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Old 08-13-2018, 10:08 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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I may have found the one

After months of searching, I have found a bus that I am seriously interested in checking out.


It's got an allison 2000, cummins 5.9l ISB 210, 25 ft long 2003 bluebird. It's got about 160k miles on it, and they are asking 3400.

I'm looking to make a full time living bus, that can handle the mountains on a regular basis. Does this seem like a good deal, thoughts on the smaller engine (as far as 5.9L goes)

Also it would probably be about 300-500 in a flight to go check it out, depending on if I bought the bus or not

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Old 08-13-2018, 10:15 PM   #2
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Are you talking the Rocky Mountains? I just wouldn't expect it to be a speed demon in the mountains. The trans is lockable so much better than a 545 would be. Go look at it, if it's what you like I would offer them $2500 and see where they go.
The guy who towed my Dakota the other day has a 5.9 in the tow truck. Says he just turned over 1m miles in it and swears by that motor, has the 290hp version.
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Old 08-14-2018, 09:40 AM   #3
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That is getting close to Unicorn status in my book. Definitely check it out.
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:07 AM   #4
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definitely worth checking out, is 2003 past the "53 block", death-dowel-pin, crappy tappett cover era of the 5.9??


nice trans and just take it easy in the mountains with any bus.. its a road-trip not a road-rally..
-Christopher
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Old 08-14-2018, 12:25 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jibbs View Post
After months of searching, I have found a bus that I am seriously interested in checking out.


It's got an allison 2000, cummins 5.9l ISB 210, 25 ft long 2003 bluebird. It's got about 160k miles on it, and they are asking 3400.

I'm looking to make a full time living bus, that can handle the mountains on a regular basis. Does this seem like a good deal, thoughts on the smaller engine (as far as 5.9L goes)

Also it would probably be about 300-500 in a flight to go check it out, depending on if I bought the bus or not
Doesn't seam like a bad price. The 5.9 is about bullet proof and its really easy to find a mechanic capable of working on it. Good luck!
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Old 08-14-2018, 12:38 PM   #6
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The KDP issues are limited to 12v engines found in 1989 to 1998 model years and the infamous "53" blocks were only made from'99 to '01.
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Old 08-14-2018, 01:14 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
definitely worth checking out, is 2003 past the "53 block", death-dowel-pin, crappy tappett cover era of the 5.9??


nice trans and just take it easy in the mountains with any bus.. its a road-trip not a road-rally..
-Christopher
AIUI, the dreaded "53" block was manufactured in Brazil for the 2000 model year only.
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Old 08-14-2018, 07:23 PM   #8
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Negative...the "53" block was made from'99 to '01 according to Cummins.
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Old 08-14-2018, 07:37 PM   #9
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Negative...the "53" block was made from'99 to '01 according to Cummins.
Weren't the 2000 model year buses built in 99? Left overs may have been used up in 01. I contacted Cummins and was told by them it was only the 2000 year.
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Old 08-16-2018, 11:48 AM   #10
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Alas, the bus was sold. They had some more that are also currently being checked out to purchase. Finding a bus, working around conflicting work schedules with my mechanic to go check it out, and timing it perfectly so that the bus hasn't sold is proving to be quite the challenge.
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Old 08-16-2018, 01:34 PM   #11
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If you have patience and somewhere to keep buses you could just do what I do.
I buy em cheap at auction and if I'm not in love then I sell em. I'm on bus #5, but they keep getting better every time I buy one.
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Old 08-16-2018, 01:39 PM   #12
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If you have patience and somewhere to keep buses you could just do what I do.
I buy em cheap at auction and if I'm not in love then I sell em. I'm on bus #5, but they keep getting better every time I buy one.



I have patience, just a somewhat limited time schedule. Looking to be road worthy and ready to live out of by May 2019. Also getting antsy not having a project to work on
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Old 08-16-2018, 01:42 PM   #13
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Where you located?
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Old 08-16-2018, 01:44 PM   #14
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Where you located?

I'm near Tampa, FL. About 25 minutes away!
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Old 08-16-2018, 01:53 PM   #15
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Well if you're ever over here near apopka and want to check out my 2 shorties you can drive em around a bit and get a feel for what you want. Always look forward to meeting new people and talking buses.
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Old 08-16-2018, 02:06 PM   #16
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Hey do we all get a turn to drive your new bus?
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Old 08-16-2018, 02:06 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Well if you're ever over here near apopka and want to check out my 2 shorties you can drive em around a bit and get a feel for what you want. Always look forward to meeting new people and talking buses.

Thanks for the invite, that's not too bad of a drive at all, would love to link up sometime!

What kind of shorties are they?
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Old 08-16-2018, 03:01 PM   #18
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Hey do we all get a turn to drive your new bus?
sure, man!
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Old 08-16-2018, 03:03 PM   #19
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Thanks for the invite, that's not too bad of a drive at all, would love to link up sometime!

What kind of shorties are they?
04 IC CE300 6 window. 2003 pre-egr engine, allison 2000, and the engine is a DT466E.

and the other is a 1999 Thomas 5 window with 64k miles. Its got a Cat 3126 and allison 545.

Both run and you can drive em around the property and maybe even up the road and back.
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Old 08-16-2018, 08:00 PM   #20
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what, no picture of the Nuke bus?
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