I'm officially the owner of a new(?) 4104.

[Danny]

Great   

Danny

[kyle4501]

For parts, try US Coach. They will be able to fix you up! They really know their GMC's

[NCbob]

Patrick, if you were to believe that scudder from FL...named Cliff...you'd think that us MCI guys wouldn't want to welcome you to the ranks of the finest folks I know....so, don't place too much stock in his off hand comments.

Welcome to the world of Bus Conversions and feel free to ask any of us for an honest answer...except Cliff....he's sooo swept up in this GM thing he doesn't realize that MCI's or even Bluebird's exist! 

But if you're like most of us...and you find the time....you won't find a BusNut you won't like.

Enjoy, and if you ever have the opportunity to meet them, you'll find Cliff and Julie and their family are among the greatest people in our hobby.  I just like to rib the devil out of him!

NCbob

[zubzub]

Sorry about the pics, my camera went stupid as I was crawling under the bus, never really came back from that experience, probably need a new one.  I guess three years of hanging out on construction sites was too much for it.  In a month or so I will post pics of me driving home.  patrick.

[RJ]

Thanks you to everyone for your encouragement.  I have the maintenance manual already (free PDF at pd4104.com) I just need a parts manual if I can get one.  I have started looking online for truck suppliers for tie rod ends and stuff.  A few people have told me that normal wear items are available, but I haven't managed to find listings for 4104s...I'll keep looking.  I guess right now the 1st order will be driving it home, 1100 miles through rolling hills, some of which really slow down the big rigs...I'll probably do that in a month or so...Patrick.

Patrick -

~~ It's a LOT easier to find GMC bus parts from companies that deal with the bus industry, not trucking.  Granted, there are shared items, but often, due to their age, they're buried in an old dusty catalog back behind a desk. That the pimply-faced teen-ager working the counter hasn't a clue about what you're looking for, let alone know how to research and find it.  "If it's not in the computer, we don't carry it" will be the most often heard line from these new generation parts guys. 

~~ BEFORE you start driving this beast home, be sure that the brakes are functioning properly.  They're the #1 SAFETY item on your vehicle.

~~  DO NOT LUG THE ENGINE!!  When you start pulling grades through the rolling hills, keep the revs up.  The two-strokes pull best w/o overheating between 1700 - 1900 on a partial throttle.  You should still be able to accelerate from 1900 > 2100.  If not, then it's time to drop another gear.  Watch the exhaust carefully for black smoke - when you see it, back out of the throttle somewhat.  IF the coach speed stays steady, you're ok.  But if the speed starts falling off, and more throttle brings back the black smoke, it's time to downshift.  It won't hurt that big old 6-71 to wind it up. . .

(Check out the comments about shifting and pre-trip inspections in the "Articles of Interest" section on the BNO BBS for more tips.)

~~  Parts manuals show up on eBay now and then, but you might send Tekebird a PM and see if he's still got some.  If he doesn't, he might know of someone who does.  Oh, and there's also a VERY rare maintenance manual supplement to the 4104, too.  It may, or may not, be included on that CD. . .

~~  Where did you say you found this coach? 

FWIW & HTH. . .

 

[zubzub]

duluth minnesota.  Been sitting for 2 yrs, PO has MS and is in hospital.  Wife was selling it for him.  Nice people.  Brakes seemed good, I will double check the travel and adjust the handbrake before I go.  I really want spring brakes, but that will have to wait.  The brake pads are nice and thick, the engine doesn't seem that powerful, but really 225? 250? horses on something this size is pretty mellow.  Thanks for the tips on driving, the stock mirrors really suck on these ( or maybe it just takes awhyile to get them adjusted right) so watching my exhaust will be hard.  Bus doesn't smoke on start up which is nice.  patrick

[Barn Owl]

the stock mirrors really suck on these ( or maybe it just takes awhile to get them adjusted right)

No, they suck no matter how much you use them. I don't know how they got away with them for so many years. New ones are on my wish list, but until then, I am going to add the wide angles to the tops like a lot of others have.

[gus]

I like my stock mirrors just fine once they are adjusted. I also have a 4" spot convex in the bottom left corner of the RH mirror which shows vehicles alongside.

If you adjust the mirrors so they just barely show the sides of the bus they work much better. For backing you can lean slightly to change the view. It would be very nice if they were electrically adjustable but they sure look great.