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Old 09-20-2016, 08:36 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: North CT
Posts: 52
Year: 1996
Chassis: B600, 545 Allison Auto
Engine: Cummings Dimple Block 12Cyl.
Rated Cap: 70
Finished Skoolie Weight?

Hi Guys

Is there any advantage of making a super lightweight bus?
Or does this cause problems re the suspension etc?

I welcome any and all feedback.
Thank you!
Howard

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Old 09-20-2016, 09:05 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
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Location: Sarasota, Florida
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Year: 1995
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Carpenter
Engine: d466 mechanical
Just balance your bus decently, doesn't have to be perfect though.
To my knowledge, I can't think of a reason a light weight bus would be a problem? Certain things to think of weight wise is water tanks, fuel tanks, generator, batteries, heavier things.

For example if you have your 60 gallon fuel tank on the passenger side, and mount your 100 gallon water tank right on the same side you're pretty unbalanced. 100 gallons of water is like 800 pounds, and 60 gallons of water is roughly 350 pounds or so!
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Old 09-20-2016, 09:05 PM   #3
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Location: Danglebury, Tejas
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: Navistar DT466E
Rated Cap: 72 passenger
IMHO, only if you have really monster hills and a tired motor would I consider this.
These busses are made to haul a passel of kids, books, band equipment, etc, and THEN the engineers double it and add another 40% as lawyer-repellent. So these things are already stiff. Take out the seats, interior, etc, and haul rice cakes instead of three football teams and you're gonna have some ride issues.

Sincere suggestion: do a road trip empty before you do anything else. Just drive it and listen to the voices in yer butt. I say this because I was totally gung-ho to cram a DT-530 making 350 hp coupled to a 6 speed into my bus... and then I drove it 5000 miles. NOW i get it. NOW I'm on the same wave-length of the designers. Stock is simply fine.

Maybe whatever demon is telling you "go light"'can be exorcised by a simple road trip.
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Old 09-21-2016, 10:26 AM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: North CT
Posts: 52
Year: 1996
Chassis: B600, 545 Allison Auto
Engine: Cummings Dimple Block 12Cyl.
Rated Cap: 70
Hi Guys

Thank you for the feedback.
This is what I was thinking.

My ride even with the seats is it rather hard and you feel every bump.
But the amount of weight I have already removed should make a huge difference to the performance of the bus?

My main thing is I have an 800lb lift on the back right that I want to take out. This thing must weigh close on 1,000lbs on its own, do you know if the suspension on this side is stronger to counter for this extra off balance weight.

Thank you!!
Howard
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Old 09-21-2016, 10:33 AM   #5
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
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Chassis: International
Engine: t444e
Your lift likely only weighs 350lbs or so. and The suspension is not going to be different side to side.
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Old 09-21-2016, 10:45 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: North CT
Posts: 52
Year: 1996
Chassis: B600, 545 Allison Auto
Engine: Cummings Dimple Block 12Cyl.
Rated Cap: 70
Hi ChiliChzPoopTart

Thank you!
It sure looks a lot heavier than that Are am I just that tired after ripping all the seats out?

Ok - thank you this is good to know.
Both the lift and fuel tank are on the same side.
So I aim to balance it out a little better using the water tanks etc.

Thank you!
Howard
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Old 09-22-2016, 08:49 AM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 157
Isn't a "Light Weight Bus" an Oxy-moron?
Unless you just go Hog-Wild on extra batteries, super large water tanks, cast iron woods stove, old heavy over sized appliances, etc you will not over load a well built bus.
The same drivetrain is used in cargo trucks that are meant to be packed to the gills with stuff, U-Hauls in the 24-26ft range use many of the same engines, axles and trans. They get stuffed full, driven hard and survive many years.
Your bus will always be slow, light or heavy, its going to be slow.
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Old 09-23-2016, 09:22 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: North CT
Posts: 52
Year: 1996
Chassis: B600, 545 Allison Auto
Engine: Cummings Dimple Block 12Cyl.
Rated Cap: 70
Hi Oldmopars

Thank you - Makes total sense...
I guess going from a sports car to a bus the acceleration difference is quite noticeable.
I some how hoped this could be improved a little

So I will get used to life in the slow lane..
Thank you!
Howard
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