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Old 10-21-2018, 01:46 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Thomas Bus

I promise I won't keep posting prospective buses, but this has my attention. I have requested info, but best I can tell it has Cummins 6.7 with either 2500 or 3000 Allison. Comments?

https://www.commercialtrucktrader.co...Bus-5004739234

Joe

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Old 10-29-2018, 05:09 PM   #2
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After a lot of research, I’m pretty serious about this bus. How do I go about determining the fair market value?

Joe
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Old 10-29-2018, 05:23 PM   #3
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OH is in the Salt Belt - I went to see a 2008 bus in IL that came from IN and it was rusted out underneath. All the suspension and steering knuckles were pitted and needed replacing. If you can (if they will) have them provide pictures of the underneath side of the sub-floor, springs, steering components, wheel wells, etc.
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Old 10-29-2018, 05:36 PM   #4
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I have undercarriage pics and they look great. What do you think might be a fair price?

Joe
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Old 10-30-2018, 05:19 PM   #5
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Here's the undercarriage. How does it look? Fair price?

Joe

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Old 10-30-2018, 07:26 PM   #6
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I am no expert on this but I do not like how the rear leaf spring eye is "opened" around the leaf hanger.
May be others have a better opinion about it.


Good luck J
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Old 10-31-2018, 02:38 AM   #7
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That isn't a bad looking little bus.

But as someone from the left coast the rust on the bottom side is starting to look like a lot of rust. All of the frame rails, the bottom of the fuel tank, and other parts and pieces are to the point that if it isn't all scrubbed down and repainted you are going to have significant issues fairly soon.

The problem with rust is it is a cancer. Unless you can cut it out and replace the rusted bits, no matter how well you treat it and cover it up, the cancer will come back.

That windshield looks great but can break the bank if it ever needs to be replaced.

I know the early models of the Thomas C2 had some real teething problems with the multiplexing of the electrical system. By 2010 most of the bugs were worked out. The problem for a convertor is cutting out or abandoning circuits can cause the remaining circuits to malfunction. Unless you really understand multiplexing I would not try to add or subtract anything to the chassis electrical system.

I don't see it but by 2010 most diesel powered vehicles were using DEF. I personally do NOT like any of the smogged diesels out there. In order to improve vehicle emissions diesel engines got smogged starting in 2007. Unless you are a black box expert I would not want to play with a bus that had been smogged.

I also didn't see what the asking price was. Since it is less than 10-years old with less than 100K miles I would bet the asking price is well over $10K.
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Old 10-31-2018, 04:32 AM   #8
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Thanks for the replies. The rust is certainly a concern. I have no sense of how serious it might be and if it might be halted with some effort. Asking price is $27k, which seems high, but I don’t much to compare it to.
Here’s a Texas shuttle on which I also got undercarriage pics. There’s barely a hint of rust.

https://www.centurytrucks.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=5890953&p=1&s =Year&d=D&vt=bus%20%2F%20shuttle&fr=xAllInventory# unit-details-gallery-heading
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Old 10-31-2018, 05:45 AM   #9
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Thanks for the replies. The rust is certainly a concern. I have no sense of how serious it might be and if it might be halted with some effort. Asking price is $27k, which seems high, but I don’t much to compare it to.
Here’s a Texas shuttle on which I also got undercarriage pics. There’s barely a hint of rust.

https://www.centurytrucks.com/defaul...allery-heading
Dude- run away. That's SO MUCH money man!

Here's a 2015 IC at auction. I bet it goes for less than 27 grand. https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...3&acctid=11216
FWIW I'd never buy a bus this new. 2004 was the last year of buses for me.
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Old 10-31-2018, 10:53 AM   #10
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Bus looks good. the eye on the leaf spring is supposed be like that. But ya man, that's a lot of money..
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Old 10-31-2018, 12:27 PM   #11
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Bus looks good. the eye on the leaf spring is supposed be like that. But ya man, that's a lot of money..
Thanks for the info. I don’t mind spending the money for the right vehicle. I’m going to spend a lot on the build and be full time in a few years.

Joe
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Old 10-31-2018, 12:39 PM   #12
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def too expensive for what that is.. that bus is new enough they are counting on a priovate school or church buying it and running it.. the riust undermneath is no major concern.. its surface and very typical of ohio... you could easily blast and repaint that or even blow off any loose and ospho / pain / undercoat and it will last.. i dont see any red flags there... if you are looking to convert a bus, this isnt one id choose.. it has a lot of niceities in it that many people take out.. like the coach seating, A/C, extra racks.. and the low miles(theres only a few of us that rack up tons of miles on our rigs year in and year out)..



if you want such things as Air-conditioning , cruise , tilt wheel, stereo, and the like. there are lots of busses sold in states like arizona , texas, and the like in really good shape with those features for a lot less money..



what are you looking to do with it? convert it? daily driver (car replacement), family traveller? church bus?
-Christopher
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Old 10-31-2018, 01:24 PM   #13
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what are you looking to do with it? convert it? daily driver (car replacement), family traveller? church bus?
-Christopher[/QUOTE]

Convert for full time living and travel throughout North America. I will at times have a 3K pound trailer with motorcycles. I don’t mind traveling to pick up the right vehicle.
Joe
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Old 10-31-2018, 02:38 PM   #14
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what are you looking to do with it? convert it? daily driver (car replacement), family traveller? church bus?
-Christopher
Convert for full time living and travel throughout North America. I will at times have a 3K pound trailer with motorcycles. I don’t mind traveling to pick up the right vehicle.
Joe[/QUOTE]

That 27 large will get you a REALLY nice bus. You will have your pick of the litter with that kind of money.
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Old 10-31-2018, 03:26 PM   #15
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That 27 large will get you a REALLY nice bus. You will have your pick of the litter with that kind of money.
OK Skoolie peeps, find me a bus. About 25’ overall, 15’ living space, awesome drivetrain, somewhere around $20k. Southern state, east of the Rockies.
Links, please!
Joe
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Old 10-31-2018, 03:27 PM   #16
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OK Skoolie peeps, find me a bus. About 25’ overall, 15’ living space, awesome drivetrain, somewhere around $20k. Southern state, east of the Rockies.
Links, please!
Joe
I just got a bus that matches that description. 64k miles, 3300 hours. I paid $1625 out the door. Bought it on Public Surplus.
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Old 11-02-2018, 03:30 PM   #17
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Any opinion on a 2005 Thomas with a Cat C7 and Allison 2000?

Joe
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Old 11-02-2018, 04:50 PM   #18
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Nice trans but a crappy engine. The C7 is often regarded as Cat's biggest mistake. Just Google Cat C7 engine problems. Not enough room here.
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Old 11-03-2018, 12:42 PM   #19
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20k short bus

That sounds like this to me....

buy bigger longer bus with big hoo daddy engine, dt466 cummins 8.3 find allison four speed with locking torque converter,

bring bus to competent hod rod shop, shorten chassis/bus body. if the big engine is not already in it, put it in, then swap in the transmission you want.

example, there is/ or was, a 60's international in california, dont remember which city on craigs list. about $6000. also in california is a motor home chassis with cummins 5.9 24v and allison 3060 for about $7000 so that would leave $7000 to install drive line into international chassis.

I think in Arizona I ran across a guy selling a motor home chassis with cummins 8.3 and six speed allison for about $7 to $8 thousand. 83,000 miles.

there out there but most of us dont want or have the time/money/rescources to deal with these swaps.

I would do these but I dont think I could find three buyers a year for shorter buses with hoop dee doo drivelines. I would be looking at about $20-$25 thou each bus.... if I am going to pay myself.

william
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Old 11-04-2018, 07:16 AM   #20
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How’s this? DT 466 E, unknown transmission.
https://www.usedschoolbusesonline.co...X_9137289.veh#
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