New Tow Rig!

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zetasig

zetasig

Joined
Dec 4, 2002
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Well The transmission was shot. but I bought it anyway!!

Pilot of the Short Bus.

Its getting the C 6 trans rebuilt this week, All new clutch packs from a lincoln. new lines, fluid etc. 12 month unlimited mile warrenty.

Took the buying price down to 700 bucks as well

Pending a baby any day now I should have it home or at least broke down closer to home on Monday or Tuesday.

I think I found a name for it too.

What do you think.

So anyway for 1900 bucks 1200 in the trans. I got a tow rig. Probably have most of that back in scrap should I need it. Full one ton running gear. D 70 dually rear. Good Rubber. Brakes questionable. Inside pimp.
Burned a new CD for it too with some James Brown and Curtis Mayfield "superfly"
Bus1.webp
 
Warren,

Sweet! I look forward to seeing more about you getting the rig ready to tow.

- Jason
 
Trans shop called, Good to go. Picking it up tomorrow at 9am pending no labor pains.......

Picked up two new wiperblades 2 gallons of anti freeze just in case, and two new front rotors. Gotta love 37 bucks a piece with no core.

Heavy big old 8 luggers.

I will take some more pics in the morning.
 
Dude, you STOLE those rotors! The rotors for my van where $100 each...but then the reman calipers were like $17 per side and about that much for a set of new pads...

Look real close at the brake lines and rubber hoses. I've got a blown line on my van now from rust. I had a bad rubber line too that was slow to release the caliper. Made for big fun if you jumped on the brakes to avoid someone. Ph yeah, as big and ugly as that bus is...people will pull out in front of you like you're not even there. Brush up on them defensive driving moves!

Nick
 
I can't wait to see it come together Warren. That's awesome.
 
Well it made it home. Ran out of gas before it left the trans shop. put a gallon in then filled it up.

Lost the muffler another mile down the road. Stopped put it in and then 59 miles without incident.

List of to dos
Change out front rotors, bleed system, inspect hoses, and rear brakes.
Replace starter solinoid as is bad.
Figure out why front signals not working
Flush all fluids,
Look at rear diff, fluid, bearings.
get a new lock cylinder for driver door
plates, registration.
paint job on outside.
Figure out radio situation.
bus1.webp
Bus2.webp
Bus3.webp
 
more

Plenty of room inside for all of the 35s. plus tools plus spares, Plus coffee maker.

Gotta get a hitch for this too. Thinking more about flat towing since the funds are kind of low.
Bus4.webp
Bus5.webp
 
I want it...


Damn nice Warren... YOu should be all set for spring?
 
Yeah, I should be all set by Spring. Pick up some smaller wheels from MJM with some stock tires. I think since money will be tight I will be flat towing the 40.

I have the parts already for the front brakes on the bus. got a 50 dollar gift card for Lowes Im sure I can spend. and then get to the junk yard to see if I can find a hitch already set up for this.

Gotta get a new muffler. some front sway bar bushings, and then really figure out what the bugs are, I know the filler neck leaks a bit. Since I lost about 2 cups of gas at the pump this morning. Little stuff though.

Problem is it is 0 here right now and sidways snowing.

I heard C bus got hit pretty good today too.
 
Warren,

I built the hitch on my van myself. Got the reciever tube from Northern and "found" the rest of the steel. I think that's what I'd do with your bus too. Measure in between the frame behind the bumper. Build it so it pokes out a hole through the bumper. Piece of cake... I could even weld it up for you if you have measurements. Then ship you the finished part ready to bolt in.

I think you'll need to put the hitch through the bumper to get the hitch high enough off the ground to match the lift of the 40. IIRC you want the tow bar to be level or pointing slightly down from the 40 to the hitch for best flat towing performance.

Nick
 
On the hitch, you may find that the universal 2" reese receiver that fits all 1970s-1980's ford/GM/dodge trucks & vans, may also fit the rear of the bus. Depends on how the rear frame is built/modified compared to a regular E250 Club Wagon. On a box van like Nick's, I also had to fab a hitch receiver and stab it through the rear bumper. Most other junk, the bolt-on Reeses has worked fine.

The aluminum interior is sweet! A couple of bunks along one wall, and a propane camp stove & cooler along the other wall. You'll be ready to camp in no time.

A glitter ball is required to compliment the multi-hued shag carpet. :grinpimp:
 
Yeah and Yeah, The aluminum is pretty nice, the bus has not been beat on on the inside. I replaced the starter Solinoid, so I dont need to start it with a screwdriver anymore.. Got plates and registration today. So it is legal.

I didnt get a good photo of it, but there is a fold out seat in the one side with two belts. its from a camper and folds flat into a bed. Pretty swanky.

I am going to head to some bone yards around here and see if they have any hitches still on vehciles. then torch one off from there if possible.
Definetly will need to go through the rear bumper.

check on a cooling leak too, it was a gallon low.

Oh yeah the rear heater under that wire rack still works, and pumps out the heat.

I have some open switches above the driver seat. Proabably for ARB locker, siren and disco lights.

Soon as it warms up and I get few minutes free, gonna change out the rotors, new pads and look at the brake lines.
Gotta chase down the front signals that arnt working and put on a new muffler.
 
Progress,

Well 2 steps forward one back,

Got the passenger side rotor on, installed, repacked bearings all looked good, New Brake Hose as well. Busted the sway bar link at the top as the bushings were all rotted out. New one from Ford will be here tomorrow. 30 bucks.

Got drivers side almost done. New Rotor on, Busted the odd ball bleeder screw in the caliper. Possibly I can use an easy out, Busted a drill bit off in there too. new remain caliper is 33 bucks if needed.
Broke the break line to that side, new one needed 5 bucks and custom bends. New Brake hose on there too. 18 bucks.
Replaced all the sway link bushings without issue.

Developed a small coolant leak from the top, possible a loose hose or pin hole in the upper hose. will investigate further.

Busted a top rear corner light from low hanging tree! Tree wasnt so low when I pulled in that way. (now has some trail carnage)

need a new muffler, and remove the 6 different clamps that were holding on all the pieces. Probably another 35 bucks or so.

Better to go at it 30 bucks at a time versus 300 with toy parts!.

No baby yet.
 
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