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

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

[@That_ole_Dodge]

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]

The sarcasm added makes it, 😂

[@paulosborne6517]

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

[@cigarsgunsandgasoline8032]

I tell you hwhat

[@mekallow]

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

[@platzpatron5476]

@@mekallow his voice seemed similar

[@fmatson]

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

[@rubinthomas8586]

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 👍🏼

[@lifekludger]

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.

[@fallingwater]

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

[@danross344]

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

[@Dirtguerilla]

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

[@benjamincresswell3713]

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

[@htownblue11]

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.

[@SteveDrees]

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

[@craigjasper2502]

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]

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

[@stevenmccrickard1401]

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.

[@mileage_master]

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

[@asbjrnkvisle5831]

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]

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 🎉

[@XylophoneAtomique]

"Oh hey, that's fancy" 🤣

[@talltom1129]

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]

The old school is always right from a bunch of experience

[@Jon440x]

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

[@JesusThineBeTheGlory]

Love your videos, Never a disappointment!

[@jjock3239]

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. :-)

[@scottschenk5456]

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

[@donmoya7550]

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.

[@jarm7726]

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

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

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]

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]

@@jordanam1234poopooooo😊😊

[@beefvalve]

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

[@Kitfox942]

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!

[@edlafond1]

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

[@donaldcampbell5277]

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

[@BallBusta]

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

[@divadyrdnal]

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…

[@deepbludude4697]

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

[@frank-t6857]

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

[@officialbazzargaming]

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

[@officialbazzargaming]

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

[@tomsmith6093]

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

[@pdavio]

Cheers for the gratuitous Hitchhikers Guide reference.

[@franktaylor7617]

😎👍🇺🇲 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.😎

[@williamthompson2222]

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]

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

[@kingredleg6747]

And remember kids. Never leave home without your towel.

[@dalegnodle]

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

[@sabermoon5393]

Hitchhiker's Guide reference for the win!

[@williampankratz600]

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 ,,

[@billyhaddock5540]

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

[@AgentJayZ]

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.

[@RHTbluetrokadriver]

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

[@ruben_balea]

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

[@bryancondrey6457]

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.

[@poppie1414]

Really enjoy the videos with the bus

[@mikebrunello243]

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

[@robertsarghei9408]

This is gold. Well done sir!

[@shawnwhitman5482]

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

[@danross344]

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

[@mingiasi]

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

[@roberteshaw9520]

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

[@fredrikfungdahl442]

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

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

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 🇦🇺

[@BIllMcCambridge]

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

[@jStrikesMechanical]

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

[@swagon9738]

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

[@Richonetwo]

I love all your videos!!! Not only do I learn stuff but I laugh a lot . Keep it up my friend!!!! It is very entertaining!!! I don't know why you don't have over a million subscribers. I have told everyone I know about your channel!!!! Thank you!

[@corydriver7634]

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

[@PaulRansonArt]

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. 😃😃😎😎

[@loril.mangold8160]

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

[@baxojayz]

Some really fun improvements!

[@martkalju4111]

"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

[@user-eg3yv3xr7s]

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

[@akawireguy1197]

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.

[@dandailey1857]

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.

[@professorbash]

Love the towel reference! :D

[@jjryan1352]

That bus is longer than a 3-hour movie.

[@dalepowell6815]

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

[@walkingthruyourdata-6019]

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

[@fevo69]

@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 KZbin algorithm.😁

[@masterful7574]

"Intresting" is not a word.

[@darrenhawken9766]

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

[@GeneralSamov]

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

[@chrisshaw795]

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

[@ryanreaves1203]

This build is awesome.

[@StephenBishopNOMAD]

The barbecue is an absolute genius. Best you tube channel out there.🤟💯⛺🏕️🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚍🚍🚍🚍

[@SpencerFoxworth]

The bus just keeps getting better!

[@mikeconner5119]

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

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Enjoyed the video James. 🙂👍 I'm glad you all had a nice time 🔧🔩

[@royjenkins9681]

This guy must be Derek's cousin! Perfect!

[@jordanam1234]

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

[@mmaus688]

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

[@midwestmafia8391]

Standard alternator shim assortment. That’s epic.

[@goldenroux612]

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

[@briangross4149]

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

[@toddgibbs7599]

Great episode. Your ( Bluebird of Happiness) looks amazing. Cant wait to see what you add to her next.

[@hughiemaceachern5282]

I like the new lights

[@richardphelan8414]

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

[@paulwatts905]

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

[@Freedbird]

Thanks for all the fish !

[@Robrt32]

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.

[@DRCHRISTIANMD]

The old headlights were like two fireflies in jam jars!

[@brandondeel3567]

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

[@GabrielsLogic]

Haha! Just needs a vacuum and glove

[@leighjohnson1001]

FANTASTIC,MORE POWER TO YOU FROM MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA.

[@hoists1829]

Awesome video👍👍👍

[@benschlack5814]

Nice upgrade buddy