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Old 05-26-2019, 06:39 PM   #1
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Florida-Spec Bus

In general, does anyone have any feedback on buses from Florida?
(Not just sold in Florida, but used in Florida.)

I stumbled upon a Florida shorty that looks. . .interesting.




2004 IC

DT4666 - Good

Air brakes - Good

Air Ride - Really good!

No Rust - Really good!

228,000 miles - Meh
I think it has air conditioning - Good
Transmission - Unk? - BAD


Vin #
4DRBRAAL04A971556

At a glance, it looks good - rust-free, with decent specs.



I do remember some discussion on here about IC quality taking a bit of a dive around 2004 - so I'm wondering if that could be an issue with the engine on this one.

I'm also not sure what the headroom is - I'd really like the high headroom, especially to have some room to insulate the floor.

More pix







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Old 05-26-2019, 07:08 PM   #2
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Looks like Charlies jacked up shorty. Tell us more about it, drive train, etc.
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Old 05-26-2019, 07:28 PM   #3
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This would give me pause: "Transmission - Unk? - BAD
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Old 05-26-2019, 07:35 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
This would give me pause: "Transmission - Unk? - BAD
Unknown, no, we know it has a 545. Now BAD, that means it's ready for a 3060 swap. Negotiate accordingly.

I think we read that wrong Steve. He is commenting on things. Doesn't say it is bad, he is saying it's bad he doesn't know. Has AC, isn't saying the AC is good, saying it's good to him that it has it. Just saw it has a DT466, so just maybe not a 545. That bus with a 3060 would be a rocketship. No bump in roof, so probably 6'3". If my International is any guide they can lose quality and still be better than any other bus I've seen. Your 2004 DT may or may not have all the emission stuff added yet.
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Old 05-26-2019, 08:03 PM   #5
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This would give me pause: "Transmission - Unk? - BAD

Yeah, I was implying that it's bad that I don't know what the transmission is - the listing doesn't say, and the VIN check I could do didn't say what it was either. (I was hoping it might have the rear-end gearing as well.) It does list the school district, so I might be able to call and ask. (Might be worth it to see if they'll have anything going to auction too. . . )

At this point, I'd almost be okay with a 545, since I don't have any direct plans to tow with it (yet), and this is about the 4th shorty I've found anywhere, in any condition, in the past few months.


Found more pictures.
This is a 545 shifter, isn't it?





They didn't skimp on the air conditioning either. . .

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Old 05-26-2019, 08:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_In_MA View Post
Yeah, I was implying that it's bad that I don't know what the transmission is - the listing doesn't say, and the VIN check I could do didn't say what it was either. (I was hoping it might have the rear-end gearing as well.) It does list the school district, so I might be able to call and ask. (Might be worth it to see if they'll have anything going to auction too. . . )

At this point, I'd almost be okay with a 545, since I don't have any direct plans to tow with it (yet), and this is about the 4th shorty I've found anywhere, in any condition, in the past few months.


Found more pictures.
This is a 545 shifter, isn't it?





They didn't skimp on the air conditioning either. . .

Ok... I took it to mean that the transmission was bad.

Regarding that shifter. I am not sure but I think that is a 2000 series shifter. That would be GOOD.
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Old 05-26-2019, 08:12 PM   #7
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As Charlie says, most of the Fla. buses are really low spec buses, surprised that one has a DT in it. Yep, that's a 545 shifter.
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Old 05-26-2019, 08:49 PM   #8
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I am pretty sure that is not a 545 shifter - more likely the Allison 2000.
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Old 05-26-2019, 09:33 PM   #9
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This a 545 shifter
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Old 05-26-2019, 09:33 PM   #10
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This, sorryClick image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190526_193233.jpeg
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ID:	33817
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Old 05-26-2019, 09:34 PM   #11
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Buy it. Quickly
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Old 05-26-2019, 09:44 PM   #12
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This, sorryAttachment 33817
thanks - knowing what that shifter looks like may help a lot when knowing what NOT to buy is important
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Old 05-26-2019, 09:49 PM   #13
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Buy it. Quickly
It's listed for way too much, or I'd be tempted to call tomorrow and buy it.
I suppose that means I need to practice my negotiating skills tomorrow, and make a phone call Tuesday morning. I need to figure out what the cost to go get it will be too.

(I'd give them about $2k below what they're asking -and you guys would still think its a lot, esp. for a shortie.)
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Old 05-26-2019, 10:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_In_MA View Post
It's listed for way too much, or I'd be tempted to call tomorrow and buy it.
I suppose that means I need to practice my negotiating skills tomorrow, and make a phone call Tuesday morning. I need to figure out what the cost to go get it will be too.

(I'd give them about $2k below what they're asking -and you guys would still think its a lot, esp. for a shortie.)
That was going to be my next question, because it's looking like a grail shorty in good shape and lifted, Charlie will tell you that's a $7500 bus. Knowing what I know now, a year later, I would pay $5k for my bus now. I haven't found one.
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Old 05-26-2019, 10:06 PM   #15
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If the school is selling it directly, you might have a lot of negotiation room. However, some of the schools have their prices set by "administration" and the folks selling the busses have no wiggle-room.
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Old 05-26-2019, 10:36 PM   #16
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If the school is selling it directly, you might have a lot of negotiation room. However, some of the schools have their prices set by "administration" and the folks selling the busses have no wiggle-room.

It's at a dealer


But they have the school district still lettered on the side, so I could call up the school district and ask if they'll have any more coming to auction.
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Old 05-29-2019, 09:46 AM   #17
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So I sent an email.


It's an Allison 2000 series.
The bus tops out around 62mph.
The seller said they might be able to get a few more MPH from it if they made some adjustments.

Which brings me to question #2 : Do people think its limited in the computer, or is it just maxing out on the gearing?


I like this bus, but it's a lot of money, and I'm trying to balance that versus the fact that a little upfront investment will yield a long return and hopefully fewer repairs later.
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Old 05-29-2019, 10:37 AM   #18
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Was going to confirm the shifter is the same as our Allison 2000. The speed limit is impossible to tell unless the seller tells you the RPM at 62 mph or a dealer can run the VIN to determine the rear end ratio. A dealer would also give you a clue on how much emission related junk is on the engine. Getting a video of the engine running is good, especially from the passenger side to see if there is smoke coming out of the blow-by tube.
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