Meet Zephyr - our land based home on wheels!
Zephyr had been our full time nomadic home from 2011-2017, and is now our winter home as we now divide our time with cruising the Great Loop in our motoryacht, Y-Not.
Our sweet bus home on wheels began life in September 1961 as a regional charter tour bus in Arizona for Citizen Auto Stage Co out of Nogales, AZ - and is serial # PD4106-446.
While our bus was never a "hound" - this model of bus was designed in cooperation between GM (not yet GMC) & Greyhound to be the heart of their fleet in the 1960s. It was designed to seat 41 passengers and carry all their luggage. With its aluminum construction and beefier engine, the 4106 was considered the 'sportscar of buses' for its day.
Today we comfortably cruise at 55-60 mph on the blue highways of America.
Our bus was converted and titled to be Class-A motorhome in 1989, and had less than 20,000 motorhome miles on it when we found it in Yuma, AZ in June 2011. She had essentially sat still for over 15 years after her original converter had passed away in the early 90s.
She's 35' long, 96" wide and weighs in at about 24,000 lbs. She has a 2-stroke 8v71 Detroit Diesel engine, with Allison v730 automatic transmission upgrade post-conversion.
A Brief Story of how Zephyr Came to Us
We started our full timing adventures out in super small travel trailers in 2006. First a 16' T@B teardrop, then a 17' Oliver Travel Trailer fiberglass egg.
After 4 years traveling ultra small, we were ready for a little more space as we slowed down our pace. Not wanting to tow something that would require a large truck, we started our search with smaller modern Class-A motorhomes (in the 26-30' range).
In our price range, we quickly found that the quality we desired was just not feasible. And then we were turned on to older bus conversions. We could get a high quality bus chassis (which some very higher end motorhome are built on), and they can be purchased for a song and some strong hopes.
We still wanted to stay as short of length as possible as we love staying in state and national parks, which often have length restrictions. That put us looking for vintage coaches from the 60s, where 35' long was the maximum allowable highway length.
We did extensive research on bus conversions starting in spring 2011 and bought an Amtrak Rail Pass to travel the country to look at buses parked within driving range of Amtrak station. We soaked up as much learning as we could from other 'busnuts' during this time.
During our search, we quickly fell in love with the history and classic styling of buses from this era.
We found our bus on Craigslist, and the ad was so simple and lacking in details that we almost didn't go look at it. But we are so glad we did! When we walked in, it held more promise to become our ideal technomadic home than any other bus we had looked at.
The interior was well designed (with solid wood cabinetry), the engine ran strong and the body straight & nearly rust free. She needed to be caught up on nearly 15 years of neglected maintenance - but she just begged to be given a chance to go out adventuring again!
We said YES! We purchased Zephyr for $8000 (no, there's no missing zero there) and set aside money for future major engine work - which left us a wide budget to do renovations over time to make her truly our own.
Making Zephyr Ours
We specifically were looking for a bus that was livable from day 1 (we were now homeless backpackers living on a train after all) and that we could make our own as we went. We didn't want a big project, or putting our bus immediately into a renovation shop for possibly years - we learned this from our friends also converting a sweet vintage bus at the same time, the Creative Cruiser.
So we started small with our projects and really got a feel for the upgrades we wanted - and approached them as we had time and opportunity to tackle them. Serendipity played a strong role in determining the order of priority.
We've done several rounds of updating - sometimes completely on our own, sometimes with the help of friends, sometimes by hiring out contractors in our travels and sometimes in shops for extended renovations.
All and all, our costs (just over $100k spread out over 5 years) of building our ideal high-tech home on wheels on a solid bus chassis is hundreds of thousands less than we would have spent for a comparable modern high end Class-A motorhome.
Heck, it's even less than we could have spent on a brand new low-end motorhome that wouldn't have a chance of standing up to the test of time, miles and long term full timing.
Never mind not being nearly as unique.
And we've had a heck of a fun time doing it!
Here's a video tour of our bus (filmed in February 2018):
And here are some photos of the before/after renovations we've done over the years:
And present day after our 2015 renovations:
Thus far we have done:
- 800w Solar Panel Installation at AMSolar
- Massive interior updating (new floors, kitchen, bathroom, ripped out the dinette, installed a dual computer desk, put in cat doors, re-covered valences, etc).
- Lots of gadgets that help keep us online
-
Our 500AH LFP battery - installed August 2011. Built a cutting edge Lithium Ion battery & Victron MultiPlus inverter
- Massive amounts of house systems revitalization (plumbing, electrical, etc.)
- Replaced the fridge with a Vitrofrigo Danfross marine compressor model (12v/110 electric only)
- Converted to LED lighting
- Replaced all of the dash gauges with custom designed gauges from SpeedHut.com.
- Had a major out of frame engine & power system overhaul at Interstate Powersystems after our engine overheated.
- New driver and passenger seats (by Flexsteel, installed at Bradd & Hall in Elkhart, IN).
- Repaint the exterior & minor body work
- All new windows - upgrading to dual pane, with MCD shades
- Replacing our diesel generator with a smaller propane powered one.
- Replacing our hot water heater with a Precision Temp Jr. propane hydronics system for water heating, radiant furnace and engine pre-warming
- All new awnings provided by Dometic, including a 16' Dometic 9500 automatic case awning (which required a specially fabricated mounting bracket to fit our curved roof.)
- New Thomas Payne Jack Knife sofa provided by Lippert Components
- New air conditioners (Dometic Penguins)
- And lots of other tweaks and minor projects
- Updating plumbing, including new holding tanks (112G Fresh / 120G Grey / 70G Black) and SeeLevel monitoring.
For a full list and details of the projects: Summer 2015 Bus Renovations Tour & Project List
Our aim has been to create a versatile coach for a variety of environments and camping situations - from boondocking off-grid for weeks at a time, drive-way surfing with friends & family, scenic public campgrounds to going pole-to-pole in urban RV Parks with way too close by neighbors.
Our pace of travel varies quite often, and we want to be comfortable whether we're just overnighting or pulling in for a few months. We like to mix it up.
Up until 2019, we flat towed a 2009 MINI Cooper (manual transmission) behind the bus as our primary means of local transportation when we're parked.
For more on flat towing a MINI: 5 Years of Towing a MINI
We traded in our MINI for a van conversion, which is now our shuttlecraft between the boat and bus - and we just caravan for the limited time we need to move both the bus and van.
We also enjoy walking, using public transportation and have folding electric bicycles.
More Information on our bus:
The Story of our Bus and general articles/updates:
Why we sold our Oliver Travel Trailer
Why a Vintage Bus?
Our Search for a Vintage Bus (Our resources for shopping for a bus)
Buying our Bus
To Tow or Not To Tow (a vehicle behind)
Is It Worthwhile to Renovate an Old RV? Why Not Just Buy New? (2015)
Five Years in a Vintage Bus (2016 update)
Listing of the RV Gear we've selected or "Stuff in our Bus"
Bus Videos:
Further bus resources:
Bus Conversion Magazine: Considering a bus conversion yourself? There's no better resource than this magazine & community. Subscribe immediately, order some back issues - you'll learn a bunch. Their forums are full of fellow 'bus nuts' (you'll soon understand.. owning a bus conversion takes a nut) who have far more expertise than we do. Ask your questions there, you'll be tapping into a wealth of information (it's where we go!)
US Coach & Equipment: 888-262-2434 / 856-794-3104 - If you own a bus conversion, this number should be in your contact book. Luke stocks a lot of parts for these machines and if you're passing through New Jersey, their shop in Vineland provides top notch service.
Choo Choo Express Garage - Located in Chattanooga, TN this is a great shop that provides great service on old coaches, at very reasonable prices.
Cool looking remodeling job! I bet it felt like a mansion going from your trailer! I look forward to reading all your blogs. I am doing research on fulltiming in a bus as well, and in a few years hope to get one. Eventually, I will buy your books, but for now I will read your blog. Thanks!
Just heard about you from “Gone with the Wynn’s”, looking forward to hearing more about your trips and reading more of you info when time permits.
Pat
My husband and I just purchased a 1957 GMC 4106 Bus. It is already converted. We will be redoing it inside and out. We are new to rving. We are looking forward to meeting people who enjoy traveling in there vintage bus. Any sites that would be helpful in our redo. Thanks for your blog.
Welcome! You definitely need to get on over to http://www.BusConversions.com! They have a magazine and forums – great resources.
(Except if you have a 1957 – you probably have a 4104. The 4106 didn’t start until 1961.)
Yes you are right it is a4104
Our best friends have a 4107 Buffalo 8V-71 4spd manual conversion. The nicest ride ever !! We had a 38′ stick and glue diesel pusher RV and it never was safe feeling as their bus. All GM bus history is online and very cool. Good job on the ol’ girl and keep on truckin” (maybe I should have said…bussin’!)
I love finding other people who love their gm pd 4106 as much as I love mine, mine is a 1964, almost identical to yours on the out side. Check out some of my pics on Facebook, search for “gm pd 4106”
WOW! I found your FB page. WOW! What a beauty. That is indeed what our Zephyr might have looked like before her windows were replaced. Thank you for sharing. (I’m having lustful thoughts of swoopy windows).
Hey!
Thanks again for checking out my FB page, and sending many people my way!
As much as I wish I had the financial freedom to inhabit my coach full time, our Alaska winters are very taxing!
I have run in to a major issue!
The Trany was upgraded to a V730 with push button controles, however when it was installed, they did a less then proper job maintaining the structural integerety. The lower aluminum “fire wall” has ripped. There are two large “lower frame rails” that support the lower engine cradle, the trans side has split causing the weight and tourque to allow the trans to sag about .75”, this has caused the drive line to sag and under a load, rub on the frame rail. I am in process of rebuilding the “fire wall” cutting out the damaged aluminum and sectioning in a reenforced steel plate that will connect the upper and lower frame rails providing a much more ridged structure with the intent of holding up to the torque and stress.
Have you run across this issue in any of your ventures? If so any words of wisdom??
I live in Alaska, and when I walk in to a local parts house here, the guy behind the counter looks at me with a “uuuummmmmm” face, and cant even fathom where to start. Do you have reliable sourcs for drive train parts?
Have you had any experiance with replacing the air bags? i have leaky pass side.
If you have time, message me on my facebook account.
Thanks again for any info you may have!!!
You guys are GREAT!!
Hi Robert.. sorry to hear of your bus problems. We’re not diesel mechanics ourselves, and just navigating this stuff as best we can. Highly recommend connecting in with the forums on http://www.busconversions.com and http://www.busnuts.com – a wealth of information there, and some really excellent people who can steer you better than us.
For parts, you should have Luke @ US Coach on speed dial. You should find their contact number all over the forums.
We had our V730 reinforced recently, and had all our air bags replaced after we got our coach by a reputable diesel shop.
Greetings. I stumbled accross your website today. I am within a signature of purchasing a 4106. Its in great shape etc. My question is if you have has any issues in keep your 4106 on the road, parts , service, tec. Thank you in advance for your response.
Thanks
Hi Wes! So far.. we haven’t had any issues with getting parts or service. One of the advantages of the 4106 is many parts are standard, still stocked, truck parts. The very few things that have been more rare, we’ve greatly benefited by keeping ties in the bus conversion community.
I noticed on your before & after photos that there was an oven/range in the before kitchen photo and not in the after. What happened to it and how are you cooking?
Hi Jim.. welcome.
These two articles, also linked above, explain it all:
https://www.technomadia.com/2012/02/our-propane-free-goal/
https://www.technomadia.com/2012/03/bus-kitchen-bathroom-remodel/
I understand current in amps, I don’t understand what “C” stands for. Please explain Thanks Kirk
Oh sorry, I thought you had asked for the C factor in your last reply. It’s probably best to consult the great google for a more technical explanation of what it means. 🙂
My first li ion project will be to power my kayaght (a 13′ trolling motor powered boat). 4×3.7 volts won’t be too much for the motor that draws approx 30 amps (it’s a minkota with 30 lbs of thrust) and should give me a little more speed.
Q: What is current output in C?
I like your website. Thanks Kirk
Hi Kirk –
Our bank is capable of up to C3, however for our application even at a full max load we only pull C .3 (1/3 of a C1). For RV house battery use, the higher C performance just isn’t needed – but it’s definitely applicable in the electric vehicle market. Elite Power has a newer generation battery that in testing is delivering closer to C4, and we’ve heard of some C12 out on the market too.
FYI
When you get to Madison’WI be sure to visit Badger Coach Lines.
Contact person John Meier
Ask John if they still have the PD4104 historical coach finished yet?
jlv
Thank JLV.. you’re awesome!
I was wondering what kind of fuel mileage you get. With the motor being a 2 stroke do you have to have a mixture of oil and fuel?
We’ve been getting about 7 mpg (while towing our MINI). For fuel, just plain ole diesel from the pump. The engine needs straight 40w oil tho (not the blends most modern engines use).
Enjoyed reading your blog, I have to say that you probably lucked out when you purchased your 4106. I’ve travelled all across the country in search of that rare coach and unfortunately most 4106 were quite tired and the one’s who weren’t, were too expensive to consider.You might want to check out an other couple who have traveled for the past ten years in their 4106 across Mexico(Vandana).Ken
Thanks Ken. We too did an extensive countrywide search for our bus, and did see enough examples to recognize our gem when we found her. We don’t consider it so much luck, as it was doing a lot of research, a lot of searching and following serendipity 🙂
Thanks for the pointer to another 4106 fulltimer, we’ll check them out.
So cool. My husband and I are soon going to be putting the house up for sale. We are planning on selling everything and go full time. My husband has been early retired for around 10 years now. I am a VP at a bank. So much stress. I want to early retire to and travel. I spend my weekends relaxing reading full timer blogs. Makes me wish I was on the road right now. My husband wants to do full time but I want it way more then he does. Could that be because he is retired? lol…
love your site and the idea of living on the road. i also have a 4106 and in the process of renovating it. do you have close up pictures of the inside front end around the entrance and driver area? also above at ceiling level. i am interested in learning more about how to do the electrical system- where to locate braker box batteries,converter(and size)and so on. does your book have this information?
thanks for any help.
Kevin
myhardhat@gmail.com
Hi Kevin … and welcome!
Our eBook is about life on the road, not specifically about 4106s. It’s exactly the same content as is listed on the blog series at https://www.technomadia.com/excuses.
As far as pictures, here’s our Flickr Album of pictures of our bus:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/technomadia/sets/72157628375153863/
And here’s our electrical system posts:
https://www.technomadia.com/category/life-on-the-road/technology/rv-electrical-systems/
As we’re doing a high end, non-standard Lithium Ion battery electrical system – our specs likely aren’t going to be all that useful to you. Would highly recommend getting involved at http://www.busconversions.com or http://www.busnuts.com and posting on the forums – lots of bus nuts there who can give you ideas.
Best wishes,
– Cherie
Thanks for the information and the best to you.
kevin
After reading your website – I am a little confused. Apparently you now have a bus that you converted to an RV. Are you looking for another one???
We actually didn’t do the conversion ourselves.. we bought it already converted back in June. We’ve just been doing some major remodeling and updating.
Nope, not looking for another one. Very happy with Zephyr 🙂
Cherie,
Did you guys ever check out this 4106 in AZ? Used to be in Bullhead City, owner now lives in Apache Junction. Curious as to your thoughts if you ever did, if fact, see it.
http://www.nationalmultilist.com/listing.php?listing_id=111660
Thanks!
Chuck
Congratms on yur ’61 Vintage Home on wheels… It is
B E A U T I F U L !!!
My husband and I have gone to the full-time RV lifestyle as of Oct. 1, 2011. However his job is not compatable with the nomadic chapter we are yearning for. So for now he and I along with our 2 chihuahuas shall be content to full-time it in our local campground … inside our 27′ TT.. while he continues to report to his cubicle 3 1/2 miles away.
Once we locate a ‘motorized’ home it is our desire to become true nomads and join your ranks.
Until then God Bless and traveling mercies upon you and all you pass or meet.
I want to know if both of you drive the bus. I made sure that in case something happened to me (i.e. broken leg ,arm sick, what have you) my wife could drive our Pick-up truck and trailer.
So do you drive Cherie?
Hi Terry –
Yes, absolutely – I drive. We do live in the 21st century after all 🙂
With the bus in particular, we have both been through a bus safety driving course, and are both involved with the safety inspections and preventative maintenance.
Now Chris does the majority of our driving – simply because he enjoys driving, and for me it’s a chore. And we always have the option of getting the bus safely parked and unhitching our toad for emergency transportation (faster, more nimble, more parking options at ERs, etc.)