52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BBEEP · 10-10-2007, 02:59 PM

They call it a '2-window'. You count the number of square windows. Anyway, expect to have it running in 6-8 weeks. Installed on my 78 GMC Dually frame (that I'm extending about 8 inches) w/454, turbo 400, tilt wheel, Alcoas. The stove pipe, cooktop, and sink gotta go--but should I get bus seats? or what? Any ideas on anything on this rig? Paint? Graphics?
I'm using the stock front suspension so I'll have to get a couple of fenders and widen the current fenders. I figured that was easier and cheaper than changing the suspension. Besides, this way when I get work done or order dropped spindles or bags or whatever, its off the shelf!

I thought about this for custom plates: WETODD (You gotta say it outloud)

entourageguy · 10-10-2007, 05:05 PM

Neat idea. We like pictures so keep them coming...

Brian ...

jeffspower · 10-10-2007, 09:18 PM

If you want the front wheels on your dually setup to track where they were at on the old straight axle, you can cut the needed amount out of the center of the crossmember & weld it back together. Cut the center link the same amount, then slip a heavy piece of bushing stock over the "butted" section & weld it up. Of course it will require a little framework & motor mount altering- but I've seen it done nicely many times. Rodders do the same thing with Camaro/ Nova stubs used in narrower tracking old cars.

jeffspower · 10-10-2007, 09:23 PM

And you need a sign in the back window that says "WEWIDE DA SHOORT BHUS"

Dapapadon · 10-10-2007, 10:51 PM

I love those old busses. Paint it black & yellow stripes in back, solid black in front & call it 'Da Bumble Bee' lol Just kidding! I always think RV / boat hauler when I see those, but that's just me.

Keep the photos coming!

Don

BBEEP · 10-10-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffspower

If you want the front wheels on your dually setup to track where they were at on the old straight axle, you can cut the needed amount out of the center of the crossmember & weld it back together. Cut the center link the same amount, then slip a heavy piece of bushing stock over the "butted" section & weld it up. Of course it will require a little framework & motor mount altering- but I've seen it done nicely many times. Rodders do the same thing with Camaro/ Nova stubs used in narrower tracking old cars.

Thats why I'm going to just widen the fenders, its way less work and I'll bet you won't be able to tell when its done! Besides, fire trucks of that vintage actually had wider fenders--I may even be able to find some of those. The wider stance is what all the new cars manufacturers say to give better stability, which I'll need with such a tall rig.

earl87gta · 10-11-2007, 05:52 AM

That’s cool I’m thinking a sofa across the back and a set of those reclining swivel seat like they use in motor homes in the cent with a table and a big flat screen TV.

BBEEP · 10-11-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earl87gta

That’s cool I’m thinking a sofa across the back and a set of those reclining swivel seat like they use in motor homes in the cent with a table and a big flat screen TV.

GREAT IDEA! A good friend of mine designs all the audio/video systems for the Marathon Coaches. He does drop down flat screens every day!

earl87gta · 10-11-2007, 01:32 PM

32in flat screan on the side would be cool.

toomanytoyz · 10-26-2007, 10:27 PM

Any Update's???

Thanks, Rick

BigJackDaddy · 02-08-2008, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBEEP

They call it a '2-window'. You count the number of square windows. Anyway, expect to have it running in 6-8 weeks.

How's it hangin' ?

As for ideas, stay away from The Partridge Family.

Letter the side traditionally with "OLD SCHOOL"

My $.02

JERSEY_TRUCK · 02-08-2008, 09:52 AM

Man They Are Cool!! Over Haulin With Chip Foose Did One (ford I Believe) But Cannt Remember How Long Ago For John Force, Like To See Updates If You Have Some
Jersey_truck

LUV2XCLR8 · 02-08-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomanytoyz

Any Update's???

X2

chopper tom · 02-08-2008, 12:41 PM

Are you gonna lowwer it ,like a bunch .
I kinda like the way it looks now if it was lowwerd with some cool wheels on it [even the stove pipe looks coolto me]
But i'm big on rat rods and daily drivers so what can i say! just have some fun with it!

earl87gta · 02-10-2008, 06:20 PM

we need updates.

Bishops Trucks · 02-10-2008, 10:41 PM

I like riding the short bus!

Keep the pics coming.

BBEEP · 02-27-2008, 10:23 PM

I guess 'ROLLING SOON' is relative. Driving it today out to my buddy's shop to pull the body from the old chassis. The 78 GMC dually chassis was only stretched 7 inches to accomodate the bus.

**57NAPCO** · 04-08-2008, 02:36 PM

How is the project coming along?

weldvair@embarqmail. · 04-08-2008, 03:20 PM

You just have to chop the top on that one.
Don Meyer

72BlckButy · 04-08-2008, 03:41 PM

Any updates...?

BBEEP · 04-10-2008, 09:31 PM

Bus is gettin closer to drivin! The step is now only 8 inches off the ground. I'll decide all things as I go along, and certainly after it drives and I work the bugs out. I also mean bugs literally: wasps come from everywhere whenever it gets warm!
I may cut off the step and drop it another 8 inches.
I may swap the 1-ton front hubs for 3/4 ton to bring the wheels in 3.5 inches (per comments from duallyscene.com) I don't know if I can use the wheels though.
I will replace all the glass, already worked a deal. Can't decide how dark to tint!?
Thought about channeling the body to make up for going from a completely straight frame to the 78 frame with the dropped section in the cab area. As you can see, we used angle iron to bring up the frame instead. The bus still sits
about 8 inches lower than it did on the stock frame. The tilti sits only 2 inches off center from the gauges--but works better that way.
CAN HARDLY WAIT TO DRIVE IT WITH THE 454!

chopper tom · 04-11-2008, 06:21 AM

Lookin good so fare !!,keep up the good work and keep us posted!

55dude · 04-11-2008, 08:45 AM

cool ride! did ya sell your ambulance?

BBEEP · 04-11-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55dude

cool ride! did ya sell your ambulance?

THANKS! Nope, no sale on the ambulance. Can you believe it? I just put it back in the barn, It doesn't cost anything to park it!

BBEEP · 04-25-2008, 04:51 AM

After putting the 3/4 ton front hubs on the front, it narrowed the track of the wheels 3+ inches. The problem now is that the 16 inch wheels hit everywhere. So I'm gonna put 19.5 inch wheels on. Still, less than narrowing the frame or widening the fenders. It will allow me to lower the front as much as I can afford

10-10-2007, 02:59 PM	#1
BBEEP Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EUGENE, OREGON Posts: 504	52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? They call it a '2-window'. You count the number of square windows. Anyway, expect to have it running in 6-8 weeks. Installed on my 78 GMC Dually frame (that I'm extending about 8 inches) w/454, turbo 400, tilt wheel, Alcoas. The stove pipe, cooktop, and sink gotta go--but should I get bus seats? or what? Any ideas on anything on this rig? Paint? Graphics? I'm using the stock front suspension so I'll have to get a couple of fenders and widen the current fenders. I figured that was easier and cheaper than changing the suspension. Besides, this way when I get work done or order dropped spindles or bags or whatever, its off the shelf! I thought about this for custom plates: WETODD (You gotta say it outloud) Attached Images Last edited by BBEEP; 10-10-2007 at 04:18 PM.

10-10-2007, 05:05 PM	#2
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Neat idea. We like pictures so keep them coming... Brian ... __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

10-10-2007, 09:18 PM	#3
jeffspower Well, Whoop-dee-do! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others Posts: 2,302	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? If you want the front wheels on your dually setup to track where they were at on the old straight axle, you can cut the needed amount out of the center of the crossmember & weld it back together. Cut the center link the same amount, then slip a heavy piece of bushing stock over the "butted" section & weld it up. Of course it will require a little framework & motor mount altering- but I've seen it done nicely many times. Rodders do the same thing with Camaro/ Nova stubs used in narrower tracking old cars. __________________ '68 GMC shortbox 4x4 350/SM465/T221- bought it in '83 SOLD '72 K20 500 Cad/TH400/NP205 SOLD '92 Chevy 2500 6.5 mech TD 4L80E crusty daily driver '72 Monte Carlo... sweet low mile toy '11 Dodge Challenger IE 392 6spd... midlife car

10-10-2007, 09:23 PM	#4
jeffspower Well, Whoop-dee-do! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others Posts: 2,302	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? And you need a sign in the back window that says "WEWIDE DA SHOORT BHUS" __________________ '68 GMC shortbox 4x4 350/SM465/T221- bought it in '83 SOLD '72 K20 500 Cad/TH400/NP205 SOLD '92 Chevy 2500 6.5 mech TD 4L80E crusty daily driver '72 Monte Carlo... sweet low mile toy '11 Dodge Challenger IE 392 6spd... midlife car

10-10-2007, 10:51 PM	#5
Dapapadon Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? I love those old busses. Paint it black & yellow stripes in back, solid black in front & call it 'Da Bumble Bee' lol Just kidding! I always think RV / boat hauler when I see those, but that's just me. Keep the photos coming! Don

10-11-2007, 05:52 AM	#7
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? That’s cool I’m thinking a sofa across the back and a set of those reclining swivel seat like they use in motor homes in the cent with a table and a big flat screen TV. Attached Images __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

10-11-2007, 01:32 PM	#9
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? 32in flat screan on the side would be cool. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

10-26-2007, 10:27 PM	#10
toomanytoyz Luv the Crewcabs Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Andrews, In. 46702 Posts: 4,097	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Any Update's??? Thanks, Rick __________________ 55 Nomad 52 Willys Truck 67 Stepper 67 Fleet 68 Wrecker 68 Suburban 76 Crewcab 79 Gmc Dumptruck 84 Blazer 86 Crewcab Stepside 87 Iroc 89 GMC Plow Truck 91 Camaro Vert 96 Z71 Stepsde

02-08-2008, 09:52 AM	#12
JERSEY_TRUCK Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: ELMER, NJ, USA Posts: 171	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Man They Are Cool!! Over Haulin With Chip Foose Did One (ford I Believe) But Cannt Remember How Long Ago For John Force, Like To See Updates If You Have Some Jersey_truck __________________ 84 CHEVY K10 SHORTBED STEPSIDE (DAILY DRIVER) 02 1500 4X4 SUBURBAN Z71 (FAMILY RIDE) 95 IMPALA SS (FAMILY) 88 3/4 3X3 DUALLY (PLAY TOY) 86 CHEVY BLAZER (PROJECT) 70 C/20 LONG STEP (NEW HOME IN MD) AND SEVERAL OTHER PROJECTS DMH434@AOL.COM

02-08-2008, 12:41 PM	#14
chopper tom Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: whitesburg,KY Posts: 85	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Are you gonna lowwer it ,like a bunch . I kinda like the way it looks now if it was lowwerd with some cool wheels on it [even the stove pipe looks coolto me] But i'm big on rat rods and daily drivers so what can i say! just have some fun with it!

02-10-2008, 06:20 PM	#15
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? we need updates. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

02-10-2008, 10:41 PM	#16
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,731	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? I like riding the short bus! Keep the pics coming. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

02-27-2008, 10:23 PM	#17
BBEEP Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EUGENE, OREGON Posts: 504	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? I guess 'ROLLING SOON' is relative. Driving it today out to my buddy's shop to pull the body from the old chassis. The 78 GMC dually chassis was only stretched 7 inches to accomodate the bus.

04-08-2008, 02:36 PM	#18
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,213	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? How is the project coming along?

04-08-2008, 03:20 PM	#19
weldvair@embarqmail. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: st cloud, fl Posts: 266	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? You just have to chop the top on that one. Don Meyer



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04-08-2008, 03:41 PM	#20
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Any updates...? __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

04-10-2008, 09:31 PM	#21
BBEEP Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EUGENE, OREGON Posts: 504	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Bus is gettin closer to drivin! The step is now only 8 inches off the ground. I'll decide all things as I go along, and certainly after it drives and I work the bugs out. I also mean bugs literally: wasps come from everywhere whenever it gets warm! I may cut off the step and drop it another 8 inches. I may swap the 1-ton front hubs for 3/4 ton to bring the wheels in 3.5 inches (per comments from duallyscene.com) I don't know if I can use the wheels though. I will replace all the glass, already worked a deal. Can't decide how dark to tint!? Thought about channeling the body to make up for going from a completely straight frame to the 78 frame with the dropped section in the cab area. As you can see, we used angle iron to bring up the frame instead. The bus still sits about 8 inches lower than it did on the stock frame. The tilti sits only 2 inches off center from the gauges--but works better that way. CAN HARDLY WAIT TO DRIVE IT WITH THE 454! Attached Images

04-11-2008, 06:21 AM	#22
chopper tom Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: whitesburg,KY Posts: 85	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? Lookin good so fare !!,keep up the good work and keep us posted!

04-11-2008, 08:45 AM	#23
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? cool ride! did ya sell your ambulance?

04-25-2008, 04:51 AM	#25
BBEEP Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EUGENE, OREGON Posts: 504	Re: 52 Short Bus will be rolling soon! any ideas? After putting the 3/4 ton front hubs on the front, it narrowed the track of the wheels 3+ inches. The problem now is that the 16 inch wheels hit everywhere. So I'm gonna put 19.5 inch wheels on. Still, less than narrowing the frame or widening the fenders. It will allow me to lower the front as much as I can afford

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