Possible bus find. Advice please.

[SternWake]

I have one set of aftermarket rims whose center hole is larger than the hub.

When tightening the Lugs it is obvious one could improperly tighten them and the rim 'could' be tightened off center.

The spacers they use on rims with oversize hubs are just plastic. I just do not see how this center hub can be supporting the weight of the vehicle. If this was the intent then I imagine there would have to be a matching set of tapered bores, yet on mine I could slip a thin playing card between rim and hub, indicating the lugs are still taking all the weight.

My stock rims which fit tightly on the hubs, are just harder to screw up when installing he rim. My aftermarket rims with the hub too large have 80K miles on them, and when I frequented Baja, I thoroughly enjoyed 4 wheel drifting corners on dirt roads.

Ideal, certainly not, and my rims only have 5 lugs, and I've never broken a stud.

But the operative word could be 'yet'

 

[highdesertranger]

squishy here. ok so much is going on here. SSW those lugs nuts you posted pics of is what I was referring to. they are not interchangeable. so as far as the problems.
the inner rim must be hub-centric because you have no lug nuts to center them. any attempt to use a plastic spacer to center the rim is a disaster waiting to happen.
this brings up the fact that to have a spare that you can mount anywhere you will need that spare to be hub-centric. then you will need to carry the lug nuts to mount these rims because the lug centric nuts will not work.
plus hub-centric rims can handle the weight better. that's how ALL duallies are made. even most 1 ton and some 3/4 ton single wheel trucks are hub-centric.
so as far as this being a deal breaker I would say no it is not a deal breaker. I just wanted to point it out so you would know.
however without seeing the vehicle I really can't say if it's worth it. but if they are the wrong rims I would have serious thoughts about what else the owner Mickey Moused. know what I mean, Vern. highdesertranger

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

squishy here.  ok so much is going on here.  SSW those lugs nuts you posted pics of is what I was referring to.  they are not interchangeable.  so as far as the problems.
the inner rim must be hub-centric because you have no lug nuts to center them. any attempt to use a plastic spacer to center the rim is a disaster waiting to happen.
this brings up the fact that to have a spare that you can mount anywhere you will need that spare to be hub-centric.  then you will need to carry the lug nuts to mount these rims because the lug centric nuts will not work.
plus hub-centric rims can handle the weight better.  that's how ALL duallies are made.  even most 1 ton and some 3/4 ton single wheel trucks are hub-centric.
so as far as this being a deal breaker I would say no it is not a deal breaker.  I just wanted to point it out so you would know.
however without seeing the vehicle I really can't say if it's worth it.  but if they are the wrong rims I would have serious thoughts about what else the owner Mickey Moused.  know what I mean,  Vern.  highdesertranger

LOL @ "Squishy here". You're a good sport HDR. I can't wait to meet you, and yes, I am calling you my squishy when I do

Gotcha. I meant if everything else were good then would rims would be a deal breaker in your highly valued opinion. I am taking my son with me to help check it out. Not that he is any expert but at least 2 sets of eyes helps.

If all else is good, I will change rims and sell those to get some money back. Not sure what they are worth but my boss owns a tire shop and I can ask  the tire shop manager for a value on them.

If only you were closer! I would pay you to help me check these vehicles. You should start a vehicle dwelling mechanical consulting biz. You know so much about different ones I suspect you would make some $$$.

Thanks for your help!

 

[masterplumber]

Hey there MP!! I do too but trying not to get too gung ho until I check it out in person. I will be going to see it Thursday so I will let you know. Hope you are well. Are you traveling or home now?

I'm home now, probably will be for some time, but with some short trips to the mountains to maintain sanity. I'm currently working on a very large deck which is taking my time and energy. It's kind of ironic - I'm desperately trying to simplify and downsize my own life, but what pays the best and also what I enjoy doing is working on larger creative building projects. Let us know how tomorrow turns out -  hoping it ends with you driving your new home, home. 

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

I bought the bus and I love it! Pics to come!

 

[highdesertranger]

squishy needs pics. seriously congrats. highdesertranger

 

[Theadyn]

Congrats!!!!

 

[BradKW]

I bought the bus and I love it! Pics to come!

Congrats and good for you!  

You should start a new thread with the pics...this one's gotten pretty long  

 

[speedhighway46]

SSW: patience has its rewards! Congratulations!

 

[rvpopeye]

YESSSSSSSSSS !
I already saved the first pic when you posted it !
Just had a feeling , OK I have powers.
Now the build begins....

 

[Konaexpress]

Congrats!!! and yes, feel free to start a new thread with lots O pics.

John

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

I will definitely start a new thread with lots of pics asap.

It was a longgggg drive to get it! I just got home about 15 minutes ago. It started snowing as soon as we headed out. Unusual for TN by this time of year. We passed through a small town called Viola that was the perfect setting for a creepy horror novel. That was interesting. Luckily the blizzard stopped about an hour into the drive but it was cold and rainy. Finally got there. Bus looked better in person than pics. It has an interesting history. It used to be a party bus with a stripper pole lol. The pole was no longer there so of course, that was another price decrease. Not sure how I will make money on the road now :huh:

Overall, bus was good for the age. I am glad it wasn't built up with stuff I would need to tear out. It has a good sized water storage tank and pump. I can easily have an indoor or outdoor shower with that. The long doors were replaced with a metal and glass door. Some rust on that but not bad enough to replace. It locks which is nice. I tried to get the flat screen TV that was in it thrown in the deal, but no luck lol. I thought it was fair considering the stripper pole was gone but, ya win some and lose some. It is nice it has wiring for electric so that I can move in it while fixing it but I will need someone to redo it I'm sure. It's kinda just hanging there like the ad pics showed. But it works and I will be in my driveway for a while so not a big deal.

One thing for sure, it is roomy inside. I can do a lot with it. It is not fuel injected. Not sure how the MPG will be. I may convert it. I will consult with HDR on that later. Hopefully I can afford to drive it. May have to put a new pole in  

It drives good. I let my son drive it home and followed in the car because night driving is not something I like to do anymore but especially with never having driven a bus before. He loves it! We stopped for pizza and ate it in the bus. It's so roomy!

Aiden (grandson) went with us and gave his approval even though he didn't see any magical creatures. We decided they will move in at our house when we get some snacks in there. Made sense to me.

I will get my mechanic to go over it later and make sure its road worthy for a long trip before I head West.

Now I need to sell some more cars to get conversion money so my interior decorator (Kona Express) and I can make it awesome  

I'm tired. A little freaked out that I just bought a bus. But mostly excited. Thank you to everyone for the support and advice.  Especially my Squishy  :angel:

 

[Konaexpress]

CONGRATS!!!!

John

P.S. I don't do remodels, only new construction.

 

[Gary68]

so the High Dessert Stranger is now Squishy??? and the Witch of the Salty Sea got herself a rig,nice cant wait for the pics

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

CONGRATS!!!!

John

P.S. I don't do remodels, only new construction.

Don't fight it John. You know you want to help hang some Faerie lights

 

[highdesertranger]

dang no stripper pole. squishy

 

[BradKW]

Wow, a traveling Stipper show...that just freekin' brilliant! I gotta rethink my plans and come up with an angle on this...

 

[GotSmart]

Wow, a traveling Stipper show...that just freekin' brilliant! I gotta rethink my plans and come up with an angle on this...

That psychedelic paint job is sounding more like thing.   :s

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

dang no stripper pole.  squishy

Did everyone notice HDR changed his signature here? lolololol Made my day

 

[Yogidog]

Congratulations on your I am sure to be beautiful new baby!!!