Good deal for a bus?

[jmar896]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

Your going to let a Crown slip by because of a few bolt on parts?

Your looking in the wrong places for turbo's.

Get on the dodge diesel performance sites. A second gen dodge is the same engine.

This is a opportunity to upgrade the turbo for more power. No use in staying with the low power stock unit. Same with the rear end, this is a opportunity to upgrade for better highway speed.

Nat

I looked at some of the dodge turbos. Thell run about 400 for one meant for 400HP engines, couldn't find lower than that price. However once I add in the rear end cost,and the flight cost im already at 3850, and thats without fuel. Fuel is going to cost about another 600, and then Im way over budget. I think im going to explorer other options, There is still 8 days left on the auction so.

Originally Posted by opus

You can do better than that one. Find one directly from a school district, not an auction. This is the time of year they are taking buses out of service. Call local school bus shops and enquire. Get one that has records!

Most school districts around here are contracted. There is only one that isnt, and the only have short buses. The 2 company's are First Student, who charges SUPER high for most buses, and a local company AA Transportation, and most of there buses are less than 5 years old (The average age in there fleet is 2.5 years) That is why I have to look pretty far away. Atlantic Express did have some routes, but only 10 or so of there buses remain just so they can end a contract in June, but all of them are from 2005 so there gonna have pretty high price tags. Also First Student wont give you maintenance records for there buses

Im going to see about these 2 buses
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4484116966.html
The older $2000 internationals on this link http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/4481422710.html
And this one if I can get them down enough
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/4484591545.html

I would like to have the project started soon, since it just keeps getting hotter now and I dont like the July and August heat without AC
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/4484591545.html

Thanks
Jake

[nat_ster]

400 hp out of a 5.9 in a skoolie sounds great. You would feel like you got a 300hp 8.3 Cummins. However the 8.3 has a longer stroke, so you will always have a bit more torque out of the bigger engine in relation to the HP.

Schools here contract to bus contractors too. That is where I buy my buses and parts from. I use Golden Arrow, and a smaller privet company.

Nat

[jmar896]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

400 hp out of a 5.9 in a skoolie sounds great. You would feel like you got a 300hp 8.3 Cummins. However the 8.3 has a longer stroke, so you will always have a bit more torque out of the bigger engine in relation to the HP.

Schools here contract to bus contractors too. That is where I buy my buses and parts from. I use Golden Arrow, and a smaller privet company.

Nat

I found 5 buses due to be took out of service on July 1st but I want to have a bus before then, also there from 2002 so there probably going to be about 6K according to the maintenance manager. I found some cheaper and older buses in CT because they can use them until they wont pass inspection (Most of them due to rust)
Ill see.
Haven't heard back from the person with the front engine flat nosed International but have been talking with the guy with the Amtran RE, its a crappy version with hydraulic breaks and the T444E but if its negotiable down to a fair price ill get it.

I found this bus in Texas, It has AC and I like it. Im talking to the guy regarding the engine & transmission models now. It has a pretty good price tag for how its equipped. And that wheelchair lift will come in handy when i need to get stuff inside of it It doesnt have much rust if any too!
http://odessa.craigslist.org/cto/4417265901.html

Thanks
Jake

[Malkieri]

If you gotta go to TX to get your bus, Spirit has some great prices on red eyes Boston to DFW. I just made the drive from DFW to New England a couple months ago though...it is LONG! I would advise the slightly longer and less scenic ride to avoid the mountains, take I20 east to I95. Google Maps says it is longer by about 2 hours, but I am pretty sure it is faster because it is flat and you won't be slowed down by the long climbs and such. Bring Cash for Maryland, NJ and NY, the tolls can be painful.

[Malkieri]

Did you see this 1 in Northen Maine?
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/4471584190.html

[jmar896]

Originally Posted by Malkieri

Did you see this 1 in Northen Maine?
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/4471584190.html

Yes. I emailed him about a week ago but no response.

[jmar896]

So I got my floor plans for a RE Bus done. There not that great but it gives a pretty good idea. Ill put them in a CAD or Sketchup file at a later date. Sorry in advance, my writing is awful. Thats what happens if you use a computer 99% Of the time you write.

I will probably use something similar in a FE bus but if its a conventional ill change it around. The bus will probably be larger also. Im going to leave 2 bench seats in the front, not pictured in the plans. The ratio is 1cm=1ft, there is 28CM on the page.

Thoughts?
Thanks
Jake

[jmar896]

Does anyone know where Durham school services sells there used buses? I forgot they have a contract in Worcester, the biggest city in 45 miles. And there buses are all just about to pass the age limit.

[jmar896]

So I have the engine & transmission info for this bus
http://odessa.craigslist.org/cto/4417265901.html
It has the DT360 Engine, so its not going to be the most powerful thing
AT545 transmission, he thinks it was replaced but not sure, a lot of service records were lost, only 2 owners though
It has air breaks
One of the ACs does not work, but one does.
it has 180000 miles on it
38.5 ft long
Any thoughts about this configuration?
Thanks
Jake

[jmar896]

After some negotiations on this one it is not going to work out http://odessa.craigslist.org/cto/4417265901.html
At 3500 its going to cost too much to go there, and drive back. Hes remaining pretty firm on his price.

http://appleton.craigslist.org/bfs/4480972668.html
http://appleton.craigslist.org/sys/4480992435.html
I found these 2 buses straight from the school district. Im hoping i can get one of them.
Thanks
Jake

[jazty]

Originally Posted by jmar896

What is the headroom in a low roof thomas?

Not enough.

I don't know the exact height, but I'm 5'11" and, when wearing shoes, my head was bumping the ceiling until I did the roof raise. I'd occasionally look up at the ceiling and notice some of my hair caught in the ceiling screws.

If you plan on insulating the floor and/or ceiling without doing a roof raise you had better be a mini-person.

[jmar896]

Originally Posted by jazty

Not enough.

I don't know the exact height, but I'm 5'11" and, when wearing shoes, my head was bumping the ceiling until I did the roof raise. I'd occasionally look up at the ceiling and notice some of my hair caught in the ceiling screws.

After going through 6 pages on schoolbusfleet.com i found it out

Blue Bird 74"/77"
IC 74"/78"
Thomas 72"/78"

[jmar896]

So both of the buses Waupaca are low headroom. I dont really want to raise the roof so im going to pass, since once extra insulation and stuff is added then ill be hitting my head on the ceiling.

(This part of the post removed do to a non negotiable dealer)

[opus]

Low roof. How many hours on it?

[jmar896]

Originally Posted by opus

Low roof. How many hours on it?

Dont know. The dealer got mad at me after I offered 4K so I dont think its gonna work out.

[jmar896]

Just some updates
I got outbid on the crown. I had my max price and it passed it so I didnt get it.
I am going to contact this person to see about how they insulated the bus and a couple more things, if its insulated good and has a good engine & transmission then ill think about it.
http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/4496164750.html
Im also going to look in to this one and get some pictures and engine & transmission info
http://seks.craigslist.org/cto/4498156399.html
Thoughts?
Jake

[jmar896]

Just some updates...
I cant really travel much to look at any buses right now because my new van is in the shop. 1.5K miles and it already has to spend 5-7 days in the shop due to a bunch of issues (It spend 5 hours before this with no avail) My daily mile limit on the loaner is 100 and I drive 60 to and from work. Hopefully it will all be cleared up by next weekend.
Im looking in to these buses now. The last 2 I did not get since the international one sold, and the bluebird isnt as good as I would have hoped in a few ways.
http://ames.craigslist.org/cto/4507326813.html This one is a 01 Bluebird, I am liking the bus and the price tag

I am also looking in to this one, the price is right and I wont have to paint it (Im going to paint my bus in similar colors to that silver paint)
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/4507730135.html

This one is also a possibility http://waterloo.craigslist.org/cto/4505954663.html
I'm not seeing any good and cheap pushers. Govdeals and public surplus haven't had many good buses lately also. I might get one from the Montgomery county auction that should be coming up soon on govdeals.

[jmar896]

Just some updates
Didnt get any of the TC/2000s. One had no reply, and the others were sold (The 1st one is on the market again for 6.5K in Florida)
I went on PublicSurplus today and liked what I saw

Crowns! (Crown by Carpenter, but still a Crown)
(link to 1: http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auctio ... uc=1150780)
They are a little small, 72 pass. but I like them, they have the 5.9 Cummins engine. Now to find out the transmission.
Theres also these on biddigry but I think there gonna sell for too much
https://www.biddergy.com/detail.asp?id= ... e-Bird-Bus

This one has the 5.9 Cummins and a MD3060

Also, andyone know anyting about the Montgomery County auction? Ive been waiting
Thanks
Jake

[wauto]

Jake, do you live in NE Iowa? If so I can help you with your bus locating. I bought mine direct from the dealership. (used) Anyhow the owner is a great guy and has a hard time unloading flat nose busses.
Feel free to call me.
319-269*0892Mike

[jmar896]

Originally Posted by wauto

Jake, do you live in NE Iowa? If so I can help you with your bus locating. I bought mine direct from the dealership. (used) Anyhow the owner is a great guy and has a hard time unloading flat nose busses.
Feel free to call me.
319-269*0892Mike

No, but if I can get one at the right price I could go out there. Im from Massachusetts. My budget is pretty small (about $3000), so I have my doubts about a dealer having anything that cheap. I have looked at a few dealers websites from out there but have only seen 1 or 2 used flat nosed ones.
Ill try to call you tomorrow if I get a chance.
Thanks
Jake