Feeling like Elmer Fudd

[Defjr333]

Not hunting wabiits here, but I think Elmer Fudd has better luck at "hunting" than I. Been nearly daily searching for "that" bus with little luck. So, I am calling in the BIG GUNS....YOU GUYS
The pictures are from the closest I could find. It did not have a diesel engine tho and is only 10 pass. I prefer a diesel engine and 14 to 24 pass. I am however considering a "true" Shortie Schoolie if I cannot find a Shuttle as described. And I dont know if I can squeeze all my wants/ needs into this one.
So, any of you feeling obliged to help look.....
Any of you with Pros/ Cons to this style feel free to reply as well. Until the bus is bought, I could always adapt. If given reason to.
Thanks Again everyone.
Doug

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

I don't have pics and haven't been that direction since last week.
But a church close to me has a ford shuttle for sale that is at least one window longer.
I have visited the church but don't know them and can say that they are selling it to purchase something bigger because there after school program and day care is very much needed and has/is overtaking there expectations.
If you are interested I will get pics and contact info when I can. But it might be next weekend at the earliest?

[Defjr333]

I have found a few that check "most boxes", but none that check them all. I have seen and even test drove a few that were right size, or engine, but none that had the passenger front door(which is high on list). If I can not find "the one" then I may be considering looking at true shorty schoolies. Following are my wants in order of most important to least:
-Mechanically sound(dont mind some repairs, but not gonna replace eng/trans soon as i get it)
-Diesel engine
-Minimal rust
-Shuttle type body(prefer Turtle Top, or ElDorado)
-12-20 passenger cap(dont need much room, me and a dog)
-Both driver AND passenger doors as well as the bifold side door for coach.
-HD alternator (185amp+) with high rev actuator
-Cruise Control

The one pictured has everything BUT is a couple feet shorter than I wanted, and is GAS! I may have still bought it if not for the gas.

I LOVE the look of the Turtle Top above any other out there. They just seem harder to come by and more $$$

JOLLY, If you are going by, I wouldnt mind a pic to see. But not worth a special trip.....UNLESS of course, it checks all those magic boxes above.Thnx
Doug

[M1031A1]

Did somebody say, "Wabbits????"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxiv3CBMS4M

[Defjr333]

The Wabbit is kickin my....
Doug

[Gypsy Josh]

Do you have a budget?

[jmccoola]

I am on a similar quest to you with fairly similar priorities! I have also been having difficulty finding what I am looking for- it definitely seems like the things I've been finding are almost exactly what I'm looking for and then they reveal some big caveat (length, engine type, rust spot, etc...)

Do you mind if I ask why you are looking at shuttle body types rather than short school bus ones? I have been looking at both and am still trying to understand the functional and practical differences between the two.

[Robin97396]

The question of shuttle buses versus school buses comes up every two of three months. It's mostly a matter of preference and how you plan to use the vehicle. School buses are make for a little rougher ground so knowing on what type of terrain you plan to be driving in will help you decide which type would suite you best.
Yeah, I know. That doesn't help. It's more complicated than that.

[Gypsy Josh]

Heres what we considered in that debate;

We REALLY wanted the 7.3L powerstroke so that narrowed it down. Although you will see some one-off cases, if you look at what everyone is saying, you will find a diesel shuttle is going to get better MPG than most any school bus of similar size. We also really wanted a co-pilot seat which came factory equipped on our shuttle and is rare on a school.

Also, don’t allow yourself to get caught in the weeds on little things. Is that small rust spot on the rear fender REALLY that tbig of deal? People have driven the wheels off old rusty vehicles since Henry Ford rolled out Ford #1. Use the rust as negotiation power and use the money to get yourself a nice navigation system. .. or whatever.

If this is your last vehicle, maybe consider buying new so you can outfit the way you want but if you’re like me, close enough is fine because I’m probably going to buy another bus or two before I’m done.

I bet life will be better in your close enough bus than from behind your computer waiting for the perfect fit.

Just my 2 pennies.

[BowserJournal]

Pros:
It seems to have a nice paint job already
It dosen't have skoolie windows
Should be easier to park and be steathly with

Cons
Its a gas engine

[Gypsy Josh]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1436859759744565



I had his guy down to $4300 sight unseen. Pretty close to what you’re after.

[dbhost]

Originally Posted by Defjr333

I have found a few that check "most boxes", but none that check them all. I have seen and even test drove a few that were right size, or engine, but none that had the passenger front door(which is high on list). If I can not find "the one" then I may be considering looking at true shorty schoolies. Following are my wants in order of most important to least:
-Mechanically sound(dont mind some repairs, but not gonna replace eng/trans soon as i get it)
-Diesel engine
-Minimal rust
-Shuttle type body(prefer Turtle Top, or ElDorado)
-12-20 passenger cap(dont need much room, me and a dog)
-Both driver AND passenger doors as well as the bifold side door for coach.
-HD alternator (185amp+) with high rev actuator
-Cruise Control

The one pictured has everything BUT is a couple feet shorter than I wanted, and is GAS! I may have still bought it if not for the gas.

I LOVE the look of the Turtle Top above any other out there. They just seem harder to come by and more $$$

JOLLY, If you are going by, I wouldnt mind a pic to see. But not worth a special trip.....UNLESS of course, it checks all those magic boxes above.Thnx
Doug

When you find one of those, tell the Unicorn I said hi!