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Woody's
2003 Ford E450 Goshen
family BLUE BUS
Page
The goal here was to have a resource in which we
could take the entire family on outings.
The BLUEBUS seemed like a good idea.
We found a retired City of Longmont (Colorado) RTD bus on Craig's List
and, after several costly repairs, have put it to work in our family.
Over 3128-miles we used 290.4 gallons of diesel fuel
for a cost of us$847.00 which equated out to 10.77 MPG
The conventional steps with hand rails on both sides are extremely beneficial
for children and seniors alike.
The handicap lift is nice to have when required.
But privately owning and using a "bus" seems to mix people up a lot.
Everyone thinks it's a commercial vehicle.
We were ending a family excursion to the Denver Zoo and a man boarded wanting to
go somewhere.
We had to redirect him.
Even State Farm insists on making me pay "commercial rates" until I
get it officially "converted" to motor home status.
I hope to get that completed sometime during 2011 which will help those
unreasonable State Farm insurance rates immensely.
There was much confusion about me needing a Department of Transportation (DOT)
number.
I did get one at the insistence of US Department of Transportation people in
Washington, DC.
Later, a Federal Inspector cancelled the number after sending me a
letter confirming the DOT number
is not required for a non-commercial private vehicle.
Aside from all of that it has also been an excruciatingly expensive endeavor.
Below is Lorelei, Lois, Ralph and Woody taking the bus for the August, 2010 test
drive.
THE BLUE BUS
GETS A NEW BLUE
MAACO PAINT JOB
And it's now more Blue than ever!
- We added seatbelts
- We added a new wireless backup camera
(should have installed a Wired one... would not recommend wireless cameras)
- We added a Spare Tire carrier and tire
(can't just call an RTD tow truck to help us, you know)
- We added a really nice wireless (FOB) so that
we can open and close the bi-fold passenger doors
without having to first get into the driver's seat (see below).
THE BLUE BUS
GETS A NEW ENGINE
On the original engine over 3128-miles
we used 290.4 gallons of diesel fuel
for a cost of us$847.00
which equated out to 10.77 MPG.
I am actually pleased with that type of performance from a vehicle
having a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14500 pounds.
In early 2011, that original 230,000-mile Ford 7.3 liter engine
was replaced with a Ford Remanufactured engine.
This $12,500 (total with installation) event should allow us to take more
family outings farther from home with
less worry about major component failure.
- Watch for new Mile Per Gallon tests as we put miles on the "new"
motor.
Below we see some photos taken during the swap.
We chose Excel
Diesel and SUV of Parker, Colorado
to do the work for us due to the consistent professionalism and competence
displayed in our previously dealings with them.
REMOTE DOOR OPEN/CLOSE ADDED
Since the BlueBus has an electric open/close motor for the
"flapper door (pedestrian)" door,
Woody found a keychain FOB transmitter / receiver on eBay and installed it.
It was a fairly simple addition and has proven to be worth every penny of the
fairly economical price.
This would be a recommended addition to almost any vehicle with a similar setup.
No programming necessary
Press and hold the "1" to open,
Press and hold the "2" to close
(3 and 4 are unused).
BLUE BUS FAMILY ADVENTURES -
2011
In 2011 we took several family trips.
We are preparing to complete it's official conversion to a "motor
home" which should help our crazy insurance rates.
BLUE BUS FAMILY ADVENTURES - 2010
In 2010 we took several family trips.
Do you have
a photo of you and your similarly equipped bus?
Please CLICK HERE it
to
email me (Woody).
CLICK
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All personal comments, pictures copyright 1996-2011 - R. Linwood (4L RANCH)
LAST MODIFIED:
Since 25 May, 2011:
