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

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.

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

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.

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 👍🏼

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.

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

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

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

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

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 😅

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

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.

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 🎉

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.

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!

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…

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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. :-)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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 🇦🇺

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

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

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 ,,

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

I love when you were talking about the prices of portable outdoor kitchens..then you said BUT THERE EXPENSIVE.....AND I DON'T DO EXPENSIVE..i busted 😂out laughing...the old girl is coming along nicely...are you going to add a rear a/c unit for the back area to cool it off? later

Excellent video Glenn :) nice fix up also that 200 amp Alternator shocked me selling now for idea's use with and very good ideas shared there too ! Keep up excellent videos also yes wish could seen that Eclipse to hear in Ontario Canada but could to far away and like watching them to this time ! I seen lots cool things in Country area I live over years!

@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 RU-vid algorithm.😁

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

Inner tube on a 12 VDC connection? No problem, I've used a similar product on high voltage motor taps, like 4160 VAC motors. Now, the stuff I use is considerably thicker and voltage rated, but for 12 volts, your inner tube should be just fine, so long as it's not rubbing on anything.

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

Oh yeah , I love it ,and I’m living through your epicness lol o this vlog , thanks BigAl California ,,,, praise Jesus Christ grace amen 🙏

@32:44 i am by no means as bad as you (not that it is a bad thing, I'm just saying my piles aren't as big as yours, yet) but my grandpa absolutely hates when I bring stuff I can't fit at home, usually free stuff that I hold on to for some time till it eventually gets sold. Last deal I got was 3 pairs of massive 18" old skool (yes with a K) Cerwin-Vega concert speakers, kept them through summer and sold them for a thousand bucks. Which for me in my situation is a real come-up! I love hording stuff, and you and me both seem to have a good eye! @39:46 I was about to comment that you desperately need some outdoor lights for grilling at night, but you already found that out 😂

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

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.

12:30 your analysis of the wire, getting hot interests me. I wonder if you took into account the fact that the turbo is about 7 inches from the wire? Still a good idea to replace it, regardless. I would’ve done the same.

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

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

If you do decide to revisit the alternator, you might want to put a one way pulley on it to give the belt an easier life ?

First to comment from the UK

😎👍🇺🇲 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.😎

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.

Very cool upgrades! I like the switch panel, how many total amps was it good for?

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

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

Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this thing around, its the easiest thing that I've found

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

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

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

Those bifocals are not adequate eye "protection" anyway. Sad to see so many people take their eyesight so lightly. As someone who had a spiral steel chip about two inches long bore its way into my eye I can tell you, it happens when you least expect it.

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

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. 😃😃😎😎

You didn't need the fancy electronic relay box to power things. I would have used simple standard relay switches and those existing wires. You complete the circuit by sending it to ground from other simple switches on the dash instead of running a return wire all the way back. Buy hey, not complaining. You had stuff and you used it and got it working. Maybe you'll remember this on a future hook up

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

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

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.

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

Some really fun improvements!

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.

I could be wrong but it looks like you have no fusing between the alternator and the battery. You might want to fix that

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

I need to take fram camping to so iam going to soon

Great video...love your stuff!! From WV!!!

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

You had me at steak cheese and tortillas.

Great video🎉🎉🎉 But now my head is singing "Give me 40ac and I'll turn this rig around"😂😂😂😂😂

Hi, always enjoy your uploads, mix of good information and humour is perfect. Many thanks for everything from Nr Liverpool UK.

Supremamente extraordinario..!

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

hi i like your videos ;)

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

"Never leave home without your towel"...was that a Douglas Adams reference? :-) We got the "propane and propane accessories" reference to King of the Hill...and maybe even a Futurama reference with Smellovision? Or was that just you being creative? If there's one thing we've learned...You Are CREATIVE! Several of us over here in Texas watch your videos with huge smiles...things we used to do but can no longer do...we're living vicariously through you and We Appreciate Your Time And Creativity!! So THANK YOU Sincerely!!! 🙂

This build is awesome.

Shiney is better. Lol

octane lighting h4/9003 headlight conversion buckets have metal buckets and glass lenses - came with blue and white halogen bulbs for about 60 on amazon. great upgrade on the power wagon

OMG, a Končar voltage regulator, came all the way from Croatia to the USA, interesting. :D Cheers from neighbouring Slovenia. :)

Your totally amazing with the things you execute! McGeyver doesnt have anything on you! Anther job well done! Sorry about the spelling!

Lighting? I use CIBIE unsealed headlights with LED bulbs on my Travco & Plymouth Valiant. Paired with Nippondenso alternators, I get a lot better light with no dimming at idle as you would with the old Indy alternator & regulator.

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

Your house alternator may be ok not having two belts because you have a huge amount of belt contact on both pulleys. Dual belts or newer flat bigger ribbed belts are for sure used when their is less belt contact/rap. Time will tell.

The outdoor kitchen on a rising incline was the best! Glad you got a lot of the electrical worked out. Kids seem to have had fun and that’s the important thing. Ohhh and the wife too….haha! Thanks for sharing. Onto the next exciting "’53 Bubba Bus" Advenute!

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

Not allowed to use led headlight bulbs in housings designed for halogen lights in my country, the claim is they blind people. You are allowed to use complete led headlights but I haven't found any for my wagon yet.

It is interesting how you put stuff together. You're New Mexico all the way. Except you finish your projects. That's not New Mexico. We are in Taos County and only got a partial eclipse. Cool none the less. Cheers!

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!

Nice upgrade buddy

That bus came a long way Lowbuck, seems like you got most of the bugs out of it. You couldn’t replace that bus for $200,000 , , your father must have took good care of it , it’s like a family heirloom, soon it will belong to the little Lowbucks👍