I'm looking for something to live in pretty much full time. I could do 4 windows but I'd prefer a 5-6 window bus (be that a skoolie or a transit bus) and I would be traveling fairly often (hopefully lol) mostly on highways. I think I def want diesel because of the longevity(but am open to why gas could be good too), but because I'm not mechanically inclined, that's why I am having such a difficult time....Im seeing ALOT of transit/van chassis stuff as a 6.0L diesel which is making it hard since most people thats something to avoid at all costs...Curious to hear what engines I should be looking for and why?
For diesel engines in a van chassis bus it would have to be the Ford 7.3L Powerstroke. There is the GM 6.2L and 6.5L, but not so reliable or efficient. As stated avoid the 6.0L at all costs.
For gas engines you can't go wrong with a GM 6.0L gas engine. The Ford 6.8L V10 engines are very reliable also.
Yeah I keep hearing that the 7.3L PS is incredible haha. I had seen several 6.0 that I liked the bodies of but after everything y'all have said and the articles I've read I'll pass on them. Curious what you think of shuttle buses? Im currently waiting on a response from someone selling a 25 passenger 1992 Ford E-350 Diesel with just over 100k. Still waiting on some specs about the engine but here's the link to see pictures https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/...739884102.html
the 6.5 diesel bus looks a tad rough.. the 6.5 wasnt a bad engine... just doesnt have a lot of power..
the 1995 E350 chassis looks pretty decent.. the 7.3 is a good choice with still lots of parts support.
the paratransit bus with a nearly new 6.0 seems tempting, however anytime I see them report rust on a shuttle i get leery.. lots of people have had rust issues where the van roof meets the fiberglass bus body.. the 6.0 isnt likely going to break since it was replaced presumably with a reman unit that would have had the required updates (not true bulletproofing but later updates made these engines better)..
the 07 with a 5.4 will have less time to rust in the NE ohio salt-fest. you wont get great gas mileage but the 5.4 is tried and true... and many parts available for it.
picking units from ohgio, PA, and new york may end up in there being some rust.. the older the units the deeper the issues may be...
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