David Brady
05-28-2008, 04:05
Bruce,
Congratulations on your new coach and I wish you many happy
miles.
My '02 has a DVD, CD, GPS, Satellite with flat panel TV, a
Bose surround sound system (with subwoofer), a CB radio, and
side and rear cameras, all from the factory. The 6 changer
CD/Radio/GPS is an Alpine combo unit. The floors are a laminate
style like Brad's, but you have to look close to believe it. There is
a radiator bracket in the engine compartment that is dished and does
collect water and debris. Of course it's an easy fix, but I understand,
for the money you'd expect a better solution (at least some drain
holes).
This area is thick steel and won't rust thru but looks a lot better
with a drain hole and a layer of POR. My interior is strikingly
similar to Brad's. It's a stained maple done by Mary Hurly(sp)
of Prevost Royale after Monaco bought Royale and she went
to work with BB. Here's some pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dmb2000/BlueBirdLXI
I do have the plastic cabinet latches, but the heavy drawers use
a spring loaded steel latch, these are also used for the sofa drawers.
Brad, the spring tension is adjustable. Maybe you can tighten yours
up a bit. Mine stay closed and we do load them up. Maybe I don't
take the corners like you! But... I long for the aircraft style latches
used in the pre 1990 coaches.
My ideal coach would be an '86 PT40, zero-houred, with a slide
(probably done by Valid), a 4-stroke diesel (Cummins or
Detroit), and a 6-speed Allison. Might throw some modern day
airbags on her too, the hour-glass shaped piston style of the LXi,
(Goodyear 1R11 series). Those years with the true school bus
All American Chassis are truly classic. Greg, you wanna talk slides in
an old BB?
But for now I rest assured knowing that I have the best of the LXi's,
since I've been told that the '03's and newer really aren't so great
and
the truly best were built before model year '03. Ha ha, LOL, this is all
tongue in cheek of course! Seriously though, there is a natural human
tendency to believe that his/hers is the last of the great Birds. When
in truth,
they are all wonderful, I appreciate each and everyone of them,
including
the 380 and 450, and the Premier XL, and get a real charge out of
seeing one on the road coming my way. In truth, these Birds, all model
years, have far more in common then they have different.
Best of luck Bruce,
David,
'02 LXi, NC
brad barton wrote:
Bruce,
>From what I heard from a BB rep before I ever saw my coach, 2000
and a few 2001 models were the last really "built" Wanderlodges in the
design and production pipeline from the management group that worked
with the Luce family. Apologies to anyone who disagrees. A BB owner
in Kansas has had all sorts of trouble with his 2002 and 2003 BB's.Â
I liked the mid to late 90's coaches too, but we wanted to get away
from all