Looking for a bus, does my dream bus exist?

[themoreweexplore]

Good to know, thanks.

[themoreweexplore]

If only this one had air brakes!

http://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/4974918017.html


Does anyone see any contact info/phone number on that one?

1995 48 passenger International Imtram 3800 school bus 179,000 miles DT 466 mechanical injection motor with Allison automatic transmission. This bus starts runs and drives good. I purchased from Adams 12 school district for a RV motorhome project. yet would sell at this time to anyone, church group or special needs activity bus. All seats still intact. give me a call to see and drive.


Vehicle Summary:
1995 International 3800 School Bus with 179,374 miles.
DT466 diesel engine - mechanical injection
Allison transmission
Hydraulic disc brakes
VIN: 1HVBBAAP3SH68967848 Passenger
27000 GVW
1995
Make: International
Model: 3800
Mileage: 179,000
VIN: 1HVBBAAP3SH689678
Running Condition: Good
Engine: DT466 diesel engine, mechanical injection
Transmission: Automatic
Tires: excellent on rear steering tires marginal
condition - good - runs and drives

[EastCoastCB]

Heres a pretty sweet bus, probably not what you're looking for though.
Public Surplus: Auction #1367277

or a shorty..
http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auc...ew?auc=1367281

[themoreweexplore]

yeah, right in my neck of the woods too. I want to hold out for a DT466

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by themoreweexplore

yeah, right in my neck of the woods too. I want to hold out for a DT466

I wouldn't turn up a good 8.3 Cummins either. I'm pretty sure the big bus in that link has one of those.
Hell even a good 5.9 can be a real dandy. I know a guy with a 5.9 school bus that cruises at 75 mph the way it came from the school district. HP rating and gearing are very important.
That said- Yeah, I'm an International guy myself. I love the DT466.

[themoreweexplore]

I could go for one of these if it were a little shorter. I think I want to stick to a 35/36' bus. Is there a big difference in reliability between a DT466 and a DT466e?

2001 Thomas School Bus

[EastCoastCB]

Not in reliability. Some of us just prefer things to be all mechanical.
Whynot just cut out the middleman and buy one from a school?
That's way pricey for what you get if you ask me.

[themoreweexplore]

Agreed, it seemed a bit steep. How do you go about buying from a school? Do you just google the school mechanic and call them to see which ones they're selling?

[EastCoastCB]

There are a few online auctions, which I'm sure you've seen. I got mine on GovDeals. Public Surplus sometimes has more buses out west.
There are others too. Ebay can be ok. Craigslist has some bargains occasionally too but is flooded with high priced dealers etc.
See if you can talk to the local bus yard and they may be able to give you some ideas and maybe they can help you later on with repairs etc.
Just start eating sleeping and breathing bus for a bit and hound all the local sources. Patience will net a really ideal bus.

[themoreweexplore]

I've got time. I'll hold out for the right one.

[nat_ster]

Any time you involve a computer for the engine, your now at the mercy of the dealerships to fix the bus for you.

If you don't mind paying $125 a hour +, then buy a DT466E.

If you want to save money, and do all repairs your self stay with a 96 and older DT466.

I'm all for the mechanical engines. I would only take a computer model if you gave it to me, and I would sell it as fast as I could. To me the computer is just not necessary.

Nat

[themoreweexplore]

do busses use OBD2?

[cowlitzcoach]

Can you explain what OBD2 is?

I have been in the bus business a long time and I don't think I have ever heard of that term before. Or if I have it was known as something else.

[Dragonpop]

OBD2 Stands for On Board Diagnostic version 2, It's the standard interface for
automotive applications. Has a special plug to attach to a reader for reading
computer stored data and accessing trouble codes stored in the computer on
automobiles. I have seen on an occasional medium duty truck but not on a bus.
Of course I've not looked at any buses newer than 1998 so can't verify beyond
that but the medium duty vehicles require different software than light duty for
computer access.

[cowlitzcoach]

All of the E buses I have ever seen have had a data port to hook a diagnostic computer up to the onboard computer.

As to which size port it is it sort of depends upon who built the bus.

I know all of the motorcoaches have proprietary systems so what works on an MCI won't work on a Van Hoole.

For instance, if you hook a Detroit or Allison diagnostics up to the data ports on a Van Hoole all you get is gibberish because Van Hoole has added extra lines of code so that standard Detroit or Allison software can't communicate with the Van Hoole hardware.

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

All of the E buses I have ever seen have had a data port to hook a diagnostic computer up to the onboard computer.

As to which size port it is it sort of depends upon who built the bus.

The port standards are either J1587 / J1708 or J1939. And, as an example, here's the 1708 port in the engine bay of Captain Obvious-

[Alan N]

Originally Posted by themoreweexplore

I've got time. I'll hold out for the right one.

Before you decide what the right bus for you is drive as many different buses as you can.
You may change your opinion.

[themoreweexplore]

That's a great idea, but what's the best way to test drive a variety of busses? I've never driven one, and enterprise doesn't rent them. ;)

[EastCoastCB]

I've only driven the buses I've owned.

[cowlitzcoach]

You will find very few dealers will allow people to test drive their inventory.

Private owners may let you drive. I know I never let anyone drive any buses I owned that I was trying to sell.

I seriously doubt any school would let you test drive a bus.

Most of it has to do with insurance and liability.