Shorty Feedback and Help Needed!

[thomasventurino]

I'm looking to buy a shorty or midsize bus to convert to an RV and haul my ~5500lb trailer. I want a diesel motor with the dually rear wheels and a rear end ratio that's OK driving at 65mph (with trailer). I came across a 2001 diesel chevy with 120k miles on it but I don't know much more (nor does the owner). Can you extract rear end ratios, transmission information, or anything else that's relavent from the VIN: 1GBHG31F31188435. Model 344-NY-12-02WC-EMC. Serial GO-41700. My google searching wasn't very fruitful. Asking price is $3500. Any advice is appreciated.

[cowlitzcoach]

If I could decipher the VIN I might be able to help.

But I don't have the magic decoder ring to do that.

If you are talking about a Type 'A' bus on a van cut-away chassis the engine is most likely a 6.5L turbo V-8 diesel engine with the 4L80E transmission.

It should be able to tow a 5,500 lbs. trailer and be able to maintain 65 MPH on the flat. But at 5,500 lbs. you are going to need an electric brake controller to operate electric trailer brakes on the trailer.

[BlueHeart]

As posted in your duplicate thread, the VIN is missing a digit. It needs to have 17. Here's a link to a site I use to find out information on potential purchases. VIN decoder is the best online tool to check vin number | VinDecoderz.com