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Old 04-11-2017, 02:57 PM   #1
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Need advice for which shortie to purchase

Hi we are new to the Skoolie thing. We have been looking at RVs for over a year. Everything from converting a sprinter to new Class A/B/Cs. The idea of building our own skoolie really intrigues me. We would like a diesel that would get the best mileage as possible. I was wondering if anyone can offer advice on

-Which type of shortie to purchase

-Where to buy one (a place in FL would be nice)

Thanks in advance for any information you can offer

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Old 04-11-2017, 04:12 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by cbowser View Post
Hi we are new to the Skoolie thing. We have been looking at RVs for over a year. Everything from converting a sprinter to new Class A/B/Cs. The idea of building our own skoolie really intrigues me. We would like a diesel that would get the best mileage as possible. I was wondering if anyone can offer advice on

-Which type of shortie to purchase

-Where to buy one (a place in FL would be nice)

Thanks in advance for any information you can offer
Get one outside of FL for about a quarter or a third the price of a clapped out, crappy FL bus.
My shorty was $1760 in Aurora Colorado. Public Surplus auction. Has brand new tires and was road ready with all the bells and whistles.
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Old 04-13-2017, 05:29 AM   #3
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I found mine on
https://www.govdeals.com/


https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...d=Bus&country=
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
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Old 04-13-2017, 09:37 AM   #4
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I haven't been seeing very many shorties around lately, and the NW is a bit of a drive from FL.
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Old 04-13-2017, 09:42 AM   #5
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https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...timingWithin=1

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Old 04-13-2017, 10:57 AM   #6
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Wow! That biodiesel sign in the window seems to be making lots of people bid. 50 bids so far with a current bid of $5,000.
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Old 12-09-2017, 07:29 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Get one outside of FL for about a quarter or a third the price of a clapped out, crappy FL bus.
My shorty was $1760 in Aurora Colorado. Public Surplus auction. Has brand new tires and was road ready with all the bells and whistles.

You Did!?!
are you saying this surplus place in CO is legit?
(my partner and i are in need of exactly that kind of deal! & are ready to get out of MN to find our bus)
<3
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Old 12-09-2017, 07:44 PM   #8
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Does anybody have any ideas about what to Avoid when searching for a shortie?
thanks!
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Old 12-09-2017, 07:47 PM   #9
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Does anybody have any ideas about what to Avoid when searching for a shortie?
thanks!
I'd avoid the 40-footers

V365 engines. AT545 transmission (although most have that gearbox). Anything too new.
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:38 PM   #10
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Look for a shorty with a 444E, DT466, or Cummins in it. Pre-2005 for no emmissions garbage. And an Allison 2000 series transmission.
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:40 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by infiniti View Post
You Did!?!
are you saying this surplus place in CO is legit?
(my partner and i are in need of exactly that kind of deal! & are ready to get out of MN to find our bus)
<3
Not just in Colorado. I recently got a 466 shorty in great, rust free shape from Texas. It cost more than 4k after taxes and fees, but at a dealer would be ten grand or more.
Public Surplus and GovDeals. Look on those sites and stay patient and vigilant.

My latest bus-


215hp DT466, Allison 2000, and AC!
NO RUST, NO DENTS, NO DINGS!
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Old 12-09-2017, 09:35 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Not just in Colorado. I recently got a 466 shorty in great, rust free shape from Texas. It cost more than 4k after taxes and fees, but at a dealer would be ten grand or more.
Public Surplus and GovDeals. Look on those sites and stay patient and vigilant.

It can take a while, and this isn't the best time of year but he is right.

It took me a few months and while the waiting was a bit frustrating I am pleased now.

In about three months of scouring every auction site, every day, I placed only two bids. Lost one, but they are buses and another one comes along in a minute. Won the second one.
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Old 12-10-2017, 12:04 AM   #13
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I have a 28' 7 window skoolie.dont know if it qualifies as a shortie or not but it gets just a hare over 10 mpg with a international dt360 and a spicer 5 speed manual transmission. I would say to look for any bus that is in good condition and fits your needs.i would stay with a dt360/466 , 5.9 cummins or t444e.all very common and tried and true,though there are others.
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