[Dick]

Check the Liberty on ebay. Geo.

[Chas]

At how little a motor home conversion of that vintage will cost, compared to what it will cost to convert a shell of that vintage the clear choice would be to buy the converted motor home.

First, you will get a completed coach, and if you didn’t like it you could gut it and still have every component needed to do your own conversion.

Secondly, the shell will not be a worn out former seated coach but a very low mileage chassis that doesn’t need everything rebuilt.

You won’t have to blank out windows, do an expensive paint job, or try to figure out how to do a leveling system to a shell that does not have one.

I am certain there comes a great deal of satisfaction in building one’s own bus conversion, but by buying a finished conversion of that vintage you will certainly have all the opportunity you may want to modify it, repair it, and update it. And if you think you can somehow build one from a seated coach for less money you need to put pencil to paper to see just how much you are going to spend just to amass the list of components it will take to create one.

[Fred F.]

Jon is correct on $$ spent on already converted factory coach. That’s where it ends. I do/did not have enough cash or was there financing avaiable for such a purchase. Idea world there would be. So slow infusion of cash was the only way I could afford a bus. If you have 50,000$ cash or can find some one to finance a 25yr old bus —Go for it! Other wise you/I have to do with what I have. Would at least go for a mid 90’s 60 series bus. 2 strokes mechanics are getting rare. I like 2000yr and older non egr engines. Just a alternative life style. Just a want a be factory coah owner /realistic not in my $$$$ ability. Bob PS you need to share a first name and general location as more info will be shared.

[Kim]

Bob: Consider enlightening us as to what the shell cost, what you’ve spent so far, and what you expect to spend by the time you’re done. Are you doing the conversion inside? or is the bus outside while you work on it.

[Archived]

I bought a 1200$ salvage shell. 1500 tow to get it home. Dick E (amember here) had the engine-trans i wanted. Added 3 slides and all new bags-brakes-norgren valves etc. new siding. i have 30grand rolling now and needs paint freshened up. All led lights in and out etc. I got to do it at my speed and dollar limits. My 4th conversion. Is it as good as a Liberty– Easy answer no! Have I had the opporunity(sp) to think outside the box?? A bunch! Bob

[Archived]

One very important consideration is that someone such as Bob has a wealth of experience, and Bob has brought that knowledge to the game. Consequently Bob avoids a lot of the learning curve, he has an established network of suppliers, friends with information, and possibly even components he has collected during his previous builds which shelter him from some costs.

I think the cost of the big stuff like generator, inverters, holding tanks, etc can be quite low because these things show up on ebay and as surplus at RV manufacturers, but the little things ranging from wire to fittings, to plumbing and fittings, etc tend to add up quickly because you just don’t find them on a secondary market.

Then there is the time spent……….

[Archived]

So to step back to the original question…

As I was searching for out coach, I had a very long list of websites that I tracked on a regular basis. Some were more geared towards already completed conversions from Liberty/Marathon/CC/Etc. while I did track some sites that listed entertainer and seated coaches.

Here are a few I used during my search:

http://www.busforsale.com/buses/

http://www.staleycoach.com

http://www.horizoncoach.com

http://www.goodsonbussales.com

Seems they cover a good selection of coaches and vintages as well as are not limited to just Prevost coaches/shells.

[Archived]

Great information guys! More information and thoughts are welcomed.!

[Dawn]

i think i will throw my 2 cents in

i did a full conversion a my first bus a GMC 4905 , i can tell you its alot of work! I purchased most of items need for the conversion online … this was before the internet was big as its now ! I have rebuilt a MCI5C, GMC4106.. Now i have the marathon and my father has a CC . I learned how to rivet from him when he converted a 1943 yellow coach back in the early 70s ,.. its alot of work and you can spend some serious money . I probably wasted 5-7 k on my fisrt conversion .. it. each bus has its plus and minuses . if starting from scratch in the conversion its would be wise to have some sort of donor coach and RV for parts if doing it on a budget. I purchased most of my items from a place in IOWA called RON THE Bus nut . Ron was always great to work with….. updating a coach for me was the best. you already had the big ticket items…. just my thoughts …. the site is acting wierd tonight hard to type….