1953 Kenworth Bus: Repairs, Upgrades, and Eclipse Road Trip!

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

In my last video I towed the race Jeep with this Kenworth Pacific bus, and we had some problems. In this video, I fix the generator, replace the inverter, upgrade the charging system on the Cummins 6BT, add a remote power box, LED headlights, build in a slide-out grill, and then we take it on a road trip searching for the October 2023 eclipse. It took a bit longer than expected, and all worked out great!
Nilight gave me these products to use in the video:
8 Gang Switch Panel amzn.to/3ZvBev9
7 Inch Round LED Headlights amzn.to/3PV1DPU
30AMP RV Power Outlet Box amzn.to/3LDUXD5
Nilight website bit.ly/46t1ZSW

Пікірлер: 298

  • @paulosborne6517
    @paulosborne65177 ай бұрын

    Propane and Propane Accessories... A classic quote, perfectly timed.

  • @cigarsgunsandgasoline8032

    @cigarsgunsandgasoline8032

    2 ай бұрын

    I tell you hwhat

  • @mekallow

    @mekallow

    Ай бұрын

    i just found this channel and thought he gave me hank hill vibes. This solidified it.

  • @platzpatron5476

    @platzpatron5476

    11 күн бұрын

    @@mekallow his voice seemed similar

  • @fmatson
    @fmatson5 ай бұрын

    "There's a bit of trial and error." - I laughed out loud at that point.

  • @That_ole_Dodge
    @That_ole_Dodge7 ай бұрын

    This channel deserves a few hundred thousand subscribers. Great entertainment! Watching the fun projects get completed while listening to a stream of sarcastic commentary is nothing but fun entertainment and laughs. Proves that big budgets and perfection aren’t needed to have a good time and put out fun content. I haven’t watched all the Low Buck Garage videos, but I have watched a bunch and it’s quality entertainment.

  • @bigmacmach1185

    @bigmacmach1185

    15 күн бұрын

    The sarcasm added makes it, 😂

  • @rubinthomas8586
    @rubinthomas85867 ай бұрын

    When I get a Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe and a King of the Hill reference in the same video, I know I've come to the right channel 👍🏼

  • @Dirtguerilla
    @Dirtguerilla26 күн бұрын

    "This feels so much better than doing it right" 🤣 pure gold

  • @fallingwater
    @fallingwater6 ай бұрын

    10:00 "This feels so much better than doing it right" oh man I felt that in my soul

  • @lifekludger
    @lifekludger7 ай бұрын

    I really enjoy your videos. Dry humour but especially the extra details like showing differences in old/new, testing draws and showing the meter. All these extra details I know take time however they do make a more engaging piece so just wanted to say I appreciate it.

  • @danross344
    @danross3447 ай бұрын

    You’re creating great memories for your children, spend as much time with them as you can.

  • @SteveDrees
    @SteveDrees7 ай бұрын

    "If you hoard enough stuff, you have a wide variety of sizes."

  • @mileage_master
    @mileage_master7 ай бұрын

    Low Buck Garage is like a mix of Red Green and This Old House, automotive style!

  • @htownblue11
    @htownblue117 ай бұрын

    It amazes me how Low Buck can continue to find things that are completely and totally “FINE” and do nothing but return said thing to the original way he found it and call it “Fine” 😂😂😂😂. Makes me laugh every time…..And he makes me wanna go wrench and have some fun too.

  • @craigjasper2502
    @craigjasper25025 ай бұрын

    33:00 "When you have HOARDING as a LIFESTYLE choice",... . I spit my teeth out and don't even have dentures! OMG. Brilliant editing and your voice and cadence is easy to listen to. Have to pick up my marbles now. Thx.

  • @asbjrnkvisle5831
    @asbjrnkvisle58317 ай бұрын

    My parents did the same trick with our cabin. Now I pay for everything, and they use it. But they bought the cabin long ago and gave it to me, so I can't really complain 😅

  • @lfteri
    @lfteri7 ай бұрын

    God damn, I always had a dream of turning a city bus into a camper, this is quite close to it, I just want a bending one. You're even having a barbecue? Oh come on, I have to wake up in 5 hours... Great video, please keep it up 🎉

  • @benjamincresswell3713
    @benjamincresswell37137 ай бұрын

    OK James. Another fine video. Very entertaining and well edited. Right after WWII my Grandfather bought a Deer hunt cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula north of Marquette, where the road ends at Lake Superior, "Ten Steps From The Edge of The World." It was very remote. Logging road access, No water, No electricity and only a woodstove for heat. It's a rustic log cabin built by a novice out of the the Red Cedar trees from the property, so it has always needed maintenance. When I came of age I bought a well used slide in camper for a 10yr old 1977 Dodge Power Wagon and equipped it with all sorts of tools and "hoarded" scraps of steel, nuts and bolts and used it as my mobile workshop specifically for the times at the cabin. Your bus reminds me of being on the road with my son and his friend as they played Nintendo and Commodore 64 video games while I drove the 10hrs north from Detroit. We powered everything from a JC Whitney 450 watt inverter that ran from 2 - 12Volt car batteries I pulled out of my Diesel car while we were on the trip. While enroute I'd stop somewhere for Pizza or Burgers and we'd fire up the TV and watch local channels while we ate. When we got to the cabin we'd power lights, TV & VCR and even a paddle fan from that little inverter. My Dad and Uncles were amazed. I used that camper for fixing everything at the cabin for many many years, and it doubled as a fishing lodge too. The truck could carry the camper and pull a boat on a trailer and we could make it down the worst two-tracks and back. I want to thank you for spending the time to produce such a treat as your video. Grampa, Dad and all of my Uncles are gone now and I'm getting a little old to do much of that stuff anymore, so it was a real treat to watch you makeshifting everything from brainstorms and scrap reminding me of my "peak" and all the memories from long ago. Keep up the great work and we'll see you next time. ben/ michigan

  • @asbjrnkvisle5831
    @asbjrnkvisle58317 ай бұрын

    I normally agree with you on the Led headlights, but this bus already looks kind of goofy, so it fits right in 👍

  • @jjock3239
    @jjock32397 ай бұрын

    I am surprised that that Acme thread nut required some "adjusting". Regarding the thread repair on the alternator, I purchased a file for repairing damaged threads. It is square, and has 4 of the most common SAE threads on one end, and 4 of the most common metric thread spacing on the other end. It is indispensable for cleaning up damaged threads. I love the headlights. better light, and uses less power. Less draw like that, means better gas mileage, maybe you noticed. :-)

  • @stevenmccrickard1401
    @stevenmccrickard14017 ай бұрын

    Another great video, thanks again for the content. I really enjoy your sense of humor and learn stuff too and what could be better than having fun while you learn stuff.

  • @scrotiemcboogerballs1981
    @scrotiemcboogerballs19817 ай бұрын

    I like that you put on a bigger alternator you should also beef up the battery storage with as many batteries as you can fit in the space so you can run the ac for several hours just on battery

  • @jordanam1234

    @jordanam1234

    7 ай бұрын

    I like the idea but would worry that the overall battery life would be negatively affected by charging then draining with the A/C

  • @johanmariusrall4172

    @johanmariusrall4172

    Ай бұрын

    @@jordanam1234poopooooo😊😊

  • @Jon440x
    @Jon440x7 ай бұрын

    Really enjoyed this channel, one of my favourite I follow. Would be cool to have a Q & A video What’s your background? What do you for work ? What’s the plans for the future? Keep up the great work

  • @jarm7726
    @jarm77267 ай бұрын

    Always have fun watching hell even learned a thing or two 😊

  • @divadyrdnal
    @divadyrdnal7 ай бұрын

    Bought the same type alternator (without the custom threads!) for my Cummins swap…hopefully keep my batteries charged when using the 12k winch. Mine has the 10rib belt…

  • @talltom1129
    @talltom11297 ай бұрын

    I envy you that bus,you've made it really nice! And as my dad used to say, the price was right! Throwing a little dough at doesn't hurt as bad when you start with a freebie!

  • @alienapks

    @alienapks

    7 ай бұрын

    The old school is always right from a bunch of experience

  • @officialbazzargaming
    @officialbazzargaming7 ай бұрын

    Low-Buck Garage uploads My day is immediately improved. Thank you!

  • @officialbazzargaming

    @officialbazzargaming

    7 ай бұрын

    @T-elegram-me-LowBuckGarage Get lost, scam someone else.

  • @franktaylor7617
    @franktaylor76177 ай бұрын

    😎👍🇺🇲 We lived out of a bus for several years. Built it in Wilmington California. Drove it to Hungry Valley ORV park and stayed there for a few months before moving on to Washington. It was a nightmare 😏 Blew out the main bearings on the way to Bakersfield. Replaced them in a rest stop. That took several days. We got frozen inside of it the first night in Washington. Those things condensate like a beer can. It froze and snowed that night. We couldn't get out. It wouldn't start and my Dad backed it up to a tree blocking the rear emergency exit. The sliding glass door he put it was frozen shut. Being from California. We didn't have much for heat. Soon after that, he put in a wood burning stove. The story goes on and on. Cheers.😎

  • @scottschenk5456
    @scottschenk54567 ай бұрын

    I really like the sliding ramp track thingy! Amazing how the ramp telescopes out or in and keeps the tray flat!😀

  • @edlafond1
    @edlafond17 ай бұрын

    I look forward to new Low-Buck videos! Thanks for the content and the dry humor.....!

  • @williampankratz600
    @williampankratz6007 ай бұрын

    Always enjoy watching someone else engineering things like I do Just don't take that bus to that burning man mess ,, those folks are the other type of weird ,,

  • @BallBusta
    @BallBusta7 ай бұрын

    Home away from home cruising the west. Low-Buck living the American dream.

  • @JesusThineBeTheGlory
    @JesusThineBeTheGlory7 ай бұрын

    Love your videos, Never a disappointment!

  • @donaldcampbell5277
    @donaldcampbell52777 ай бұрын

    Enjoy your upgrades as well as your mini vacation. Keep at it.

  • @donmoya7550
    @donmoya75507 ай бұрын

    I am a loyal subscriber and enjoy all of your content but I must admit I am particularly partial to anything to do with your bus. I admit it: I have bus envy.. I find your approach refreshing, educational and engaging largely due to your humble approach, positive attitude and hilarious, bone dry sense of humor. You have a talent for explaining complicated concepts in a brilliantly concise fashion. I have learned a lot by watching your videos. The best part is you are a fellow New Mexican! Muchisimas gracias por todo lo que haces. Your loyal subscriber, DM in Santa Fe.

  • @beefvalve
    @beefvalveАй бұрын

    man i didn't even know this is about to become my favorite channel. binge watching and cant stop. please keep the videos coming!!!!!!!

  • @XylophoneAtomique
    @XylophoneAtomique3 күн бұрын

    "Oh hey, that's fancy" 🤣

  • @Kitfox942
    @Kitfox9427 ай бұрын

    I freaking LOVE the LED headlights!!! As long as they're properly aimed, they wont blind anyone and they reduce the strain on your electrical system! I've converted all of my vehicles to 100% LEDs and boy let me tell ya, my alternators doesn't have to work nearly as hard!

  • @deepbludude4697
    @deepbludude46977 ай бұрын

    Dexion! I love that stuff, getting hard to find as scrap though. Well done James!

  • @frank-t6857

    @frank-t6857

    7 ай бұрын

    Seeing it I thought about my Mecano set I had in the late 70's.

  • @AgentJayZ
    @AgentJayZ7 ай бұрын

    I have had a lot of fun watching you turn a decrepit old bus that was ready to be scrapped into a fully restored and upgraded family adventure spaceship. Any new RV does not have any of the cool factor you've built in to that road liner.

  • @kingredleg6747
    @kingredleg67477 ай бұрын

    And remember kids. Never leave home without your towel.

  • @bryancondrey6457
    @bryancondrey64577 ай бұрын

    I had similar alternator problems with charging. Thought about using a larger diameter main pulley with two groove but could not locate something I would trust. So then I took a hint from modern vehicles with serpentine pulleys. I read that serpentine pulleys transfer more power. I also read that the ideal ratio of pulleys hovers around 3:1. Your diesel likely rotates with less RPM that a gasoline motor and that works against you. I eventually decided to buy the custom wound 220amp duel outlet alternator due to the limitations of packaging for doubling up the pulleys and speed ratios. Work fine.

  • @ruben_balea
    @ruben_balea7 ай бұрын

    Lawn tractors also use those permanent magnet alternators, there are a few models but basically all are made the same way.

  • @williamthompson2222
    @williamthompson22227 ай бұрын

    I love your self deprecating humor. I’m a cynical old veteran with dry sense of humor. And you crack me up! Not easily done.

  • @2coolwheels139
    @2coolwheels1397 ай бұрын

    That's turning out to be an incredible RV! Nice work!

  • @pdavio
    @pdavio7 ай бұрын

    Cheers for the gratuitous Hitchhikers Guide reference.

  • @dandailey1857
    @dandailey18577 ай бұрын

    Keep fire extinguisher near the dc to ac converter and have easy access just in case. My dad has his motor catch fire and if he hadn't rebuilt the box all of it fed into, he would have had a completly ingulfed motorhome with no access behind cabinet that was built around the inverter.

  • @tomsmith6093
    @tomsmith60937 ай бұрын

    Traveling around in the motorhome is the best. I think the old bus is really cool I'm liking your upgrades so far I really like the upgraded alternator

  • @jjryan1352
    @jjryan1352Ай бұрын

    That bus is longer than a 3-hour movie.

  • @sabermoon5393
    @sabermoon5393Ай бұрын

    Hitchhiker's Guide reference for the win!

  • @walkingthruyourdata-6019
    @walkingthruyourdata-60197 ай бұрын

    Having a yard full of recyclables is a good thing!. Some would call it trash metal, but we know better.....

  • @dalegnodle
    @dalegnodle7 ай бұрын

    Already looking forward to the next video. Educational, Informative, AND entertaining!

  • @danross344
    @danross3447 ай бұрын

    I enjoyed your video, you’re a very intelligent man. Your creative fabrication, repair, and electrical.

  • @mingiasi
    @mingiasi7 ай бұрын

    that terminal/fuse/innertube combo is a "howdy doody" if i ever saw one XD

  • @baxojayz
    @baxojayz7 ай бұрын

    Some really fun improvements!

  • @akawireguy1197
    @akawireguy1197Ай бұрын

    Like the generator slide, with so many repairs you have to perform a complete project in order to attempt the project you wanted to do.

  • @mikebrunello243
    @mikebrunello2437 ай бұрын

    I don't know how your not more popular this is my favorite channel by far 😊

  • @fredrikfungdahl442
    @fredrikfungdahl4427 ай бұрын

    Really like the show, and the hole idea of making it of parts already in stock is great and give me lots of ideas!! Big thanks from Sweden

  • @RubenKelevra
    @RubenKelevra11 сағат бұрын

    I would connect both alternators to the large battery bank and let them both supply the voltage, and add a diode between the large battery bank and the starter battery. So as long as the engine is running, the alternators charge the large battery bank, but you can't draw power from the starter battery to the house battery. This allows the generator also to charge up the starter battery of the main engine, if necessary, so it's topped off in a cold climate - with something like solar panels or shore power you would also automatically top-off the starter battery, if necessary.

  • @shawnwhitman5482
    @shawnwhitman54827 ай бұрын

    I absolutely love that coach bus and the upgrades you have done. Another great video

  • @user-eg3yv3xr7s
    @user-eg3yv3xr7s7 ай бұрын

    I am always amazed at the solutions you come up with for the problems you encounter.

  • @RHTbluetrokadriver
    @RHTbluetrokadriver4 ай бұрын

    Man that grille idea came out fantastic, keep up the awesome videos

  • @corydriver7634
    @corydriver76347 ай бұрын

    “Standard alternator shim assortment”. 😂 I like it.

  • @swagon9738
    @swagon97387 ай бұрын

    Id love to take a couple weeks and tear out every bit of wire out and make a hole new system lol

  • @martkalju4111
    @martkalju41117 ай бұрын

    "never leave your home without a towel"... I heard about guy who didn't left planet without towel... anyway, thanks for good humor and so long

  • @fevo69
    @fevo694 ай бұрын

    @That_ole_Dodge Said: This channel deserves a few hundred thousand subscribers, and I agree 100%. Thank you for your videos and for all your work in filming and editing. Starting today you have a new subscriber. Your videos are very entertaining and I like them a lot. I must thank you again and the KZread algorithm.😁

  • @goldenroux612
    @goldenroux6122 ай бұрын

    I like the backup lights off a 12 volt 67 VW bug. Nice touch!

  • @roberteshaw9520
    @roberteshaw95207 ай бұрын

    Cool bus. Good improvising. Most cannot think and do that level of out of the box stuff. That's creative. work.

  • @darrenhawken9766
    @darrenhawken97667 ай бұрын

    Great work , thanks fo for the ride along, smart parents 👍💨💨

  • @royjenkins9681
    @royjenkins968124 күн бұрын

    This guy must be Derek's cousin! Perfect!

  • @billyhaddock5540
    @billyhaddock55407 ай бұрын

    James, ur sense of Humor of doing stuff is fun to watch. Ur Bus is so Cool, now it is also Cool inside too..

  • @jStrikesMechanical
    @jStrikesMechanical7 ай бұрын

    Such an awesome thing you have going on over there. Thankyou for sharing this with us

  • @loril.mangold8160
    @loril.mangold81604 ай бұрын

    I like your sense of humor, I am NOT very Mechanical, I vouldn't ever read writing schematics, But Your channel is interesting, and I Love ur old bus

  • @robertsarghei9408
    @robertsarghei94082 ай бұрын

    This is gold. Well done sir!

  • @midwestmafia8391
    @midwestmafia83917 ай бұрын

    Standard alternator shim assortment. That’s epic.

  • @dalepowell6815
    @dalepowell68157 ай бұрын

    Great video. Your wiring expertise is phenomenal and getting problems solved on the cheap is beyond frugal.🧐

  • @scroungasworkshop4663
    @scroungasworkshop46637 ай бұрын

    That was brilliant. You’ve done a ton of work on the bus and now it’s proving it’s reliability which is key to enjoying yourself and keeping your family safe. Well done mate, cheers, Stuart 🇦🇺

  • @professorbash
    @professorbash11 күн бұрын

    Love the towel reference! :D

  • @Robrt32
    @Robrt327 ай бұрын

    I gotta drop a transmission this weekend to put a flex plate on. I know I will be doing it wrong because I won’t be having fun.

  • @mmaus688
    @mmaus688Ай бұрын

    Didnt expect to see a Končar regulator, havent seen one in decades. Hello from ex yugoslavia.

  • @cleetussnow7159
    @cleetussnow71597 ай бұрын

    I had that exact same Coleman grill. Threw it out. I bet a blackstone would fit in there, prolly find out for 125 bucks. Waaay better. Does a lot more things.

  • @jordanam1234
    @jordanam12347 ай бұрын

    I did catch a peice of a dremel grinding stone in the eye once. Terrible experience. Since then i work blind with eye PPE haha. Love the videos

  • @poppie1414
    @poppie14147 ай бұрын

    Really enjoy the videos with the bus

  • @masterful7574
    @masterful75747 ай бұрын

    "Intresting" is not a word.

  • @chrisshaw795
    @chrisshaw7957 ай бұрын

    Another great episode good to see you're having fun with your bus yes down the track upgrade to a heavier v-belt hello from Australia

  • @BIllMcCambridge
    @BIllMcCambridge7 ай бұрын

    Great edit. Very easy to watch!! Thanks for sharing your hoard, talents and adventures!!!

  • @GeneralSamov
    @GeneralSamov18 күн бұрын

    Končar :D How the hell did Yugoslavian equipment end up in an US bus from the 50s is one of universe's big mysteries xD

  • @mikeconner5119
    @mikeconner51197 ай бұрын

    cool add ons your so knowledgeable when it comes to rigging up stuff thanks for the video and glad to see you and your family and the bus made it home safly

  • @A.D.DGarage
    @A.D.DGarage7 ай бұрын

    I dig the switch panel. The grill works better there than in the jeep. 😂

  • @DRCHRISTIANMD
    @DRCHRISTIANMDАй бұрын

    The old headlights were like two fireflies in jam jars!

  • @Freedbird
    @Freedbird7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for all the fish !

  • @hughiemaceachern5282
    @hughiemaceachern52826 күн бұрын

    I like the new lights

  • @SpencerFoxworth
    @SpencerFoxworth7 ай бұрын

    The bus just keeps getting better!

  • @stiffe68
    @stiffe687 ай бұрын

    More upgrade on the bus , please !

  • @brandondeel3567
    @brandondeel3567Ай бұрын

    34:27 looks like im trying to reclaim a baseball from a legendary baseball players backyard! Hope the beast doesn't nip it!

  • @GabrielsLogic

    @GabrielsLogic

    Ай бұрын

    Haha! Just needs a vacuum and glove

  • @richardphelan8414
    @richardphelan84147 ай бұрын

    Another awesome Video of getting things done, they are just down right cool ,and you know exactly what your doing there is no guess work ,you are the man with a plan all the up grades to the bus it just keeps getting better and more reliable ,your one liners just adds to how crafty and sharp you really are ,Very slick content I love it

  • @kb7yim960
    @kb7yim9607 ай бұрын

    I am fascinated at your knowledge and ability.

  • @paulwatts905
    @paulwatts9057 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing, the bus is really taking shape. Paul (UK)

  • @PaulRansonArt
    @PaulRansonArt3 ай бұрын

    Hi - your channel is quickly becoming my go to place for relaxation and entertainment. I love the mechanical tinkering and inventions seasoned with a sprinkle of dry humour. Keep on making great video so I can do some arm chair wrenching with you. Which reminds me I have a leaking radiator to fix. But the pots not full so it will live another day. 😃😃😎😎

  • @63mrl
    @63mrl7 ай бұрын

    Split dies will work perfectly for chasing threads inside to out.

  • @dadiusmaximus
    @dadiusmaximus7 ай бұрын

    “When you have hoarding as a lifestyle choice”. 🤣

  • @benschlack5814
    @benschlack58147 ай бұрын

    Nice upgrade buddy

  • @ryanreaves1203
    @ryanreaves12037 ай бұрын

    This build is awesome.

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