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04-11-2017, 02:57 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Ridge Manor, FL
Posts: 311
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: Ford B600
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 20 person
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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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04-11-2017, 04:12 PM
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#2
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbowser
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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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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04-13-2017, 05:29 AM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 455
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04-13-2017, 09:37 AM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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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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Robin
Nobody's Business
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04-13-2017, 09:42 AM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 455
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04-13-2017, 10:57 AM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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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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Robin
Nobody's Business
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12-09-2017, 07:29 PM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: everywhere (often minneapolis mn)
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
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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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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12-09-2017, 07:44 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: everywhere (often minneapolis mn)
Posts: 4
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Does anybody have any ideas about what to Avoid when searching for a shortie?
thanks!
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12-09-2017, 07:47 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infiniti
Does anybody have any ideas about what to Avoid when searching for a shortie?
thanks!
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I'd avoid the 40-footers
V365 engines. AT545 transmission (although most have that gearbox). Anything too new.
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12-09-2017, 08:38 PM
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#10
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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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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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12-09-2017, 08:40 PM
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#11
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by infiniti
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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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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12-09-2017, 09:35 PM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
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.
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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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12-10-2017, 12:04 AM
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#13
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Foot of the siskiyou mountains Oregon.
Posts: 222
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas / international
Chassis: International
Engine: Dt 360/ spicer 5 speed
Rated Cap: 42
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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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