Looks like Rebel Bird has some competition on the block - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Looks like Rebel Bird has some competition on the block (/showthread.php?tid=5785) |
Looks like Rebel Bird has some competition on the block - Jon - 10-05-2007 08:49 Boy that coach on the opening page sure is a thing of beauty. I love that paint job, someone was very creative when they thought of that Idea.. Very nice coach inside and I'm sure the new owner is just proud to drive that unit. Thanks for the great picture and got to love those older Wanderlodges. Jon Rebel Bird Looks like Rebel Bird has some competition on the block - bubblerboy64 - 10-06-2007 03:42 Thanks for the compliment Jon. I can't take credit for the paint work. The previous owner designed and had it done. He also did the engine swap and mechanical restoration. He owned the bus 9 years. I am the fifth owner since new. I've been working on it since I acquired it in July and have mostly been working to improve and update the interior. Lots of odds and ends. It was listed on the Bill Board about 30 minutes before I e-mailed the owner and made arrangements to buy it. It was listed reasonably and I did not attempt to negotiate the price. I am pleased with the coach and have not had one single problem with it that I was not aware of when I bought it. It drives very well, gets an honest 10 mpg and other then being a little noisy its a very nice coach. I am working on getting the noise situation dialed back. I have insulated the dog house with a couple layers of carpet and right now the most of the sound is coming from under the dash and floor area. I intend to get together with Steve and work over this area ASAP . I also bought a pair of the Bose noise canceling ear phones which really help a lot. Once I get the interior completed I will post some more pictures. In the process of getting new wheels and tires on it. I did not spring for the Alcoa's. Steel wheels and the wheel simulators (new hub caps really) will do the job. Can't afford the Alcoa's right now. Maybe some time. I try to do a little work on it each week and that way in a couple months it should be completely finished (if that ever really happens?) John Heckman central Pa 1973 FC > > Boy that coach on the opening page sure is a thing of beauty. I love > that paint job, someone was very creative when they thought of that > Idea.. Very nice coach inside and I'm sure the new owner is just proud > to drive that unit. Thanks for the great picture and got to love those > older Wanderlodges. > > Jon > Rebel Bird > Looks like Rebel Bird has some competition on the block - Jon - 10-06-2007 05:42 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64" wrote: > > Thanks for the compliment Jon. I can't take credit for the paint > work. The previous owner designed and had it done. He also did the > engine swap and mechanical restoration. He owned the bus 9 years. I > am the fifth owner since new. I've been working on it since I > acquired it in July and have mostly been working to improve and > update the interior. Lots of odds and ends. It was listed on the > Bill Board about 30 minutes before I e-mailed the owner and made > arrangements to buy it. It was listed reasonably and I did not > attempt to negotiate the price. I am pleased with the coach and have > not had one single problem with it that I was not aware of when I > bought it. It drives very well, gets an honest 10 mpg and other then > being a little noisy its a very nice coach. I am working on getting > the noise situation dialed back. I have insulated the dog house with > a couple layers of carpet and right now the most of the sound is > coming from under the dash and floor area. I intend to get together > with Steve and work over this area ASAP . I also bought a pair of > the Bose noise canceling ear phones which really > help a lot. Once I get the interior completed I will post some more > pictures. In the process of getting new wheels and tires on it. I > did not spring for the Alcoa's. Steel wheels and the wheel > simulators (new hub caps really) will do the job. Can't afford the > Alcoa's right now. Maybe some time. I try to do a little work on it > each week and that way in a couple months it should be completely > finished (if that ever really happens?) > John Heckman > central Pa > 1973 FC > > > > > > > > > > Boy that coach on the opening page sure is a thing of beauty. I > love > > that paint job, someone was very creative when they thought of that > > Idea.. Very nice coach inside and I'm sure the new owner is just > proud > > to drive that unit. Thanks for the great picture and got to love > those > > older Wanderlodges. > > > > Jon > > Rebel Bird > > >Thanks for the interesting information on your coach! That engine noise in nothing unusual for a Forward Control Wanderlodge. The previous owner install in the doghouse some sound dampening material and it does keep the noise down but it still a little nosy. Do you have carpet over the doghouse? my coach has that and also I place a large fancy pillow over the end of the box on top of it and that helps a little. What is your top end? Mine seems to be happy at around 60 but I'm going to change out my rear gears from 5.29 to 4.88. I have made contact with a good friend of mine who runs a RV shop and he said that maybe he could do the whole job for 2,000 dollars. Not only with this reduce the engine noise at higher speeds but if I want to go 65 I will be able to do that also with not straning the engine. Could you post some pictures on the photo site? I'm sure allot of us old Wanderlodge owners would like to check out your rig. Jipjob Rebel Bird Looks like Rebel Bird has some competition on the block - bubblerboy64 - 10-06-2007 09:51 Jon, I will post some pictures as soon as I get thru a project or two. Right now the front couch is apart getting recovered and I also have some work to do in the kitchen area. So when I get closer to done I will post. I took a look at your pictures and I noticed some similarities in our approach to things. My bus is supposed to be governed at 72 mph. I generally cruise at between 2200 and 2400 rpm which is 55 to maybe 62 mph. The spedo is off so an indicated 65 is about 60. I don't know it it would hit 72 mph or not that would be about 80 showing on the spedo and that's too fast for me. I don't know what the gear ratio is but I do know the rear end is out of a 1978 FC so what ever is the stock ratio is I guess what's in there. My coach being a 31 ft is a little lighter(?) then the 35 ft FC's It is running 23500 lbs loaded with fuel and water. John Heckman central Pa 1973 FC > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64" > wrote: > > > > Thanks for the compliment Jon. I can't take credit for the paint > > work. The previous owner designed and had it done. He also did the > > engine swap and mechanical restoration. He owned the bus 9 years. > I > > am the fifth owner since new. I've been working on it since I > > acquired it in July and have mostly been working to improve and > > update the interior. Lots of odds and ends. It was listed on the > > Bill Board about 30 minutes before I e-mailed the owner and made > > arrangements to buy it. It was listed reasonably and I did not > > attempt to negotiate the price. I am pleased with the coach and > have > > not had one single problem with it that I was not aware of when I > > bought it. It drives very well, gets an honest 10 mpg and other > then > > being a little noisy its a very nice coach. I am working on getting > > the noise situation dialed back. I have insulated the dog house > with > > a couple layers of carpet and right now the most of the sound is > > coming from under the dash and floor area. I intend to get > together > > with Steve and work over this area ASAP . I also bought a pair of > > the Bose noise canceling ear phones which really > > help a lot. Once I get the interior completed I will post some more > > pictures. In the process of getting new wheels and tires on it. I > > did not spring for the Alcoa's. Steel wheels and the wheel > > simulators (new hub caps really) will do the job. Can't afford the > > Alcoa's right now. Maybe some time. I try to do a little work on > it > > each week and that way in a couple months it should be completely > > finished (if that ever really happens?) > > John Heckman > > central Pa > > 1973 FC > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Boy that coach on the opening page sure is a thing of beauty. I > > love > > > that paint job, someone was very creative when they thought of > that > > > Idea.. Very nice coach inside and I'm sure the new owner is just > > proud > > > to drive that unit. Thanks for the great picture and got to love > > those > > > older Wanderlodges. > > > > > > Jon > > > Rebel Bird > > > > > > > > >Thanks for the interesting information on your coach! > That engine noise in nothing unusual for a Forward Control > Wanderlodge. The previous owner install in the doghouse some sound > dampening material and it does keep the noise down but it still a > little nosy. Do you have carpet over the doghouse? my coach has > that and also I place a large fancy pillow over the end of the box on > top of it and that helps a little. > > What is your top end? Mine seems to be happy at around 60 but I'm > going to change out my rear gears from 5.29 to 4.88. I have made > contact with a good friend of mine who runs a RV shop and he said > that maybe he could do the whole job for 2,000 dollars. Not only with > this reduce the engine noise at higher speeds but if I want to go 65 > I will be able to do that also with not straning the engine. > > Could you post some pictures on the photo site? I'm sure allot of us > old Wanderlodge owners would like to check out your rig. > > Jipjob > Rebel Bird > |