VIN question

[plfking]

Hey......trying to find some info before I start driving around looking at buses. I did a search here but didn't find anything on this.

1) Is there an online decoder that actually gives full info ? I've looked at 6 or 7, but have yet to see any transmission info listed.

2) Under 'Drive Line Type", does 'set back axle' mean a flat-front transit type body style ? And what does '4 X 2' mean ? (I assumed 4 wheels. 2 drive wheels, but of course there are duals on the rear axle).

Any help would be appreciated. My ideal would be a TC2000 9 or 8 window, with a 466 and 5 speed manual. Excited to be past the 'thinking' stage and at the 'actively searching' level.

[EastCoastCB]

WHy not an All-American?

[plfking]

Either/or. I haven't seen many AAs that short. Or MVPs, for that matter.

[milkmania]

My vin search didn't produce my transmission either...

4x2 refers to 2 wheel drive
4x4 refers to 4 wheel drive
Typically

[turf]

here is the only vin decoder i've seen - for bluebirds

Blue Bird Body Company VIN Equipment Codes

[plfking]

Yes, I've got that one.

Here's one for Thomas.

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Thom...er_Explanation

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by plfking

Either/or. I haven't seen many AAs that short. Or MVPs, for that matter.

THere are more TC's because they're lower cost.
Check out some AmTrans, too. Solid buses.

[plfking]

And this is the only one I found for International. But it has ALL International vehicles listed....you just have to sift through it for the bus info.

ftp://nhtsa.gov/MfrMail/01-022-N11B-7559.pdf

Really frustrates me that no one provides transmission info.....I don't know why they wouldn't, since they list the engine.

[plfking]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

THere are more TC's because they're lower cost.
Check out some AmTrans, too. Solid buses.

Thank you, sir, I've been looking at those as well. Can't find any online VIN info for them, though.

[BusFiend]

Originally Posted by plfking

And this is the only one I found for International. But it has ALL International vehicles listed....you just have to sift through it for the bus info.

ftp://nhtsa.gov/MfrMail/01-022-N11B-7559.pdf

Really frustrates me that no one provides transmission info.....I don't know why they wouldn't, since they list the engine.

This is bureaucracy at its best. The people who list the buses for sale/auction know nothing except that they are big and yellow. I just don't think they want to be bothered. If you call the contact numbers, you can usually have basic questions, like tranny model, answered by the maintenance garage.

[Dapplecreek]

Thanks for posting those links, folks!

Here's the one I found; not sure if it yields all of the info above, but it's fast and may be of use as a first step:

Gates VIN Decoder

[plfking]

Originally Posted by BusFiend

I just don't think they want to be bothered.

I think you're right. One guy I called said he didn't know, and when i asked if he could check the service records, he said "the service records don't specify the transmission model." Riiiiiight.......a couple of others did give it out, but acted like I was asking for their first-born male child.

That's when I thought the VIN decoder would help.....but......wrong again.

[BusFiend]

Originally Posted by plfking

I think you're right. One guy I called said he didn't know, and when i asked if he could check the service records, he said "the service records don't specify the transmission model." Riiiiiight.......a couple of others did give it out, but acted like I was asking for their first-born male child.

That's when I thought the VIN decoder would help.....but......wrong again.

Buying a bus is a difficult process when we can't easily inspect them in person before purchase. :-\

[plfking]

Thought I'd add another.......maybe this thread can help someone else in the future.

Freightliner VIN codes

http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/chassis/fliner_VIN.pdf

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by turf

here is the only vin decoder i've seen - for bluebirds

Blue Bird Body Company VIN Equipment Codes

This one has worked pretty well for me, even if it's intended to allow a parts company to cross-ref your vehicle and sell their parts.

Vin Decoder For Automotive Parts | Gates Corporation

[ChiliChzPoopTart]

Bluebird decoder says mine has a cat3208, actual is a t444e

[plfking]

A 'more complete" Blue Bird VIN code I found...

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Blue...er_Explanation

[ChiliChzPoopTart]

The gates decoder worked for mine

[miltruckman]

interesting, When I use the gates decoder on my Bluebird TC2000 model year 1998, built in 1997, it is wrong for the engine and the GVW. I imagine all the belts and hoses listed will be wrong too.

My bus is one of the last ones to have the 12 valve 5.9 Cummins engines. But it lists as the ISB engine.

Bill
Birch Run, MI

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by miltruckman

interesting, When I use the gates decoder on my Bluebird TC2000 model year 1998, built in 1997, it is wrong for the engine and the GVW. I imagine all the belts and hoses listed will be wrong too.

My bus is one of the last ones to have the 12 valve 5.9 Cummins engines. But it lists as the ISB engine.

Bill
Birch Run, MI

Sometimes this "year overlap" happens; it's common with cars. This way a manufacturer can stock dealerships with "next year's models" before the beginning of that year. It can happen with larger vehicles when complying with certain laws such as emissions.