Howdy Al, Another beauty, thanks for sharing 👍😊 Are the Crown SuperCoach Series II normally rear air ride and front spring, and are the Gillig Phantoms normally front and rear air ride? I'll be quite honest, I was looking at a Crown SuperCoach Series II with the 6v92ta on eBay. Your absolutely right about them being an excellent conversion platform. I have considered coach buses (several MCI'S & a couple Prevosts) and also considered skoolies (Crown SuperCoach Series II's & Gillig Phantoms) I was weighing the benefits and drawbacks of similar model year coaches and the high end skoolies. After seeing the Crowns and Gilligs, I began to think that perhaps it might be somewhat sacrilegious to convert a Crown or Gilligs, more so with the older of the "Twinkie" models of them. I began leaning slightly more towards the early 90's MCI'S due to my hesitation on doing a conversion on a collectible. Though I'd be certain to do it as tastefully as possible, if I go that route. I'd sure go mini split, as I feel it's more tasteful IMHO. I do like the "squared" Crowns and Gilligs as possible candidates. I like the idea of higher ground clearance and if I'm assuming correctly, perhaps a somewhat less complex electrical systems, etc, compared to the MCI's and Prevosts (correct me if I'm wrong) also, perhaps ease of jacking and also better hard points for recovery if it were to become stuck in comparison to a Crown with a frame compared to a monocoque chassis of the coaches? (Not critical, but can be a bonus) I haven't seen the underbody of a Gillig Phantom to see if they're body on frame or monocoque. I believe if I did a conversion on one, I'd probably want to buy another, in the future, to restore for the next generations to enjoy in it's original form. As far as the Phantom and SuperCoach Series II, which is generally easier to come by? I'd like to stick with the 2 strokes. In retrospect I guess I could sleep better if it was going to a scrapyard, I'd feel somewhat better converting one and giving it life in that scenario. I feel like I'm writing a book when I get on the Crown and Gillig subject, Lol. Many thanks for what you do by giving them a second chance at life and a happy home for them. Respectfully, C.M. 👍👍
Air bags were never standard on Crowns. The Phantoms were pretty much all equipped with 4 corner air bags. My current Super #91-01 is on 4 airbags. My last one #66 was rear only
@@aljenningscrownandgillig Many thanks for the quick reply and information, great to have learned something new on their suspension. The passion for these grows more deeply each time I see (and hear) these beautiful buses. So if you see an OD green m1008 CUCV on eBay, it might just very well be me making some extra room for one these wonderful pieces of machinery. Have a great weekend 👍
Great letter! I understand your feelings about re-purposing vintage buses. But I disagree. You can’t use them for their original purpose so it’s the only way to save them! Thankfully, they’ve gotten too expensive to get used as tool sheds! The Super II Crown and yellow Gillig Phantom are virtual mechanical twins. Gillig innovated. Crown copied. Either one is a PERFECT platform for a conversion. The Crown is aluminum and doesn’t rust. The phantom has full airbags and bigger windows.
@@aljenningscrownandgillig Howdy Al, Yes, I have to agree with you 💯 Honestly, my original thinking on repurposing was wrong. I'm surprised I thought of it that way, normally I like to use something the way I want, modified, etc. It's also more fun and nice to see them running around for any use rather than a shed or a garage queen that never gets out to stretch it's legs. 👍 👍
Love the Phantom. Wished Gillig kept making School Buses. We may still have the Phantom today which is also a beloved Transit bus
Howdy Al,
Another beauty, thanks for sharing 👍😊
Are the Crown SuperCoach Series II normally rear air ride and front spring, and are the Gillig Phantoms normally front and rear air ride?
I'll be quite honest, I was looking at a Crown SuperCoach Series II with the 6v92ta on eBay. Your absolutely right about them being an excellent conversion platform. I have considered coach buses (several MCI'S & a couple Prevosts) and also considered skoolies (Crown SuperCoach Series II's & Gillig Phantoms)
I was weighing the benefits and drawbacks of similar model year coaches and the high end skoolies.
After seeing the Crowns and Gilligs, I began to think that perhaps it might be somewhat sacrilegious to convert a Crown or Gilligs, more so with the older of the "Twinkie" models of them.
I began leaning slightly more towards the early 90's MCI'S due to my hesitation on doing a conversion on a collectible. Though I'd be certain to do it as tastefully as possible, if I go that route. I'd sure go mini split, as I feel it's more tasteful IMHO.
I do like the "squared" Crowns and Gilligs as possible candidates. I like the idea of higher ground clearance and if I'm assuming correctly, perhaps a somewhat less complex electrical systems, etc, compared to the MCI's and Prevosts (correct me if I'm wrong) also, perhaps ease of jacking and also better hard points for recovery if it were to become stuck in comparison to a Crown with a frame compared to a monocoque chassis of the coaches? (Not critical, but can be a bonus) I haven't seen the underbody of a Gillig Phantom to see if they're body on frame or monocoque.
I believe if I did a conversion on one, I'd probably want to buy another, in the future, to restore for the next generations to enjoy in it's original form.
As far as the Phantom and SuperCoach Series II, which is generally easier to come by? I'd like to stick with the 2 strokes.
In retrospect I guess I could sleep better if it was going to a scrapyard, I'd feel somewhat better converting one and giving it life in that scenario.
I feel like I'm writing a book when I get on the Crown and Gillig subject, Lol.
Many thanks for what you do by giving them a second chance at life and a happy home for them.
Respectfully, C.M. 👍👍
Air bags were never standard on Crowns. The Phantoms were pretty much all equipped with 4 corner air bags. My current Super #91-01 is on 4 airbags. My last one #66 was rear only
@@aljenningscrownandgillig Many thanks for the quick reply and information, great to have learned something new on their suspension.
The passion for these grows more deeply each time I see (and hear) these beautiful buses.
So if you see an OD green m1008 CUCV on eBay, it might just very well be me making some extra room for one these wonderful pieces of machinery. Have a great weekend 👍
Great letter! I understand your feelings about re-purposing vintage buses. But I disagree. You can’t use them for their original purpose so it’s the only way to save them! Thankfully, they’ve gotten too expensive to get used as tool sheds! The Super II Crown and yellow Gillig Phantom are virtual mechanical twins. Gillig innovated. Crown copied. Either one is a PERFECT platform for a conversion. The Crown is aluminum and doesn’t rust. The phantom has full airbags and bigger windows.
I have a client who bought a BEAUTIFUL Super II from me, who is going to have to sell it. I can give you more info if you like
@@aljenningscrownandgillig Howdy Al,
Yes, I have to agree with you 💯
Honestly, my original thinking on repurposing was wrong.
I'm surprised I thought of it that way, normally I like to use something the way I want, modified, etc.
It's also more fun and nice to see them running around for any use rather than a shed or a garage queen that never gets out to stretch it's legs.
👍 👍