1953 Kenworth Bus Roadtrip! Will a 70 Year Old Bus Go Across The Country?

My Dad has a Kenworth Pacific bus powered by a Cummins 12-valve 6BT that he used to travel across the country with. That was about 20 years ago. I'm going to see if it still can make a long journey, so I flew my family one way across the country and we're going to try to drive it over 2000 miles home!

[@htownblue11]

This channel is criminally under rated. This man is a mechanical gem.

[@johnsmith7676]

"This man is a mechanical gem." So is his father, clearly. What he did with that bus, alone, is pretty danged impressive.

[@romanstekliain4677]

My thought exactly!

[@Noxy420]

Yes he is I look for new videos everyday hoping he puts another out.

[@henkholdingastate]

I think he's a brave man. I wouldn't dare drive across America by bus

[@stas1kacicki392]

Agreed

[@rabbithowls71]

This guy is super handy and infinitely likable.

[@jordanoneill82]

my god, that bus is a wiring nightmare, i'd personally gut it and start over, you'll be forever chasing gremlins with wiring like that

[@ThatOneGuyWithTheEye]

Naw its good

[@donhappel9566]

Any time I see wire nuts on automotive or marine applications I know I'm in for a good time. Always a mark of quality!

[@kw9849]

I'd rather see wire nuts than scotch clips!

[@JM-lk6wo]

The wiring looks like someone with a 'want to do' and no 'know how to' was let loose with no supervision.

[@briandufty5081]

​@@JM-lk6wo yep. Sounds just like me.😢

[@briandufty5081]

​@@kw9849 At least some wires. No wires 😅. Doh.

[@mrmongo6722]

Yup!

[@hardwire666too]

"See this little pice of tube here?" Oh man. that got me good. Spit half a taco across the room.

[@ebutuoy2908]

The more i watch this guy, the more i like the channel.

[@puppyduppy9811]

Lowbuck with you being crew chief that thing would make it around the globe many times👍your the man

[@cleophusA]

The best "first start in 20 years and drive it 3000 miles home" video I've seen yet! You always have great content. Look forward to the trip west!

[@XxmatixX6videosdiariosdenadav]

This, junkyard digs RV nascar trips, and fuzzy dice garage's Ford pinto are the best of that type

[@MaxMacZone]

@@Hard_Right I mean what else do you want him to do?

[@stevenpierno9793]

For a minute I thought the wipers were air powered, and that the valve you turned was the control, I laughed when you turned the tube.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

I'm pretty certain they were air powered originally and those were the controls. The original air motors are difficult to rebuild and keep operating.

[@tda2806]

I am always amazed at how far you can travel with a positive outlook

[@frank-t6857]

And with the knowledge to repair

[@dannycalley7777]

T.A. ...............I'm beat already sitting in my heated house !!!!!!

[@corydriver7634]

This is one of your best videos to date. This is an adventure your family will remember forever. Keep making memories. ✌️

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Low Buck Garage :) on 1950 Kenworth bus your dad and got back so interesting vechiles how runs too !

[@MadScientistGarage]

I love that these engines will run on used ATF, used oil, and fryer oil. This has the potential to make some epic vacations really affordable with no hotels, fewer restaurants, and lower cost fuel.

[@willscott85]

You had my like when you said kenworth

[@DIRTVENTURE]

maybe I should do a video of firing up my 04 t800 that's been parked for over a year

[@kidsteach938]

Thanks for taking us along for the drive!

[@jjock3239]

To get fan motors, like the bottom one, freed up, I drill a small hole in the little dome in the back, and force some oil in. Works every time. That is quite a rats nest of wires.

[@bradman4]

What a great show!! Thanks again for your time mate, it's really appreciated.

[@jasonnoteboom4489]

On the transmission dipstick, I believe you twist the handle to tighten or loosen (compresses a rubber bushing which expands within the tube). On the air filter, you’re probably spot on about the newer engine flowing more air, but you might look and see if there isn’t a secondary filter that’s further up in the housing. Cool video. Looking forward to the next leg of the trip!

[@briandufty5081]

Boom.i did miss that part. But red your comnt and rang a little bell .

[@adamdion7574]

Yup the dipstick needs to be screwed in. Most buses are still like that today

[@richardphelan8414]

This episode is awesome , I can't wait until you start going west ,the good thing I know no matter what happens you can fix it ,So we just won't worry about that .

[@212caboose]

Wow, she is a BEAUTY!!

[@DusterNutbar]

This video made me think about my old man and the trips we used to go on. Thank you so much for taking us along with you.

[@rwaitt14153]

"Honey, grab the kids. We are going to fly across the country to drive a 70 year old hantavirus bus back home held together with wire nuts that never worked quite right and hasn't been on the road in 20 years." Your wife is a saint.

[@Chevy3278]

No she isn't. She just isn't spoiled rotten.

[@meepenjaap7999]

....and those are its good attributes.

[@menmyej1]

lol

[@jarhead6153]

Looks like you’re somewhere on the FL panhandle where I live…would have loved to have a coffee or beer and shoot the breeze with ya….enjoy the family time, I had to laugh at this odd adventure. We all now know where you learned your automotive skills from, your Dad must also be a great American.

[@RuralTowner]

30:00 I beg to differ on the "whole country freezing". Warming up in SW AZ. ♨ Best of luck on the rest of your trip.

[@walmartdog1142]

I'm nostalgic for those old late 40s early 50s Flexible buses. I'm now 78. When in the high school band, we would go on tour in those babies. They told me that the busses were powered by straight Buick engines mounted on a rail system that would let them swap engines easily. Some of them had 3 speeds, some had 4 speeds. Those trannies must have been tough. I heard a lot of gear grinding while shifting.😁😁😁😁😁

[@williamyoast216]

I love the look of the four window front. That’s quite the adventure you and the fam are undertaking. Looks fun. Good luck and can’t wait until the next video

[@ColeHalford]

Loved seeing the “parts bus” again. Loved that video 👍

[@larryalexander4833]

This has been a low Buck Garage vacation 😂😊🛠️🙏✝️👍

[@ajsteven]

An Excellent Adventure ! That’s a hekkuva vehicle 👍

[@DIRTVENTURE]

that was a good one love the old KW

[@Vile-Flesh]

I loved watching this. You embark on the neatest projects and always find the neatest things. This was very enjoyable.

[@Jeff-1969]

Great episode 👍

[@sokoloft3]

Love that bit of copper pipe for the windshield wipers. Bus is great, awesome you seemed to of fixed the overheating issue. Look forward to seeing more of it, and I'd love to see that electric sander in action. Probably won't get any use where you're at, but cool nonetheless. Seems similar to those automatic chain things ambulances have.

[@ianburit3705]

Hi those sanders, some trains have them also I learned.

[@asarand]

This has to be one of the most entertaining videos I've seen you put out. Not that the others aren't entertaining, because they are, just this one was really cool.

[@Roger-hq1yt]

What a great old bus.

[@mikem1959]

I'm living vicariously through your adventures. I've always wanted to get a Skoolie or a full size bus like yours and travel the country..

[@darploin5071]

You're so lucky to have so much

[@maniachill3069]

Great road trip, great video. Hello from Maine

[@maxwood192]

Your father was a real handy man, I love the way he has built everything. To take the bus on a 2000 mile trip proves that overall he has done a good job. Its great that he has a handy man son to keep the bus operational. I hope you and your family have many fun road trips. Enjoyed the video.

[@Thomas-fo9zu]

Very cool, tks for taking us along!

[@dogpotter]

That was fun thanks for taking us along

[@torque4538]

Man I love your work! You’re a awesome dude! I hope y’all are still nice and warm down there!! Was cool to see y’all go through maw maw ivey’s state, come say hello if y’all do again! 😂

[@gabebothers9937]

Really enjoy your style of videos, keep up the great work.

[@alangordon3283]

Love your engineering escapades .

[@AIM2790]

That plane transition gets my like haha

[@bigDbigDbigD]

Wiper switch was hilarious! A lot to like on the bus but that wiring is a nightmare

[@Cristobal_Ygnacio_Arriaga]

That looks like fun time! I love road-trips. I did a 1600 mile round trip in December on my Fj Cruiser, not as cool as this bus but still had a good time.

[@adamdion7574]

Did around 2000 miles round trip in a week last autumn in my '99 Ford Taurus, it was an absolute blast. Apart from a wheel bearing that decided it was its time to go, no trouble at all!

[@ScottDLR]

I'm glad you took us all along - you know, on YT. The idea of actually riding along is terrifying. ;)

[@ProjectTrailerz]

excellent family adventure

[@Fatamus]

Nice bus . Yeah it needs to run.

[@scotttait2197]

Great content, love the old bus , looking forward to your next 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@rick5078]

"probably.. Hopefully." has got to be my favorite catchphrase of yours. ^_^

[@DemagnetizedMedia]

I love the little vintage tv used as a backup camera.

[@rickjohnston9113]

Looks like a blast. I hope you all have a great and safe trip

[@UnrulyGoats]

Love the white sands of the Panhandle! Good stuff.

[@ryanwalker388]

Looks like fun!

[@nameless502]

Love it, great adventure makes a good video! Keep ‘em coming.

[@seansysig]

Made a similar trip in our families school bus converted motor home from Albany, NY to KeyWest Florida then West to South Padre Island Texas KOA in February. My Dad put a rebuilt Cummins Turbo and a tranny with Highway gear ratio. I think we got about 12mpg. The generator was an Onan diesel and it had an air to air heat exchanger on the exhaust to heat the interior. Your kids will never forget that experience. I’m 64 and we did this back in 1978. I was 19.

[@roulsalzer5407]

So I love it. I may be wrong, but good old dad is a genius with a little tad of hack wonderful. It doesn't get any better than that.😊😊❤❤

[@daviddocwatson2653]

I have a 55 Kenworth Pacific, with the original 501 gas Inline 6 and a 5 speed. Brought back some great memories... Enjoy being pod people!!!

[@BeamerTheFox]

neat old bus, lovin the ride so far, yea them hose connections were shotty but a little tightening an itll getcha there an back

[@williamsedlock3903]

I am jealous😢 very nice bus I've recently retired and have been looking for something with good bones to travel. That bus will last another couple generations

[@Freedbird]

You got the magic bus! Now, when you start it, look at the fam and tell them, you're either on the bus, or off the bus.

[@mickwtaylor438]

We need more of the magic that is LBG!! Love this channel

[@gordonstarship]

What an adventure! So glad you shared this whole thing. I love this channel.

[@iwantmyvanback]

Wow that is a really neat bus! And it comes with lots of fun problems to solve, haha.

[@martentrudeau6948]

This all about a 70 year old Kenworth Bus, a cross country road trip and what could go wrong, Many Things!!! Thank God for Yankee Ingenuity!!! Thank you thoroughly enjoyed the video.

[@ironhorse6688]

Am amazed at this guy’s knowledge of these vehicles,

[@ashburn97]

This is more fun then watching movie ! ! hello from 🇲🇾

[@michaeldenton8610]

I'm in love with the bus! A dream of mine to get one

[@polybius223]

That bus is awesome! I would totally roll around in something like that! Especially with the CB!

[@ronjones1077]

I love old buses, trucks, cars, aircraft, ship and my old lady( I’m over 70, so don’t dare tell my wife’s age). I subscribed to your channel a long time ago but utube never brings it up. Great content and enjoy the dry humor. Take care from Alaska

[@jibberism9910]

Beautiful machines all these old buses.

[@terryrobertson8382]

This is the type of video that makes KZbin a must watch. This is Awesome Sauce.

[@andreamills5852]

Like Father like son.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

This is soooo entertaining and makes me not feel so bad about my mechanical skills. You are awesome Sir.

[@redgoat2006oh]

By far, you’re my favorite vehicle channel on I look at quite a few! Keep up the great work 🎉😊

[@JohnZombi88]

Ok I busted out laughing at the back up camera that was just a CCTV system. LOVE IT

[@douglasshupe2771]

Another great video. Thanks, Mr. Low Buck. You are very brave to drive that bus so many miles. Keeping an Eagle eye on things saved being broke down in the middle of nowhere. Well done! 👍😊

[@johncrosta6181]

I hope you spend the rest of the year making this thing perfect. Forget the rest of your projects

[@jonflanagin6682]

I worded as a mechanic on big truck , i can.t tell you how many times i went on a call for no start and found it in gear.

[@stephransley4371]

What an adventure have fun.

[@impavid48]

You're absolutely nuts....in a good way. Great attitude with a bit of luck. As I always say "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"

[@jackbrister9186]

That CRT backup camera is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen😂

[@lucasstiles8012]

That was a awesome dramatization of the flight. I enjoyed it.

[@stevenwithanS]

I've had a 1962 bus since 1996. Every single trip has been an adventure.

[@ericlakota1847]

Lucky man that is a cool old bus for trip of a life time

[@abrdds]

Your flight depiction had me in tears😂😂😂... classic... new fan❤

[@dirk4926]

You picked a great vehicle for a revive and drive and taking the long way home makes it even better.

[@oldjunkandrandomstuff]

Just starting to watch, in my book this is also a very good idea and I can't see any way this could go wrong.

[@scottquinn7381]

I appreciate you going through your thought processes to fix things. Some of it is obvious, but some is not!

[@justinmilford6138]

And now.... I'm dying to meet your dad!

[@r1lark]

Great story, great video! Thanks, can't wait to see the next installment. Cool bus too, you got some guts to drive something that huge. 🙂

[@markbehr88]

Loving the road trip. Great video.

[@kapekodbob]

Don't know how you keep a straight face with the dry humor ? Love it. Subbed yesterday after watching you bull your way to moving the green monstah !

[@ranchdog7920]

I don’t camp, I don’t have a bus, I’ve always avoided buses actually. I’ve really enjoyed this series.

[@MrSearay1962]

Great stuff! Looks like the Apple did not fall too far from the tree. Thanks for another great video.

[@philjafo2]

Your dad seems like my kind of guy

[@chuckotto7021]

A positive attitude and a loose grip on reality can be the source for wonderful memories!

[@darrenhawken9766]

Great old bus , will look forward to see you improve on your dads work and keep her running. Have a safe trip, thanks for sharing your adventures 👍💨💨

[@jackjr7207]

Only way to improve that is start over seen crackhead do better wiring jobs than that be lucky if it don't burn to the ground