehicle came to the rescue. We begin. found burgundy seats in an old car—free for New curtains. Of course the foam rubber couches and the taking. These worked much better except

16 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 they tipped over when I stood up! because our food froze on the top and molded When it happened the first time, I landed on the bottom. With both running our power face down on the carpet that I had purchased draw was really high and impractical. at a flea market (3 rolls for $10). While a good We finally decided to rid ourselves of deal, no one piece was the right size for the the two small power guzzlers and settled on space we had to cover. It didn’t matter if the a used full sized fridge, used of course. The colors didn’t blend with the rest of our landfill good news was that it held more food and the Refinished flooring. finds since matching was never as important as price! Besides, when the carpeting got dirty, it went to the dumpster for someone else to recycle. It didn’t take long before I got tired of being dumped on the floor, so off we went to try to find something fairly clean and serviceable. Luckily, at an auction, we found a Flexsteel futon and chair that were almost new. I bid and won them both for $10. Now we had a place to sit and I didn’t even have to clean off dumpster stains! They looked terrific until our cats decided the seatbacks were a great place for sharpening claws. The bus came with a refrigerator that we turned into a storage cabinet. We tried to use our dorm-sized fridge to get by, but we really didn’t feel that was practical for us so we added an additional small fridge purchased at a flea market. Both of these caused problems

BUS CONVERSIONS 17 gobusing.com

Above: Dallas and Cat Farnworth.

Right: Bead board ceiling. color was a pale yellow, so the cigarette smoke the finish and find enough boards that were stains on the door were not too noticeable. It straight enough for use. He laid the flooring was missing some of the seal, but that was down with screws and made plugs for each and easily fixed and Velcro was added to keep it every screw hole and then sealed the wood. shut--and not just when traveling. There is Now we have a kitchen floor ala landfill! always a solution to any problem! Next we needed curtains of some sort so Our kitchen floor is beautiful flooring that we actually bought new fabric. Fancy that, was scrapped and left outside a construction new fabric in our bus! When getting ready to site. Some of the wood was warped and the start this creation we realized they needed to factory finish was no longer attractive. With a be lined so we started searching and found a great deal of effort Dallas was able to remove pair of lined drapes. Dallas cut out the lining

18 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 for our new curtain material. Since we didn’t For us the $25 for the heater was money gobusing.com have sewing machine, Dallas found that iron- well spent. The packing carton could be used on tape works great. Now we had decent half- to package the next thing we sold on eBay. The new curtains hanging in our windows. If you outer metal enclosure that was damaged was look closely you will see that some curtains sold for scrap. The heating elements worked have white lining and some have blue, but few perfectly, so they were saved. That left us with notice the mismatch. the tank, which was installed under our bed to Our ceiling in the front is made of luaun. make a great water tank. Just recently we were Since it was installed at different times it has given a plastic tank that has been installed. It many shades of tan, brown and beige. You takes up less room since it is square. The old could say that it has “character”. tank went to make a used oil furnace so the The ceiling in the bedroom is partially done recycle continues. Waste not--want not. in bead board that Dallas hand fit to the curve We are in the process of purchasing a of the bus. The lumber came from a scrap pile MCI-9 that is 40 feet long which will give out behind a flea market. After cleaning it and us five more feet for storing our treasured fitting it created a beautiful bead board look. dumpster finds. The possibilities for making The bad part was that the finished side of the this into our dream bus are endless. Better room is the side that is hidden from view in yet, we will be able to build from the inside the front of the bus. There you can see the out without having to live in it at the time. unfinished side that still shows the insulation This type of interior bus decorating isn’t when you step into the bus. for the faint of heart. If you want to stay out of The water tank that came with the bus flea markets and scrap piles you’re probably was a diesel fuel tank that had been installed better off buying new fancy décor. I’ve new, but because it was aluminum, we didn’t never had a problem with being considered a feel it was safe. On a trip to the adult man’s dumpster diva and am actually quite proud of toy store, better known to many as Lowe’s, that title. I will keep telling myself, I am a we found a new water heater that had been designer. I am an interior designer that creates damaged. gold from other’s junk! BC

Futon with Drapery Accent.

BUS CONVERSIONS 19 INDUSTRY PROFILE Liz Goldner Calling On Royalty... It’s All in a Day’s Work for Custom Coach Co-Founder Kirwan Elmers rom a teenage The energetic hot rodder to septuagenarian, who Below: Kirwan with Clint a guest of the continues to work long Eastwood and his Prevost King of Saudi hours, looks back at his private coach. FArabia, Kirwan Elmers, early years, growing up Co-Founder of Custom in the Columbus, Ohio Botttom: Muhammad Ali inside his MCI personal Coach in Columbus, area. “I played with toy coach. Ohio, lives a life that cars as a kid and was more than epitomizes working on real ones Below right: Kirwan and the American dream. by age 12, before I Evel Knievel with his MCI Hosting Clint Eastwood, Elizabeth Taylor, was old enough to drive,” he says. The early private coach.. John Madden, Muhammad Ali and many other drag racer who for a while lived a life out of ce lebrities, flying around the world, visiting “American Graffiti” became the Mid-Western Bottom right: Kirwan and some of the planet’s wealthiest people, Elmers representative for the National Hot Rod Lee Greenwood with 1 attributes his success to hard work and the use Association in 1955. of 6 MCI tour coaches of his mechanical ability (learned from his When Elmers was 24 in 1952, Dad, Miles he has bought. dad), understanding and building vehicles. Elmers, who also liked fast cars, worked with

20 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 the Flxible Bus Company in Loudonville, and Vickers hydraulic power steering into gobusing.com Ohio to design a personal LandCruiser® in their vehicle. “My dad was thrilled,” Kirwan a 35’ Flxible shell which was only available explains, adding that the bus was so easy to with a Buick engine, manual transmission drive, it felt like a very large sports car! and “muscle” steering. Miles and Kirwan Soon, the Elmers family took off on drove the family vehicle to Alaska and back, family trips around the country in their coach, quickly learning how tiring it was to shift for accompanying the entrepreneurial Dad on so many miles (before Interstate Highways). sales calls. One of Miles’ early products was a Upon returning home, young Kirwan installed low-sudsing detergent called “all”, now very a big Cadillac V-8, automatic transmission popular.

Custom Coach Executive Coach.

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BUS CONVERSIONS 21 gobusing.com

Rich Snider, President and CEO of In-N-Out Burger taking delivery of his new Executive coach prospective customers. Before returning home, the Elmers took their coach to the local Ridings Cadillac dealership in Los Angeles for service. Mr. Ridings offered the Elmers a price they couldn’t refuse for their vehicle. Miles and Kirwan flew home. Back in Columbus, Miles and Kirwan, ordering another coach shell from Flxible Bus Company, were told that Flxible was looking for a separate company to do the special interior work on bus shells. After extensive discussions and planning, Miles and Kirwan created Custom Coach Corporation in 1955. It was the first company to build custom motorhome conversions of bus shells, commercially. The early days of building custom coaches presented numerous challenges for the Elmers. Among these was the lack of suitable components, such as air conditioning and motor generators, for the coaches. But, Kirwan In 1954, during a trip to Southern explains, the biggest problems were the coach California’s Rose Bowl (Ohio State vs. owners’ inability to get suitable licensing and U.C.L.A.), several parade attendees noticed insurance for their unclassifiable vehicles. That the Elmers watching the procession from their meant that the driver, leaving the state where a vehicle rooftop. Some of those people became license was finally issued, might get ticketed

22 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 in another state. The creation of Family Motor Coach Association in the 1960’s finally helped solve these problems. While reflecting on his 79-year life, Kirwan Elmers talks about the development of his company, and the many famous people he has met, hosted at his home in Columbus and built motor homes for. (Among his favorite dinner guests for he and his wife “Regina” were Evil Knievel and also Lee Greenwood.) Elmers’ life and business are so intertwined that the license plate on his car reads “Bus Man.” His three sons are not involved in his company, but all have businesses of their own, (at Dad’s encouragement), while living in Phoenix, AZ. As Custom Coach Corporation continued to build some of the best coaches available anywhere, entertainment and sports celebrities and high profile business owners have steadily ordered their own custom motor homes. Famous customers include country and western stars, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Lee Greenwood and Johnny Cash, and actor Clint Eastwood. One of Elmers’ favorite customers, as

The In-N-Out staff and family relaxing in the aft lounge of Ray Charles tour coach.

BUS CONVERSIONS 23 Right: Loading a Custom Coach onto a U.S.A.F. C5 StratoLifter for delivery to Saudi Arabia.

Below: One of the three coaches Kuwait's Royal Family purchased.

Bottom: General Amine, Minister of Defense & Aviation Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in his Executive Lounge Coach II.

well as company spokesman, is sportscaster John Madden who has owned three Custom Coaches. His current 45-foot luxury coach features a sauna. gourmet kitchen, high-speed Internet access, multiple TVs, a navigation system, cell phones and fax. Madden (who hasn’t flown in nearly three decades) has traveled more than a million miles in his three Custom Coaches. Many politicians, including both Presidents Bush and President Clinton have traveled in them. But Elmers’ wealthiest customer, the Saudi Arabian royal family, has purchased 18 Custom Coaches, several of them delivered in a Russian Antonov cargo planes at $420,000 each just for the transportation! Elmers has traveled to Saudi Arabia seven times to deliver his busses while visiting the Royal Family

24 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 gobusing.com

1988 MCI Executive Coach Interior. both there and in Kuwait (3 coaches). In one of Elmers’ treasured photographs, he and the turbaned, robed king are seated comfortably Custom Coach Corporation was the in the royal bus, the desert landscape behind them. King Khaled’s brother also visited first company in the country to offer Kirwan some years ago in Columbus, Ohio for a personal tour of the Custom Coach plant. custom motorhome conversions of “It was quite an honor,” he says. Trips such as these are commonplace bus shells, commercially. From its new for the former hot rodder turned worldwide entrepreneur who has now also personally 50,000 square foot manufacturing and delivered Custom Coaches to new owners in England, Germany and Japan (among many assembly plant in Columbus, Ohio with other countries). “It’s been a great life,” he exclaims. BC over 100 skilled employees, the company offers high-end custom motor homes for families, celebrities and businesses. In gobusing.com 2002, Custom Coach became a division of Farber Specialty Vehicles that builds unique ‘One-off” type products, such as police command centers, computer labs and mobile medical units. For more information about Custom Coach, go to www.customcoach.com or call (800) 852-5979.

BUS CONVERSIONS 25 JOYS OF BUSING Dave Galey

Cabinetry for the Bus Converter Part V: Finishing The last part of this series will address glues, to dry tack-free. Two pieces are then joined finishing, countertops, laminated cabinets and and pressure is applied by either a press or a installation for bus conversion cabinets. roller. Glues More recently, because of air quality After careful research I have found that considerations, water based contact adhesives only the white vinyl glues and the yellow have been developed for laminate and panel woodworker glues to be in common use for joining. Contact adhesives applied with a cabinetmaking assembly. The important thing caulking gun are useful when attaching large to remember is to allow a part to be clamped panels to a wall. under pressure for at least thirty minutes using Super glue and hot melt glues are the yellow glue. Also, be sure to clean the not appropriate for woodworking. Yellow excess glue from the joint with water or it will carpenters glue is preferred for cabinet resist staining. assembly. Solvent type contact adhesives have Finishing been used for years, especially when joining All your beautiful and detailed plastic laminate tops. These types of glues are workmanship will be for naught if you don’t applied to each side to be joined and allowed complete it. That’s why it is called finishing.

Typical Kitchen Counter & Overhead Cabinet

26 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 ave Galey has an D engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma and over 20 years experience as an aircraft structural designer. Among his many books are the Bus Converter’s Bible and The Joys of Busing, which are both on sale through Winlock Galey Publishing and advertised in Bus Conversions Magazine.

Outside Wall Cabinet

Finish, which usage is normally a verb has been converted to a noun. Finish has many synonyms such as end, over, done, complete. But, you have never heard anyone applying a done or a complete to a cabinet, have you? Ergo, I am unable to explain the peculiarities of our language. Anyhow, finishes consist of oils, lacquers, varnishes, paints, and any other final coat you may apply to a cabinet. But, before you can do that, you must prepare it for the finish. You must finish the finishing so you may apply a finish, so to speak. First, all blemishes must be repaired. Sometimes this requires inserting a small piece of material in a careful manner to let it blend in with it’s surroundings. This may be a small piece of veneer which may be razored into position and glued. More often a matching putty will be used or a wood plug. Putties are available that match various hardwoods which can be sanded and take a stain and Typical Lavatory Cabinet finish well. One caution, which should have been material, exposing it as a defect. It is important mentioned earlier, is when gluing parts to remember this since glue acts as a sealer together, keep a damp rag handy. Always wipe and cannot be sanded out after application. excess glue from any joint and be sure to get it Sometimes it is necessary to scrub the joint all. Any excess glue drying about a joint will with a very wet rag to remove all external not permit a stain or finish to penetrate the traces of excess glue.

BUS CONVERSIONS 27 After all the blemishes are repaired a number of brands are on the market. Watco the cabinet must be sanded smooth and is and Formby are two that come to mind and customarily sanded down to a 440 grit sand may be applied with a cloth, preferably a lint paper. This means you may start with an 80 free cloth such as cheese cloth. One of the grit to remove large areas of material and then tricks to any oil finish, is patience—the oil is move onto a finer 150 grit. After sanding with actually an oil based resin which takes time to the 150 grit we may apply a sanding sealer cure. The more applications results in a more such as a lacquer like material and may be beautiful finish, but the downside requires applied with a brush, roller or sprayed on. twenty four hours between applications. After a coat or two of sealer we continue the Another really effective oil finish is a product sanding with 150, 220, 330 grit and then apply by MiniWax called Antique oil Finish that the final finish with 440 grit sanding. creates a beautiful finish and may be reapplied Just a note here: I have been told every six months to a year for continued the Japanese, who are some of the finest enhancement. woodworkers in the world, never use sand Old fashioned Spar Varnish is very hard paper with all their smoothing techniques and durable and applies best when it is cold, for done by scraping. A variety of scrapers can be this reason many an old salt keeps their Spar found in many fine woodworking magazines Varnish in the refrigerator. After brushing it and catalogs. on cold, it tends to level out better. The newer Two of the more useful tools who forgo varnishes are made with a chemical urethane the scraper technique are the belt sander and and are almost indestructible rendering the palm sander. The palm sanders are designed to table coaster obsolete. Other hard finishes are accept a 1/4 size sheet of standard sand paper bar finishes and bowling alleys finishes with and are very efficient at their job. the Brunswick company’s bowling alley finish At this point, a note regarding laminate just about bulletproof. finished cabinets such as Formica, Wilsonart, A neat new gadget for applying paints and or any number of competitors. Since this varnishes is the foam brush that amazingly form of cabinetwork is completed after it is does not leave brush marks. It applies a laminated and trimmed, nothing more will be smooth uniform self leveling coat and makes said here, but instead will be covered later on a professional out of the most inexperienced in the article. woodworker. My preference for applying After the cabinet is smooth sanded finishes is the inexpensive $30 to $40 dollar following the sanding sealer, it is ready for the spray gun found at most home building final finish. I have to stop momentarily and stores. ponder the term ‘final finish’ or the finishing Countertops finish. We now have our choice of a variety of Countertops is a subject all it’s own. ways to complete our cabinets. Unless you’re an adventuresome soul, Sanding sealer is often a lacquer based countertops are generally a product you might material, and may be brushed, rolled or sprayed consider purchasing. They are needed in the on. Lacquer is probably the easiest to use kitchen, the bathroom and you might want since it is sprayed on and dries very quickly. to have matching table tops throughout your The primary reason lacquer is used in industry conversion. is the speed and efficiency of production and Let’s first discuss Corian. Corian is a solid is just as effective in the home workshop. filled acrylic plastic of uniform consistency Regrettably, a bunch of noise makers protecting throughout and you might say it is a close the Gnat Catcher and telling us what type of cousin to Plexiglas, only that it has an opaque air to breathe have enacted laws eliminating finish. There are several competitors to most solvent based finishes. Fortunately, there Corian, with those being Swanstone, Avonite have been amazing chemical innovations that and Gibraltar. Swanstone uses a polyester have duplicated solvent based lacquers into chemistry rather than with acrylic properties. water base finishes. If you feel really adventurous, take a course One very simple finish is a tung oil finish, in fabricating Corian and do your own. It that is also known as a Danish oil finish, with is a very expensive material but is easy to

28 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 maintain resisting stains and easy to clean a practical mass produced countertop laminate up while remaining elegant for years. Also, and the introduction of Formica. Laminates Corian has special adhesives that virtually for countertops have been and will always be makes joints disappear. If you desire Corian, practical as well as stylish. or a Corian like material, I recommend you Regardless of your table top or countertop have it fabricated for you by a professional. A material, be consistent throughout your coach, home built coach with the kitchen counter with with all surfaces being of like material. In the built-in sink, living room end tables, a dining same manner you should not mix disparate table, bathroom counter with built-in lavatory, hardwoods in your coach or intermix Formica shower and night stands made from Corian by a professional will make your conversion look like a half million dollar coach. All American Urethane Many bathroom countertops are available from a variety of synthetic marble. This Specializing In Polyurethane Foam Insulation for Buses process is a casting polyester resin filled with multicolored fillers in a swirled pattern. Firm it up! Tighten it up! Warm it up and keep it Cool It is made to resemble actual marble. A custom synthetic marble shop can make your Spray foam insulation in your bus, do it right! countertops with built-in sinks and lavatories. If I may digress a bit, linoleum was the Mobile unit, will travel, shoot and grind! countertop of choice when I was growing up 20 Years Experience and before linoleum, plain hardwood or pine reigned. Of course the elegant countertops of 8333 Bridle Pass, Riverside CA 92509 the day were tiled and are still the preferred finishing touch for homes. Shortly after World Call Fred Bubolz: 951-359-7597 War II the housing boom exploded necessitating

BUS CONVERSIONS 29 Dinette Design Layout

with oak and pine. to many stains that bedevil more porous Tile is really quite easy to install with surfaces. new elastic adhesives made to apply tile Laminates are normally attached to directly over plywood, linoleum and other particle board (an inexpensive manufactured flexible substrates. Buses are stiff enough in panel) with contact adhesive. The combination construction so that tile is a practical option of inexpensive substrate (particle board), and for both counter and table tops and flooring as reasonable expensive laminate combine to well. Two methods used for shaping tile are create reasonable, durable and maintenance the tile cutter and a diamond saw blade. After free cabinets. the tile has set, it is a fairly simple matter to The process of fabricating a laminated apply the grout and then clean up. Tiles are cabinet is to complete the carcass first. The available for countertops with appealing drop next step in the process, is to cut the laminate edges, also, another attractive finish for tile to the approximate size to cover the exposed surfaces is to edge the counter or table with part of the cabinet. The material may be cut hardwood. This method adds a simple but with tin snips, a saber saw or a table saw with elegant finish to a Formica surface. a tungsten carbide blade. If you opt to use a saber saw, cut the material with the laminate Laminated Cabinets face down supported with a couple of boards Laminated cabinets are more popularly so the blade is free to cut. If you are going to known as Formica cabinets. Although use a table saw, cut with the laminate face up Formica is a trade name, it more or less has and clamp a hold down board on the table saw become generic term for a variety of other fence to avoid a chatter. companies manufacturing plastic laminates. Apply an adhesive recommended for The material is actually a melamine resin heat the brand of laminate you will be using with cured laminating several layers of kraft paper. #100 brand contact adhesive recommended Because it is cured as a thermosetting plastic, for the Formica laminates. The adhesive may it resists heat quite well and is impervious be applied to both surfaces with either a roller

30 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 or a spray gun (I’ve had success using a cheap spray gun available a any popular home building outlet). These spray guns are a knockoff of an expensive spray gun and costing in the range of about $35. Always apply the adhesive to the laminate first since the adhesive will dry faster on the core. The adhesive should be tack free (you can touch the glue and nothing will stick to your finger) before touching the laminate to the core. Position the laminate carefully to the core with just a little margin of laminate all around, the material should then be pressed uniformly on the core using a pressure roller. The edges of the laminate should be trimmed with a router, then with a file stroking in a level manner to create a 90 degree corner, you are now ready to apply the next laminate. If that sounds a bit confusing, let me try again by describing the process of making a countertop. Start the countertop by applying the Winlock Galey Books for bus Conversion By Dave Galey The Bus Converter's Bible 2nd Edition...... $49.95 Bus Wiring for Bus Nuts...... $29.95 The Motor Coaching Bible...... $24.95 The Joys of Busing...... $19.95 Classy Cabinets/Conv. Coaches...... $19.95 Fascinating Fastener Facts...... $14.95 Gospel of Gauges...... $12.95 Slide-Out Rooms...... $19.95 Eagle Planning Sheets...... $19.95 Black & Blue Highways...... $14.95 Busin' Bits...... $19.95 Plumbing for Bus Nuts (NEW)...... $19.95 The Bus Converter's Bible ist Edition$25.00 Shipping & Handling $5.00 California residents add 7 3/4 % Sales Tax

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BUS CONVERSIONS 31 gobusing.com Formica to the drop edge, this being the front surfaces to be formed. Then, to form a tight of the counter and is normally about one and radius, uniformly heat the laminate with a heat half inches wide. Cut a strip of laminate about gun as you bring the material into contact with two inches wide and the length of the counter, the core, this assures the laminate is bending coat both surfaces with adhesive and let set as heat is applied. up. Then carefully touch the material to the Installation core and pat along the edge. After the strip is Cabinets should be installed so they positioned, apply pressure immediately with obviously don’t come loose and cabinets a “J” roller, but be careful near the ends so mounted to the floor is a real no-brainer. you don’t break the laminate. Trim the excess The kitchen counter cabinets may simply be laminate with a straight flush carbide router attached to the wall with a few strategically cutter and file the edges flush and smooth. Keep placed screws—how many you might ask. the file flat on the core and file only toward the Each screw will hold a load of several hundred core to prevent chipping the laminate. pounds, so I would recommend a screw Now we are ready for the top. First apply through the runners (or rails) at each bulkhead glue to both the under side of the laminate and of the counter carcass. It is also a good idea to the top side of the counter then let them dry add a screw through each cleat at the base of to the touch. Now, lay a series of thin strips each bulkhead, this will ensure your counter of wood on the countertop about a foot or so will stay in place in case your bus should ever apart. These sticks should be about an inch roll over. thick and span across the countertop, then the The overhead cabinets represent a little laminate may now be laid across these strips more of a challenge as every structure must over the counter and carefully positioned. have a foundation. In the case of your overhead Beginning at one end, after you are satisfied cabinets, the foundation will be your wall and the laminate is correctly lined up, remove a ceiling. The wall will generally have adequate stick and pat the laminate down to the core. strength to support a cabinet but it must be Repeat this procedure until all the sticks are supported from the ceiling as well. This can removed. present a problem unless a little forethought Apply pressure over the entire surface is exercised. If your interior headliner is with your roller, but be careful at the edges so installed, as it should be before installing the you don’t break the laminate. Trim the excess cabinets, hopefully you have placed furring laminate with a bevel cutter cutter in a router, strips in the right position to support the then use a smooth file after trimming. Finally, overhead cabinets. wipe the excess adhesive clean from the edges I am a firm believer that all cabinets with a soft rag and solvent. Care should be installed in a bus conversion should be exercised not ot use too much solvent which removable. I don’t mean they should be might damage the edges. put in with quick disconnects, but believe A back-splash should be fabricated the if anything can go wrong, it will (Murphy’s length of the counter approximately four Law). Especially in and or around appliances, inches high and laminated. After marking the such as microwaves ovens, air conditioning back-splash position, apply a vinyl caulk to evaporators and any other encumbrances. the countertop and the bottom of the back- The key word is maintainability and anything splash. Clamp the back-splash in position mechanical must be removable. and secure it to the countertop with flat head To illustrate this condition, I once had a screws drilled up from the bottom, a moist rag failure with a 240 volt land line plug in which is then used to remove the excess caulk that I always leave my rig plugged in at home squeezes out. The sink cutout may be done connected to a 240 volt source. As you are with a saber saw, preferably from the bottom aware all our modern coaches have a land line so as to avoid laminate chipping. capable of connecting to 240 volts at the newer If you wish to apply a laminate to a fairly parks. My error was sending 240 volts to my sharp curve be sure to ask for post forming TV, VCR and microwave oven. The TV was an material, also known as forming grade easy repair (replace a fuse) but the microwave laminate. Adhesive should be applied to both was built into the overhead cabinet above the

32 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 cook top. This involved removing the cabinet there is no harm in placing additional screws. gobusing.com to get to the microwave, thankfully having Our bus doesn’t have to be air worthy, so a planned ahead, it was a simple job of a few half ounce of additional weight won’t ground screw removals (the number of screws will us, and traveling through Alaska or Mexico, remain a secret) and I was able to examine the this precaution will help when encountering unit and determine that it had to be repaired at the extra vibration and impact loads. an appliance shop. It was not until we were on My recommendation for mounting a trip that I learned the VCR didn’t work and overhead cabinets is with clip angles on the had to be replaced. lower shelf and on the top of the face frame. I now digress again. Try to design all your Space your screws at about ten inches apart cabinet installations so they may be removed and if you feel the need for more insurance, if and when necessary. And regarding use continuous angle or cleats. The cabinet the overhead cabinets, plan your ceiling should be opened on the inside so the headliner superstructure so you know where your furring is visible with a clip angle fastened to the wall strips will be after your headliner is in place. and the lower shelf, the face frame should be The average overhead cabinet will weigh secured to a clip angle attached to a furring about three to four pounds per lineal foot plus strip. BC maybe fifty pounds of canned goods and other sundries. That figures out to be a total weight of one hundred pounds per lineal foot of gobusing.com overhead cabinet. If we then hang the cabinet with screws mounted into fir furring strips, the table suggests we need a screw about every ten inches, hence a four foot long cabinet needs only five screws to hold it in place. Of course if you feel uncomfortable with that margin,

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BUS CONVERSIONS 33 Above: The LimoBus began as a 1989 MCI 102C3 SS (stainless Steel)

Right: Photo shows 6 or the 8 bench sofas, 4 mini bars between seats and wet bar in rear.

34 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 MISS MARCH CENTERFOLD Madden’s Magical Ride Dennis Myers

roadcaster John Madden marks 21 tour bus. In 1987, Madden moved into his own years with Motor Coach Industries MCI coach and has been with the nation’s and travels cross-country in his 5th leading intercity and tour coach manufacturer converted MCI® coach and third ever since, traveling 80,000 to 100,000 miles BMCI E4500 a year. Football Hall of Famer John Madden Madden’s MCI E4500 –his third travels to his weekly NFL “Sunday Night customized E4500 –was converted by Football” NBC broadcast assignments in his Nashville-based Superior Coach Interiors fifth MCI coach specially customized for his Inc., one of the nation’s leading converters of comfort on all those cross-country trips. entertainment tour coaches. Superior’s custom The celebrated former Oakland Raiders shells serve artists as varied as singer Kelly coach hasn’t flown since 1979 because he Clarkson, the Foo Fighters rock band and poet doesn’t like the confinement of airplanes. It’s and author Maya Angelou. made him the country’s most celebrated motor Madden says he’s looked at other coach traveler. conversion shells, but considers the MCI He first tried trains to keep pace with his brand the best. Says Madden, “When you’re busy schedule but found they lacked point- standing in an MCI, it just feels solid, the best to-point convenience. In 1986, the broadcast ride I’ve experienced.” company he represented leased Dolly Parton’s Patricia Ziska, MCI vice president, says

Fiber Optics placed in plastic mirrored ceiling providing for 16 flexible colors and patterns in lightening, Courtesy lings located down both sides.

BUS CONVERSIONS 35 36 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 M i s s M a r c h 2 0 0 8 1 9 9 8 M c i 1 0 2 C 3

BUS CONVERSIONS M a d d e n C r u i s e37 r gobusing.com

John Madden, football, and bus conversions are synonymous. the customer relationship with Madden is reliability and quality of our models time and unique among brands. “For 21 years, we’ve again. We like the visibility he brings to MCI been so gratified to work with John Madden. and to our industry. Motor coaches let you We are dedicated to making him happy and travel directly to your destination hassle-free comfortable. He’s put in 2 million miles on and Coach Madden speaks about the fun he’s the road with us in his MCI Cruiser coaches, had on the road because of his MCI motor personally experiencing the legendary coach.” Madden’s Cruiser at a Glance So what’s Madden’s MCI conversion coach like? His latest E4500 coach is a model of the latest technology available in any Highway coach on the planet. It features an extensive communications system with in-motion Transportation satellite from KVH Industries; two 32 inch flat screen HD TVs and three 15-inch flat Services screen TVs. There is a larger workspace area than in his previous models since he records Complete shop offering repair of all mechanical bus parts and a radio show onboard and prepares for his systems. Servicing both the seated coach market and the bus weekly TV broadcasts during the trip. Other conversion market interior touches include a master bedroom and Over 50 years of bus experience. We operate buses, we know buses, bathroom with a 4 ft. by 4ft, steam shower. The and as such can provide quick diagnose and repairs to get you back kitchen has granite flooring and countertops, up and rolling quickly! including a side by side stainless-steel Fast, Fair and Honest! refrigerator. The booth area can be converted into an 80-inch long bunk. Seating is crucial. DOT inspections and compliance repairs Madden likes comfort and space as television CA Highway patrol and PUC inspections production crews and NFL players are often on board. Pre purchase bus inspections | Transmissions The coach is equipped with a Caterpillar Air Conditioners | Engines | Brakes | Differentials C-13 engine; a 24KW generator (enough to power a 3,000 square-foot home); a SmarTire Highway Transportation Services ™, tire pressure monitoring system; and Sirius 7875 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs CA satellite radio. Located between Los Angeles and Orange Counties His MCI E4500 cruiser is 45 feet long, 8 1/2 feet wide, 13 feet tall and weighs 45,000 562.928.6726 pounds. The tank holds 200 gallons of diesel

38 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 fuel, allowing up to 1,000 miles of efficient travel between fuel stops. A coast-to-coast trip can be completed in 50 hours with two B & B drivers. The coach also features a custom Outback Steakhouse exterior graphics, COACH extending Madden’s relationship with the restaurant chain. Works Nick Audino, president of Superior Coach said the key to building conversions starts with a well-designed floor plan. 4350 S. Arville, Unit 6 “Sometimes we even draw the plans out on Las Vegas, NV 89103 15 years of COMPLETE custom fabrication experience. the floor so clients can get sense of how the (702) 873-4415 Conversions on any make: specializing in Eagle '45 stretches. space will be configured. That way, they Coach widening: 96" x 102", Slide-Outs, Remodel & Repairs on Call today for conversion ANY motorhome or bus conversion. can determine if they want a wider aisle specs and photos WILL SHIP: Radiator spray systems, engine doors louvers, air or smaller galley area. Ultimately we want steps for entry door and much more. our clients to be very pleased with the end result.” “Madden likes the basics, and his cruiser must be functional while driving down the highway,” said Audino. “The E4500 model is easy to convert. The framework is always consistent. It has plenty of spacious bays and the spiral stairway always makes a statement. I like building them.” Audino builds about 20 conversion coaches a year, with each one requiring up to 3,000 man- hours of labor. Most recently, MCI launched the number one selling tour coach, the J4500, as conversion shell with up to three slide outs. With headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill., and sales and service centers across the U.S. and in Canada, MCI is the leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of coaches and is the industry’s leading supplier of coach- related aftermarket parts and services for most makes and models for the North American market. To learn more visit www. mcicoach.com. BC

gobusing.com

BUS CONVERSIONS 39 BOOK REVIEW Dennis Myers ‘From Small Business to Industry Leader’ The Cornell Family Business Story

Clancy Cornell at a signing of his book, ‘From Small Business to Indus- try Leader’. he adage, “Little boys, little toys; big boys, big toys” somewhat applies to this well written book about Clancy Cornell, his family and his Tbusiness. Before he became a teen, Clancy had shortened the often-repeated saying to “little boy—big toys”. Without parents and living with his sister and her husband Clancy had an early exposure to buses and it obviously stuck for a lifetime. This book is an intriguing historical observation of the growth of the busing industry in the US, but also a compelling account of one family growing, bonding and developing all focused upon the bus industry. It’s not often you can read a business book and feel like you are witnessing a family scrapbook narration at the same time. You will find this an interesting account of how one man grew with an emerging industry and became an industry icon while building a family legacy that will perpetuate into the future. To get a copy of this book, contact: www. abc-companies.com

40 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 gobusing.com

BUS CAPS New Renaissance STYLE Front & Rear Kits for MCI 8-9-96 and 102 A-B-C-Ds

Also Available: Parts for MCI 5-7 Raised Roof caps available for most models. GMC 4104-4106-4107-4108-4903-4905 Eagle, Prevost, AM General, RTS & more. www.rm-fiberglass.com DISCOUNT PRICING R & M FIBERGLASS P.O. Box 796 (503) 743-2211 Turner, Oregon 97392 (800) 350-1656

BUS CONVERSIONS 41 FEATURE Jack Conrad Building Interior Panel Doors for Your Bus

anel doors consist of a frame with one members are called stiles, horizontal members or more panels inset into the frame. are called rails, and members that separate Standard six panel interior doors in panels are called mullions. your house and raised panel cabinet You also have a choice of panel insert Pdoors are a couple of examples of panel doors. materials. The router bit cuts a ¼” wide slot Panels can also be used on walls and ceilings. for the panel to fit in. I have used ¼” oak The ceiling in the front of our bus consist of plywood, ¼” dark tinted Lexan, ¼” mirror oak frames with gold mirror panels. Vertical Lexan and raised oak panels.

Figure 2 Figure 5

Figure 3 Figure 4

42 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Building interior panel doors/panels for your bus can be done with only a few power tools. Minimum list would include router, router table, router bits, circular saw, and clamps. A small table saw would make the job much easier. Router should be at least 2 hp. A router table is also necessary to hold router in proper alignment when routing the edges of the boards. Although cuts can be made with a circular saw, straight cuts are easier to make with a table saw. Hardwoods such as oak, maple, and poplar are usually easier to work with than softwoods such as pine, spruce, and fir. The softwoods have a tendency to splinter and leave ragged edges more than the hardwoods. I used red oak to make our frames. Raised panels do require an additional router bit.

Above: Mirrored panel doors.

Top right: Flat panel door.

Right: Raised panel doors.

BUS CONVERSIONS 43 gobusing.com

Figure 2

The router bits come in a set. Most sets the bit and wood. The most inexpensive sets are available in ½” or ¼” arbor. The ½” arbor include one shaft with removable sections is preferred if your router will accommodate that are removed and rearranged to make the this size. The larger arbor helps prevent the bit mating cut. The set I purchased has 2 separate from vibrating and insures better alignment of bits for the 2 mating cuts. (figure 1) This

Lexan panel.

44 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 simplifies changing from one cut to the other. You will notice that after the ends are ack Conrad Raised panels do require an additional bit. milled , they overlap slightly. The simplest J converted his first Start by deciding how wide you want way to get the correct measure is to lay the bus, a GM 4106 in your framing members to be. Usually the stiles on a workbench with the outside to 1986. Jack’s current larger the door, the wider the frame. I made outside measurement correct. Then measure project is a 1973 MC-8. our closet door frames 3 ½” wide. These doors from inside groove to inside groove. This will Their bus, Orange are approx. 2’x6’. I made our cabinet door be your overall measurement for the rails. Blossom Special II was frames 1 ¾” wide. Rip the framing lumber After cutting the rails to exact length, the the centerfold in the to the width you want. To make it easier to ends must be milled to match the stiles. November, 2003 issue handle the boards, after ripping, I cut to length This is done using the other bit. Use of Bus Conversion plus a couple of inches. This will be trimmed scrap stock until you have router height set Magazine. Most of his to exact length later. correctly. This can be checked by fitting your articles are based on After all stock is cut to the correct width, scrap piece onto the finished stile. (figure projects that were done install the edge cutter in the router and install 3) When cutting the ends, back up the stock on this bus. Jack and the router in the router table. Adjust the height with a wide piece of scrap wood. (figure his wife Paula host the of the router. This is sometimes a trial and 4)This does serves 2 purposes. It keeps the Bussin’ rallies in Arcadia, error exercise using scrap lumber until it is set end square as it passes the router bit and helps Florida every year from at the correct height. Once set, run a piece of prevent splintering. December 29 through wood and save to use in the future as a setup After all pieces are cut and routed it is January 1. The last few guide. You will to do the same thing with the time to assemble the door. Cut the panel 1/8” years have had 170-190 end cut bit. (figure 2) less than the groove to groove dimension to buses in attendance. After cutting all the pieces, run the edges allow for expansion and contraction of the Jack is also one of the across the router table to cut the edge groove wood with temperature and humidity changes. moderators for Bus in the boards. On rails and stiles only rout the Apply carpenter’s glue to framing members Conversion Magazines inside edge. On mullions, do both edges. Now only, panel should “float” in the slot. Apply Bulletin Board. you are ready to cut to size and mill the ends. clamps and set aside to dry. (figure 5).BC

BUS CONVERSIONS 45 FEATURE Dennis Myers An Excellent Bus Adventure A Trip for the Tyners In A Moose Creek MotorCabin

n the early fifties there was a test ofa minor qualifications, but you get the idea! marriage that had a couple driving in a Plan B—Sort of! used sedan from Chicago to Los Angeles Plan A is what most young couples do-- with a baby and a mother-in-law riding in start a family. That wasn’t working so Plan B Ithe back seat. If they arrived without a divorce was “do something you couldn’t do if you had or a death in the family, the prospects of a kids”! Now this might not be the best qualifier long and happy marriage were assured. Fast- for planning and executing a five-month long forward fifty years we find that Jimmy and tour of Canada and much of the US, but it Roilyn Tyner, a San Diego “Thirtysomething” made sense to the Tyners. Roilyn was having married couple, invented a new version of the Opposite page top: a tough time with her school district where she At the St. Louis Arch. marriage test. How does the marriage test work? First, was a special education teacher, and Jimmy’s business was starting to go stagnant, so in late Opposite page bottom: it doesn’t involve kids or a mother-in-law, January of 2007 they made up there minds to KOA campsight-Sault St. just a loving couple, two dogs, and a Moose quit their jobs, buy an RV, and go on a road Marie, Canada. “Chief” Creek MotorCabin. There are some qualifying Tyner the 125-pound rules—you have to quit your jobs, and plan a trip. boxer/mastif mix inside trip that zig zags through the US and Canada Their friends were not supportive, in fact makeshift fence. for five months. Then you to buy and drive many thought they were completely nuts, but a bus conversion having no prior experience, then we know that is important if you want Below: Glacier National and you must start the trip three days after to become a “busnut”. First, they were young Park-Montana. you make the purchase. There are a few other (Jimmy is 29, Roilyn is 31) and their friends

46 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 envisioned only retired people doing these trips not young people just starting their careers. Friends liked to poke fun at them, giving them fake AARP memberships, and suggesting they take up lawn bowling. Second, neither knew anything about RVing or camping; neither had ever spent a night in a camper, let alone drove one or slept in one or cleaned out the “waste” in one. Everyone seemed concerned they were not going to enjoy it, but youth and excitement overcame objections. The itinerary strategy You need some sort of strategy for a five- month tour of North America, and Jimmy had one. Because he is an avid University of Southern California alumni and Trojan football fan, attending all kinds of college football games was the way to go. If you follow the route took on a map it had no logical path; they just followed good football games. Roilyn was pretty disgusted with this kind of trip planning, but luckily (for Jimmy) he had bought the tickets before she could veto most of it. They went to games at Penn State, at Nebraska (vs.USC), at LSU (vs. Florida), at Notre Dame (vs. USC), at Virginia Tech (in the pouring rain), at Florida (vs. Vandy) and at Oklahoma (vs. Baylor). Roilyn to a degree enjoys football games so it wasn’t completely

BUS CONVERSIONS 47 gobusing.com

At first Jimmy thought this was a crazy idea--who the heck buys a Greyhound bus to live in? But as he kept looking he saw these buses could look cool like the Class A’s, and they also rode better than Class A’s plus they kept their value better than Class A’s. Jimmy’s mind was made up--forget motorhomes, they were now bus conversion people!! Roilyn was less moved by the idea but she went along with it because fighting with Jimmy would be futile at this point. Now, armed with the knowledge that they were now bus conversion people, he started googling “bus conversions for sale”. Jimmy’s search soon got him to gobusing.com and found the Moose Creek Motorcabin conversion bus. It was love at first sight. The cabin look was Top: Roilyn, Dixie a downer for her, plus she planned a lot of the perfect, never mind it was more than twice the (smaller dog) Jimmy days in-between the football games so they and Chief (big dog) in went and did things she wanted to do and see. amount they decided to spend! He didn’t care, Phillidelphia, PA. it was the coolest bus he had ever seen. It was Pick a bus—any bus 11pm when he found the Moose, but called The Tyner’s needed to select a mode of Above: “Dixie” Tyner the number on the ad hoping to get an answer transportation for their incredible journey. inside the Moose. machine. Unfortunately Mike Kadletz picked They decided they wanted to spend about $50K up the phone, making Jimmy feel bad that and wanted to be able to tow a car. Jimmy he woke him up. "Surprisingly I remember googled “how to buy a motorhome” since he Mike was very pleasant in spite of the hour had no idea where to start. He learned that he and talked briefly about his Moose for sale." liked Class A motorhomes better because they Jimmy went to bed thinking, “I found our looked cooler than Class C’s, and everyone knows how important looking cool is. Then motorhome…err bus conversion!” he tried to find out which kind holds their Driver training on the fly value the best. That’s when the words “Bus Learning to drive the bus was also a work Conversion” first showed up. in progress. The day Jimmy went to Los Angeles to pick up the bus he missed Mike

48 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 who was on a business trip, so Jimmy had things like a car! gobusing.com no idea how to turn on the lights let alone Since the Tyner’s had to leave July 1st to drive the bus! His brother-in-law Eddie was stay on schedule they skipped checking out all with him so they practiced driving on the side equipment, something an experienced driver streets. After nearly killing every motorist on would never think of doing. Therefore they left the road, they decided Jimmy was ready for without a working generator, and didn’t have the trip down to San Diego. one for our whole trip. Not having a generator So with five minutes of total driving proved to be pretty horrible in the heat and experience, Jimmy entered the 405 freeway humidity of summer and the freezing cold of during rush hour. He didn’t get farther than winter when they stayed at Wal-Marts instead one mile before he heard banging in the of campsites. Too bad Jimmy had never been back of the bus and had to pull over onto the in the Boy Scouts and learned how to start a shoulder lane of the freeway. Someone had fire by rubbing two sticks together! opened the window and forgot to close it. The Great Adventure begins Jimmy closed the window, sat back down in It was a beautiful summer day when the the drivers seat, took several deep breaths, Tyners pointed the Moose north and launched tried to control his shaking hands, and merged for the Canadian border where the plan was back on the freeway. About half way down to to make a right turn and proceed across the San Diego the sun had set and Jimmy again Canadian landscape. The couple was about had to pull off the freeway, this time to figure to have the adventure of a lifetime, or at least out how to turn the lights on. After flipping five months, if their money held out! In the every switch on the dash then running outside excitement of leaving they forgot a few other to see if the lights were on, he finally had the lights all figured out and he was on his way again. Throughout the trip there was more learning on the fly, but it would take up too much room to list them all. Being prepared is for Boy Scouts There were no fallbacks--no contingency plans. They pretty much winged it. In fact they bought the Moose on Thursday, June 28th and left on Sunday, July 1st. To meet their start time, they didn’t even get their car modified so it could be towed behind the bus. As a result, they were without their car the entire trip. They either rented a car or took public transportation. In a way, it worked out well since they had many U-turns and having a car in the back would have made it much more difficult given their limited driving skills. Plus they had football games to attend; Jimmy was not going to miss them for stupid

Above: Chief in Canada waiting for Good Sam to show up since daddy ran the bus out of gas...(more in “Part 2”)...

Left: Seventh - The Moose on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

BUS CONVERSIONS 49 According to Entrepreneur.com the through a common connection, whether it be Q: next ten years will find the following wire, optic or wireless. Even the distinction extinct. The list includes; specialist record between them will blur. Copper pennies will The following are a few stores, camera film manufacturing, physical go. Either they will be some other metal or questions, replies and newspapers, payphones, used bookstores, will be removed from circulation. comments taken off the piggy banks, telemarketing and coin-operated Bus Conversions Bulletin arcades. What say you busnuts? I don’t see the small record stores really Board at our website. A: going away although they certainly are The first post is under Here’s the editor’s shot at guessing a niche market now. Camera film? I’ve been the subject heading. the future. Out will be fax machines, hearing that for a long, long time, again too The replies follow. It A: anything coin operated including parking many film buffs who like to take photos and might be an exchange between two people, or meters, checks (there are now ads demonizing develop them so I sort of doubt it although a third or fourth party checks as a means of payment), printed maps, the prices will certainly soar and already are may jump into the reply encyclopedias and printed reference books, going up. Newspapers? I don’t think quite yet area. It is a fun forum to wired computers, much computer hardware, until there is a better alternative for everyone. get answers; some right, meals like mom’s made from scratch (will be Too many, me included like to actually read some wrong; but all the from a package), the global warming religion, the paper instead of off a screen. Payphones, time very fun! If unmarried priests, anything analog, men’s ties, probably. Used bookstores? No way! Too you get time, check it women’s everyday dresses, non-electronic many great books out of print and only in a out at gobusing.com toys, in-home wiring for telephones, and single used bookstore can you find one. Piggy banks? family home ownership for most under 40. I Not as long as there are kids for one thing. hope to be around to see who was close to Telemarketing is a form of spam and like guessing right! vermin, always around. Coin op arcades? As someone who has owned and restored them for I think physical newspapers may 15 years I can say that I’ve heard this before A: still be with us for a while. There is and they are still here although not as popular something about reading the paper that’s easier as in their heyday so I doubt this one as well. than looking at it on-line. There are still lots There is till something fun about stopping in of books and book readers around, I’m not and playing a game or two. The classics have sure they are going away soon either. Piggy made a big come back and are very popular banks will be with us as long as we have coins, with the aging baby boomers. I can’t get my and although it seems the trend is away from hands on enough MsPacman machines to sell hard money, its not dead yet. I really hope to people! telemarketers will be gone!! Land based telephones may go by the I can see record stores and of course A: wayside. Newspapers seem to still A: camera film manufacturing, payphones be acceptable by most. Gasoline?? Possibly have been on the down slope for years, will phase out of the mainstream. I think in telemarketing will just be outlawed. No one 10 years, the Oil Co’s will be mostly in the likes them. Have your ever heard someone Plastics, PVC’s, and polymer markets instead say, “Oh! This is cool telemarketing guy of gasoline and diesel products. If computers called me”. Parents will always have little get any smaller, we won’t be able to use them. piggy banks for kids. It teaches them to save, Virtual touch pads may be the future?? of course, it also teaches them to rob. I think these predictions are about as I think they are pretty well on target. I A: accurate as I remember when I was a A: think kids will still have piggy banks. kid in the 60’s all the car manufacturers were CD’s will go the way of records and tapes in saying that cars would fly and use nuclear favor of digital downloads and storage media. power or similar to power them by the year Internet, Cable and Phone as separate services 2000. As you can see, cars, while far more will be gone. They will all be delivered advanced than in the 60’s, are a lot more

50 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 similar to the cars in the 60’s than not. Just look at the popularity of early Mustangs, Camaros, Barracudas, etc. to this day. Those other predictions, while a novel idea, will be around.

People who make predictions are typically looking at things from A: a viewpoint that does not reflect reality of what people want. That usually makes them wrong (they are now making vinyl records again ). Like the predictions that were made in 1900 -- never figured that the Wright brothers would make an airplane. Changed the whole century.

I will predict that it will be 2018 and that we will never see A: years 2008-2017 again. I’ll go out on a limb and say that frybrid technology will still smell like donuts. I will have gone bald and my son will be bigger than me.

Well according to the show on the history channel they said the A: Myans and the Chinese and the old world prophets of 2000 plus years ago all concluded that the world would end on Dec. 21 2012. Based on this I guess 10 years out would be a moot point. So lets all go rack up tons of debt and buy all the toys we always wanted and if life is still here on the 22nd we can blame Nostradamas.

Got a line on some nice cheap steel and aluminum truck tractor Q: fuel tanks. Could they be cleaned out to the point that use as fresh water tanks would not be out of the question? Which cleaning method would work best? Sand blast? Live steam? Pressure wash? Dedicated sealing/coating? All of the above, or not a good idea for drinking water?

Have Questions? Need Answers? Then Post! BCM Bulletin Board

BUS CONVERSIONS 51 Clean then seal with Redcoat, Johnson’s Install a separate line with the filters in it and A: fuel tank liner. Kreem or something a drinking water faucet. similar should work, but doubt you would ever I always put a bit of Clorox in the tank if get rid of the taste. A good new freshwater tank they sit for more than a few weeks. On my last is not costly, I’d go with a new tank on the trip I forgot and drew my drinking water out fresh and consider used for waste. of the normal faucet. It tasted terrible. I then got water out of the drinking water faucet and I Water towers steel but they use epoxy could not smell or taste the chlorine. A: paint inside and they were never The issue with the fuel tank is two fold: exposed to fuel. I personally would not use a taste and health. The filters should take care steel tank for freshwater. of the taste. From a health standpoint, if the If you choose to use the tank, AND tank was used for diesel, I don’t think it would A: use a good quality interior surface have any lead. I am not sure if any other fuel treatment, I think you would be OK with one chemicals would be dangerous. Because of provision. Install a top-level dual cartridge the very small concentration (after proper filter system for drinking water. These are treating) I can’t believe health issues would be cheap (big box stores) and do a fantastic job. significant.

Servicing the bus community for over 25 years

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52 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Use that tank for fresh water but NOT for drinking A: water. Go to the hardware store and get a gallon size Premier Coach Inc. bag of Plumber’s Lye. Fill your tank with COLD water and then SLOWLY add the lye. The fuel and any other petroleum Simple Modifications to compound will be gone after you rinse. Let it stand a few Complete Conversions hours. The water will not leave you smelling like an 8V71 but taste is something else. Carry jugs of water for drinking Roof Raising | Upholstery and cooking. Better yet, take lots of beer for both. That Cabinets | Slide Outs tank will rust and the motion of the coach will keep it stirred up. The aluminum tank sounds better. BC Electrical | Plumbing Window Removal & Replacing Located in Southern California...Serving the Entire U.S. www.premiercoachinc.com

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BUS CONVERSIONS 53 PRODUCTS OF INTEREST Dennis Myers NEW PRODUCTS AT UMA-SAN FRANCISCO Bus shows always create excitement and this rims. This is the only type of aluminum wheel year’s UMA show in San Francisco was no on the market that is protected from this type exception. Here are highlights of a few of wear, giving them at least double the life of the new products displayed at the show that other aluminum wheels. converters might just find interesting.

Alcoa Patented surface treatment that cleans with soap and water

Three notable new ideas were shown at the Alcoa booth. First was the Dura-Bright® with One-Piece Hub Cover System XBR® Technology surface treatment. This is A hub-cover system for 10-hole wheels that an upgrade of their previous product producing reduces parts inventory and installation time. It 53% more reflectivity and 74% improved image is a one-piece cover that replaces eleven parts. clarity. It is a surface treatment, not a coating It features a patented on/off attachment system that will not chip, crack, peel, or corrode. It all and carries a two-year warranty. boils down to better-looking aluminum wheels All of these products can be seen at www. that clean easier. alcoawheels.com Wear protection wheels

Alcoa Dura-Flange® wear protection wheels have a proprietary treatment on the wheel rim that provides a protective shield to prevent rim wear. It is the most appropriate for applications Broendumseats A/S A well designed coach seat system that can where loads are heavy and prone to shifting, fold from sitting position to an ideal surface causing tire walls to rub against the wheel for lying down. Called the Easy Chair Vision

54 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 2000, it is designed to be an elegant seat that stylish oversized reclining club chair, a large gobusing.com resembles an ordinary luxury bus seat. The leather ottoman, and a dinette table with a seats are independently mounted making it removable leaf for comfortable living and easy to alter only some of the seats from a entertaining; the bedroom suite is transformed sitting to a horizontal position. into a spacious, yet cozy retreat that includes More information can be obtained from plush seating and additional storage. www.broendumseats.com For more information about coach #1123 or Marathon Coach, Inc., visit www. marathoncoach.com. ASA Electronics

ASA Electronics, an international manufacturer of mobile audio and video equipment to the Bus market, is pleased to provide the industry with the exclusive Voyager® Observation Systems product lineup. ASA Electronics easily recognizes safety as a top priority and has developed these safety systems to aid drivers in daily driving maneuvers such as backing Marathon Coach up, merging, changing lanes, and making wide The world’s largest bus converter has turns. Voyager® Observation Systems typically completed coach #1123, the industry’s first include an observation monitor paired with any quad-slide luxury conversion of a Prevost H3- combination of Voyager® rear or side vision 45. Featuring a visually stunning European- observation cameras. They easily allow drivers inspired design, the interior of coach #1123 the ability to see well beyond the normal scope exudes both warmth and opulence. Luxurious of vision provided by conventional mirrors. upholstery in light muted tones provides The Voyager® Side Vision Cameras a dramatic contrast to the combination of are also commonly used at the rear of buses rich, dark tinted walls and wood flooring in and have 130 degree viewing angles and the salon. Similarly, the coach’s distinctive are enclosed in impact resistant, waterproof exterior, which boasts a shell motif with a housings, which come in chrome, white, or look of inset mother-of-pearl accents, is also gray primer (paintable) to match with any bus accentuated throughout the interior in the form exterior. One advantage of these cameras is that of mother-of-pearl tile backsplashes behind they can be easily surface mounted (vertically) each vanity, and as backdrops for hand-cut to the rear of any bus. They are also great for diamond-patterned valances. use in low light environments (nighttime). With the added space of four slide-outs, For more information visit www. the expanded salon in #1123 accommodates a asaelectronics.com

BUS CONVERSIONS 55 MC-8 Built 1973 to 1978

DIMENSIONS Brakes: Service: Air operated two shoe service brakes are installed at each axle. Overall Length: 40 ft Emergency: Air operated Bendix- Overall Width: 8 ft Westinghouse DD-3 emergency and parking Overall Height: 10 ft 10 in brakes at rear driving axle.

Headroom: Front Centerline 6’7” Electrical: 24 volt negative ground. Two, 204 Rear Centerline 6’5” ampere hour capacity batteries

Floor: Flat from side to side. Loses 2 inches Air Conditioning:: 3 cylinder compressor, belt from front to rear driven off the main engine

Luggage bays: 55” wide 30” high 90” deep Seats: 43, 47 or 49 passenger recliners with restroom Wheelbase: 285 in Parcel Racks: Inside parcel racks - 109 cu. ft. Approximate Vehicle Weight: 26,760 lb Luggage Compartments: Underfloor SPECIFICATIONS enclosed compartments - 300 cu. ft.

Engine: Eight cylinder Detroit Diesel 8V-71 two- Fuel Tank: 144 gallon capacity cycle - 285 HP at 2150 RPM Suspension: Air ride type, which maintaines a Transmission: Manual: Dana Model 8844A constant ride height (four forward and one reverse) Steering: Hydraulic - power steering is standard Clutch: Two plate dry disc type, 15” diameter, with air assist Body: Stainless steel fluted panels on lower half exterior. Can be polished Transmission: Automatic Allison HT740 (four forward and one reverse) Tires: 2 front, 4 drive, 2 tag, 12.5 X 22.5 This information may not be reliable. Check with manufacture to confirm.

56 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Well, kinda. You pay for your room or RV space, if you want the meal ticket it’s $25 for Saturday’s Lunch and Dinner. Entertainment Friday and Saturday nights Low Key Bus event in Northern AZ on Route 66! 60 miles East of Kingman, 85 miles from Laughlin NV. Great time of the year, not to hot not to cold. •••• > 50 RV spots have 50 amp hook ups < > New deluxe showers in the RV Park < > Beautiful Underground caverns to visit < > Diesel Fuel < > 48 Room Motel < > Restraraunt & Bar < > Gift Store < > Rodeo Area < > Air strip (L37 for flyins)< > Pool < > Meeting Rooms < •••• To Book your dinner, room or RV spot, Call the Grand Canyon Caverns at 928 422-3223

BUS CONVERSIONS Want to exhibit? Call 714 799 0062 57 QUEEN OF THE ROAD Doreen Orion

America’s Last ‘BUS’ Frontier: Kenai Peninsula: Part II rom Anchorage, we headed south adequate growing season. We drove down to the Kenai Peninsula, which juts the Seward Highway, one of only two on the into the Gulf of Alaska. We took the nearly 26,000-square-mile peninsula, this one scenic (and only) route, driving along going to the southwest corner, dead-ending at Opposite page top: View F the Turnagain Arm, separating the Chugach – where else? - Seward. of Turnagain Arm from Mountains from the peninsula proper. Along the way, we stayed at what is perhaps the Kenai Peninsula with With all the bells and whistles you’d the nicest (certainly frilliest – that’s frills, not Chugach Mountains expect from one of the most beautiful areas girly. Did you really expect girly in Alaska? looming over. of the state accessible by car (glaciers, various Geez.) RV park on the Peninsula (and perhaps Below and opposite page mountain ranges, ice fields, fjords, rivers, the entire state), Kenai Princess Lodge RV Park bottom: Tim and Miles lakes, yada yada) the Kenai, due to its mild in Cooper Landing (800-426-0500, advance frolicking at Cooper coastal climate, also happens to be one of the reservations are a must). When I say “nicest” Landing RV Park. few places in this part of the world with an realize that the park itself is just OK; it’s really

58 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 the lodge that’s lovely. Head for the upscale dinning room, or eat in the bar overlooking the river. Most importantly (and here I’m talking frills again, and do remember what I means, this time) the indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi was a nice change from the roughing it we’d done since we’d crossed the border. (Not that living in our Prevost was necessarily roughing it, but for a former Princess from the Island of Long, it’s all relative, ya know?) RV park guests can use any of the facilities of the lodge, including an exercise room. The managers will also arrange salmon fishing trips if you like to catch your own dinner. (One guesses if this Princess was up for that.) The lodge also has a nice walk along the river where you can see salmon while standing on floating platforms (much more my speed). We also took a five mile round trip hike in Russian River Lakes Park along the Russian River Falls Spur Trail, at the end of which is a viewing platform to watch salmon spawn and bears feed (we saw the former, none of the latter and I can’t say I was sorry on that account). You may want to ask the parking attendant at the entrance if the salmon are running, however, before bothering. Tim thought it was a pretty walk.

BUS CONVERSIONS 59 Without bear and only a couple salmon, I trip, so we didn’t stay in Seward, but there are thought it was pretty boring. many companies that offer various excursions While Seward is a nice town to walk around of varying lengths to see Fjords, glaciers and in, the main reason to go there is that it is the wildlife. As for RV Parks, I recommend just gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Tim arriving in town and heading for the city park, and I didn’t feel like taking another long boat as it’s right on the water. The private parks are Miller’s Landing (electric only, and to get to it, you have to drive on an extremely rutted, somewhat windy and narrow road) or Stony Creek which is a couple of miles out of town, but does have full hook-ups. The other advantage of the city park is that it’s right in the town of Seward, which is cute and laid back and haven’t you had enough of this out in the wilds stuff by now in America’s Last Frontier? BC

Next month, the other side of the Kenai Peninsula – Homer (doh!)

Dear Readers: I just wanted to say, isn’t the new look of BCM fabulous? Especially, of course, the tiara next to my picture. I do not, however, want any of you to think for a moment that I had anything to do with it’s being there (although it does look an awful lot like the one I wear at home). To see more of me in my tiara (yeah, yeah, the bus and our trip, too) and for tons of fun stuff (including video reenactments of our many bus disasters – even I’m feeling sorry for Tim at this point) please visit my website: www.doreenorion. com. And, thanks to those of you who have already stopped by and said hi. As for the rest, what are you waiting for? Right: We saw only this moose calf foraging during our trip through the Kenai Peninsula.

60 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Stylish Lighting

Complements Interiors

Lighting should accentuate, not detract from, the aesthetic appeal of a boat or RV. The

Designer Series Recessed Overhead Lights from ABI/Precision Lighting add an elegant touch to any interior.

Available in bold colors, including gold, chrome, chrome/gold pearl, gold/black pearl, black pearl, gold/white pearl and white pearl, the powder-coated aluminum Designer Series

Lights match any décor. Spring clips are incorporated in these modern lights for quick and easy installation. The classy lights have an overall diameter of 3-1/8” or 3-7/8”, cut- out diameter of 2-7/8” or 3” and overall depth of 2-1/8” or 2-3/8”, depending on the color.

These sophisticated lights emit brilliant illumination, using super-bright 12-volt, 10- watt MR-16 Xenon bulbs. LED and 24-volt configurations are also available by special order.

The Designer Series Recessed Overhead

Lights from ABI/Precision Lighting retail for

$15-$30.

Contact ABI/Precision Lighting,

3635 Standish Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95407.

800-422-1301; Fax: 800-624-9977. info@ abimarine.com; www.abimarine.com.

BUS CONVERSIONS 61 SERVICE DIRECTORY Bus Sales Rivets & Tooling Heating Systems BUS Sales Byler Rivet Supply Sure Marine Service Shells & Seated Buses Shavehead Rivets Webasto & Real 714.799.0062 ______800.325.3147 Fan Heater Source Mar athon Coach 800.562.7797 Fastening Systems ______Pre-Owned Coaches Blind Rivets & Tooling 800.234.9991 Aqua-Hot ______888.344.2393 The New Hydronic ABC Bus Companies Heating System Pre-Owned Coaches Generators 800.685.4298 800.322.2877 Engine Power Source Generators Designed Bus Caps To Go the Extra Mile Bus Converters R & M Fiberglass ______800.374.7522 Premier Coach Inc. Raised Roof Bus Caps Simple Modifications to 800.350.1656 Wrico International Complete Conversions Diesel Generators... 714.259.7555 Bus Information The Strong Silent Type ______Epic Conversion Support 541.744.4333 B & B Coach Works Books/Notes/Videos Bus Tanks Complete Custom Fabrication 888.420.5645 ______Ardemco 702.873.4415 Winlock Galey Hundreds of Sizes Books for Bus Conversion to Choose From Bus Roofing 915.943.0014 800.253.0115 Advanced Bus Windows Bus Repairs Rubber Coatings Liquid Roof—Apply like paint Peninsula Glass Vehicle Clinic Custom Built Windows Cure to a EPDM rubber membrane Motorcoach Repairs www.AdvancedRubberCoatings.com 360.892.2029 313.895.7600 | 941.883.5555 800.467.7135 Bus Windows Conversion Interiors Notary Public Engine Heat Protection Reduce Underhood Heat Custom RV Interiors Live Scan FlexSteel's Only RV Fingerprinting 949.661.8482 Furniture Gallery Store DMV Vehicle Verification Instrument Panels ______800.955.3957 will travel 24/7 Custom Instrument Panels Recovery Room LA | Orange County Dash Panels for Bus Conversions RV Interiors California Area 800.462.7635 951.688.4829 323.242.8859 | 323.681.2223

62 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Bus Sales | Mike : 714.799.0062 or 562.972.2178 | [email protected]

1991 MCI 102C3 8V92 DDEC Auto. VERY CLEAN RUST FREE CALIFORNIA BUS!.It has the rear radiators and rear caps like the D models and newer buses. And it has the hard to find powerful 8V92 DDEC engine. This bus is a straight bus with a good running drive train, cold A/C and 47 reclining seats with factory restroom. It has baggage door locks, front door lock, enclosed luggage racks, 6 monitor video system. You might find cheaper ones on the east coast... But this is a clean, clean bus. Asking $34,500

1989 MCI 102C3 6V92 Detroit turbo diesel w/Allison 740 auto. trans. P/S, air brakes, air ride, 47 reclining seats, factory restroom, 3 large storage bays. Bus has stainless steel siding that can be polished to a mirror finish, or smooth side bottom & painted (kit is less than $1,900, easy install). 6’ 10” headroom, 102” wide, 40’ long. Bus has good tires, very straight & runs great! Glass windows (some plastic). $1.50 per mile for delivery. No longer can provide milage on bus or any componets. Asking $22,000

1979 Blue MCI 8V71 Detroit Diesel, automatic trans, power steering, air brakes, factory restroom, 47 reclining seats. This bus is a great running unit with a very straight body. Can be delivered and priced to move at $8,500. I can arrange a driver to delivery for you! Asking $8,500

LimoBus Built into a MCI 102C3 this Accent Limobus has a new, high end limo conversion that seats up to 36 passengers plus private seating for the driver and cabin attendant. Lots of lightening, from fiber optics in the ceiling to lasers to led lights on the glass bases. 4 TVs, nice sound system, stainless steel wheel covers, wet bar, built in ice chest, this is a very nice sharp limo bus. Ready to make money. Asking $110,000 BUS CONVERSIONS 63 STERLING CLASSIFIEDS gobusing.com 1969 Eagle 07 MC9 Conversion

855 Cummins, 8V92-475 H.P. 5 700 Transmission, speed Alison-333 Professional rear-end. Diesel Conversion 1992, generator. Enine Satellite TVs, Front runs cool. Recent and Rear TV’s, Honda Propane overhaul, walnut 6.5 Gen Set, and Corian interior. Queen Bed, Corian Excellent condition. Countertops. [st] [st] [0803][st] [0809] [0805] will consider trade $60,000 $120,000 | 775-751-8766 Call Cy: 970-247-5753 1998 Eagle 01 LimoBus MCI 102C3

Conversion Queen The Accent LimoBus is a new, high end entertainment Island bed, walk- conversion that seats up to 36 passengers plus private thru bath w/skylight, seating for the driver and cabin attendant. Lots of lightening, w a s h e r / d r y e r , from fiber optics in the ceiling to lasers to led lights on the dishwasher, micro, glass bases. 4 TV’s, nice sound system, stainless steel wheel Corian, 15kw generator, 2500 watt covers, wet bar, built in ice chest, this is a very nice sharp inverter, new 8V92, limo bus. Ready to make money and be billed out at $325 and much more. Have per hour. e-mail: [email protected] $160,000 into it. Bus in Oregon. [st] [0711] Asking $79,500 OBO or Trade $110,900 Call 541-598-2020 or email: [email protected] for brochure. Call: 714.799.0062 or 562.972.2158

64 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 STERLING CLASSIFIEDS 1964 GMC 4106 1984 Eagle 102”

Conversion by Bill Kingston, completed in 2006. Painted by Stahr Design. 18,700 actual miles. Detroit diesel series 60, World Allison 6 spd. trans., compression brake, 15 KW Overhauled Detroit Diesel Wrico gen. w/3 remote starting areas. 2500W inverter, 225AMP alt., Big Foot leveling, 3 671, new auto trans, air brakes, roof A/Cs, all thermostats individual control aluminum wheels, onan 6.5kw/gas Electric mirrors, & windshield wipers. Rear generator, 2 coleman/13,500 BTU & pass. back-up camera. Webasto heating, Girard Awning, built-in BBQ, 150 roof a/c’s, 45,000 suburban heater, gal. fuel, 130 gal. fresh water, 100 gal. grey water, 80 gal. black water, LP 20 bus 12-volt, house 12-volt/110, 80 gal. Living Space: 33” by 13’6” slide out, 27” TV built in overhead cabinet gallon propane tank, 4 burner gas w/Direct TV set up. Surround sound, couch w/large under drawer. Recliner, desk w/computer hookup & phone jack. Beige carpet: living area & bedroom, cooktop, microwave, 110 electric Corian tile floor & countertops. Blackout duet shades throughout, w/dual pane refrigerator, full size tub/shower, windows, tinted. Kitchen Aid 2 burner gas stove, GE Convection oven & micro. new carpet throughout, 1” pleated fabric accordion blinds window Dometic refrig. side by side w/icemaker. Booth w/Corian table top, Grohe coverings, queen bed. [st] [0808] faucets throughout. Oak cabinets throughout. Queen bed, built-in TV, closet, 2 separate lavoratories, Corian shower w/clear glass Enclosure. [st] [0803] $25,000 | 432-580-9502 or 432-842-2207 $299,000: OBO | 530-228-9943 1972 MCI-7 1960 GMC 4104

Bus Conversion. 28,000 miles on Detroit 8V71 Turbo 40 ft. bus conversion, 8V71-V8 Detroit 4 spd. Borg Warner w/ Allison HT740 auto trans. Jake Brakes, Dual shocks tran. Tag axle, Jake brake. Power str., new clutch, 12V house, per wheel, power steering, new brakes, new airbags, new 24V bus lights. Oak panels, wht. naugahyde ceiling. 2 A/C’s, tires. Alcoa wheels, 8KW Kubota generator, 2 roof airs, 6 1/w heat. Back-up camera. AC/DC TV, standard sinks & house batteries, 2,500W trace invertor, 14 cubic ft. house cupboards, 3-100 gal. hold tanks, duel sewer system. 1500V refrigerator, teak interior, two-30,000 BTU LP heaters, four inverter, 180 gal. fuel tank. [st] [0712] burner LP stove, microwave. [st] [0804] $25,900 Asking $30,000 OBO 602-442-0207 after 6 PM work days Call Bob Sterling in TX: [email protected] 732-319-0295

BUS CONVERSIONS 65 STERLING CLASSIFIEDS gobusing.com 1967 MC5A 1973 GMC 4905

1998 conv. featuring rebuilt '75 Detroit Diesel 8V-71 engine with 318HP & Jake brake, w/4 sp. manual trans. & Ross integral P/S. Entire window area re- skinned w/new Peninsula thermo-pane Fully converted motor-home style windows installed. R&M fiberglass roof caps & vinyl- GMC 4905. 4 covered padded R&M dashboard. Fully insulated w/sprayed-in urethane foam. speed clutch. Full Imron body paint with basecoat/clearcoat color accents. Features include Basement air Primus propane hydronic coach heat w/engine pre-heat, holding tanks: 100 gal fresh, 100 gal. gray, 100 gal. black, full window awnings + main awning. generator. All Interior cabinetry is natural oil finish red oak. Flexsteel furniture. Located in oak interior. No WA State. E-mail: [email protected][st] [0805] smoke/NO pets. $35,500 US [st] [0801] Dick Knutsen-Cell: 360-600-1010 | Home: 360-834-4535 $19,000 OBO | 816-690-8258 1969 GMC 4107 1/4 page ad Sterling Classifieds Buffalo Bus Conversion, TA Engine, Auto Trans, New Radiator, Air Up to Two Pictures and bags, brake drums & Linings, Completely stripped and painted, posted online free. 3000 watt inverter, New Quiet Pk 8K Generator & 2 New roof A/C’s, Bkup Camera [st] [0805] $95/mo. $25,000 937.546.0029 or 423.337.9627

66 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 CLASSIFIEDS EAGLE MCI 7: Conversion never finished. Less than 100 miles on rebuilt 8v92t, allison tranny, Wrico gen 7.5, caps, some 1998 Eagle 01: Conversion Queen Island bed, walk-thru new trim, stainless kit for front w/ square lights Lots of bath w/skylight, washer/dryer, dishwasher, micro, Corian, other stuff. What are you looking for? Yakima, WA. 509- 15kw generator, 2500 watt inverter, new 8V92, and much 952-2572 [0802] more. Have $160,000 into it. Bus in Oregon. [st] [0711] Asking $79,500 OBO or Trade: Call 541-598-2020 or 1963 GM 4106: Auto, Jake brakes, cruise. Diesel Onan, email: [email protected] for brochure. new tires, alumn. wheels. 2 new A/C, nice updated interior. 8.5 MPG. $39,000. 952-210-1242 (pic) [0712] 2001 Eagle Bus: 6V92, auto, dsl gen., rear camera, CB R&M dash Microphor, includes 2-yr old custom 3/2 home in Lapine or perfect for snowbirds. $299,000 for pkg. 541- 536-9413 or 531-520-7936. (VIN7067) [cmp] Custom MC-8: New Renaissance body style. Skydeck with hide away railing and inside access (loaded). Good 1989 Model 15 Eagle 40': 6V92, brand new conversion, tight bus. Call for more photos & info: 503-745-2211 or all electric, great running coach. See website for complete details: www.jmcconvers~on.com. 316-794-3197. 503-743-4552. $100,000 OBO. [pic] [0808] (VIN80133) [cmp] 1976 MCI-8 40': Conversion completely redone in 2001. 1981 Eagle 40: Professionally converted 1997, green w/ Imron paint, 3 beautiful murals. Beige leather furniture, silver, new Series 60 500hp, 740 Allison, 95% Michelin 1962 GMC 4106: Rebuilt 8-71, 4 spd, maxi brakes, sleeps 6, new tires. In Wisc. Call Clyde 262-857-7193. tires 2 roof airs new brakes, central greasing system, Shepard P/S, air throttle, Zip-Dee awning. $10,000 OBO $60,000. (VIN11757) [cmp] hardwood and marble floors, Corian bathtub/shower, 870-269-5278. [pic] [0801] Webasto 10k Powertech, lot of extras $119,500. John [email protected] Hagenbrock, 715-299-7003 Wisc. (VINS3217) [cmp]

01 Eagle Bus: Beautiful conversion professionally built. MCI Corian & Koa wood int, 500hp Detroit 8V92. Auto trans, see pic and full spec at www.barberconst.com. $139,900 or trade for real estate, late model CAT equip. 541-461- 3361. [cmp]

FLXIBLE 1991 MCI 102C3: 8V92 DDEC Auto. VERY CLEAN RUST FREE CALIFORNIA BUS!.It has the rear radiators and rear caps like the D

models and newer buses. And it has the hard to find powerful 8V92 DDEC engine. This bus Charter Bus 1998 MCI Model 102C3: S/N is a straight bus with a good running drive train, 1M8GOM9A3JPO42209. Paint And Interior Are In cold A/C and 47 reclining seats with factory Excellent Condition With No Damage, Recent Service & restroom. It has baggage door locks, front 1971 Flxible: Info & pics @ www.rayhinman.com My Flxible Bus. Runs good, usable HT746 Allison Transmission Upgrade, Audio / Video video system. You might find cheaper ones on as is. Bus in Georgia. $24,000 229-344-7770 [pic] [0805] System Est 50,0000 Engine, Transmission & Differential the east coast... But this is a clean, clean bus. Recently Rebuilt Pedco Providing A One Year Warranty. $31,500. 562-972-2158 GMC Pedco, 9911 Norwalk Blvd., Santa Fe Springs Ca. 90670. e-mail: [email protected] PH. 562-944-3199 Fax. 562 944 9589. Price 35,000 1990 MCI: 8V92TA, 260.000 miles, Custom Coach Land Cruiser, European style laminate cabinets. Corian counters, leather interior, large shower, queen bed, lots of

storage, 14 5 Kohler diesel gen, 3 zone Aqua Hot, 2 one ton AC, Cruise Air, excellent condition, no petssmoking, $165,000 419-362 6476 (ViN07573) [cmp]

1981 MCI-9: Converted new by Custom Coach. GM’61/8V71 35’ Conv: Low mile motor, 730 auto, jake Automatic 8-V71. cruise, total electric, 14.5kw diesel brake, B/U camera, solar, 8kw diesel generator,1500w generator interior refurbished in 1999. New exterior paint inverter. $39, 500 OBO (619) 445-7441 [pic] [0708] 1977 MC8: 8V71 Allison conversion. Completed in 2003, 1999, queen bed, Michelins 80%, 271,900 miles, ready one trip out. Husband passed away, MUST SELL 12.5 to go Pictures at Call 405-517-7283. Email d6364R@ 1962 GMC 4106: Ready to convert. Plywood on floor and generator. Lots of goodies CALL FOR DETAILS: 512- yahoo.com $69,500. (VIN36192) [cmp] walls. 8V71, Allison V730. Low tire miles. $7500 OBO. 556-2676 $75,000 OBO. [pic] [0802] 760-413-4062. [0708]

BUS CONVERSIONS 67 CLASSIFIEDS gobusing.com

A MCI 9 w/solid Knotty Pine interior, lots of options on the floorplan in the bedroom area and living area. Has a finished sleeping compartment in the bay w/access from the interior of the bus. The sleeping bay has heat & A/C, windows etc, Kids love it down there! Comes w/new diesel gen set & new 2 roof airs, has new tires, 1000 miles on a rebuilt engine and a 1 year limited warrenty as well as roadside assistance for 1 year. This is a very nice practical unit! Was priced at $124,000 but reduced to $99,000. It has only been slept in twice! Can deliver. Mike: 562-972-2158 see it at www.Motorcabin.com 1968 MCI5A 35’: 8V71 4speed stick Ross steering. Solar, Built for Full Time, redone 2006. Oak cabinets., Twin air 1975 MCI SB 35': Never a `'hound" Always garaged, low beds, Sleeps 6, air bag. $30K OBO. 925-813-4718. e- mileage, new rebuilt 8V71 with Allison, four color p a i n t , Prevost 1984 Le Mirage: 8V71 5 Speed Manual, mail: [email protected] [pic] [0804] walnut interior, 4kw Trace Inverter 80 gal propane tank, Partially converted with ceramic tile shower and kitchen. 7kw Genset, 2 furnaces. Asking $60,000. 509-346-9525 Very good overall condition. In Sevierville,TN. PRICED 2002 CONV. 1986 MCI 96A3. Detroit 8V71 auto. Featured WA. (VINS11426) [cmp] REDUCED: $29,000 765-969-5012 [pic] [0802] in June '03 issue. Sleeps 7. $105K ea. or 2 for $200K. More at www.2moms.org/buses. [pic] [0709] 903-651- 1329 cell. e-mail: [email protected] PARTS Bonney’s “Bison Tuff” Bus Baggage Door Hinges: 1975 Mci-8 40': 1996 conversion D-3 style caps, 8V71 New improved “reinforced” baggage door hinge, replaces 740 Allison, ceramic countertops and shower, queen bed, weak rubber hinges on older GM, Eagle, MCI, Prevost raised panel cabinets, excellent body and mechanical. and others. Phone Stuart Bonney @ Umatilla Buffalo 501-888-4253. (VIN12116) [cmp] Ranch: 541-567-2833 [0807] 1975 MCI-8: Automatic 8V71, rebuilt w/55,000. New 10k Isuzu diesel gen, 100 gal each fresh and black water tanks, Rebuilt 8V71: Built and dyno'd at Detroit shop, used alum wheels and new tires. updated tail lights, rusted side Completely Rebuilt MC8: New 8V92, radiators + much one season only, has new injectors, Jake brakes, new walls replaced. All thermo and tinted Peninsula windows, more. Over $125k spent + thousands of hrs. $79,900. Call compressor, comes w/Allison 740 trans. & diff. and the cedar lined closet new carpet and lino, oak all electric for details: 570-546-5345 [pic] [0711 rest of 1973 MCI a former conv. Can be driven to your 50amp w/transfer circuit panel, insulated w/1 1/2" R-max, location. Bus has front & rear caps front bumper, front 2 roof A/C heat pumps, 2 roof fans w/covers, 19 gal h/w 1970 MCI-7 40': 1998 professional conversion, for family face & breast plate from R & M chassis is poor. Also have heater. New refrig w/freezer All interior walls have been or group, sleeps 8, 8kw diesel gen, Imron paint, oak extra 225 amp alt. & a heater blower motor call Don: 807- reinforced w/steel for safety. Askinq $54,900. Call 352- cabinets, trim, full kitchen & bath, rose & floral. $69,000 475-7976 or email: [email protected] [0705] 637-4553, 352-212-3000 cell. (VIN) [cmp] MT. 406-827-8667. (VIN7690) [fmca] 671 Detroit Diesel Engine: Engine has counter clockwise (left-hand) rotation. Engine ID LC1067-7001. PREVOST Has four valve head. 48,000 miles on in-frame overhaul. Has air compressor, alternator with belt drive & brackets. Clutch with 4 speed manual angle drive transmission & radiator (out of P.D. 4104 greyhound bus). Engine and transmission are in a bus cradle suitable for shipping. Buyer responsible for shipping arrangements and costs. 1989 MCI 102C3 SS: 6V92 Detroit turbo diesel Weight about 5,000 pounds. You’re welcome to inspect 2002 Prevost LeMirage: 3406 E Electronic CAT Allison w/Allison 740 auto. trans. P/S, air brakes, air ride, 47 the engine and hear it run in Ft Collins. Payment in cash, engine, 26113 miles, all new appliances and many others, reclining seats, factory restroom, 3 large storage bays. money order or check (US funds). Wait for check or MO Bus has stainless steel siding that can be polished to a Excellent Condition. Asking $225,000 OBO. For more info to clear before shipping. Please call with any questions. mirror finish, or smooth side bottom & painted (kit is less email: [email protected] or call 608- than $1,900, easy install). 6' 10" headroom, 102" wide, 742-2031 between 8AM - 5PM CST [pic] [0707] $1950.00. 480-986-4684 [rv] 40' long. Bus has good tires, very straight & runs great! Glass windows (some plastic) Will deliver for $1.50 per Engines, Transmissions, Conversion Kits: 8Vs, 6Vs. mile, or you can pick-up. Bus located 20 miles south of Engine parts, ECUs, Turbos, etc. Body parts, etc. Glass, Los Angeles CA. No longer can provide milage on bus or MCI, FLXB, RTS. 815-436-9640 [0710] any componets. Asking $22,000. 562-972-2158 8V 92 Silver: Run’s excellent, Complete Engine here it run. Turbo Charged $5000.00 Call Frank @ 530 640- 3088. [0803]

Complete Electrical System: Includes 15kw powertech 1987 Prevost Le Mirage XL 40’: 8V92 Turbo Silver 6 generator on roll out tray run 148hours, 2500 watt heart spd stnd. Partially converted. Very good cond. Located 10 inverter, automatic switching landline and everything min from Hamilton Airport Ontario, Canada. For pics go to else needed to wire to code. No interior electrical Moosecreek Summer Cabin Demo Unit: Moosecreek has http://havealookc.googlepages.com/home $27,500 CAD. componments. Unit is located in Florida...pick up only. For complete a new demo unit to replace it's Demo Motorcabin. Call 1-905-765-3996 [pic] [0801] more information contact me @[email protected] Price $6000 OBO. [0803]

68 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 CLASSIFIEDS

INFORMATION Coach manuals, wiring diagrams, maintaenance, parts For quicker service post your ad and operators manuals, (printed or CD) for most intercity and transit coaches. www.coachinfo.com 770-789-7467 online at gobusing.com WANTED

WANTED: Low time 8V71 Detroit diesel for MCI-5A. Seattle area. Dale: 425-228-1784 [0802]

gobusing.com

GUARANTEED CLASSIFIED ADS Do you have a bus conversion, bus shell, tour bus, almost-finished bus, or any other kind of bus you wish to sell? Advertise it with us. We can help you sell your bus or any of your supplies, parts, or services with our most unusual guarantee. If you have not sold your item at the end of three months, we will run your ad for another three months FREE! Ad rates are based on a 40-character line. Count every letter, number, punctuation mark, and space when figuring your rate. Classifieds are $10 per line (minimum 3 lines) per month. You may include a color photo for an additional $25 per month. Call us at 714-799-0062, or mail your completed ad to Bus Conversions Magazine, ATTN: Classifieds Ads, 7246 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683 or email to: [email protected]

Name______Phone______Ad-

dress______City______State____ Zip______

Credit Card #______Visa/ MasterCard/Discover/AmEx______

__

BUS CONVERSIONS 69 Bus i.d. Poster This full-size (19X25), 2-sided color poster, features 45 different bus models span- ning the century. The reverse side features the specifications of each bus. Priced at $4.50 ($3 for each additional) plus $4.50 S/H.

To Order Online: busconversions.com/ poster.html

By phone, call: 714-799-0062 PST

Fax your request: 714-799-0042. or send a check, money order, or credit card information to: MAK Publishing, 7246 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683 Eagle | GMC | Prevost | MCI | Van Hool Brill Dina | Viaggio Flxible Neoplan | Blue Bird Setra

70 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 BUS CONVERSIONS 71 PAID U.S. POSTAGE SAN DIMAS, CA PERMIT NO. 410 PERMIT PRSRT STANDARD PRSRT

72 M A R C H 2 0 0 8