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What never ceases to amaze me is how some folks can post a "What do ya think of. . .??" or a "Should I buy. . .??" type of post. And when they get answers or replies that are contrary to what their own initial desire or uneducated impression was, they completely go into rationalize EVERYTHING mode. . . Maybe you should consider a career in fringe politics

I guess I'll just chock it up to being young in this case. This reminds me of that old movie clip at the intro to the G&R song Civil War, ". . . Some men you just can't reach. . . So ya get what we had here last week. Which is the way he wants it,. . . Well he gets it!!"

Good Luck in your costly and foolish indevour. I along with others here tried to warn you. . .

Lets not be too hard on this guy, after all we all have been down the road he's on. It's all part of the experience. I bought my Vanagon for 5 grand, and body wise its solid, but I've been throwing mechanical parts at it steadily ever since. Advice is just that, advice. Being so young, he's gonna do what he's gonna do, and STF will get a lot of good threads out of his troubles.

Zane, I'd take the advice you've been given, but if you don't we all look forward to reading about your rebuild. If you do decide to pass on this bus, I'm sure theres folks here who can help you find a suitable replacement. I've found STF to be invaluable for help with my Westy. Good luck, and keep us abreast of whats going on!

Maybe I was a bit harsh in my last reply; I apologize.

To make it up to you Zane, I'll GIVE you a FREE bus. All you have to do is have it shipped from my shop (which will be cheaper than fixing the rust on that one). It's a '78 hightop fixer-upper that needs a lot, but the body is pretty nice and it has most of the parts including the camper interier and correct engine (needs a rebuild of course). This one is way closer to getting drivable than the other. Just trying to help a brother out. . .

Here's a couple pics if you want it

Dude! jump on that excellent offer like a fly on a t*rd! I can tell at a glance that there will be quite a few things to make the camper shine...but it will be streetable and serviacable long before if ever) the one you are looking at will be. Ray

aircooledtechguy wrote:Maybe I was a bit harsh in my last reply; I apologize.

To make it up to you Zane, I'll GIVE you a FREE bus. All you have to do is have it shipped from my shop (which will be cheaper than fixing the rust on that one). It's a '78 hightop fixer-upper that needs a lot, but the body is pretty nice and it has most of the parts including the camper interier and correct engine (needs a rebuild of course). This one is way closer to getting drivable than the other. Just trying to help a brother out. . .

Here's a couple pics if you want it

I'm getting some shipping quotes right now.

What are the dimensions of the camper?

Did someone want to have it fixed, but just left it?

Could I get some more pictures?

Zane.

Cost
Figure about $1000 to ship it to you... depending how cool you are to the transport company and/if you're dealing directly with the transporter or just a broker.

Ray is right - jump on it.. between the 2 you have much of a bus. Bay campers are always worth more than transporters.

T.

Here are my quotes:

CarMoves - $1195

Progressive Auto Transport - $1,750

B & T Auto Transport - $1,395.

Since I don't have that kind of money just laying around, it will probably take a while for me to earn it (no loans for me, thanks).

Zane Hall wrote:

Did someone want to have it fixed, but just left it?

Could I get some more pictures?

The bus was bought as a runner but just for the engine. He drove it about 200 miles and yanked the motor and trans. I have a 3 rib trans for it. The previous owner took the good enginetrans out of it and some of the parts to fix-up his Westy. The motor that comes with it is a mostly complete 1800cc that needs a rebuild.

It was given to me, so I'm not out anything. e-mail me your e-mail address and I'll send you some more pictures in a day or so.

Dude, I say jump all over that!

I think another reality check is in order.
It's way cool that you're to offer a free bus aircooledtechguy that's beyond cool.
But, paying 1100 dollars for any non running needs-alot fixer upper is still alot of money. 1100 shipping plus the engine costs. I dont know if its just regional, but you can get a decent driver bus for 800-900 here. (colorado)

InaneCathode wrote: you can get a decent driver bus for 800-900 here. (colorado)

Geez! I gotta get to Colorado! My "decent" bus cost me 5 grand!

InaneCathode wrote:I think another reality check is in order.
It's way cool that you're to offer a free bus aircooledtechguy that's beyond cool.
But, paying 1100 dollars for any non running needs-alot fixer upper is still alot of money. 1100 shipping plus the engine costs. I dont know if its just regional, but you can get a decent driver bus for 800-900 here. (colorado)

You're in the high desert.. Sh!+ boxes cost $1500+ east of the mississippi

MNAirHead wrote:

InaneCathode wrote:I think another reality check is in order.
It's way cool that you're to offer a free bus aircooledtechguy that's beyond cool.
But, paying 1100 dollars for any non running needs-alot fixer upper is still alot of money. 1100 shipping plus the engine costs. I dont know if its just regional, but you can get a decent driver bus for 800-900 here. (colorado)

You're in the high desert.. Sh!+ boxes cost $1500+ east of the mississippi

I have say, in all fairness, that *I* would not pay $1100 for this bus either. As I've said in previous posts, A bus like the one he is considering is worth nothing to me since I know what it costs to make it a decent runner. It's a parts bus at best (and even that is questionable) The green bus above was given to me at my shop. Decent busses out here cost $1000-$1500+ running and driving. If I was to sell this bus locally, I would probably only ask $500 or so. Region has a LOT to do with it. However, when considering just how little rust this bus has compared to the POS he was considering dumping all his "social-life" money into, this one will save him easily 2K in rust repairs alone. I went out and took about 10 or so pics to send to Zane, and was actually surprised at how little rust this bus has. Very mild surface ONLY rust in the battery tray, shinny green paint on the front floors, no rocker rust, no front end rust, no structural rust. Just a few bubbles on the slider and bottoms of the doors and minor surface rust at the rear marker lights (looks bad in the photos, but it's only surface stuff. Remember that simple formula I posted earlier:

"When you are talking about vehicles under $3000 generally speaking an additional $1000 in vehicle cost (for one in better condition) will generally save you $1500-$2500 in repair costs later."

Well that's in play here as well. Not saying this thing is a cream-puff; cuzz it ain't. But compared to the other bus he's considering, he'd be thousands ahead rather than pouring $$$ in the other.

Again, I still stand by my previous posts and suggest he search Craig's list in his area and find a bus locally that is a runner. Instant gratification (ie: DRIVING) is the best reward for hard earned $$$ spent!!

I got the bus.










More pics a'coming.

P.S. Sorry that all my pics look depressing for some reason.

good luck!