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05-26-2019, 06:39 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
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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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05-26-2019, 07:08 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Looks like Charlies jacked up shorty. Tell us more about it, drive train, etc.
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05-26-2019, 07:28 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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This would give me pause: "Transmission - Unk? - BAD
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05-26-2019, 07:35 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
This would give me pause: "Transmission - Unk? - BAD
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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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05-26-2019, 08:03 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
This would give me pause: "Transmission - Unk? - BAD
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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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05-26-2019, 08:12 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_In_MA
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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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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05-26-2019, 08:12 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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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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05-26-2019, 08:49 PM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Montana
Posts: 581
Year: 2000
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I am pretty sure that is not a 545 shifter - more likely the Allison 2000.
__________________
- Roger (Dog.Rescuer)
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05-26-2019, 09:33 PM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brevard County, FL
Posts: 911
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 6.6 New Holland Diesel
Rated Cap: 60 kids, 10 window
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This a 545 shifter
__________________
Nick
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05-26-2019, 09:33 PM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brevard County, FL
Posts: 911
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 6.6 New Holland Diesel
Rated Cap: 60 kids, 10 window
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This, sorry
__________________
Nick
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05-26-2019, 09:34 PM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brevard County, FL
Posts: 911
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 6.6 New Holland Diesel
Rated Cap: 60 kids, 10 window
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Buy it. Quickly
__________________
Nick
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05-26-2019, 09:44 PM
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#12
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjakitty
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thanks - knowing what that shifter looks like may help a lot when knowing what NOT to buy is important
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05-26-2019, 09:49 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjakitty
Buy it. Quickly
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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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05-26-2019, 10:06 PM
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#14
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_In_MA
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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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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05-26-2019, 10:06 PM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,856
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
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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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05-26-2019, 10:36 PM
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#16
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Native
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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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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05-29-2019, 09:46 AM
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#17
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
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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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05-29-2019, 10:37 AM
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#18
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
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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.
__________________
Dave
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