ISO mid size diesel

[neat0727]

Hello!
I am planning to start converting a bus in May, and would like to find one by the end of this month. I’m looking for a short/mid size dog nose school bus (‘99 or earlier), preferably 8 windows but anywhere from 6-10 is good. Want a DT engine, under 200k miles, and under $4K. I’m willing to travel anywhere in Florida, I am mostly in the Fort Myers and Orlando area, but out of state is okay if shipping is available. Picture is a doodle of proposed dream bus. If anyone has advice on places to look please share! I’ve been checking govdeals, publicsurplus, eBay, purplewave, Facebook marketplace & more everyday.

[neat0727]

I found a really nice clean 99 international 3800 with Thomas body and a dt466e engine auto trans. It has about 153k miles and very little rust it seems. I’m really interested but the man is asking 6500 and said he paid more than 3.5k for it 😬😬

[o1marc]

He paid what it's worth.

[neat0727]

I think the same but I’m having a hard time finding one like it so close to me and in good condition

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by neat0727

I think the same but I’m having a hard time finding one like it so close to me and in good condition

If I waited for what I want close to me , good condition and cheap, I would probably never own a bus. I think it is one of the most important parts of this journey, the initial purchase. I went 2500 miles for mine and even after gas I still have less in it than anything comparable I've seen since.
Join the community and go to the UserCP in the upper left and fill out your profile so we know a bit about you and where you are so we can assist finding a bus for you.

[neat0727]

Found another 99' international 3800 w/ the dt466e, not sure how many miles but its going for 5k. I'm gonna go see it this weekend.

[Ab01ns]

Originally Posted by neat0727

Found another 99' international 3800 w/ the dt466e, not sure how many miles but its going for 5k. I'm gonna go see it this weekend.

That is the better bus. It's a high roof model. I'm 6' even and I can stand with easily 6" of headroom in my high roof Thomas. This really do want a high roof with a Thomas as the sides by the windows taper in making a roof raise harder

[neat0727]

Someone told me the at545 one the last bus has is a bad combo with the engine, I found this 9 window (!!!) dt466e and called about the trans and was told its allison auto 2300 series, although it looks rustier than the others its smaller like I prefer, its 4k

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by neat0727

Someone told me the at545 one the last bus has is a bad combo with the engine, I found this 9 window (!!!) dt466e and called about the trans and was told its allison auto 2300 series, although it looks rustier than the others its smaller like I prefer, its 4k

The DT466e and Allison 2000 is a very desirable drive train.

I would be very cautious considering the rust. Careful that you understand the scope of the project.

[neat0727]

So the one I last posted had some strange engine noise so the seller was very honest and told me he didn’t wanna sell it to me and showed me the difference in sound between that one and another identical one. I bought the identical one, it’s being shipped to my family home as I move out of my apartment this week. So excited to start gutting next week.

[neat0727]

Any tips in the process and types of insulation for gutting and rebuilding? Or types of tools that helped? I also won’t be needing the wheelchair lift; how can I get that out / anywhere to drop it off that someone would be interested in it?

[Rovobay]

Step one. fill out your bio so we know where you are, and what bus you have. include engine, trans and as much info as possible, it'll help us answer questions that might come up.

looks like the roof is attached with screws. impact driver and patience. there are hundreds of screws. I sold my wheelchair ramp. take pics and video of it in operation before you remove it. there was just a few bolts that held it in. I think I got $300 for it. keep it in and use it to remove the seats. My kids loved going up and down in that thing. I advise against it but I safely removed my wheelchair ramp alone using a loading ramp and slid it down. (things could have gone horribly wrong... HEAVY!)

Spray foam or rigid foam are options for insulation. I did rigid (you can see pics in my build thread LINK in signature). how much insulation depends on weather conditions you plan on seeing.

[WARGEAR]

Originally Posted by neat0727

Any tips in the process and types of insulation for gutting and rebuilding? Or types of tools that helped? I also won’t be needing the wheelchair lift; how can I get that out / anywhere to drop it off that someone would be interested in it?

Insulation:
Rigid insulation for flat surfaces works well. Spray foam for the hard to reach nooks and crannies. Curved surfaces can be spray foamed if you can afford it. Otherwise seal that roof really well and just use batts of insulation for the ceiling some buses come insulated but it’s trash.

Tools:
Electric tools are easiest because you can use extension cords if you have a power source and charge batteries. Buy one of those kits that brings like 4-5 tools. Rigid, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee are all decent brands. You’ll get what you pay for mostly. Grinders, drills, wrecking/crowbars, drill bit set, cutting/grinding discs, flap wheels, hammers (ball peen/carpenter doesn’t really matter), and a socket set to remove nuts and bolts you might come across and have to reuse or can’t hit with the grinder.

PPE:
Respirator/facemasks to protect your lungs! SAFETY GOGGLES! There will be sparks, debris and sh&t flying when you get to work. EAR PROTECTION!! Unless you want to be deaf one day. GLOVES! Protect your hands and fingers.

That’s more or less what I used at first. You’ll have to buy onsey twosies later in the project. Good luck! Have fun!

[Bammbamm6969]

Good afternoon my name is Jay ,I have a very cool short bus with a 6.2 desiel I have replaced everything mechanical it's perfect drive any where it's a short bus I have gutted it and putting nice new floor outside ugly I mean ugly I planned to use light grey bed liner on the outside with black high lights chrome wheel s all tires really good one is worn all brakes brake parts new bigger new radiator and oil cooler this baby is ready to roll new turbo mufflers too have lots of parts stuff all ready bought and new for it my plan was to lift it I'm not having alot of luck so I'm thinking of asking it I would take 3.5 k without everything I have for it or 4.5 I got enough to get you living and rocking big inverters three Batts big screen surround sound bed killer cooler lots of materials and everything to do all electric I have the floor plan I planned but everyone wants different but if interested contact me my bus is drivable anywhere

[Bammbamm6969]

Wanted to send pics but don't know how

[Bammbamm6969]

I bought polypro board insulation and pressure treated boards I'm not sure that's the right name for the floor boards there not plywood there the ones that are parts glued treated 4x8 sheets