New Jersey
Transportation Heritage Center

If P-700 was the first of the 40 foot "new look" suburban types then M720's significance was its status among the last of the 40 foot "old look" suburban type buses whose design had originated around 1940. PS rostered two basic versions of this bus with, and without factory installed air conditioning. Both of variants featured a Detroit Diesel series 6-71, 4-speed manual transmission, 51 or 49 seats on interior platforms and some under floor luggage. As originally equipped, the first order (M700-M767) had no factory installed air conditioning. Forty more TDM 5108s ordered by PS in 1958 arrived from GMC with integral air conditioning compressors and evaporator units installed in a nacelle above the rear window. The a/c unit in the later order was powered directly from the engine resulting in lethargic performance. In 1962, PS retrofitted M720 and her 67 sisters in the first order with separate air conditioning units powered by an auxiliary small engine mounted below the floor. This was a more reliable arrangement than the integrated a/c as long as the small auxiliary engine was kept fueled. The driver could start and shut down the auxiliary from his seat

Background

• Vehicle Description - 1958 General Motors TDM 5108 Transit Coach
• Vehicle Assignment - Intrastate urban bus routes in northern and southern New Jersey

Scope of work

• Drive Train
  • Remove engine and transmission cradle
  • Clean and de-grease the units
  • Determine the condition and functionality of the units and subunits (including but not limited to the generator, fuel pump, starter)
  • Procure necessary replacement parts
  • Overhaul the units
  • Reassemble the units
• Body
  • Remove and replace all damaged body parts
  • Remove all paint and rust
  • Replace all sash and glazing
  • Clean, straighten and rechrome all bumpers
  • Repaint in PSCT colors and paint scheme
  • Inspect the front and rear frame and repair as appropriate
• Interior
  • Remove, clean, reupholster and reinstall seats
  • Reinstall luggage racks
  • Clean and repaint the front dash area
  • Replace floor and floor coverings as appropriate
  • Replace front interior panels
• Electrical
  • Inspect all circuits and replace as appropriate
  • Inspect all lamps, lenses and sockets, and replace as appropriate
  • Inspect all gages and sensors and replace as appropriate
  • Inspect battery and battery circuits and replace as appropriate
• Air/Vacuum Systems
  • Inspect the brake system and replace components as appropriate
  • Inspect the compressor and replace components as appropriate
  • Inspect the door and windshield motors and replace components as appropriate
  • Inspect all air lines and replace as appropriate
• Suspension System
  • Inspect and replace all air bags as appropriate
  • Inspect the steering system and replace components as appropriate

Note

• Following completion of the rehabilitation efforts, it is intended that this bus be operable condition.

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