Buses and Bus Conversions
In Memory of My Good Friend Dennis Morgan
Who taught me how to drive a bus the RIGHT way.
Page last updated February 23, 2006
 Most of my friends and family think I've finally gone "over the edge", but I just can't abide one of those overpriced, foam and plastic so called "motor homes" and having driven various "motor homes", they don't do a thing for me...   I'm familiar and comfortable with various types of buses.  I've worked as a bus driver, driver trainer and bus accident investigator and I can say that after those experiences, I've formed some pretty strong opinions as to what kind of vehicle I want for myself...  In the long run, I felt that it would be cheaper, easier and more pleasurable to have a "commercial grade" vehicle that's designed to run down the road for a living rather than an overloaded, unbalanced stick and tin box on a one-ton truck chassis.  Besides, a converted bus would make a GREAT Clampmobile and it wouldn't be the first one...
   In the meantime, I've been gathering all the information I can on the subject via the Internet and have provided the links below to share with my fellow "Bus Nuts"...
So, after much deliberation, planning, reading, etc. I bought GMC P8M4905A #1703 for the purpose of converting her to a motor home.  I've started another page on this site about the
"Buffalo Ride" Motor Home Conversion.

To say my driveway is a little tricky for a forty foot bus would be an understatement. >>
Photo By Dunsmuir Yardmaster
She drives like a dream. We've already put about 33000 miles on with very few problems.

Check out gmc-busnuts for information about these FINE machines.
Without this discussion list, I'd be like the proverbial blind man trying to describe an elephant. (Or in this case a Buffalo)

CNG Orion
I drove one of these for five years.
I miss driving them, but I don't miss
the job.

Yolobus

    This is an 40' Orion V  compressed natural gas powered transit bus.  She's equipped with a Cummins L10G 275 hp engine and a ZF 5 speed automatic transmission. One of these, #701 is the first CNG transit bus delivered in California that remains in service.  I hope she goes to a museum someday...A pleasure to drive...  That is, until I discovered the Prevost tour buses equipped with 400/450 hp Detroit 8V-92's and Series 60's, equipped with Jake Brakes...  Yahoo!  Let's go over Donner Summit in the LEFT lane, waiting for the cars to get out of the way...  On many trips over that road in my own car, (NOT underpowered) I'd always wondered what kind of bus it took to pass ME going up hill AND what kind of engine did it have?  Well, I found out!  It was kind'a fun to drive a bus and be concerned about not going so fast UPHILL so as to attract the attention of the CHP.  Downhill is another story... Thank you, Mr. Jacobs...

Yolobus Eagle Model 10 (Ex-Trailways) #795 in my front yard.  Driver Trainer Dennis Morgan guides Major Randy Kilmartin (USAR) through the rather tricky (for a 40' bus) gate.  (I have since trimmed the tree so that it was easier to take such vehicles home)  We were on our way to a Bus Rodeo in Ukiah, CA and stopped off to pick up my generator so we would have "comforts" while we camped out for the weekend at Lake Mendocino.
This bus was my FAVORITE in the whole fleet and was the inspiration for the idea of buying and converting a similar bus into a motor home.
Eagle795
Beautiful "Rides"!  Mine's on the left...

If you like buses, this is worth a listen...
http://www.pacbus.org/flash/detroit.swf

Buses
Bus Information on the Web
GMC BusNuts
Busnuts.com MegaLinks
Bus Talk
ROUTES International
The Stray Hound
Busbook.com
Public Transportation
This site is HIGHLY recommended!
Below are several links to some interesting mailing lists about buses
Trailways
Trailways Drivers List
Greyhound Through Express List
Transit Drivers List
Motor Coach Drivers List
Behind the Wheel on Route 66
Howard Suttle spent 28 years driving for Greyhound on Route 66 and wrote a book about it...
Coach Information Network
DieselNet
Bus Explorer
The Antique Truck Club of America
Lot's of good info about our old buses here
Bus Rosters on the Web
GM & Yellow Coach Delivery Lists
Publications
Bus Conversions Magazine
Bus World Magazine
Bus Explorer
MAK PUBLISHING
Private Coach Magazine
Home Power Magazine

Associations
Family Motor Coach Association
Bus Conversions Owners Assn.
Escapees RV Club
The Motor Bus Society
Flxible Owners International

Motorcoachdrivers.com

Bus Manufacturers
Daimler-Chrysler
Orion Bus Industries
Setra
Gillig
Prevost Car Co.
MCI & Dina
New Flyer
Volvo Bus
Neoplan
Breda
Slamp International Coach
Freightliner Corporation
Carpenter
Collins Bus Corporation
INTERNATIONAL Bus Chassis
Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
The Nest. Blue Bird Corporation
Bombardier Transport Group
NABI Main Page
Plaxton (UK)
Dupon Trolley
MBTA Articulated Bus Test
2000 Bus

Bus Museums
Pacific Bus Museum
Metro Employees Historic Vehicles Association (Seattle)

Museum of Bus Transportation
Greyound Bus Museum
Ohio Museum of Transportation
Seashore Trolley Museum
The GM Futurliner Restoration Project
Dreamliner
Bus & Conversion Parts
Engines/Transmissions/Driveline
Cummins Engine
Detroit Diesel Corporation
DD Special Publications
DD Tech Info
Chevron Products(Where to Buy)
Shell Rotella Products
Pacific Torque
DD & Allison Parts
Industrial Diesel Inc.
DD Parts
Williams Distribution
DD Parts
Allison Transmissions
Caterpillar Engine Division
ZF Transmissions
Dana Corporation
Eaton.com
Garrett Turbochargers
United Turbo
Jakebrake.com
Wolverine Engine Oil Heaters
Mohawk Mfg.
Various Bus Parts
Enviro-Cool
Cooling System Filters
First Lube
Engine Pre-Lube Systems
Davco
Fuel Filters
Algae-X
Fuel Conditioner
Trucks.com
Parts
Torque-A-Matic
CAT engines & Allison Transmissions

Generators/Inverters
Generator Service Company
Wrico International
Onan Generators
Kohler Generators
Backup Power Systems
All World Diesel Generators
Victron Energy
Unique generators, inverters, etc.
Xantrex Inverters
Statpower Inverters and Chargers
Store4Power
Mastervolt
Fabco Power
Hydraulic & Engine Driven Generators
Alternator Parts.com
MajorPower.com
WranglerNW
NW Power Products

Tanks/Fittings/Plumbing
Tank Capacity Calculator
Dura-Cast Products
Precision Temp
Hot Water Heaters
Ardemco
Norwesco
Outwater Plastics
Microphor Toilets
Creative Energy Technologies
Composting Toilets
IPS Corporation
Solvent cement for plastics
Qestpex
Aquatec Water Systems
Water Pumps
Centroid Products
Tank Gauges
Sewer Solution
A water powered jet pump for sewage disposal

Glazing/Windows

Curved Glass Distributers
Windshields, side glass, etc.
Steele Rubber Products
Window Glass Rubber
StanPro
Window Glass Channel
RollEase
Window Shades
C.R. Laurence Co.
Glazing Supplies
Stormtite Windows
Sliding Screened Windows
 

Truck Parts
Lots of useful stuff here.
Buses are just trucks with a fancy body...
Truck Pro

Parker-Hannifin Corp.
Hydraulic & Air fittings, etc.
Brakes / Retarders
Jacobs Vehicle Systems
Telma Retarder
Dana Corporation
Bendix
Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems
Brake Parts
Vipar

Steering/Suspension/Wheels
Alcoa Wheels
Stemco
Hub oil seals, etc.
Bab Steering and Hydraulics
Vehicle Improvement Products

Steering Wheels

Batteries

Exide
Trojan Batteries
US Battery
BatteryWeb.com
Ample Power
Battery Management Systems

Instrumentation

Custom Insturment Panels
Precision Speed Instruments
Abbot Enterprises
Hubodometers, Tachographs, etc.
Isspro Gauges
United Speedometer Service
Westach
Teltek Digital Gauges
Snake River Electronics
Centroid Products
Electronic Liquid Level Gauges
King Controls
Cruise Control, Satellite Dishes, Electric Throttles, etc.
Dustyfoot.com
Mobile Satellite Dishes

Paint/Appearance/Insulation

Insuladd
Super Therm
Kool Seal
Thermo-Shield
Thermal Coat
Permanent Coatings
POR 15
Rust Preventive Paint
Wigglewood
Bendable Paneling
Green Stuff Polishing Compound
English Custom Polish
SuperGraphics, Inc./Bus Wraps
JSI Signs Systems Div.
Vinyl for graphics

Miscellaneous Parts & Tools
Ramco Engineering
Mirrors
Meritorauto
Ron the Bus Nut
HB Industries
Universal Coach Parts
Muncie Transit Supply
Dymatic, Inc
Skinner Valves, Etc.
Parker Brass Products
Kano Laboratories
Kroil penetrating oil
Nimco Bus Division
Fastening Systems International
J. Jeb  Manufacturing
 Engine and fuel heaters
Bernhard Bus Parts & Service
International Bus & Parts
BusStuf Inc.
RV Add -On's
Internet Bus Parts Resources
Interstate Plastics
Mohawk Mfg. & Supply
M&G Car braking tow bar
Wicks Aircraft Supply
Genuine Aircraft Hardware Co.

Aircraft Spruce & Supply
RV Accessories.com
J.C.Whitney
Power Service Products
Diesel fuel treatment

Passenger Coach Parts
Luminator
TransSign
Destination Signs
Metrotrans-Corp
Bostrom Seating
Braun Wheelchair Lifts
Ultrak: Surveillance Technology
Bulldog Direct Protective Systems

Mass Transit Safety Glass

Exxon Petroleum Encyclopedia

Lighting/Electircal
Samlex
DC-DC Voltage Converters
Dialite
Innovative Lighting Inc.
United Equipment Sales
Command Electronics
Boatlighting.com
Peterson Manufacturing
Cibie Lighting Systems
Grote Industries
Del City
Electical Parts
Parts Systems
Dinosaur Electronics
Old & Obsolete Electrical Parts
Mastervolt
 <>Heating/Air Conditioning/
Refrigeration/Appliances
ProHeat/Teleflex
CMACM Technologies
12/24 Volt Appliances, etc.
<> Espar Heating Systems
Webasto
The Dometic Corp.
Thetford/Norcold
Seaward Products
Dickinson Marine
Creative Energy Technologies
Sigmar
Red Dot Corp.
Sanyo A/C
SunFrost
Backwoods Solar Electric
Etronics Online
Radiant Floor Co.
Real Goods
Lots of 12 VDC stuff
Cruisaire
Victron Energy
Unique generators, inverters, etc.
RVMobile
All about gas refrigerators
AAP Inc.
Cruisaire A/C Systems
Vehicle Systems Inc.
Hydro-Hot/Aqua-Hot
Stadtler-Viega
Hydronic Heating Systems
Splendide
Washer Dryers
RontheBusNut
Motosat
Mobile Satelllite Dishes
Sure Marine Services

RV Furniture

Designs West
Tusco Upholstery Co.
Bradd & Hall
Salesco
Truck Seats

RV Parts
RV Surplus Salvage
Affordable RV Surplus
Lairson Enterprises
Colwaw RV Salvage
Thomas Hardware
C and H Sales
Arizona Salvage Inc.

Camping World
RV.net Obsolete Parts List
RontheBusNut
All-Rite

Body Parts

International Bus & Parts
R&M Fiberglas
Bus Conversion Parts & Update Kits
Valid Manufacturing
Power Gear
HWH Corp.
Levelers & Slideouts

Safety Equipment

FireFreeze
Fire Suppression Systems
AM Equipment
Rome Truck Parts
Windshield Wiper Motors, etc.
Bus Conversion Information
Bus Conversions Web
RVBusConversions.com
Busnut Online
Busbook.com
Busnut Wannabe Forum
RVBUS Bulletin Board
RVBus
Mr. Sharkey's Electrical Advice
Home Power Magazine
RV Web.net
Epic Conversion Support
Bus Conversion Books & Videos
Coach Conversion Central
Conversion Connection
Bus Information Xchange
Winlock Publishing
Busnuts.com
RVLife.com
Towing World
The Bus Converters_Library
Coach Information Network
Bus Conversions Newsboard
Conversion Resources
Schoolbus Conversions Online
Converted Coach Group
The Bus Gallery
phrannie
A'Weigh We Go
Eagle Model 10 & 15 Service Manual
Courtesy of Busforsale.com
Bus Sales
Bart Grabhorn Bus Sales
I bought MY bus from Bart.  Good Guy!
GMBusGuy
Northwest Bus Sales
Staley Coach & Sales
Horizon Coach
ABC BUS Home Page
A-Z Bus Sales
R.W.Fulkerson
California Bus Sales
Roman III Bus Co.
Sell A Bus
Used Buses Net
Dreamliner Bus Leasing & Service
BusMart.net
Bernhard Bus Parts & Service
Bus Buys
Goodson Bus Sales
Virginia Coach Works
International Bus Exchange
Private Coach Magazine
Classified Ads
Transit Sales International
Bus Connection Inc.
Desert West Coach Service
Echo Coach Co.
Cape Carlyn Coach
Arkansas Bus Exchange
Buses on Line
Bargain Bus News
Bustrader.com
The Busman
I-44 Bus Sales
Probus Buses for sale
National Bus Trader
Sawyer's Bus Sales
busforsale.com
Buses4Sale
Buses Plus
Orleans Express Coaches for Sale
Bird Connection LLC