[Michael]

As soon as 45 foot coaches were introduced along with the Series 60 the number of 40 foot XL coaches sold dropped significantly. As years passed their percentage of total XL sales dropped so you are looking for a fairly rare coach.

You don’t say why you want a 40 instead of a 45, but your chances of finding a good XL go up dramatically if you include a 45 in your considerations.

I have had both and while there are places a 45 might prove more difficult I would imagine I could count them on the fingers of one hand.

[Gern]

Has anyone known of a situation where a older 8V92 was swapped out for a new or rebuilt D60 in an older coach? Are the mountings different and the connection to the transmission unworkable?

[Tim]

Ive been doing tons of research on repower to a Series 60. I know a lot of folks in the coach building world and they all say it’s not practical. We have yet to find a coach that to us is as pretty, equipped or laid out as well as our Custom Coach so it’s been a struggle to find something to replace her. (lot’s of real teak, piano hinges, polished brass, etc.) A buddy of mine has done a couple repowers with a modified Series 60 that has a stepped down valve cover but again he says it was a HUGE undertaking that he would not recommend since everything else has to change as well: trans, wiring, etc.

He did suggest I talk to the folks at ABC in Florida about a possible Cummins retrofit, but I’ve yet to get a real response from anyone over there.

If anyone does have any positive tales of retrofit repower, I’d like to hear because I’d love to have this old glorious coach of ours still be a viable means of transportation and not just a pretty relic.

Thanks

[Greg]

id think that it would be financial suicide to try and retrofit a S60 to a 40′ 8×92 chassis. Not sure it has ever been done successfully. . There are reported cases of people putting in a Cummins. . but the series 60 essentially needs the XL to be successfully put in.

[Dick]

I’m like Jon today, curious as to why your search is focused on a 40′ coach. We started our Prevost search looking for a 40′ coach because our driveway is narrow and (thought to be) difficult to back a coach down with our 24/26 foot race trailer and with the trailer on the coach difficult to manuveur where ever we go.

We discovered that the additional 5′ on a motorhome chassis is NOT added to the wheelbase, only about two feet of it. Three feet of the five is behind the tag axle which gives you a nice tag axle bay!

We are very happy with our 45′ Prevost and goes just about anywhere we want to get into. The only place it hasn’t is the campground that says its 42′ site absoluately maxes out at 42′ … which after visiting and ending up in overflow parking … I agree 100%. 42 there is 42 … no room for 45 (or 44 or 43 or 42-6). After a little practice, I can back the coach and 26′ trailer with a 5′ tongue easily, often without having to reposition the coach and trailer by moving forward.

I would recommend making contact with American Fleet in Springfield, MO. They specialize in maintenance, modifications, and rebuilding of Detroit Diesel engines … the V-series (like your 8V92) as well as the 60 Series in the newer coaches. They should be able to put you on a maintenance program as well as be able to provide you with emergency 8V92 mechanics around the country.

The last thing I would ever do is try an engine swap unless I had it done by someone who has done a bunch of times. I’ve read it discussed on other venues and have yet to read about anyone who has done one. The Series 60 is a longer, inline motor than your shorter 8V92 to start with.

Good luck with your search!

[Dick]

No matter how nice an older 40 foot XL conversion is, if it has an 8V92 the market places little value on it.That is sad, but a fact of life.

When the switch was made to the Series 60 it was only possible because the World Transmission (the 6 speed) was shorter than the 5 speed, and that compensated for the longer length of the Series 60.

But in addition to the need to have the S-60 paired to the 6 speed transmission there was a major change to the tag axle configuration to accept the S-60.

The point is an engine swap can be done, but by the time the costs are added up the investment will approach the value of the coach as it sits today and that investment will not increase the value of the coach a penny unless you happen to hit the right buyer when you choose to sell.

So getting back to my question………..why not a 45 footer? I can tell you that no matter how nice an older conversion may be, later model conversions typically had better systems and more features, and the difference in comfort and convenience between a 40 and 45 is night and day.

The flip side is what is wrong with doing a major rebuild of the 8V92, and possibly the transmission and assuming the coach has been maintained you end up with a 40 foot coach you like for far less money and almost zero loss of reliability.

[Gern]

If you really want a 40′ coach check out the “coaches for sale” part of this forum. There were 2 40’s listed and 1 of them was a Royale.

Doug

[Archived]

That has definitely been a thought. My rig is well maintained but as you know, little things pop up out of nowhere no matter how well you prepare. If I we were just traveling for fun and could be in one spot for a few days should she stumble, then yes I would go that route. I use my rig as a touring musician so if I miss a show, it means a good deal of $$. The last tour I did we spent 5 days in 5 different shops chasing an Allison shift warning. The only reason it was fixed is because we stumbled upon an Allison guru who is retiring in two years. None of the others even had the diagnostic code chart for that series.

That still may be my alternative should I not find a rig we like better. As far as 40′ vs 45′. My parking/storage situation is set up perfectly for a 40′ and couldn’t accommodate a 45′. At this point Im just putting the word out to see if anyone is sitting on something that they arent using.

thanks

[George]

Hmmm

ive searched for COACHES FOR SALE with no results. Is there an area in particular I shoukd be looking?

[Deleted User]

https://www.prevostcommunity.com/coach-details.asp?ID=3886

https://www.prevostcommunity.com/coach-details.asp?ID=3702

Those are on the Prevost Community list of coaches for sale.

[Archived]

Thanks for the tip on American Fleet. Ill look into that. Though the 8v92 likes to slurp the fuel, she climbs the Sierras like a champ and sounds amazing. It would be great to find a national network of folks that don’t wince when staring at a 2 stroke Detroit.
thanks again

[Dick]

Don’t be afraid of the 8V92. Keep the cooling system well maintained and service the engine and its fluids often, take it to people that are qualified to work on the engine, and it is a 400,000 to 500,000 mile engine.

Yes it drinks fuel. Yes it uses (or drips) oil, But that 2 cycle technology powered a lot of heavy trucks and buses over the years. You can work on it while it is still in the coach. It is a simple engine and its weak point is it doesn’t tolerate overheating. If yours had DDEC I that might be an issue, but if you are concerned buy a spare ECM or update to DDEC III.

But, a Series 60 is a vast improvement. Where an 8V92 might get 5 to 6 MPG depending on multiple factors, it is not unreasonable to expect 8 MPG from the 12.7 L engine. With care a Series 60 is easily going to get 800,000 to 1,000,000 miles.

But when you are thinking in terms of miles at that level you will only stay reliable by a very proactive maintenance program usually replacing parts and systems before they fail. You do not say your annual mileage, but most leasing companies probably are selling their coaches long before they pass 1,000,000 miles. As mileage goes up it is a given if a part moves it is wearing out. That means brakes, bearings, gears, pumps, alternators, starters, and age plays a role with respect to parts that rely on rubber, or rust and corrosion.

The reality in today’s world is no matter what drivetrain servicing our coaches is an ongoing battle due to the complexity of the systems and what we are asking of them. We alone have to have certain companies on speed dial to help with on the road problems. We have to have plans for when stuff fails. We are our worst enemy if we defer maintenance and repairs because it snowballs if we are not careful.

If I were to be in your shoes I would not let garage space determine my coach. I would get a Series 60 45 foot coach with solid front axle. I would get the simplest coach such as a Liberty Classic or a Royale. Both do not have computers, PLCs or any complex features. The rivet chassis is well sorted out and robust. Glass is cheap and easy to replace. A 45 foot chassis has a load of storage space which has to be important to musicians.

I would pick the 45 because until you have one you cannot believe how that additional 5 feet makes the coach so much more comfortable and easy to live in. A pre-emissions coach with a Series 60 is economical, and the lack of electronics simplifies service and eases diagnosis of problems.

[Liam]

We have a 40′ Liberty for sale that’ll be familiar to some folks here.

1994 Liberty 40’ XL

Give Brian a call if you’re interested in more info. 386-624-2833 or bmiller@tradewindscoach.com

[Davy]

Jon’s post on a rebuild was exactly what was on my mind. We love our solid walnut interior so much, we would be heartbroken if it was totaled – even if we got a later model as a no cost replacement.

My other reaction is over the last 5 years following posts, I see lots of folks with well maintained, much newer coaches discussing breakdowns and delays. You would need to be dead certain the S60 coach you buy is as well maintained and more reliable than the “devil you know”

There are specialty shops, like DES, that LOVE rebuilding V92’s (I saw a 12V92 torn down). For a fraction of the cost, why not a robust rebuild? Not only engine/tranny but alternators, steering pump, compressor, hoses, wiring harnesses, etc.

That is how B-52 and U-2s and L1011’s are still safely in service 😉

[Archived]

I was talking to a gentleman before the holidays that had a 1994 40′. I believe he told me it had a 60 series. I told him about this site and told him he should advertise it here. I do not know if he did. If you will email me, I will send you his contact information. He seemed like a super guy and was enjoyable to talk to.

Who knows? He may still have it.

Davy