Mucho bus research guys.

As my faithful followers know, the bus gets what I consider hot going up long hills. Going out of Death Valley we stopped twice to let the engine cool. Not good. The 8th VIN digit is a “2”, which means LLY. Unfortunately, I labored misbelieving it was a 2005 LLY because I found so much information on that model overheating on long climbs especially when loaded. Then I read about the 10th VIN digit signifying the year, which is (unfortunately?) definitely a 6 for 2006. Why unfortunately? because the fix for the 2005 is widely known, and now I need to find a different solution given the 2006 LLY has the correct turbo mouthpiece.

So I called M. K, my diesel guru, and he suggested two things:

1. Consider RPMs above all when driving. Specifically, stay in the 2500-3000 range, which probably means downshifting even if the power is there to get coolant moving quicker. Also, it turns out, the motors are better running at higher RPMs and additional reading showed some people get better MPG at 70 than 55 supposedly due to this. Is this why the huge trucks go so fast? These diesel engines dominate the vehicle; notice how the entire truck lurches when the tractor trailer drivers shift.
2. Wash out the gunk in the radiator fins with a garden hose. Further research, again, found much supporting experiences and many recommending all the radiators be disconnected and gone over with air and then water. Can you believe there are 4? AC, turbo intercooler, engine and oil.

Also I’ve been researching how to make the ride smoother. Remember the passenger side turn signal falling out from bumpies? Or how far the bus tilts? I’ve been reading a bit and the top two products I’ve seen are Sumo Springs and air bags in liu of some of the leafs. In back only. Except the suspension guy at the garage suggested I go to a spring shop who told me there is very little room for the suspension to move, which means it can’t do its job. 2 hours and 47 flights of walking later I returned to pickup the now higher in the front than before bus and yes, I actually believe it rides better. Didn’t notice after the shocks being replaced, which apparently were not, at least in the front, replaced with HD models. We’ll have to see on a real section of road and also check in on whether the crappier aerodynamics are making fuel economy suffer.

Picked up a 17 x 20 inch sink at Urban Ore, a deal at $60. Plus it comes with a faucet!!!

The undercarriage storage estimate for two bays turned out to be higher than I am comfortable paying for the gain. This means I’ll make something to hold and protect the water tank and buy a small door for filling which I can put in myself The back bay though, in which the propane tank is supposed to go, would be best as large as possible since there’ll be no extra storage with the tank. Still, I’ll see how the water tank storage idea looks in reality and just what I’d lose by using wood and metal roofing.

With all the daydreaming spent on layout and M K’s common sense suggestions, I feel good about moving ahead with interior remodeling and the undercarriage storage and plan on starting tomorrow.

Lots of walking lately due to the rain. Sibley is great.

Today, during the two hours while the front was lifted, I walked up into the hills and ultimately around Oakland Zoo.

One of the many views on my walk.