Anyone wishing to do
a bus conversion project should take the time to assemble as much
information as possible before starting. I did not do this!! I made
a bad decision and I am now doing my best to recover and end up with
a nice, sound bus conversion. I am hoping that there will be many
that will benefit from my mistakes. I have documented my repairs to
prevent as many as possible from falling into the same pitfalls as
I did 3 years ago.
The internet now offers an unlimited amount
of information. Especially useful are the bulletin boards where you
can ask technical questions and get advice on all aspects of bus conversions.
There are bulletin boards for individual brands like Eagles, GMC’s,
MCI’s and boards that cover general information for all brands. It
is worthwhile to join the chat rooms and bulletin boards and check
on them daily for new questions and the answers.
Most publications
do not get into much detail on some projects, and this can be somewhat
frustrating at times. Other ways of getting the information you need
is by using any of the search engines available on the internet.
I
have included the level of detail in my “Inspection & Repair Guide
for Bus Conversions” CD that I wish I would have had available to
me 3 years ago. My intent is to encourage anyone that winds up with
a bus with problems like mine, regardless of how serious, that it
can be repaired to restore your “Dream Bus” to better-than-new condition.
What I can’t guarantee you is that you can do it yourself, or how
long it will take you. But I can guarantee you that it will cost you
much money to have someone else do it.
I hope to encourage anyone
with the abilities to do these repairs by giving as many hints to
assist you in as much detail as I could without actually doing them
for you. And please don’t ask, I will not consider doing it!! Surprisingly,
there has been a lot of good that has come out of my misfortune. I
have been introduced to businesses that have supported me with tools,
bus parts and tech advice, paint supplies, welding equipment and contacts
for tech information. I have met many good friends on the internet,
one of which is polishing up my entire CD for me from the state of
Washington, Mr. David Brawdy. The internet is endless in information
and there are many people willing to help other people, so please
consider tapping into this informational highway and learn as much
as you can.
I am also leaving my e-mail address for all bus nuts
to contact me with comments, information requests, and hopefully testimonials
of success with a repair because of information I have made available
to you in my CD.
Below is a brief listing of additional resources
for the bus converter. It would be impossible to list every resource
available, but the ones below are those that I have found the most
useful and will give you a good start.
The internet now offers
an unlimited amount of information. Especially useful are the
bulletin boards where you can ask technical questions and get advice
on all aspects of bus conversions. There are bulletin boards
for individual brands like Eagles, GMC’s, MCI’s and boards that cover
general information for all brands. It is worthwhile to join the chat
rooms and bulletin boards and check on them daily for new questions
and the answers.
Most publications do not get into much
detail on some projects, and this can be somewhat frustrating at times. Other ways of getting the information you need is by using any of
the search engines available on the internet.
I have included
the level of detail in my “Inspection & Repair Guide for Bus Conversions”
CD that I wish I would have had available to me 3 years ago. My intent
is to encourage anyone that winds up with a bus with problems like
mine, regardless of how serious, that it can be repaired to restore
your “Dream Bus” to better-than-new condition. What I can’t
guarantee you is that you can do it yourself, or how long it will
take you. But I can guarantee you that it will cost you much
money to have someone else do it.
I hope to encourage
anyone with the abilities to do these repairs by giving as many hints
to assist you in as much detail as I could without actually doing
them for you. And please don’t ask, I will not consider doing
it!! Surprisingly, there has been a lot of good that has come
out of my misfortune. I have been introduced to businesses that
have supported me with tools, bus parts and tech advice, paint supplies,
welding equipment and contacts for tech information. I have
met many good friends on the internet, one of which is polishing up
my entire CD for me from the state of Washington, Mr. David Brawdy. The internet is endless in information and there are many people willing
to help other people, so please consider tapping into this informational
highway and learn as much as you can.
I am also leaving my e-mail
address for all bus nuts to contact me with comments, information requests,
and hopefully testimonials of success with a repair because of information
I have made available to you in my CD.
Below is a brief
listing of additional resources for the bus converter. It would
be impossible to list every resource available, but the ones below
are those that I have found the most useful and will give you a good
start.
Air Brakes
Bendix® Commercial Vehicle Systems
LLC
· A great resource
for air system information can be found on the Bendix® web site athttp://bendix.com/
· An in-depth air brake inspection can be found at http://bendix.com/downloads/DualAirBrakeCheckSystemLst.pdf.
· Air brake
troubleshooting information can be found at http://www.bendix.com/troubleshooting/index.do
Safety
California Department
of Motor Vehicles
The
Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance
The CVSA is a not-for-profit organization,
established to promote an environment free of commercial vehicle accidents
and incidents. Their web site http://www.cvsa.org/ has resources
dealing with commercial vehicle safety.
Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes,
injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The
FMCSA web site is http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and has a lot of safety
related information and DOT regulations.
Publications & BBSs
Bus
Conversions Magazine http://www.busconversions.com/
Bus Conversions
Magazine, published by Mak Publishing, was the first publication for
the bus conversion enthusiasts.
Bus Nut Online BBS http://www.busnut.com/bbs
A
BBS system for bus conversion owners by BNO
Epic Conversion Support http://www.coach-builder.com
Books and other material by George Myers
MAK
Publishing BBS http://busconversions.com/newsboard/index.html
A
BBS system for bus conversion owners by Bus Conversion Magazine
RV-BusConversions.com
http://www.rv-busconversions.com/
P.O. Box 327
Marysville , WA
Ben Rosander - Proprietor Tel. (360-659-6014)
Fax. (360-657-4309)
Ben is offering a complete selection of bus conversion
books and CD's. Specials are run monthly on package purchases
of bus converting literature.
South East
Cruisers http://www.cruiser-magazine.com
A BBS ran by South East Cruisers,
a chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association, Dave owns a 1948
GMC Silversides PD3751 bus with his wife Jan. See bus rally
information and links to bus nut interests.
Winlock Galey http://www.winlockgaley.com/
Books
by Dave Galey
Yahoo
· All-bus-nuts http://groups.yahoo.com/group/all-bus-nuts/
A place
where specific-bus-types (Ie: Eagles, Flex, GMC, MCI, Prevost) can
share GENERAL information about ALL bus types.
· Eagle
Bus Nuts http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eagle-bus-nuts/
If you own or
want to own an Eagle, and you want to talk about your Eagle or something
that is a part of your Eagle, join the group.
· Eagle_Bus http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Eagle_Bus/
A list to
share info. and history of Model 01 to Model 20 Eagle Buses
· Eagle Bus Life http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eagle-bus-life/
A list
to share ideas and experiences about converting or living in (or with)
your Eagle bus, or any other converted bus
· EagleBusOwners http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/EagleBusOwners/
This
“List is for people feed up with the politics of bus groups”
Link &
Information Pages
Bus Enthusiasts Links Page http://i-kb.com/coaches/
A compilation
of sites which may aid someone undertaking a bus conversion
CoachConversion.Com
WebRing http://t.webring.com/hub?ring=coachconversionw
A listing of
similar sites that are grouped together in rings and each site is
linked to another by a simple navigation bar.
Jim’s Bus http://n6ecv.net/bus.htm
This
page has a nice assortment of bus related links
Mega-Links http://www.busnuts.com/mega_links.htm#Books%20and%20Magazines
Claims
to be “the largest compendium of bus related links to be found anywhere
on the net!”
Phred Tinseth WebSite http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html
The
Poop Sheets. Lots of very good information
Commercial Sites
Bus Nut
Online http://www.busnut.com
The Bus Nut Online (BNO) site has some
useful information on it. BNO also runs a BBS system for bus
conversion owners
Bus for Sale.Com http://www.busforsale.com
John & Hilary Spellings family
owners, Tel. (615-859-1998) Fax.
(615-859-1995)
E-mail to: (spellings@busforsale.com)
Shop for your
bus where the entertainers do. All price ranges of buses for
sale, High End Entertainer Coaches with all the bells and whistles,
Motor Homes, Executive Coaches, Recreational Vehicles, Passenger Buses
and "For Sale by Owner" Buses and Motor Homes. See above web
site listed for directions to (Bus for sale.com) place of business.
Coach Conversion Central Online. http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/
This
is a web site provides information and products for the bus conversion
process
International Bus & Parts, Inc. http://www.1800intlbus.com/
Bus
parts for most makes.
1317
Orba Norris, Parts manager, Tel.
(405- 232-9206) (800-813-9367) (405-272-0213)
If
you want good parts and maybe a better friend as well, ask for "Norris"
when ordering parts, he has a vast knowledge of "Eagles", I believe
even the manufacturer in the manufacturing days called "Norris" for
advice. Jefferson Bus has every part for a Eagle in particular
you may need, (In Stock).
Michaud Bus Sales, Inc http://www.busesonline.com/findparts.htm
This
site has bus parts suppliers listed by coach manufacturer
Peninsula
Glass http://www.motionwindows.com/
Windows for RVs, Bus Conversions,
and Motor Coaches
RVBUS.NET http://www.RVBus.net/
Dave Hartley,
Administrator of this new Internet Bus Nut Bulletin Board.
This
Web site offers all bus nut forums, advertising, buses for sale, all
models of bus information for repairs, parts, most anything other
bus nuts wants to share with everyone in our Bus Nut Circle.
Show off your workmanship through this bulletin board for all to view
and enjoy and learn from. Post your bussin events, announcements
you want the www to know, and special gatherings not necessarly having
to do with just bussin.
R & M Fiberglass http://www.rm-fiberglass.com/
Bus
Conversion Parts, front & rear caps, and Update Kits
Ron
the Bus Nut http://www.ronthebusnut.com/home.php
A good source of surplus
bus stuff
Rust Bullet, LLC http://www.RustBullet.com
A
one-step product that coats over rusty or clean metal with little
or no preparation needed.
Awarded
and Unprecedented Two Patents on Unique Corrosion- Control Formula.
"RustBullet" tested against 319 other Rust Inhibitor Primers
and will test againt any others on
the market with the loser of the 9 point scientific independent
test paying for the cost of the
of the test. See their web site above for audio / visual documented
proof of their test against
the top manufacturing competitors of this type of primer paint
product.
Hobart Welders http://www.hobartwelders.com
Top
shelf technical support if needed offered by (Steve Marcks & Keith
McQuown)
I used the Hobart Handler (Model
#140) on my Eagle work.
RV Safety Systems http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/
Evergreen, CO. 80439
Tel. (303-674-6435) Fax.
(303-674-6472) Cell (303-478-3501)
Electronic
Mail: Jim@rvsafetysystems.com
Jim and Pat Shepherd offer good
safety related technical information and articles on their web site.
RV Safety Systems has developed a unique fire detection system
for engine and generator compartment of bus conversions and motor
homes. Jim offers many Safety Alarm Systems, Fire fighting
products, Exhaust pipe wraps for controling of excessive heat in engine
compartments, constant tire air pressure monitoring devises for buses
and toads to help prevent possible accidents and abnormal tire wear. Call or Email Jim for complete SAFETY of your bus and the safety products
he offers!!
Silver Eagle Bus Manufacturing http://www.silvereaglebus.com/
The
return of the Eagle Bus Company
Southern
Repair,
modification and service of all kinds of diesel vehicles
Surplus
Center http://www.surpluscenter.com/
Burden's
"Westlube" http://www.westlandproducts.com
P.O. Box 1742
Penn Valley, California 95946-1742
Call "Bob" (888-475-5440) Fax. (510-475-5438) to order.
Fantastic milling, drilling, tapping or any kind of machining lubricant to help multiply the longivity life of your (Expensive) machining, drilling or tapping tools.
"Rustless
Money Pit"
local vendors located in
supporting my project.
Campbell-Brown,
Inc. http://www.campbellbrown.com
Scott Nation-Manager Tel. (864-277-4372) (800-849-2426) Fax. (864-277-7297)
Scott and all shop personnel will go above the call of service to help get you the exact parts
needed to keep your big rigs safe and roadworthy.
Harbor Freight Tools http://www.harborfreight.com/
Harbor Freight
5 Kmart Plaza
Bobby Goolsby -
Store Manager
Wende McDonald - Head Cashier / Office Manager
This
is the local Harbor Freight Tool store, ("Mens toy shop") I
bought most of my tools from and Bobby & Wende always go way above
the expectations you normally get on help for tools and warranty selections
for your projects.
"Long" Trailer & Body Service, Inc. http://www.longtraileronline.com
Jerry Long - Service Manager (864-277-7555)
Rick
Long - Shop Forman
Terry Borei - Parts Manager
If you need heavy duty
bus / truck / trailer hardware like (heavy duty brake accessories
& assorted hard to find products) contact them for this type
of service work and parts.
National Welders Supply Company http://www.nwsco.com
Counter Manager / Welding
Consultant advisor, Ken Hall (864-299-3511)
Suppliers of
good quality welding supplies, 45 service centers nationwide.
Yeargin
Miscellaneous Metals, Inc. http://www.yearginmetals.com
Robert Yeargin, owner / supervisor
(864-845-6968)
32 years experience building metal products, (Railings,
stairs, catwalks, mezzaines, ladders and strutural steel). See
web site for full service details available to customers.
Organizations
Escapees
RV Club http://www.escapees.com/
The Escapees RV Club was started to
help people enjoy full-time RVing
Family Motor Coaching Association(FMCA)http://www.fmca.com/
The FMCA is an international organization for
families who own and enjoy the recreational use of motorhomes. There
are chapters devoted to bus conversions.
Bus Rallies
Bussin’
2007 held in
Bus'NUSA http://www.busnusa.com/index.html
A great rally held in July at
the Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall
South East Cruisers http://www.cruiser-magazine.com
Information
about the upcoming bus rally's in