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Old 10-29-2017, 11:03 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pensacola, Fl
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Year: 2000
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Engine: Catepillar 3126B not Cummins
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Change of bus info. 3126 Caterpillar Diesel. Are they any good?

Ok thanks for that info Twigg, really appreciate it. During the interim btw getting that info and now, I decided to go to Tampa, Fl about another bus I'd had my eye on that's being sold by BGA School Buses out of Hudson, Fl. They're original asking price was $8000 before it was cleaned up, $10000 after it was cleaned up. They're are having a clearance sale in October, $1000 off asking price. I went down to check it out. I've been in touch with the owner for awile now. They have another bus, same make and model but cheaper. This is where I hope someone can help me with this info. It's a 2003 Thomas flatnose 28' with wheelchair lift. It has 201,269 miles, it also has 11,300 idling hours on it. The engine is a 3126 Catepillar Diesel. I hope it gets some positive feedback on it and soon. I had an opportunity to test drive this thing on a secondary road (which I insisted on), Greg said I was doing ok until a car appeared in my rearview mirror. Things got a bit hairy after that. It made me realize there is no way I can transport the other bus from Md to Fl on my own. It'd be a different story if I was use to it.

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Old 10-30-2017, 12:22 AM   #2
Skoolie
 
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Year: 2000
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Chassis: not sure
Engine: Catepillar 3126B not Cummins
Rated Cap: not sure
Choice btw Cummins 8.3L L6 Diesel and Cat 7.2L 6L HELP!!!!!

Can a person who has never driven a vehicle longer than 15', actually be able to drive a 1000 miles from point a to b without killing herself or anyone else for that matter. I'm asking because I had an opportunity to test drive one of 2 buses I'm interested. This one is only 400 miles from me while the other is 1000, but meets all my criteria. The latter is a 2000 Thomas flatnose 30' with a wc lift which is need to transport my bike. It has 53000 miles on it, don't know the idling hours on it. Didn't know at the time the importance of it, sad isn't it? He's selling it for $4000. It has a Cummins 8.3L L6 engine, I think possible allison transmission. Twigg told me it's a good engine, so I'm happy about that. The more local bus is a 2003 Thomas FE flatnose, also with a wc lift. It's 27' long. Has 201,274 miles and the idling hours are 11,326. They're having a clearance sale for the month of October, so the new price is $6000. Had an opportunity to check out bus. Here is the link if anyone wants to look at it and tell me what they think. #1794 2003 Thomas EF 3126 Cat Diesel Auto Air Brakes 8 row@ BGA School Buses, Inc. Hudson, FL. I also had my first try at driving a bus. Took secondary road, had nothing to depend to keep it in the middle of the road, so using the driver's side mirror used the line in the middle to keep adjusting. Was doing ok until a car showed behind me that's when things started going south. In the end had the owner take over the wheel to take it back. That's why I am concerned about the drive from Md to Fl with the first bus. Time is coming to the wire in making decision. Could someone please give me advise as to what to do and which one would be the better deal. Twigg gave me so good input but I need more.
Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 10-30-2017, 05:22 AM   #3
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BGA's prices make me laugh.
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Old 10-30-2017, 07:47 AM   #4
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BGA is the highway robbery of the bus world. It is laughable, check auctions. Govdeals and publicsurplus

Driving a bus or something that size is no big deal, if you are getting a 35ft to 40ft bus then you have to be a little careful of tail swing and such. Go fo the 8.3 over the cat you won’t find much love for the cat here, a lot lower miles too.
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Old 10-30-2017, 08:33 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skytz View Post
Can a person who has never driven a vehicle longer than 15', actually be able to drive a 1000 miles from point a to b without killing herself or anyone else for that matter. I'm asking because I had an opportunity to test drive one of 2 buses I'm interested. This one is only 400 miles from me while the other is 1000, but meets all my criteria. The latter is a 2000 Thomas flatnose 30' with a wc lift which is need to transport my bike. It has 53000 miles on it, don't know the idling hours on it. Didn't know at the time the importance of it, sad isn't it? He's selling it for $4000. It has a Cummins 8.3L L6 engine, I think possible allison transmission. Twigg told me it's a good engine, so I'm happy about that. The more local bus is a 2003 Thomas FE flatnose, also with a wc lift. It's 27' long. Has 201,274 miles and the idling hours are 11,326. They're having a clearance sale for the month of October, so the new price is $6000. Had an opportunity to check out bus. Here is the link if anyone wants to look at it and tell me what they think. #1794 2003 Thomas EF 3126 Cat Diesel Auto Air Brakes 8 row@ BGA School Buses, Inc. Hudson, FL. I also had my first try at driving a bus. Took secondary road, had nothing to depend to keep it in the middle of the road, so using the driver's side mirror used the line in the middle to keep adjusting. Was doing ok until a car showed behind me that's when things started going south. In the end had the owner take over the wheel to take it back. That's why I am concerned about the drive from Md to Fl with the first bus. Time is coming to the wire in making decision. Could someone please give me advise as to what to do and which one would be the better deal. Twigg gave me so good input but I need more.
Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you can definitely get used to driving a bus... anyone that knows me knows i drive mine more than my car .. I take it into starbucks, walmart, the grocery store, hotel parking lots.. you'll be fine once you get used to it a litle and get your mirrors adjusted..
-Christopher
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Old 07-23-2019, 07:10 PM   #6
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I would go for the Cummins, and never a CAT or a Detroit. IH/Navistar has some good stuff too.
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Old 07-23-2019, 08:28 PM   #7
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I would go for the Cummins, and never a CAT or a Detroit. IH/Navistar has some good stuff too.
Cat 3126 is a dandy engine... what's not to like? its smooth, efficient, quiet, and runs like a top.
I got the Cat after getting one of Navistar's bad batch of products from the early 2000's. Cummins have the KDP and 53 blocks.
I've not heard of any catastrophes involving 3126 engines on the forum or anywhere else.
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Old 07-23-2019, 11:24 PM   #8
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I loved my Detroit's.. Great motors. I will have another one day.

I really like my Cummins as well. Both 5.9and 8.3.

But please don't ever stick me with aT444
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Old 07-24-2019, 07:51 AM   #9
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I loved my Detroit's.. Great motors. I will have another one day.

I really like my Cummins as well. Both 5.9and 8.3.

But please don't ever stick me with aT444
I could make you such a deal!
It isn't just a t444, it's a t444E!
And, at no extra cost, it is the much sought after 175hp variant.
Will that be cash, check, or left leg..?
(It's a manual, so you may wish to retain that latter leg)
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Old 07-24-2019, 08:05 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Cat 3126 is a dandy engine... what's not to like? its smooth, efficient, quiet, and runs like a top.
I got the Cat after getting one of Navistar's bad batch of products from the early 2000's. Cummins have the KDP and 53 blocks.
I've not heard of any catastrophes involving 3126 engines on the forum or anywhere else.
Not trying to step on you buddy, forgive me.
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Old 07-24-2019, 08:08 AM   #11
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I love my T-444E.. that thing HAULS ASS!!! I run the mountains at 55-60 and could go faster except I gotta brake what I gas on the flip side so i dont run it much faster.. but it will do it..
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Old 07-24-2019, 09:32 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
I love my T-444E.. that thing HAULS ASS!!! I run the mountains at 55-60 and could go faster except I gotta brake what I gas on the flip side so i dont run it much faster.. but it will do it..
I really think the T444e is I fine motor in the right application. I was just poking back a little bit 'cause he was talking bad about my beloved Detroit's
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Old 07-24-2019, 09:37 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
I really think the T444e is I fine motor in the right application. I was just poking back a little bit 'cause he was talking bad about my beloved Detroit's
\
Please forgive me, I will just stick to topics that don't relate to a brand bias.
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Old 07-24-2019, 09:41 AM   #14
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I really liked my T444E. I really like my current 6BTA. I'm just easy to get along with I suppose.
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Old 07-24-2019, 10:24 AM   #15
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\
Please forgive me, I will just stick to topics that don't relate to a brand bias.
Just a bit of friendly ribbing.

No bad feelings intended.
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Old 07-24-2019, 10:32 AM   #16
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Just a bit of friendly ribbing.

No bad feelings intended.
None taken friend. I'm use to alot worse, stuff like this doesn't matter much to me, what works for you, works for you. IF we don't like the same thing then atleast we aren't competing for deals on parts LOL.

The folks in here are far more tame than if you go into most diesel forums to start with.

Take care out there.
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Old 07-24-2019, 11:22 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
I really think the T444e is I fine motor in the right application. I was just poking back a little bit 'cause he was talking bad about my beloved Detroit's
THe 444 isn't very good in full size buses. Add in a split rad and 545 and you get a time bomb on the highway.
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Old 07-24-2019, 11:23 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by PatrickBaptist View Post
\
Please forgive me, I will just stick to topics that don't relate to a brand bias.
Brand bias is why I was so loyal to Navistar. I paid for that loyalty!
Everyone has their preferences, post away man.
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Old 07-24-2019, 11:26 AM   #19
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THe 444 isn't very good in full size buses. Add in a split rad and 545 and you get a time bomb on the highway.
I cared more about the trans myself, I would have rathered a DT466 or 8.3 Cummins but I got one with a MD3060, I wouldn't have the 545. I live in the mountains and a full sized van on a 18' trailer made from my previous 30' class A rig. Trailer even has air ride LOL.
EDIT: but yeah it's def not winning any races in my full sized bus, but I have salvaged several 7.3PSDs and I'm a fountain of info on them and spare parts so it works out in my situation, it having 89k miles on it had alot to do with my picking the bus I have as well, I went to a large salvage yard that had 70 of these to pick from. I started by looking at RE buses with the md3060 and came to the one I have.
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Old 07-24-2019, 11:30 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
THe 444 isn't very good in full size buses. Add in a split rad and 545 and you get a time bomb on the highway.
I could get excited about a T444e equipped 5 window with a 5 or 7 speed Fuller.

If I understand correctly, the split radiator setup can be upgraded to full size radiator and CAC without breaking the bank if you are handy.

That would likely turn into my daily driver.
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