BCM June 2017 Bus Conversion Magazine

A Simple Door Latch for a Residential Refrigerator

Rally in the Desert

Our First Bus, a 1968 Blue Bird

A Tribute to William “Bill” Phelan. 2 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 PUBLISHER´S

NOTE DIGITAL EDITION ENHANCEMENTS GARY HATT Great news! Starting next month in the July Even if you have a print only subscription now, you should issue for the first time in history we will be consider converting your subscription over exclusively to a running new articles in our Bonus Section. digital subscription so you will be able to read this additional In the past, our Bonus Section has includ- content. You can contact us to do this and we will double ed Blast From the Past articles from issues over the past the remaining time on your digital subscription because the 25 years of BCM as well as much more information about digital is now half the price of the print subscription so you some of the bus rallies coming up. It also included Product will not have to renew as early. Announcements and Press Releases related to buses and RVs as well as our Bus Chat which are excerpts from our The digital edition also has advantages not available in very popular website Forum and extra photos of old buses the print such as taking up less space in your bus, you can or other photos of interest. enlarge text and photos for easier reading, you can search on keywords, you will not have to forward it when you head It is difficult for us to justify adding more pages to the print south for the winter, and you can click on links to take you edition of the magazine as much as we have wanted to, directly to online videos which we will be adding starting in due to the high cost of printing and mailing, but with more the July issue. It can also be read on any mobile device. and more people subscribing to the digital edition, which is And last but not least, if your computer is lost, damaged, now over 90% of our subscribers, we want to concentrate or stolen, we will replace all of your digital editions since on improving this delivery method even more. subscribing for free. That should be more than enough reasons to consider converting to a digital subscription if So if you have not subscribed to our digital edition, now is you haven’t already, like so many other people have. the time to do so before next month, because in July we will run the first part of a 12 part series of articles written Opinions and techniques expressed herein are those of by Bruce Fay about remolding the interior of his Prevost. the authors and do not necessarily represent those en- We will also start running other articles in the digital edi- dorsed by the Publisher. Bus Conversion Magazine and tion as well to be able to share more information with you the authors respectively accept no responsibility or liability each month about living, traveling, and maintaining a bus for any errors, omissions, alterations, or for any conse- conversion or any type of RV. If you already have a print quences ensuing upon the use of, or reliance upon any in- subscription, a digital subscription is a free add-on with one formation contained herein. Tasks performed in maintain- easy phone call to our office. ing, altering and using vehicles may require specialized skills and involve inherent risks to the person doing the With the advent of us running new articles in our digital edi- work or to the safe operation of the vehicle. It is the read- tion and making other improvements, if your subscription is er’s responsibility to assess their own skills to determine if coming up for renewal soon, and you currently have only a they can perform any such task and to seek professionally print subscription, you should consider renewing with a digital trained assistance if needed. edition subscription to take advantage of this new content. MAGAZINECONTACTS On The Cover Published By Bus Conversion Magazine 9852 Katella Ave., Suite 361 Anaheim, CA 92804 Website (657) 221-0432 www.BusConversions.com Publisher Online Discussion Forum Gary Hatt www.BusConversions.com/bbs/ Phil Lyons [email protected] [email protected] Rally in the Desert Editorial Jorge Escobar Moderators [email protected] Nick Badame Like us on Facebook: Jack Conrad facebook.com/BCMagUSA Senior Editor & Art Director K.J “Frank“ Franklin Paul Lawry We want to hear from you! Write to us. Accounting/Subscriptions Email us, call us. Tell us what you like and Linda Sohn don’t like. What type of information would [email protected] you like to see in the magazine? Send us a story! Do you have before and after photos $6.00 US of your conversion project? During? Maybe Contributing Authors a story about adventures while traveling, or Bruce Fay with Butch Williams $7.00 Canada a wonderful place to camp that you found. Pam Noonan Contact [email protected] to learn Jon Usle more or discuss your article idea. Please send us your stories of your bus conversions (long or short) and please document them with digital photos. We would love to consider your articles for the magazine. In addition, we are seeking submissions for the “Landmark BCM” photo feature. Please send them to [email protected].

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 3

If you are viewing this magazine on a computer or mobile device, you A Simple Door Latch can click or tap any of the article titles or advertisers on this page to go directly to that article or ad. for a Residential Refrigerator By Bruce Fay In This Issue 4 with Butch Williams Publisher´s Note 2 Index of Advertisers 3 Rally in the Desert By Pam Noonan A Simple Door Latch for a Residential Refrigerator 4 By Bruce Fay with Butch Williams 8 Rally in the Desert 8 By Pam Noonan Our First Bus, a 1968 Our First Bus, a 1968 Blue Bird 20 Blue Bird By Jon Usle By Jon Usle A Tribute to William “Bill” Phelan 24 20

Rally News 25 26 Suscription Form A Ttribute to William Back Issue Order From 27 “Bill” Phelan Classifieds 28 24 Service Directory 31 Exclusively In this Issue Index of Advertisers Online Edition of BCM 9 All American Urethane  More of Rally in The Desert 14 Ardemco  BFTP - Bay Basics Atlantic Custom Coach 15  Road Fix - My Bus Blew Up Autex 5  They Just Don´t Make Them Like They Used To B&B Coachworks 32  Additional Rally Information Byler Rivet 13  Lloyd DeGerald’s 2017 Schedule Custom Instrument Panels 12  Bus Parts Liquidation Sale Engine Heat Protection 21  Engine Power Source 22 Get Your Bus ID Poster While They Last! 32  Press Release - CCW Delivers Two Buses to Fastening System International the City of Modesto LandRVs 24  Bus Chat - Bed Platform Lloyd DeGerald Services 8 Magne Shade 32 Mobile RV Glass 15 Pacific RV Parts 7 Reliable Glass 20 Also, additional bus related classifieds Sewer Sock 23 and potentially other late breaking info. Shade Smith 10 Sure Marine Service 14 Thanks to our advertisers Tommy Kaylor’s Bus and Truck 4 for supporting Transit Sales International 11 Unforgettable Fire 6 Bus Conversion Magazine Wrico International 21

www.BusConversions.com 4 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 A Simple Door Latch for a Residential Refrigerator

By Bruce Fay with Butch Williams

The latch plate attached to the refrigerator case with the knob and all-thread removed. Yes, one of the mounting screws is missing. Refrigerator Door Latches intrigued us. Imagine a flat piece of metal shaped like a T. Bend the “bull” of the T 90 degrees and Our new refrigerator doors seal nicely, but in a sud- then bend the tip of the bull another 90 degrees in den stop there was no guarantee they would stay the same direction so the tip is now parallel to the closed. Our initial system for latching the doors run. Mount the run of the T to the refrigerator case was painter’s tape, but we clearly needed a better, so the bull sticks out between the upper and lower long-term solution. doors (or the left and right doors, as the case may be). Drill a hole in the tang at the end and install a We have seen several very clever ways to latch narrow turn latch (not a round knob). If the metal refrigerator doors on units that do not have them plate is sized correctly so the bull is just the right designed in. A simple hook and eye arrangement length, and the turn latch is the right size, it can be is easy to do if you have access to the side of the refrigerator case or surrounding cabinet and don’t mind drilling holes into your fridge case, doors, or woodwork. Our friend, fellow Bus Nut, and BCM contributor, Scott Bruner, attached electromagnets to the cabinet and matching plates to the doors. He wired up a circuit for the electromagnets that activates them when the ignition is turned on and provided an override switch to allow them to be opened. As much as that approach appealed to me, I was not up for running the wiring. A few winters ago we were staying at an RV park in Florida and they had an RV show. In one of the motorhomes we saw a simple, mechanical latch that www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 5 turned horizontally (vertically) to allow the doors to open and turned vertically (horizontally) to latch them closed. Simple! I described this to friend and fellow bus nut, Butch Williams, and asked if he could make one. He thought about it for a while and came up with a way to do almost the same thing that was easier for him to fabricate. Easier is good.

Our Refrigerator and Latch

The refrigerator door latch with the original template and design notes. Our refrigerator is a residential over/under top-freez- er design. Because it has reversible doors, there are mounting holes between the upper and lower doors on the front at each side to allow a hinge to be located where needed. Our refrigerator is set up with the hinges on the left so the holes on the right were not being used and were plugged with black screws to match the finish.

A view of the latch showing how it holds the bottom door.

The latch holding both doors closed.

www.BusConversions.com 6 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

could be tightened down snug to the doors with the addition of a fender washer and pad. Butch used a hole punch kit to cut a circle of leather and glued it to a washer. The all-thread was removed from the hex coupling nut and a nut was threaded onto it followed by the padded washer with the leather pad facing away from the knob. The knob was screwed tight onto the all-thread and then the nut was tightened to hold the washer in place and keep the all-thread from backing out. He used a little thread-locker to help hold it together. I installed the plate on the refrigerator and threaded the free end of the all-thread into the hex coupling nut. The padded washer was just big enough to catch both doors. When parked, the all-thread comes out along with the knob and goes in a drawer. That was by design so that nothing is sticking out between the doors when we are using the refrigerator. And that is how we made a latch for our refrigerator without having to drill any holes in the case or doors.

Conclusions Sometimes the simplest solutions are best and this was about as simple as it gets. Still, it solved a very real problem for us.

The latch installed on the refrigerator and holding the doors closed. I made a paper template of the hole locations, including their relationship to the right edge of the case, the upper and lower doors and seals, and the door handles. Butch then fabricated a metal plate with three holes in it that was narrow enough to fit between the doors and not interfere with the door seals but long enough to allow a threaded rod to come out between the doors and not interfere with the door handles. He drilled a fourth hole in the plate and countersunk it from the back side until the head of a flathead screw was just below the surface. The hole was located so that it was half way between the doors when the plate was mounted to the case using the other three holes. Butch slid a washer over the flat head screw and attached a 1” long hex coupling nut using thread-lock- er. He then installed a piece of all-thread rod in the other end. He found an old round knob (black) with threads that matched the rod and determined how deeply it would thread onto the rod. He then cut the all-thread rod so that it extended just far enough beyond the front surface of the doors that the knob www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 7

Dr. Bruce Fay is a retired educational assess- Butch and Fonda Williams owned and op- ment and evaluation consultant and a former erated Service Motors for 20 years. During electrical engineer, photographer, and teach- that time they were the pre-eminent supplier er. His wife, Linda, is a retired CPA & corpo- of parts for Crosley automobiles. These cars rate controller. They live in S.E. Michigan, were last built in the early 1950s. Although and started traveling North America in their they had a surprisingly good supply of facto- 1991 Prevost H3-40 coach conversion in June ry original parts, there were many parts that 2013. (Photo by Brendan Fay.) were no longer available. In those cases they either had them made by a vendor, bought an Their website and blog are at off-the-shelf part that was similar and modi- http://www.omnibus-mi.us fied it, or made parts from scratch in their own machine shop. They can be reached at Butch can be reached at [email protected] [email protected]

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www.BusConversions.com 8 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 Rally in the Desert

By Pam Noonan

Group photo

Pahrump, Nevada is an unincorporated town located Knowing that we have many full timers and snow 60 miles west of Las Vegas and 55 miles east of birds in our group, we invited the first 12 buses that Death Valley National Park. Pahrump means “water registered to come early and stay on our property. rock” and was so named because of the abundant The first five buses arrived on Monday, March 6, artesian wells throughout the valley. 2017, five days before the actual start of the rally. When we were all fired up to head to the Wine Tony Saraceni and I hosted the inaugural Bus Con- Ridge Resort on Saturday morning, March 11, 2017, versions International rally here in Pahrump back there was a total of 13 coaches parked all around in 2015, while we were still living in Cody, WY. We our little house. have since moved here and bought a small property. The PRE-RALLY Once we decided that we wanted to host a rally was a wonderful again, we attempted to find a resort somewhere laid back time. between here and Arizona. We really did not want Everyone contrib- to have the second rally at the same location as our uted to the atmo- previous one. Our search was met with difficulties sphere. The la- as most resorts are now asking for large deposits dies were always just to reserve. One resort we visited even asked there to pitch in for full payment for 30 rigs up front. We made our and help get decision to reserve the Wine Ridge RV Resort here meals prepped in Pahrump, NV. and cleaned up. (Thank you Ronnie Brannon) The only planned meals were my well known Ital- ian dinner with my secret reci- pe homemade meatballs, and To view Lloyd DeGerald´s entire schedule, please go to the bonus section online Jere Brannon tending the stew pot Jere Brannon’s July 5-9 MI Pre Rally Celina, OH world famous July 12-15 FMCA Indianapolis, IN August Paron, AR Hobo Stew. Jere’s Hobo Stew is a story in itself. I September Paron, AR handed him 6 lbs. of beef at about 8:30AM and he October 26,27,28 6 State show Set Up Texarkana, Ar October 25 6 State show fired up his propane boiling pot. That man literally sat by that kettle ALL DAY LONG tending the stew. Everyone was encouraged to bring some vegetables www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 9 and stir the pot when they were added. Of course attendees had signs cut for their rigs. having been subject the wonderful aroma all day, we were starving. I baked a couple trays of corn Friday afternoon a group headed to Sheri’s Ranch bread and we feasted at around 5:00 PM. It was for lunch and tour of the brothel. They also stopped wonderful!! at the world famous Chicken Ranch next door. Thank you to Laurie and Tom Czoka for providing Every evening here at the house we sat around the lunch one day and Russ Long and Patricia Cox for fire pit. It was a great time to get to know everyone. the morning donuts during the pre-rally. Thank you So many we had only know via our Facebook page, to Rosa Chevez and Nina O’Rourke for being there Bus Conversions International. for goody bag loading day. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who was here at the house that helped with all the final prep details before the actual rally. Loading of the goody bags, loading the trailer and bus with the scooter, wood, coolers, cases of beverages, etc. It took a lot of pressure off Tony and me. SATURDAY March 11, 2017 was our arrival at the Wine Ridge RV Resort. When we got to the resort there were already a couple buses lined up along the road waiting for check in time. Once the wel- Group shot behind race car come tent was set up, we were ready to register the arrivals. Special thanks to Nina O’Rourke and Laurie Czoka for their assistance with check in. We Wednesday morning a group of us headed off to the had each coach draw a number for their assigned Spring Mountain Raceway. It is home to the Ron parking spot and presented them with their imprinted Fellows Performance Driving School. Tom Czoka, goody bags filled with pens, journals, calendars, BCI Gary Hatt, Luis Chevez, and Tony Saraceni were key chains, pot holders (courtesy of Char Holcomb) signed up to have hot laps. They did not drive, but were passengers in a 2017 Z06 Corvette. The driver told us that his top speed was 197 mph on the track in this particular car. Thankfully he did not go quite that fast during our visit. From the looks on the guy’s faces when they got out of the car, whatever speed he went was certainly fast enough! Thursday morning a group headed down the road to Patterson Fabrication, LLC. This is a small welding and metal fabrication shop that does some great work in here in our town. The group was witness to a water jet metal cutting machine. A couple of the

Group photo at Sheri’s

www.BusConversions.com 10 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 spice packets, drink koozees, etc. The resort had In the afternoon we had the “Team Scooter Chal- allotted us our 30 spaces that were all in a cluster. lenge”. This was a fun event for the participants Tony Saraceni and Tom Czoka took care of the as well as the people on the sidelines. We had a parking with the assistance of Dustin Brock and 3-wheel battery operated scooter. The driver was Darryl Elkins. At the opening evening Meet and Greet, we did the “Ladies Shuffle”. Each lady was handed a rose and a brown paper wrapped plaque with a different

Rex and Char Holcomb Meet and greet at tent More photos on Page 36 of the Digital Edition blindfolded and fitted with shoulder straps. The couple’s name. They were instructed to go find the navigator walked behind guiding the driver along couple that it belonged to. It made a few laughs the course by pulling on the straps. The navigator and broke the ice for getting acquainted for many was not allowed to speak. The navigator’s frus- of the attendees that had not previously met. This was followed by a catered Italian dinner and the fireside gathering. SUNDAY was a busy day starting off with the usual

Ladies gathering coffee and donuts. The morning ladies gathering that I moderate, seems to be a favorite among the women that attend. Gives us all a chance to share a bit about where we are from and how we enjoy our bus life. This year I had printed out some “getting to know you” questions that produced some answers that ended in a lot of laughter.

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 11 trations over the driver not following their directive Sunday afternoon tugs were as funny to watch as the driver running we had the arriv- off the course. John Brachler and his son Zeke al of our special won this event. guest Daniel Lenz from Brownsville, TX. For the Ea- gle bus owners he needs no in- troduction. He worked for Eagle Bus Corporation before they went Around the fire pit out of business. He is a walking encyclopedia on the history and workings of Eagle buses. He grew up in a family that was involved in the bus industry and currently works for a school bus manufacturer. Sunday evening we again had a catered dinner. This time it was a Hawaiian theme. The fireside gathering was held at the poolside fire pit. While relaxing around the fire, I served Irish coffee and my now becoming famous “Nordle Puffins”. MONDAY started with the coffee and donuts. That

Tom Czoka, Tony Saraceni, and Daniel Lenz

BuyBuy - -Repair Repair Luis Chavez in action New Inventory Daily 100’s of Buses to Choose From CALL US TODAY 1.800.BUS.SALE Contact Richard Winning team of the Bean Bag Toss - High Rollers TransitSalescom See more photos in page 38 of the Digital Edition

www.BusConversions.com 12 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 afternoon we had the “Beanbag Baseball Tourna- evening we had a catered Mexican/ American dinner ment”. Once again, the cheering section was as and the usual end of day fireside gathering. important as the team players in making this event Both on Sunday and Monday we had Coach Open House Tours. Open houses are optional participation for the owners. We color code the window space number tags. We then can assign various times that each color is open for tours. If an owner chooses not to participate, they just do not display the sticker in their window. It is always fascinating to see the ideas the different owners have incorporated into their builds. Needless to say many head home from the rally with a “NEED TO DO LIST” after seeing all the unique ideas that work so well for others.

Laurie Czoka and Pam Noonan scooping ice cream a success. Laurie Czoka was the official umpire and she ruled with an iron fist. The teams were the High Rollers and the Low Rollers. The High Rollers won the event. After baseball, we had an ice cream social. That

Barrel Room at Pahrump Winery

During the rally many of the attendees took advantage of the winery tours and tastings. Pahrump Valley Winery is located on the property of the Wine Ridge Resort. The winery has a small estate vineyard planted in the early 1990’s these vines had never been harvested until 2005. That is the year they successfully harvested the first one and a half tons of Zinfandel grapes. This resulted in the release of Nevada’s first ever commercial red wine. They have won over 430 wine awards since that time. TUESDAY morning we had a catered breakfast in the resort clubhouse. This was followed by our Desert Haven Animal Society fund raiser. Being as so many of our BCI members make their critters a part of our bus family, a fund raiser for a local ani- mal shelter is always a good thing. We had asked those that wished to contribute to provide an item for our Chinese Auction. We had all sorts of items donated, everything from rope lights, solar candles, hand crafted leather items, to small appliances. We are thankful to have had the support of Nancy Guin and Sheryl Hunter, who are volunteers at the www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 13

Desert Haven. We sold tickets by the arm length. It was a great success for the shelter. We raised a total of $827!! Very special thanks to Lorna Amundson who sold some of her beautiful paintings and prints and donated a portion of her sales back to our event. Desert Haven is no kill shelter that has only been

Chinese Auction See more photos on page 37 in the Digital Edition Catered breakfast prior to auction

www.BusConversions.com 14 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

in operation for a little over a year. Needless to say they were thrilled to have our support. Tony and I took $200 of the money and went shopping for their most needed supplies. Bleach and cat litter are the two things that we have been told ALL shelters desperately need. We purchased and delivered over 800 lbs. of litter along with bleach and some paper towels. THANK YOU all for your support. The amount raised was way above our expectations. Following the auction we had a presentation by the owner of Star Valley Ranch in Thayne, WY. Tim Stewart showed a video followed by a brief de- scription and answered questions. Tony and I have decided that we will be doing the “End of Summer Rally” there this coming September. Our final evening dinner was pot luck....as always; there was a huge array of food and plenty to fill the plates. The fireside gathering that evening was filled with a lot of “so glad to have met you” type of comments. The Rally in the Desert was a huge success on many fronts. We had a total of 30 coaches plus Larry Hall President of Western GM Group three people that rented cabins. We had attendees from Canada and one couple from as far east as claiming his auction wins Illinois. Tony and I had so many compliments telling

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 15 us what a great time everyone had. The one thing we always say... “The thanks belong to the attend- Pam Noonan and ees! If no one showed up it would not be such a Tony Saraceni currently live in Pahrump, NV. Before retiring they both worked in the promotions and marketing field. Their business TSP Produc- tions included a mobile disc jockey service, a bridal publication and producing wedding ex- pos. One of their more colorful stints was the couple years they worked with the Profession- al Bull Riders. (NO Tony did not ride!) They have traveled extensively, including nu- merous cross country trips in their 1974 Eagle that they sold last year. They are currently in the process of converting their 1972 Silver Eagle with a modified 3406B Cat engine AKA TopCat. They are also the co-founders of the popular Join us on Facebook banner Facebook page great rally!” That said, a huge THANK YOU to all BUS CONVERSIONS INTERNATIONAL. that attended. Bus Conversions International was started as a Facebook page back in 2014. We welcome anyone Atlantic Custom Coach that has an interest in bus conversions of any type. You do not need to own a bus to join our page. We are continually growing and currently have over 4000 members. If you are not currently a member, please check us out at: www.facebook.com/groups/702705519771727/ e Can Help ou ith

As I said to so many during the pre-rally and rally... Aluminum Race ecks Stair systems “We never would have met if we did not have a Coach Chassis House Systems bus. We come from all parts of the country and all Custom Stainless Aluminum Metal ork walks of life, but the one thing we have in common lectrical Systems is our buses. What a great way to start a lifelong Lateral Arm Aning Installation Repair friendship!” Heating Cooling Systems H Satellite Systems Audio ideo Systems Hope to see you soon down this highway we call life. Bodyork raphics

our satisfaction is our highest priority Route North, Cape May Court House, N

www.BusConversions.com Tony checking out the buses at the rally on his Harley

Bobby & Tyke Harding 1996 Prevost XLT Donna & David Bezy 1980 Eagle

Marie & Ron Montbrand 1989 Eagle Doreen & Dave Walker 1979 MCI

Jume & Ron Craig 1976 American General Joni & Harry Holton 1966 GM Buffalo John & Rachael Brauchler 1956 GMC Art & Cindy Wales 1988 Eagle

Valerie & JC Alacoque 1977 MCI-5C Janet & Ed Vanlandingham 1973 MCI

Jack & Lorna Amundson 1935 Chevy School Bus Elaine & Marty Golden 1989 Eagle

Marj & Dan West Carol & Larry Hall GM Char & Rex Holcomb 1962 GM Gary Hatt 1967 Eagle

RJ Long & Patricia Cox 1978 MC5C Angola Coach Lynn Diaz & Charles Lamar 1957 Flexible

Ronnie & Jere Brannon 1962 Flexible Alice & Phil Shiveley 1962 GM

Sharon & Ray Powell 1980 MCI Rhonda & Bryan Larrabee 1970 GM Donna & Tom Christman 1977 American General Luis & Rosa Chavez 1988 MCI

Matt Opper 1946 GM Laurie & Tom Czoka 1973 Eagle

Roger Lembke 1975 GM Mike & Nina O’rourke 1963 GMC

Rally in the Desert 2017 BUSES

Tony Saraceni & Pam Noonan 1972 Eagle 20 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

Our First Bus, a 1968 Blue Bird

By Jon Usle

Photos were taken the day we took it home

My wife and I purchased our first bus in October other cruisers. Dogs are hanging their heads out of 1984. The bus was a 1968 Blue Bird/Chevrolet the windows, enjoying the ride. People on the 32-foot conventional schoolie. It had a Chevy 350 sidewalks would be staring at the bus as we went gas engine with a 5-speed manual transmission by. We couldn’t figure out if they were looking at and air brakes. The bus was painted lime-green. the schoolie or the dogs. We only had two major It was a church bus when we bought it. repairs with that first bus. The purchased price was $1200. We put some The first one was a harmonic balancer. For some money down and put it on a layaway plan. Layaway reason it failed and I had to find a replacement you say? Yep. We paid it off in May of 1985 and one. I scrounged around several junk yards and drove it home. came up with an exact match. I paid my money and took it home. A mechanic told me there may With the economy being what it was for us, we be some resistance when attaching it to the front pulled the seats and moved in. It started out as of the crankshaft, so I used a hammer to tap it an improvised custom camper. I built dog crates into place. Tapping wasn’t working. It fit on the out of plywood and chicken wire in the front third of crank but wouldn’t slip all the way on. I believe that the bus, followed by a kitchen and sleeping/storage sometimes you just need a bigger hammer. One area. I say improvised camper because everything hit with my 20-pound sledgehammer got that puppy we put in the bus initially was portable. Making it on there good. into a bus conversion was a future goal. We would drive it to work and then camp around town, usually in industrial areas. We kept the area Reliable Glass we parked in clean and left nothing behind. Law We Repair and Replace enforcement would drive by occasionally, but we were never hassled by them. • RV Windshields and Side Glass • Dual Pane RV Windows My wife and I liked driving our bus so much we • Foggy Dual Pane Windows applied to be school bus drivers. One afternoon 653 S Waterman Ave Unit A my wife had an idea. “Let’s go to Hollywood and San Bernardino, CA 92408 cruise the Boulevard (Hollywood Boulevard)” she said. Off we drove from Chino to West Hollywood. (909) 557- 4898 Imagine this; you have a highly oxide lime-green schoolie cruising down the Boulevard with all the www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 21

Well, it seems that when I used my sledgehammer parts store got me the needed parts to re-install the on the front of the crankshaft, it messed up the pulley. The radiator was another issue however, pistons. That resulted in a $500 engine rebuild to we called around town looking for radiator cores. replace the crankshaft and piston rods. Please It was a simple two-core radiator for a school bus. note, that I am no longer allowed to do any major Prices started at $400 and went up from there. We vehicle repairs as it doesn’t end well for the vehicle. were dead in the water and camped in that parking lot for three days. Back in those days, security had The second major repair occurred on a trip to Las no issues with people staying in the parking lot. Vegas to visit family. Our trip from Chino started out flawlessly. Northbound on the I-15 around Cima Road (about 60 miles from Vegas), the low air pressure warning comes on. We pulled over to the side of the road and popped the hood. A bolt supporting a bracket on the back of the air compressor sheared off, resulting in the A/C fan belt coming off the compressor. I grabbed my tool box, which consisted of some plumber’s tape and bailing wire. I then made a reinforcement bracket from available materials and we were on the road again. We made it to our destination with no more problems. On an outing to the Boulevard Mall, it happened Driver’s area, just a couple of gauges, on left a bank of again. We pulled in behind the Sears Auto Center switches for interior lights and heaters and parked the bus. This time it was bad, real bad. An idler pulley had broken off the air compressor fan Lucky for us, my mother-in-law worked at Sears. belt and exited through the front of the radiator. It When the Sears Auto Center staff learned of our then fell onto the front bumper. A trip to a local auto situation, a plan was formed unbeknownst to us.

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www.BusConversions.com 22 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

Measurement was made of our radiator core and will just spend the night there and figure out the three hours later, the Sears Auto Center manager problem in the morning. came by for a visit. He tells us that he can get us a new radiator core, so we give him our radiator. The following morning we determined the problem. The next day, we get it back. The new radiator is a The idler pulley had sheared off a second time, three-core radiator. It’s been hot tanked and paint- this time it fell straight down and was caught on a ed black. All at their cost, only $150. I remember brace. The wet tank show air, but no air kept the writing three thank you letters that weekend. I just spring brakes from engaging. Made a quick fix, love those folks at the Las Vegas Sears. started up the bus and checked the air compressor. Its working and air is building up in the tanks. I do On our way home from Las Vegas, just about 50 an air brake test, the front brakes work well but the miles from home, the last disaster of this “simple” rear brakes are a little sluggish. trip to Las Vegas hit. The bus acted like it was losing more than normal power climbing towards Cajon Pass. We almost had to stand on the accelerator to get the bus to move at a normal rate of speed. Next it was, “what is that smell?” “Is something burning?” We exited the I-15 freeway and got out of the bus and took a look see. The back right hub is glowing orange. Uh-oh. Now we are hearing a rush of air from the right inside dual, followed by a louder rush of air and then a loud bang. The inside dual sidewall facing the super-hot hub had just exploded. Being that it was dark and that Interior before seats were removed. It took us half a day to fog was creeping up the valley, we figure that we remove all but two front seats on each side.

Generators for the long road ahead. ³ Commercial grade quality and competitively priced! ³ 7KW to 100KW generators, powered by a rugged Kubota or Cummins diesel engine. ³ RVIA-approved models and a wide range of options available. ³ Enclosed units feature convenient single side service and removable doors for easy access to maintenance parts. ³ Experienced support staff to help guide you, including electrical and mechanical engineers. ³ Generator service in the Charlotte area – from simple repairs to complete replacements on most makes and models, with convenient interstate access. Mobile service available! © 2016, EPS

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www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 23

As we drive the bus back to Chino, we notice that the We lived in that bus for two years. Then we moved bus isn’t braking as well as it was earlier in the trip. into an apartment. The bus currently resides in Landers, CA and is a storage shed on the side of Fast forward about two months later. I talked State Highway 247. to the bus mechanics at my work (where I am a school bus driver) about changing the brake pads Jon Usle is 57 years on our schoolie. I then went to a truck parts store old. At the age of 26, he and purchased the correct tools. On a Saturday, purchased an old school I jacked up the back of the bus and placed jack bus to convert into a stands under the axle. I removed the outside dual camper. Three months tire and set it aside. I then pulled off the spacer later, he and his wife (Dayton Wheels) and then the inside dual. One became school bus driv- whole side of the tire was charred. Off comes the ers. Jon immersed himself in everything bus axle and hub nuts. I removed the snap rings and related he could get his hands on, becoming now it was a simple matter of just pushing the pegs a genuine bus nut. His knowledge of buses through the pads and removing the pads so I can and bus operations opened many doors of take them in and get the correct replacement pads. opportunity and advancement. Jon worked his But the pegs won’t move. way up the ladder from bus driver to supervi- sor/trainer to general manager, through it all I talk to the mechanics at work again and they just maintaining his Class B and school bus certif- happen to be doing a brake job on a conventional icate. bus. So I get some on-the-job training on doing a brake job. I go home and try tapping the pegs with In 2001, Jon stepped away from manage- a hammer. No go, so I grab my trusty 20-pound ment to have more free time. He went back to sledgehammer and they still don’t budge. When driving school buses with his wife. When not then drum got glowing orange hot, it fused the pegs “playing with buses,” Jon is an avid rail fan. in place. He also volunteers his time between rescuing and transporting Siberian Huskies and volun- teering for his local search and rescue team.

www.BusConversions.com 24 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

out the bags of goodies. Bill provided a welcoming A Tribute to smile, a few jokes or comments, and firm guidance William “Bill” Phelan on rules and parking. They were always ready for the first arrivals, and helped in getting the rally set up The bus conversion com- as well as providing security at the gate. munity lost a strong sup- porter and participant Bill and Brenda stepped in and took over the Ral- this year when William lies from Jack and Paula in 2011. They arranged and J. “Bill” Phelan passed made their own way as rally hosts, providing food away on March 17, 2017. and entertainment with the same friendliness and Bill and Brenda bought camaraderie first displayed by Jack and Paula that their first bus, a 1971 Ea- made the Arcadia Rally a success, drawing coach- gle Motorcoach in 1997 and did their own complete es in from as far West as California, Saskatchewan, conversion from passenger bus to Phelan’s home on and North to Minnesota, Ontario, and Maine. They wheels. In 2002, they began a conversion of a 1994 ran the rallies for another 5 years before having to Prevost, also from scratch as a passenger bus, to give them up due to health reasons. Bill found he a very beautiful, newer Phelan’s home. They rolled had MS in 2012 and his health gradually reduced wheels for well over 10 years on the road, participat- some of his capabilities. ing in many rallies, forums, websites, and their own business of custom RV windshields and rugs. Bill From Tom Mason: “I worked with Bill and Brenda was always ready to help another bus owner when in their business as his health made some things he could, whether it was providing support on the difficult. Bill was one of the hardest working guys I forum or in person. know, and very innovative. He found a way to cobble things together to make work more efficient for their From Jack and Paula Conrad: “Bill and his wife Bren- business, making a common van into a compressed da are fellow Busnuts and great friends of ours. We work van to do everything on the road, later buying first met Bill and Brenda at our first “Bussin” Rally in an ambulance and customizing it. He’d modify tools, 2001. Not only was this the first rally we had hosted, make custom tools, and find better ways to operate. it was the first rally we had attended. As coaches ar- Up early every morning, he was 3 years older than rived, we were letting them park wherever they want- me, but I was beat after trying to keep up all day.” ed in the 10 acre field the rally was held in. When Bill and Brenda arrived, Bill informed us we needed to Brenda is now running that business making custom park the coaches in an orderly fashion and immedi- RV patio mats and windshield covers out of their ately volunteered to do that for us. It was the start of Lakeland, FL home, and on the road when needed. a great friendship.” Bill, we will miss you in the bussing forums. Heav- Bill and Brenda did the registration and parking at all en will get even better now with Bill helping if that’s of the Arcadia Bussin’ Rallies. They were a fixture possible. in being the recognizable duo greeting rally guests when they arrived, sometimes for the first time. They Rest in Peace Bill Phelan. made a gate sign, put up an awning, and handed

By Tom Mason and Jack Conrad

CHECK YOUR MAILING LABEL Your print subscription expiration date is on your mailing label. Please review it frequently and renew at least two months in advance to avoid missing any issues.

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 RallyBUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 25 ------News --

NWBN June Rally Coach with 2-Dry Camping by 5/26 $185. FMCA June 22-25, 2017 Cowlitz County Event Center After 5/26/17 $200. 1900 7th Ave SW Longview, WA (800) 543-3622

FIRST 30 REGISTERED GETS THE NWBN July Rally 30 FULL HOOK UP SITES!!! July 27-30, 2017 Port of Newport RV Park $200. A seafood weekend 2120 SE Marine Science Dr. Newport, OR Host: Dick & Jeanne Wright (541) 953-4655 541-867-3321 Teresa Beldsoe/Jim Dale (503) 515-6994

Tiny House Jamboree Contact: Cynthia [email protected] August 4 – 6, 2017 (719).896.7104 US AirPOSTPONED Force Academy For additional Information Colorado Springs, CO www.tinyhousejamboree.com

Pacific Bus Museum Contact Ron Medaglia Open House [email protected] August 20 11AM – 3PM (415) 699-6377 37974 Shinn St. Fremont, CA http://www.pacbus.org/

Explore The Dells Eagle Rally Contact: Dennis & Renae Hafenbread August 23-29, 2017 (715) 355-1575 Lake Delton, WI

End of Summer Bus Rally Contact Tony Saraceni [email protected] September 7-11, 2017 www.facebook.com/groups/702705519771727/ Star Valley Ranch Resort (307) 250-6966 http://starvalleyranchresort.com/ Thayne, WY See more details on page 53 of the Digital Edition

Busboy Collection Contact: Charles Wotring September 22-24, 2017 [email protected] Evansville, IN See more details on page 56 of the Digital Edition

California RV Show Contact: Tom Gaither October 6 - 15, 2017 [email protected] Pomona, CA See more details on page 47 of the Digital Edition

Having a rally? Let us know! We will help you spread the word.

If you or someone you know is hosting a bus rally, we invite you to send us the informa- tion so that we can announce it here in the magazine for bus nuts. Please send it to us up to nine months before the rally date so that we have time to get news of your rally out there. Then af- ter the rally, send us photos and a story about the rally; we’ll make your rally famous. Email yourwww.BusConversions.com info to [email protected] 26 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 27

May

www.BusConversions.com 28 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 CLASSIFIEDS

MCI MC-6 DETROIT DIESEL 8V92 GM PD41XX SERIES LANDMARK BCM AUTO TRANSMISSION BUSES

In the 1980s and I am putting together a list of surviving early 1990s, the GM 41 series buses left in the world. Series 92 was Coaches are being tracked by serial used as a major number and location, city and state. bus engine in Any status: conversion, a seated bus North America. It was also available or scrapped. To date I can account for for several other applications: Trucks, 500+ of 5,065 PD 4104’s. Contact me buses, motor homes, construction, fire to share your info and I will share mine trucks/apparatus, industrial equipment, with you. several military vehicles, and marine applications. Email us a high resolution photo of yourself, holding an issue of BCM, $39,500 in front of your bus or a landmark. If we use your photo, you will re- Call Gary at B&B Coach Call Jon at ceive a one year Online subscrip- (702) 873-4415 (760) 272-4081 tion or extension to Bus Conver- Email: [email protected] or email [email protected] sions Magazine, absolutely FREE. Located in Las Vegas Send your photo and caption to: To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: https://goo.gl/wgBTMp [email protected]

1984 EAGLE 10 1962 GMC 4106 8” ROOF RAISE BUS CONVERSION

871 engine, 4 speed standard. The bus is completely insulated All Electric Coach, Webasto Heating System, Die- and lined with all pre-wiring done. sel Generator, 6V92 Detroit Diesel, Allison Trans- Rooms are framed with sq. tube mission, Professional Conversion, Garage Kept, steel. Appliances are available. Painted by Star Jet. Must See!!! Illness is reason This is a wonderful start on a great for sale. E-mail for more info and pictures!! project. The builder ran out of time and now we are moving. Our dream must go! New Lower Price $58,995 $ 7,000 OBO $ 5,995 OBO Call Becky at (937) 548-0686 Call David or Karyn Troudt at E-mail: [email protected] (970) 371-1825 or Located in Greenville, OH email: [email protected] To see more info and photos of this bus, Located in: Severance, CO click here: https://goo.gl/QX3F3d To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: https://goo.gl/uYyrVt

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 29 CLASSIFIEDS

1974 MCI-8 871 DETROIT 1970 EAGLE – A DREAM CUT SHORT This bus was recently gone through and everything checked out and replaced if necessary to travel and live in full time just before my husband passed away. So this bus is ready to go. Bus has new Start Batteries

My husband is no longer with us and I must sell this bus quickly. I will take asking price O.B.O. Engine 8V71 rebuilt 1974 MCI-8, 871 Detroit with Allison in 1996, Transmission rebuilt by Haygood transmission, 100k on engine in frame overhaul, 70k on transmission rebuild, 8 in 1996. Model 10 caps, New: clutch pack, inch raised roof, smooth sided with R&M air compressor, brakes, shocks, all brake fiberglass panels, R&M caps, MCI 9 chambers, all belts & hoses, alternator windshield, interior restroom and over the and bracket, air dryer, converter, charger, road a/c removed. This is an unfinished house and coach batteries, generator. conversion. Electric driver’s seat, Auxiliary heat and air in dash, New windshields, and backup Lots of parts including Webasto heater, camera to be installed, Training Manuals 1500 watt inverter, new Freightliner tilt steering column, R&M fiberglass fenders, (parts and troubleshooting), Spare furnace, 12V square headlight conversion, holding Oak cabinets, Tires in good shape, and tanks, Prevost heated mirrors. much more. Located in Hawley, MN Also includes my collection of 20+ years of $29,500 the Bus Conversion Magazine. Call Marilyn at (469) 486-1045 or email: $12,000 OBO [email protected] Call for additional pictures Rick Peterson (218) 329-6246 Located in The [email protected] Colony, TX

To see more info and photos of this bus, To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: click here: https://goo.gl/nqaHce https://goo.gl/ZAYXka 1995 DINA 1964 - SILVER EAGLE

43’X102”, 11.1 60 series 375hp, Allison B500, 10mpg at 65mph, new 22.5’s on Alcoa’s, new brakes, electronic jake and cruise, 7.5 water cooled Generac diesel generator, 200 gal fresh and waste water, 20 gal hot water heater, 40k BTU A/C and heat pump, 100k BTU Webasto and bus A/C, 8 new shocks, flexible suspension IFS, solid hickory and leather, 435 horse 92 series Detroit turns the 750 Allison trans- A4 in motion satellite with Bose surround sound, original mission in this coach. Two roof top air conditioners. Three 12v bus lights and 120v track lights with dimmers, 3k watt catalytic heaters. The bus has always been stored indoors. inverter, 100amp and 50amp Vanner’s, new 10 group 31 The fridge is 110 volt only and the stove is a four burn- batteries. Read about this bus in the Jul and Aug 2013 er with an oven which has never been used. The stack issues in BCM. washer and dryer is new. Jacuzzi tub with built in show- $59,000 er. All systems work and this is a nice bus to travel in. Text Wulf at (773) 858-3473 or [email protected] $29,995 Located in Chicago, IL Call Dan at (308) 765-1020 Email [email protected] To see more info and photos of this bus, To see more info and photos of this click here:http://goo.gl/8UsDSE bus, click here: http://goo.gl/51YWha To read an article about this bus, go to: To read an article about this bus, go to: https://goo.gl/Z3pt9j http://goo.gl/I5xohH

www.BusConversions.com 30 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 DIGITAL CLASSIFIEDS

1990 – 45 FOOT EAGLE BUS – CUSTOM UNFINISHED COACH 1972 GMC 4905 (40FT)

New Lower Price Series 60 –550 HP Detroit engine with World 6 speed automatic transmission. 14 foot slide, Air Step, Custom Win- dows still in the crates ($7,000 Value). Coach is professionally skinned with window holes already cut in. New ra- diator, re-conditioned differential. This coach has too many parts to list and would be an excellent project for some- one looking to build their dream home 1972 GMC 4905 (40 ft) fully converted to an RV 1996-2004. 8V71 Diesel, on wheels! Close to $100,000 invested. 28,000 miles on total overhaul, power steering, 8KW Generator, two 15,000 Must sell, owner has passed away. BTU Roof A/C units, Commercially finished in whitewashed Oak. Comfortable, $20,250 CANADIAN DOLLARS OR easy to drive, very safe to operate. Contact me for more pictures and details. 15,000 US DOLLARS OBO $21,500 Call Ken or Sonya at (604) 807-0446 or (403) 993-1846 Call Tom at (619) 421-2308 or email [email protected] [email protected] Located in Abbotsford, BC Located in Chula Vista, CA To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: http://goo.gl/CIC1Nw https://goo.gl/b3pGct

FABULOUS 1990 LIBERTY 1980 EAGLE PREVOST BUS CONVERSION!

120,000 miles, 3 Roof Air Conditioning Units, Built on a factory-made bus conver- sion chassis, 8V-92 Detroit Diesel, Allison 5-Speed Automatic Transmission, 40’ x 102” wide, 12KW diesel generator on slide-out, 225 gallon fuel tank, Aluminum This bus has a 6V92 engine and automatic wheels, 10,000 lb. capacity tow hitch, New brake pads and drums all the way transmission. The bus runs and drives. It around, New turbo and air compressor on Detroit Diesel, Queen Bed, Spray foam has California pink slip but has not been insulation throughout entire coach, New power steering unit, Silver-gray and blue. registered since 2015. $ 59,900 $12,500 OBO Call Jeff at (512) 468-3850 Very Motivated Seller or email at Call Mike at (661) 714-8646 [email protected] Or Email: [email protected] To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: Located in Santa Clarita, CA https://goo.gl/uytgxT To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: http://goo.gl/EXqZ6W

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 31 CLASSIFIEDS

1969 EAGLE, MODEL 07 1975 4108A BUFFALO 102 wide original, 40 feet, raised 6 12” ROOF RAISE inches. 300 gallon fuel tank, 8V92T engine, Allison 754 transmission, 8 11- R-24.5 tires, Audio Vox backup camera, Kubota 10 KW Diesel generator, Wes- basto heat, 10 gal. hot water with heat exchanger, 100 gallons fresh water, 75 gallons gray water and 50 gallons black water. 3 AC plus dash. One 3 burner gas stove, microwave convection oven. Flat screen TV with surround sound and satellite dish. HWH levelers.

All electric coach. Fresh 6V92 TA, Allison 740, Power Mirrors, Corian Counter Tops and Shower, Large 12.7 cu ft. Household refrigerator. New baggage door rub rails. Alcoa wheels, Jake brake, Trace Inverter. Wrico Generator. $18,000 $54,900 OBO To see more info and Call Roger at (760) 702-5995 photos of this bus, click here: or email: [email protected] Call Nelson at (559) 281-4639 Located in Mesa, CA [email protected] https://goo.gl/VYUz3t Located in Lemoore, CA To see more info and photos of this bus, click here: https://goo.gl/vfdB1J

BUS CONVERSION SERVICE DIRECTORY

BusesOnline Michaud Bus Appraisals, LLC Largest Online Marketplace Brentwood, NH 03833 Buses/Parts/Collectibles (603) 814-1085 BusesOnline.com BusAppraiser.com

Mobile Bus Conversion Mobile Internet Information Help and Tech Support for RVers by RVers (877) 755-1936 RVMobileInternet.com RvingOffGrid.com

Sandblasting and Rustproofing National Bus Trader No Job Too Big or Too Small Bus Industry Magazine (773) 858-3473 (815) 946-2341 MenAtWorkSCS.com BusMag.com

Royal Coach Happy Camper Bus Models and Memorabilia Mobile Bus Repair (717) 691-1147 POB 502 Corvallis, MT 59828 RoyalCoachBuses.com (406) 220-2996

For information about placing your ad in our Service Directory either email [email protected] or call the office at (657) 221-0432. Ads start as little as $25/month. When you contact our advertisers, please let them know you saw their ad in Bus Conversion Magazine.

www.BusConversions.com 32 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 B&B Coachworks

30 years of COMPLETE custom fabrication experience. Conversions on any make. Specializing In: • Coach widening - 96” -> 102” • Slide Outs • Remodel & Repair on • ANY motorhome or bus.

We WILL SHIP: • Radiator spray systems • Engine door louvers • Air steps for entry door • And much more! 4350 Arville St. Unit 6 Las Vegas, NV 89103 Call today for conversion specs and photos. www.bbcoach.com (702) 873-4415

www.BusConversions.com BCM Bus Conversion Magazine

June 2017 Digital Edition Bonus Content Exclusively Available In The BCM Digital Edition 34 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE May 2017

Rally in the Desert People

Open Welcome Speech Lorna Amundson, Marty Golden, Jack Amundson

Cindy Wales, Phil Shively and the Phil Shively, Dan West Harry Holton... Brachchler Boys in the background Ladies - Marg West, Alice Shiveley, Carol Hall

Valerie Alacoque...Patricia Cox and R.J. Long Rhonda Larrabee and J.C. Alacoque R. J. wondering when they are bringing out the food.

R.J. Long and Dustin Brock Bernice and Tony

www.BusConversions.com May 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 35

Rally in the Desert People

Rhonda Larrabee, J.C. Alacoque, Gary Hatt with the goofy hat, Bryan Larrabee, Jere Brannon, Valerie Alacoque, Rex Holcombe praying in the background. Charlie Lamar and June Craig

Mike O’Rourke and Roger Lembke Mike learning a thing or two from Rogers wisdom Ladies of the Coach Shuffle with Dustin Brock as M.C.

Ladies of the coach schuffle Larry Hall Western G.M. President

Bryan and Rhonda Larrabee with Tim Stewart from Star Valley Ranch, Daniel Lenz sneaking by the location of Next BCI Rally.

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Rally in the Desert Scooter Challenge

Laurie & Tom Czoka Joanie and Harry Holton

Rhonda & Bryan Larrabee Zeke Brachler

J.C. and Valerie Alacoque Janet and Ed Vanlandingham

Team Scooter Plaques Event winners JohnText Brachler Here and his son Zeke

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Rally in the Desert Desert Haven Animal Society

Pam Noonan, Tony Saraceni & Cheryl Hunter Roof Vent by Pacific RV Parts winner Lynn Diaz

Sewer Sock Winner, Sharon Powell Hamilton Beach winner Rhonda Larrabee

Winner Charlene Halcomb Beef Jerky Cooker, winner Byron Pigg

Lorna Amundson painting winner Ray Guin Folding Camp Chairs winner Ray Powell

www.BusConversions.com 38 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE May 2017

Rally in the Desert Bean Bag Toss

Ron Craig Rhonda Larrabee

Tom Czoka Ed Vandlandingham

Harry Holton

Zeke Brachler Bean Bag Board

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Rally in the Desert “Pets are always welcome

www.BusConversions.com 40 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE May 2017

Rally in the Desert Other rally photos

Goodie Bag

Winners Button

Campfire Pit

Event T-shirt back

Daniel Lenz and Gary Hatt

Winery vineyard talk Winners Button

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Rally in the Desert Other rally photos

Group photo at Patterson Fabrication

Fire pit at house

Delivery of cat litter to Desert Haven

Wobbly Gary Hatt after his ride Load of supplies to Desert Haven

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compartment an extra airbag for each side. A park ranger had informed me there was a good mechanic in St. George, 70 miles away. I had more visions—this time of hundred dollar bills flying away on little wings. Then, of course, reality set in. I tunnel. Coming out of the tunnel jacked up the bus to get her level is a down grade of about 8%, for the night. The next morning, I with switchbacks so tight I could checked the old tool box to hardly keep our VW toad in-tow discover I indeed had all the and on the road. Somehow we wrenches, wire brush, glide for made it. We pulled into the rubber and other miscellaneous campground, disconnected the things I hadn’t seen for a while VW, and decided to go for a and might need on this repair. by Dan Mapes drive. When we returned, a very Four hours later, a nasty situation Klamath Falls, Oregon excited neighbor came running was taken care of. The failure over exclaiming something had was caused by chafing of the y wife and I blown up on our bus while we metal rings on our old-style bag. were on the last were gone. Apparently it had By the way, this is the second leg of a six-state, shaken up the whole campground time I have experienced front 4,500-mile trip. and brought the rangers out in airbag failure. The first failure At this point in force. was caused because someone had our journey, we were on A our quick way check of the bus removed the axle stops, which toM Zion National Park via Kanab, revealed a noticeable list to the allowed the front tires to make Utah. On the highway leading port side; with a closer look, it contact with the bags on tight into the park there were warning was obvious that we had blown a turns. Surprisingly, the bag blew signs stating that if any entering front airbag. I can’t begin to while pulling into my own drive vehicle was over 7’10’ wide or explain how vivid the images of way. 11’4” tall, and/or 40’ long or 50’ that 8% grade with the tight turns Be nice to your Bus Angels, combined, it would require a and little or no guardrail became and they’ll take care of you! special permit to enter the in my mind...along with a vision tunnels. We qualified for all of of my beloved 4104 lying at the If you have a “Road Fix” of the above. I had no idea what bottom of the steep ravine. If you have a “Road Fix” of they were talking about, so we First, I paid homage to my youryour own own you you would would like like to just kept going. We came to the Bus Angel for allowing the prob­ toshare share with with our our readers, readers, first tunnel, and the procedure lem to occur while parked in a PleasePlease send send it to:it to: Bus there amounted to paying a ten- campground instead of on that BusConversions Conversion Magazine, Magazine dollar fee for traffic coming from dangerous road. Having been a 34319852 Katella Cherry AveAve., Ste Long 361 the opposite direction to be Boy Scout, and remembering our Beach,Anaheim, CA, 90807CA 92804 Attn: stopped, allowing larger vehicles motto, “Always being prepared,’’ Attn:“Road Road Fix” Fix such as ours, to fit through the I had tucked away in a front

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For the second year in a row the National Tiny House Jamboree was a huge success and continues to grow! With roughly 50 tiny houses represented, 30 expert speakers, dozens of vendors, exhibits, advocacy meetings, food, wine & beer, entertainment, and more from around the globe - the National Tiny House Jamboree has firmly established itself as the premier tiny house festival and simple living event. Thank you for joining us, and making this event the premier gathering for this incredible growing industry and mindset!

POSTPONED

VENUE United States Air Force Academy Campus Open fields by Falcon Stadium 4900 Stadium Blvd. The Tiny House Jamboree Colorado Springs, CO 80840 has been postponed please

visit their website WHEN th Friday, August 4 - Sunday, August 6th 2017 www.TinyHouseJamboree.com

CONTACT Coles Whalen | President | [email protected] Event website | www.tinyhousejamboree.com

www.BusConversions.com 52 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 We are currently accepting applications for all types of tiny houses to be a part of the Tiny House Jamboree including bus conversions! If you are interesting in showcasing a bus conversion please click here http://www.tinyhousejamboree.com/display-a-home/ and fill out the Small Housing Application. One of our staff will be in touch with you shortly. Thanks and we look forward to hosting you!

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 53

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Thursday September 7, 2017

Friday September 8, 2017

Saturday September 9, 2017

Sunday September 10, 2017

Monday September 11 2017

Tuesday September 12, 2017

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The Busboys Collection will be hosting a vintage bus rally at the newly restored former Greyhound Depot in Evansville, Indiana. September 22, 23, 24 - 2017

Dan & Stan Holter of the Busboys Collection have partnered with the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce to host a vintage bus rally on site of the old Greyhound depot in recognition of the restoration to this old iconic landmark to help promote both its existence and the heritage of the bus industry. The rally welcomes all vintage buses and converted motor coaches alike.

So stay tuned for further details as plans develop to be formerly announced yet this Fall in various industry venues and social media.

Facebook: Busboys LLC Web Site: www.busboyscollection.org

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Parts, Parts, Parts. All kind of new and used parts for all kinds of buses. Call us for all of your bus parts needs. Ask for the “Hatt” discount.

Located in Rossville, GA, just two miles from the junction of 1-24 & 1-75 and Chattanooga, TN. 147 Prater Road, Rossville, GA www.ChooChooGarage.com June 2015 BCM BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 39

Bus Parts Liquidation Sale! nce upon a time, BCM created these These are just a few of the parts available. cool 2-sided poster with photos and O speci cations of many dierent buses. Call John Zahn now to find out more! Knowing they would be popular, many were printed to get the price per poster as low as possible. But as many a table has taught, even good things do come to and end. The supply of these posters is running low and they will not reprinted. So if you or someone you know would like to get them before they are gone for good - you must order now!

R&M Front Cap, Windshield Frame, and Breast Plate Complete Tag Axle Assy for 102-015 Eagle $1000 for Eagle 01 $1500 Only ea SH Quantity discounts are available and orders for multiple posters can be combined to save on shipping!

Front and Rear Brake Drums including spindles and hubs Eagle 05, 010, 015, 020 Radiator. ou can order yours in the BCM Online Store for 015-020Eagle $400 Each The largest one made for Eagle with 9V92. $1000 To showcase both httpbusconversionsstorecombcmstore sides we recommend you order the package of 2 Posters

JOHN ZAHN Many new and used Eagle parts. be sure toWhen ask for you the call, “ Qty Price S&H discount. Hatt” Phone: (714) 703-8200 Gary 1 $5 $8 E-mail: [email protected] 1946 East Occidental Street Fax: (714) 259-7575 2 $8 $8 Santa Ana CA,92705 4 $12 $8

Air Cleaner for Eagle 8V92 $350

BusConversionscom June 2015 BCM BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 39

nce upon a time, BCM created these cool 2-sided poster with photos and O speci cations of many dierent buses. Knowing they would be popular, many were printed to get the price per poster as low as possible. But as many a table has taught, even good things do come to and end. The supply of these posters is running low and they will not reprinted. So if you or someone you know would like to get them before they are gone for good - you must order now!

Only ea SH Quantity discounts are available and orders for multiple posters can be combined to save on shipping!

ou can order yours in the BCM Online Store To showcase both httpbusconversionsstorecombcmstore sides we recommend you order the package of 2 Posters

Qty Price S&H 1 $5 $8 2 $8 $8 4 $12 $8

BusConversionscom 60 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 PRESS RELEASE CCW Delivers Two Buses to the City of Modesto

Riverside, CA. – Complete Coach Works (CCW) is of Modesto. CCW is honored to provide the upgrades pleased to announce the successful delivery of two and renovation to their buses.” refurbished transit buses to the City of Modesto’s Area Express (MAX). The contract consists of the refurbish- Delivery of the buses begun the week of March 27, 2017. ment of fourteen (14) 35-foot and 40-foot low floor transit buses. Refurbished buses are cost-effective and provide all passengers secure and dependable transportation. Complete Coach Works (CCW) is the largest U.S. This refurbishment process includes the replacements transit bus retrofit and rehabilitation company. CCW of the buses’ roof escape hatch ventilators, driver con- is the leading provider of a vast array of transportation finements, seats, fender/rear bumpers, steering wheels, solutions with 30 years of dedicated service in the trans- windows and doors. Each bus is equipped with two portation industry. Regardless of how small or large the new ADA-compliant Q’Straint integrated wheelchair job, CCW provides an exceptionally experienced team securement stations, designed and tested for a variety of more than 350 experts committed to customer service of scooters and chairs. The exterior and interior lights and satisfaction. will be replaced with energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights and advanced camera equipment. Modesto Area Express (MAX) is the primary bus The cameras will be installed on the front windshield in agency for Modesto, a Northern California city with over addition to the interior/exterior windows of the transit 200,000 inhabitants. The agency provides regular transit buses to provide optimal viewing. The exterior design and Dial-a-Ride local services in addition to commuter will be consistent with MAX’s existing fleet. feeder service to regional rail systems, BART, ACE and Amtrak’s San Joaquin train. Kevin O’Brien, General Sales Manager at CCW, says “It has been a great experience working with The City

For more information, please contact Richard Sullivan at (800) 287-7253 or email: [email protected]

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 61 Bed Platform

Post by: RJ We are re-configuring Tortoise’s bedroom from twins to a single queen on an opening platform. Because of the distance between the closet and bathroom walls in relation to the rear wall, we have to mount the bed crossways, with the foot of the bed on the passenger side. We’ve already measured and masked out the box’s location on the floor, taking into account the wheel wells and the engine access hatches. What we haven’t determined is the height of the platform the 10” thick mattress will sit on, so I’m asking my fellow bus nuts what has worked for you. How high is your coach’s master bedroom’s bed platform off the floor? Post by: bobofthenorth I’m sure you’ve thought this part through already but I’ll put it out there anyway. Make sure to consider Aaron Temple’s bed in Prevost the implications of your construction on future engine access. If you have to lean over the edge of a raised zero. The bed and frame must be able to be easily platform it can get hard on you. The further in you broken down and also removed easily for engine have to reach the more awkward it is too. Having access. Did I mention long run engine heat? Also some portion of the platform lift with the bed would the frame must be very stiff. It will sag over time. alleviate a lot of those problems. Consider fire proof construction materials. Did I mention heat? Yikes! Post by: Astro Post by: Iceni John I bought a free standing powder coated steel platform frame off the net. It is 15 inches high and I made a I plan on making my under-bed area completely ac- couple of permanently mounted castor cups to anchor cessible for easily reaching the back of the engine the feet in place. If I need to move it or remove it, through the hatch there. The bed frame will pivot simply lift it out and over or I can unbolt it altogether up on struts as high as the ceiling allows, and when for room if needed. We use free moving storage down it will sit on a perimeter support of removable boxes under. It is way better and more flexible than low walls that enclose a storage space for shoes the monster permanent box that was in place prior. I etc. under the bed. With the bed lifted up, all three also had a great bonfire with the old box as a bonus. support walls under it will be completely removable Much weight saved as well. with quick-release pins, leaving an unobstructed clear space on the floor to allow easy access to the Post by: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM engine. This will be easy to make (he says optimis- tically), simple, look good, and most importantly give RJ et. al. I took a look at Arron Temple’s bed at the me unobstructed access to the engine’s hydraulic/ Dam rally in 2015 in his Prevost (article to come soon) PS pump and air compressor. and I liked the design of his bed. He mounted it high so it is easy to look out the windows on both sides Post by: Geoff when he wakes up in the morning. But now that you are turning your bed sideways, this may not be an My queen bed measures 63wx82lx22.5h with a 10” option for you. But did you consider bunk beds to dual air mattresses setup. I have gas struts to lift bring back the kid in you? :-) the mattress portion where I have two water tanks @. 55 gallons apiece with room for a third tank. I Post by: HB of CJ highly recommend Comfortair air beds. I have my side at 35 while my wife likes 90!! Engine heat transmission and migration. You want

www.BusConversions.com 62 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017 Post by: to get access to the engine hatch I simply remove a pabusnut few screws and panels and have perfect access to the engine. I lay a 4x8 piece of plywood with a cover I put my over the bed to keep the bed clean while working on queen bed the engine. right in the middle, but it cantilevers over three Post by: RJ sides by 8 inches I think. This way you can walk( sort of) around the We really wanted the bed to be fore/aft, but unfor- bed w/o kicking your toes into the tunately we only have 80” from the back wall of the base. Mine pivots up on gas struts coach to the bath/closet walls and aisle. If we install to allow access to storage I really our queen in a fore/aft orientation, we’d have to crawl don’t need underneath. onto the bed to get into the bedroom. Pat nixed that immediately - she said no way is she going to Post by: Oonrahnjay crawl over the bed while attempting to make it. By mounting the bed sideways, we’ve got 8” between the My setup is very similar, except mine’s a “California passenger wall and the bed’s platform, with another king”. (Thermal mattress - a bit warm in hot weather 8” of toe kick underneath. And yes, I’ve provisioned but very, very comfortable.) for the engine access hatches in the design, plus we’re also able to reposition and use the really nice Post by: chessie4905 electric toe kick heater that was previously located Our present coach bed sits at 27 inches high. You under the passenger side twin. I think I mentioned in don’t have to get down off it or get up out of it. I have my original post that the bed platform will be hinged two large drawers that pull out to the front. The 4104 on the driver’s side, with gas struts to support it in the we had was about 8 inches lower with a sleep number open position. We’re using a Select Comfort mattress, style. Plush top mattress only on current one and thus minimum weight to lift. (If I could figure out how I really like it. Now that we are older, we appreciate Honda powered the rear hatch on Pat’s CRV, that not climbing out. would be an even neater touch. . .) Post by: luvrbus Post by: sixtyseven They say a bed should be high enough so when Platform – 33” high, top of mattress – 46”. Everyone sitting on it your feet should be flat on the floor that that sees it says, WOW that’s tall ! We like being why in most coaches they are about the height as able to see out the windows easily, and all the storage the furniture. under it. Definitely need a step to get in and out. Post by: Tom Y Post by: Gerry H I made mine high. I will measure if you wish. I can Hello: I chose a Pragma Quad-Fold Queen folding climb over the top of my L10 in the engine area. That frame that’s 14” off the floor. I added 6” more in the is what I was shooting for. center (king size is shown-same idea) for our Select Comfort I8 -7000 expanded queen air mattress which Post by: lostagain is 13” thick. Covered it with a 3/8” plywood support with aluminum angle to retain the mattress. It is all Mine is 16” high plus the mattress is another 10”. stabile, weighs very little, comes apart if needed and moves easily if major room is needed to access the

Post by: daddysgirl engine hatch or any other reason, also allows storage My old twins were 24” high x 8’ long. Dad was 6’5”. underneath. I would like to build a floating bed (can be raised and lowered with a small garage type door opener system and latches for travel) and repurpose the 2 8’ long mattresses into sofa seats. Post by: Geoff The only time I have seen a sideways bed is in RV’s that had a slide out for the bed so you could get around it. The bed would move out with the slide out, giving you room to get around it. My queen bed is right up against the rear at the center. When I have

www.BusConversions.com June 2017 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE 63 Post by: DoubleEagle I would allow a teeny bit of space for the thickness of the mattress cover, sheets, blankets, bed cover, and your fingers if it is close to the wall so that you can open the emergency exit quickly without interference.

Post by: Iceni John One of many clever ideas in the original Wotthehellizat offroad RV/truck/camper was the sliding beds. There were two single-person beds, each on slides so they could be slid together for conjugal togetherness, or apart for those other times or for when making the beds. Clever. Post by: Scott & Heather Ours is high. Really high. We can sit upright under- neath. Remember, we have an 8” roof raise. Click here to see photo. Post by: Oonrahnjay I like it (and I’m old). Post by: ccbmster I built mine out of two by tens doubled up so that it is eighteen and a half inches high before putting on 3/4” plywood. Then a six inch memory foam mattress with a 3” memory foam topper on it, so it ended up being about 28” high. I put the head of the bed on the driver’s side and gas struts so that the entire platform lifts at the foot of the bed to give me a ton of storage under it. The mattress is an RV king short memory foam that I got from Ebay. 72”x75”. The topper was a regular king size, but I cut it down easily with an electric carving knife. My wife is tickled to death with it :) I have spinal cord damage, so if it was any Post by: RJ higher I would have to have a step stool to get into it. Pat and I would like to thank all of you for your sug- Post by: Geoff gestions for Tortoise’s bedroom renovation. Yesterday afternoon we spent about an hour taping out the floor I was curious as to what your interior length is from for the box and platform dimensions, to get a better the dash to the rear wall at the floor. I lose a good 5’ idea of how everything will fit. at the rear to accommodate the engine and former ac/heater unit. My back wall has an indentation after One thing we had overlooked initially is the emer- 24” from the floor so I have great cabinets at the rear. gency escape bars that allow you to open the swing out windows in case (God forbid!) we’d have to use Post by: RJ them. Once we realized that had to be incorporated into the mix, our platform height was pretty much From the dash to the base of the engine hump is 30’ determined. So, the box under the bed will be 18” 2”. The engine hump measures 16” high by 18.5” high, with a 1” plywood platform. Added to that is our deep to the back wall. Combined it’s 31’ 8.5” dash 10” high mattress, and that brings us to 29”, which to back wall, excluding the hump. There’s a rect- is right at the bottom of the emergency bar, so it will angular hatch in the floor at the base of the hump clear the bed when being opened. Again, thanks to that’s 12”w x 18”L, and a square hatch in the hump all our bus nut friends for their input, it’s really been that’s 12”x12”. appreciated! www.BusConversions.com 64 BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE June 2017

So I lose just about as much floor space in To read this discussion in the my 35’ MC-5C as you do in forum, click this link: your 40’ RTS - roughly 5’ in back. But then you’ve got the extra 5’ between http://www.busconversions. the axles that I don’t have. I do com/bbs/index.php?ac- have 5” wheel well arches front and rear, as mine isn’t as tall as the 40’ tion=printpage;topic=31732.0 models that have a totally flat floor (and increased baggage bay height to match - which I’d really like to have!) Discussions like this take This reconfiguration is turning out to be a really in- place on a daily basis in the teresting project. Bus Conversion Magazine Online Discussion Forum. To read them go to: www.BusConversions.com/ bbs Anyone can read the main discussion board. But to get the most out of it you need to join by clicking the “register” link above the login box in the upper left section of the forum page. Registration is free and once registered you will be able to view all the available dis- cussion boards, view imag- es, lookup and contact other members, and most impor- tantly, post your own ques- Is this what they mean when they say tions, reply to other members, they have a ‘Lift Up’ bed? and share your own experiences for others to learn from.

See you on the forum!

www.BusConversions.com