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07-20-2015, 12:12 AM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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looking for a 5-6 window
Hi Skoolie folks! My wife and I are getting ready to take the plunge into the Skoolie world. Been looking at a lot of International 5-6 Window shorties with the te444. From what I've seen and read it seems to be a good reliable option. Does anyone think otherwise? Does anyone have any buses for sale or know where to find a good reliable one? Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated.
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07-20-2015, 12:41 AM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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I had to go 1600 miles for mine. They are not as common as a 35-40 foot bus.
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07-20-2015, 12:43 AM
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#3
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 89
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Rated Cap: 78 passenger
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Well, there is this one, but it's in NY. One, that's quite a hike for a first road trip, two, it may be destroyed underneath, though it's only showing 62k miles...
Public Surplus: Auction #1407253
Same site has em all over, AZ, TX, UT, etc. All those Texas buses are running 444's, so you might find something you can't live without there...
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07-20-2015, 12:46 AM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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Size-wise, that's ideal, but I can hold out for a better option... the main thing I Want To Know Is The Reliability Of The 444E....
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07-20-2015, 12:55 AM
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#5
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 89
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Rated Cap: 78 passenger
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There's at least one person here who will tell you the 466 is the superior engine and usually has better accessories, driveline, etc.
I can tell you that a flatbed wrecker with a 466 and a 6-spd manual will boogie, but that's all I know personally...
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07-20-2015, 12:57 AM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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How common is a shorter chassis mated with a 466? Sounds like that might be a better option?
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07-20-2015, 12:59 AM
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#7
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 89
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Rated Cap: 78 passenger
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I have no idea. I'm not trying to steer you one way or the other. I only have that limited experience and have seen the other person's posts.
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07-20-2015, 01:03 AM
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#8
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 89
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Rated Cap: 78 passenger
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I think we'll all agree that for a short bus, the full-size chassis is still leaps and bounds past the van bodies as far as construction, durability, etc.
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07-20-2015, 01:03 AM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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That's what I love about this site. Getting to be able to pick everyone's brains without judgement. Thank you! I love seeing everyone's projects and ideas. It is soooo helpful to see what works and what doesn't.
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07-20-2015, 01:05 AM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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Exactly! That's why we want to go that route as opposed to the vans.
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07-20-2015, 01:06 AM
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#11
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 89
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Rated Cap: 78 passenger
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Right on. You're welcome!
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07-20-2015, 01:12 AM
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#12
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 89
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Rated Cap: 78 passenger
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Here's a thread. Doesn't address the exact model you're looking at, but the general discussion is, "What works?".
Enjoy, I'm off to bed.
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f33/pi...ble-11097.html
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07-20-2015, 01:43 AM
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#13
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Mine has a DT408.
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07-20-2015, 02:08 AM
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#14
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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All the DT engines are great.
The 444E is just the computerized version of the DT360.
The DT466 is in no way better, it is simply the bigger brother in the engine line up.
The bus your searching for will be a great choice. You will be glad you chose a short full size over a van style bus.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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07-20-2015, 02:26 AM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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No, the DT360 is an inline six, the 444 is the "bus" version of a 7.3 and is thus a v8.
DT466 IS better. the DT408 is under appreciated but is a fine engine too.
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07-26-2015, 01:43 AM
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#16
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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You guys are mixing me up now.
Anything V8 and diesel is a pile of $hit.
DT360 is just a DT466 with less displacement.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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