30,000 lb turbo project

I've always leaned toward lightweight, great handling momentum cars. Now for something completely different.... [URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/D1A1FBE2-DCF8-4EA9-8D11-375AE35E9179_zps50b73lq8.jpg.html][/URL] Our 1983 Bluebird Wanderlodge named Gabby (in honor of our English mastiff, who also happens to be huge, brown and slow) was acquired about a year ago. It was more or less functional when we got her, but as expected, had a million day projects to keep me occupied for a while. General maintenance, fixing hydraulic jacks, belts, hoses, charging systems, and just getting my head around a 3208 Caterpillar turbo. We towed our 944 with her to a few NASA Mid-Atlantic races, where I found out quickly how popular you can be in 95F with 3 rooftop ac units cranking. [URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/DEC9D6ED-C38F-4901-B678-07DFD267812E_zps1gddbgfn.jpg.html][/URL] It's an original interior, which is old enough to almost be nostalgic....complete with plush orange carpet. [URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/668D7E91-D402-418C-A30A-3DEEACD58E4A_zpsuufrimn2.jpg.html][/URL] My favorite part is the "command center" complete with a million switches and programmable music horns.

[URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/A7C9BB9E-8DF8-45E1-9007-97FAFA6C9344_zpsozd70oad.jpg.html][/URL] Ok, really my favorite part is saying "I sure would like a ham, cheese, mustard, lettuce, pickle sandwich on rye toasted, while driving....even if I'm not hungry.

Next week we are going to tackle what is probably the largest issue....a leaking seal on the injection pump. It really is startling when 30,000 lbs of bus with a trailer goes instantly dead on you (twice) so I am looking forward to that fix almost as much as my wife is! Details coming as we cross new bridges.

Very cool.

Thanks mikeatrpi!

So. Much. '80s. Love it.

Looks like a nice seat for long rides.

Awesome dashboard.

14 gauges? I can only think of with like 12 things to monitor.

That dashboard is insane. I can't fathom why it requires so many buttons.

Can you take closer pictures and label the buttons you think you understand the function of so far? It feels like some kind of trap.

Love that carpet.

Oooooooooo! A Wanderlodge!

I dig it.

That thing is the shizz. Going on my bucket list, Wanderlodge is.

Very cool!

How much can it actually tow?

I've wanted one of these for years....and I gotta say, it's even better than I thought. The factory hitch is rated at 5,000 lbs. Those in the know say 10,000 is no problem with a weight distribution hitch. It has incalculable torque. Dash pic coming.....there's like 8 useful switches.....the rest are every blue moon switches. Air horn or electric horn? Check. Musical horn with 115 ( not kidding) settings? Check. Drivers side fan with three settings? Check. And air pressure functions. This thing runs on air. Air bag suspension, air brakes, onboard compressor to run water system and even air up your tires....lots of meters to check all that out. Generator info is also there to see on the dash. And it's all so analogue. So analogue. Mine has Ricky and Lucy beds, two comfy couches and the dinette that sleeps two ....so legitimately sleeps 6. The awning makes a good place for a tent for overflow. A grill outside and an ice maker inside end a day at the track nicely. [URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/54D85544-9C5F-4E6E-87D8-6BFD14ACDA38_zpsalsjd5hy.jpg.html][/URL]

Conesare2seconds, it hit my bucket list about 15 years ago....finally fulfilled!
Donebrokeit, the seats are incredible. This thing cost almost $300k in 1983, so pretty much everything is built to last and well done. At the same time, it's a Bluebird school bus in the bones, so she is robust like a sherman tank. An RV with rollover protection. Who'dathunkit?

[URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/D86BD46B-53A1-42A2-8CDF-AAC199B69DAE_zpslk6jdoar.jpg.html][/URL] Ok, they labeled this thing pretty clearly, so you can probably read the labels. Lots of warnings, and independent light switches. Search lights, landing lights, etc.

[URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/F95691F3-0A4D-4813-9A7C-EC3ADBEB4E44_zpskflnozcy.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/7CC7B0DD-4F4C-46C5-B58A-D175D096A5A5_zpskklctbm4.jpg.html][/URL]

This is above the drivers head. Maybe the earliest backup camera ever. And yes, that is an altimeter. [URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/805D7268-AF76-4EE9-9BF4-98224B1AD2CF_zpscyjum3re.jpg.html][/URL]

jh36 wrote: This is above the drivers head. Maybe the earliest backup camera ever. And yes, that is an altimeter. [URL=http://s349.photobucket.com/user/jack127/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/805D7268-AF76-4EE9-9BF4-98224B1AD2CF_zpscyjum3re.jpg.html][/URL]

Wait... An altimeter?

That 924 makes me so happy to see.

Yep Raze, an altimeter. It was evidently standard issue...I guess when you're logging your journey that's a thing? I haven't zeroed it out, but I have seen it move, so I guess it works.
Thanks corsepervita...it's actually an '83 944, not a 924, although we've messed with those too! Oh, and sort of cool that both the bus and the racecar are from the same year. I had a plan last year to respray the car in matching colors to make a bold '80's statement rolling down the road...maybe one of these days!

What does that have for interior heat? A propane furnace or something else?

DrBoost, There are two lp furnaces, one electric in the bath, three roof tops with heat strips. When driving, there's a switch for recirculated coolant and split cockpit heat. One of the lp's needs some work but this bus is generally warm weather use for us.

It's also shockingly well insulated....stays comfy and quiet in there. Except that 3208 Cat. That makes some noise.

I'm traveling for a few weeks (for work) and my injection pump is being sent to Wisconsin for a rebuild. If anyone here plans to be at UTCC and/or Hyperfest, shout it out. The bus, my 944, PA, guitars and amps SHOULD be located near paddock entrance. Good times! Last year Tom and Ed fixed my awning there so now we have shade too.

This is extremely cool