Art car 1st timer, seeking wisdom

[Gano]

We're building our first mut V this year. Going big(ish), building a platform on top of a bus as our base. As we embark on the process, I was hoping to solicit wisdom from you experienced folk.

1) Is this the best the forum? (skeptical as I'm making the first post here) Is there a better place or method for seeking advice?
2) I have one specific question. My role on our team is creating the sound system. We're looking at a sound budget of $5k (plus or minus $5k). Any advice on how to best put that money towards sound gear. Someone else suggested going with passive speakers so we can protect the amp. Any tips on where to pick up massive (used?) passive speakers on the cheap?

TIA,
Gano

http://www.facebook.com/TheVelvetRut

[trilobyte]

The best place for your thread is the Transportation board on the Preparation forum (I've just moved it there). The Mutant Vehicle forum on the year-specific board is more for talking about announced projects and vehicles coming to that year's event, where the Preparation forum is the place to ask questions and find solutions involved in pulling your project together. Good luck!

[gyre]

$5K will buy you a lot of sound system, more than you need.
I would need to know more to make suggestions, and I'm not sure how you're using passive.

I have an mv idea for such a large vehicle if you want it.
Email me if you want it offboard.

[knowmad]

one tip I can give you for searching the past Postings here on eplaya is to use Google. use it like this
google >> eplaya Keyword, Keyword ...
this works a bit better than the search function.
There has been many a car built and documented here on eplya, the problems and solutions are common and have been discussed. be sure to look at the date of the thread, posting a question in a really old thread most likely will not get a response. quoting an old thread with a quote will give context and most likely get a response.
good luck, and thanks for taking such a project on. BRC needs you!

[Gano]

Thanks gyre. Emailed you.
Thanks for the search tip, knowmad. Just spent the last 20 minutes sifting through some older posts and learning.

Next question:

We're looking at buses that run on propane, gasoline or diesel. With respect to propane, how does that work around the playa? Can we fill up with propane on the playa somehow? And we're driving it down from BC, Canada. Are there enough places to fill up all the way down?

[Rice]

Thanks gyre. Emailed you.
Thanks for the search tip, knowmad. Just spent the last 20 minutes sifting through some older posts and learning.

Next question:

We're looking at buses that run on propane, gasoline or diesel. With respect to propane, how does that work around the playa? Can we fill up with propane on the playa somehow? And we're driving it down from BC, Canada. Are there enough places to fill up all the way down?

Hi, welcome to ePlaya!!!

I am from Saskatoon SK, so I have a good understanding of the distance you will travel

There is nothing provided on playa beyond porta-potties and the option to purchase ice and coffee. If you need it, you will need to bring it.

Therefore, I suspect that propane might not be a good fuel choice. It is fairly easy to bring in cans or barrels of fuel (both gas and diesel). I have no idea how complicated propane is (wrt topping up a vehicle fuel tank).

Lots of burners drive down from BC, so there must be fuel stops. Again, I am unsure about the propane availability. Diesel and gasoline are readily available.

Have you contacted anyone in your local burner community? there is a BM regional rep in Victoria: http://regionals.burningman.com/ca_bc_vic.html

It is very cool finding out how experienced burner are prepared to help virgins.

see ya on the playa!

Rice

[gyre]

People have had propane delivered to the playa, but they make the arrangements.

No idea if that is compatible for vehicles.

Rural propane delivery is common in some parts of this country.

[TomServo]

My $.02...

Since it is a bus, Less emphasis is placed on the Radically Modified criteria..But always encouraged! Safety features will win you brownie points. When applying for a night license, make sure it is WELL LIT! And neatly lit! Don't toss rope lights on and call it done.. Especially the area surrounding the lower half. After submitting your image of the vehicle to DMV, stick to your original design. Modifications are fine, but completely altering the theme is frowned upon...as the "new" piece is not what was approved. And last but not least....Make sure you are 100% ready when takin g it in for licensing! Hope that helps.