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To the home builder
I’m one out of need! Even though prob could swing the big investment for a late 90’s pro conversion it would be foolish to tie that much of what my family has in disposable income at this point in life. So next best choice is get into 2nd best with a glimse of what first choice would be… So basically Low $$ in and invest as I go. I have heard allot of comments there are pro conversions out there cheaaper than you can build one!!! Where the hell are they??? Still out of my price range. $90,000 plus for a late 90’s and that’s all at once. I’m going to have $30,000 in my bus spread out over 2 years and no payments. Sure not all the bells and whistles but you know it cost me the same to camp at night as it does the million dollar ones next to me. If it breaks down I take it to Bob the mechanic or most local truck guys if needed. Guess what I’m trying to say is enjoy the ride and don’t get discouraged !!! Most of the high end guys are friendly and don’t bite.. Learn from them .. ask questions here… Plus I’m just differant and enjoy the build. Bob
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11 Replies
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Bob,
I sense with your comments …. investment dollars in your bus project. Many members here have owned more then one RV before Prevost. They have experience in what it takes to keep the wheels rolling.
Our point is and will be a laundry list of one word…parts. Comments here are only a suggestion….. opinions on PC are numerous (not a surprise) and free.
I have read your post a couple of times. One point I’am thinking would be very encouraging to me taking on a total rebuild of a fairly old, …experienced.. ( better word ) choice bus.
Answer….Now don’t laugh. If I could get 2 of same. Yep, just think about it. With this source of spare parts one does dive into a project with a lot less frustration.
I’am just rambling on here a little, offering ideas and another free opinion.
AL
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I plead guilty of telling newbies looking for a seated bus to buy one already built.
However, that has to be put into context. So far almost every one of them is looking at a coach that was rode hard and put away wet. Just by looking at the photos or the Craigs list or ebay link it appears they are wanting a coach that may be in need of an engine or transmission in the near future. Read between the lines in their posts and you get the impression that most of them haven’t tackled anything much bigger than changing spark plugs on a car. So you know they will get the coach, and after they strip it of its seats and luggage racks they are either going to begin construction on an aluminum pup tent with corners cut any way possible, or they are going to have $100,000 in it by the time they have a decent conversion.
They will spend as much time chasing bargains if they can do it for less than they will spend doing the actual conversion.
I understand the creative aspects of wanting to build their own. But lately I have seen at least a half dozen early 90’s two stroke powered professional conversions with “buy it now” prices around $60,000. I suspect a little negotiation will get the coach for less. What they will have is a coach that they can use as is, or if they don’t like it they can redo as much or as little as they want. But what they will get is a low mileage coach, all the systems and devices in place, and a hell of a starting point for anything they want to do.
When I read the same posts a lot of us here read on BCM and BNO I am in awe of the guys who consider it a badge of honor to have spent 3 or 4 years just getting their seated bus roadworthy before they even start on the interior. And then I see the posts about using gas powered 5KW generators and owners who are having problems with how to heat and air condition the coach, how to set up the electrical system, what to use for holding tanks, etc. All those issues are resolved with a professional conversion.
After seeing the great looking coaches at the Great American Bus Rally it was clear to me those guys are not the typical seated coach buyers. They are the rare ones that come to the table with the skills and knowledge required to create wonderful looking conversions. Those guys are not going to be asking the question about whether to buy an old GM or MCI or VanHool because they know where they are going.
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This one will either stay in the family or be scrapped. It will make no sence to anyone else. I have mini-split heat and ac 48volt inverter DC all led lighting. and only a 7.5kw gen set. 60 series pre egr and 10 spd autoshift with a 3:07 rear diff. Why; Just plain BUSNUTS!! 3 slides that might leak in a tornado but don’t leak air going down road. Everything is a trade off when your on a budget. See Ya on the big slab. Still lookin for 10 mpg @ 75mph. would be happy with 9. last 89 was 5mpg. Bob
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We want to see that coach. I have seen the photos and read your posts and I never cease to be amazed. I especially want to see how the slides were designed.
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Slides: strickly old school with chain drive; limit switch. everything simple taking up little space above the floor. Rollers on bottom that carried part of the load Each component is a part of the structure. On a previous coach the new owner tried to change(cut out parts) the structure then wonder why he had problems. It is not perfect!!!! I have $1000. in parts and materials in all 28 ft of slides in this build. I expect problems but will adjust until I get it rite. cost plus 3 awnings a friend built for a total of another $300– his cost.(forgot about them). Last ones did not leak air or water going down road and had a occasional damp( minior spot) in a toad strangler. Something I could live with on a budget! never got wet in bed or on couch! Both were in slides… Differant seals on this set. Non air—mechanical. .. Believe me there is nothing special about my coach. It is junk yard compared to what the factory ones are. I will prob paint it next year . I don’t like the marron color it is now. plus the back 1/4 has heat damage above the paint line. New siding will replace damaged. I have it from IBP. I have had hydraulic slides with complicated controls—When they malfunction your out of luck. With the chain drive a 1/2 inch rachett and you can crank it in by hand. No defense here for being simple or build on the cheap. Safety is never compromised!!!! My new build will probably scale under 40000. Last one the 89 with 2 slides was 36100. loaded. Bob
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To home builder, I think you are looking at a 1986 LeMirage. It looks very rough in the pics. If you want to tackle a basic rebuild, then go for it but be aware, you will have much much more in the coach than you will ever be able to get out of it. If it is the experience yo’re after, buy something newer that will have some resale value to work with after you’re finished. My suggestion would be avoid anything older than the mid 90’s.
To Bob, what you and I and especially you with doing slides in your coach, want to do is have fun in the journey and be able to hold our heads high at the end with being able to accomplish a major conversion. Most, probably 90% or so, of the people looking at bus conversion should not be considering what you, I and home builder are doing simply because they do not have the skill set to do so. And please, anyone who reads this, please do not think I am talking down to you, that is not my intent but it does take the right kind of person to persist through a project of this magnitude. I grew up on a farm learning the “art” of fixing it yourself because it was a money thing that forced us to do so. This “art” gave me a skill set that has been invaluable in this project. Money is exactly what you also mention repeatedly in your posts that has forced your hand to do a home builder. But I have to tell you, I agree with Jon, you can find a very well priced professional conversion and do a remodel for less money than I will have in my coach which is not the case with yours because of the terrific price you were able to get yours for. My 91 will finish out near the $80K mark with a very nice but not pro conversion. You could buy a 91 coach put a new interior in it for $10K, new paint for $15K and still come in around the $70K mark having not spent 8 years completing it like I have. I have enjoyed the journey, I will enjoy my coach being finished so we can travel and I can fix just about anything on it because I know how it was put together but there is a price I have paid in 8 years free labor. Do I regret the labor, not one minute of it because of the sense of accomplishment and the problem solving skills I have developed during the process. I know you feel the same way about the sense of accomplishment. Do I want more people to tackle the “art” of bus conversion, you bet but they need to be the right kind of people so the “art” doesn’t get a bad name for itself.
Enough rambling.
Rob
91 XL 40
Missouri
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I have never done a conversion and never will. No patience, not sure I even have the skills.
But on each of my coaches I got my satisfaction from tackling any project I wanted. If something broke, I fixed it. I did the maintenance, I replaced parts, I installed new flooring, I just never started with a blank canvas. I have a great deal of respect for all the guys on here that have made some serious changes to their coaches, guys like Rob and Bob and Ken and all the others that go way beyond changing the oil or lubing the chassis.
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Did you ever think we were missing a few brain cells?? Sometimes I feel overwhelmed! But sure feels good when it comes together.. Down side is don’t have the luxury /access to some of the high quality materials available and in some cases $$$$ to purchase them… Upside I do know the Dumbass that built the thing and how he did it when something goes wrong…So life is a trade off and we all live to a level in life that we can be happy with—Seems like I do envy those shinny new ones but realize that I would need to take it to the dealer to get some High Tech breakdown fixed that would be a bank breaker for me. Engine or something major I’d load it up on wrecker and send it home and fix or if over 1500 mile out maybe bring engine( I have spare) to it and pay to have it changed.. That is the real life I live in…. Enough reality check—-maybe we need to say it once a year or so…. Im finding out we are not much differant that many of the store bought owners… Glad for that fellowship!!
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One thing we all share wheter rich or poor is a love for this lifestyle! After being a retired general contractor working for the rich and famous I have accomplished all types of commercial and residential construction projects. I once turned a 10ft. by 16ft. room into a wine cellar for a GE executive at the cost of $186,0000. When money is no object “to quote my client” it is easy to accomplish. Having a Rolls Royce Bentley in the garage doesn’t hurt either. The conversion experts have a budget and plans before they start. And with money in the bank to complete the project. When I bought my 91 XL I knew I had the interior licked because of my experience but when I hit the mechanical issues of the coach that was a butt buster. Maybe all us homebuiders should swap out our coaches to each other like an assembly line to each person with specialized skills. That sure would help the budget and completion date.
At least when the coach returned home it would be built right! One thing about it we all see differently. Which is a good thing! If not, we all would be driving the same type of car and living in the same type of house and eating the same type of food. Difference is what makes life interesting and never boring!
Keep up the good work Bob! And Thanks Jon for pointing newbies in a educated direction. You guys are the greatest! 🙂
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Mike, one advantage of going to rallies, whether they are rallies that are predominantly homebuilders or predominantly store bought the opportunity to get ideas is amazing. And don’t worry about needing information either. I guarantee at a rally you will be able to get answers, and they will be correct.
Sometimes on this forum you can even get a correct answer.
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Jon, LOL, You’re right. The knowledge here on the forum is truly amazing. Not all circumstances are the same. It helps to get different points of view. Kind of like getting directions. You can make the wrong turn and go 100 miles out of the way or turn around within a couple miles and get back on track. Truly amazing!
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