2002 Ford E450 (5window) 7.3 diesel dream bus

[Mobobaddon]

Salutations Skoolie Comrades,

I just picked up a 2002, 5 window, rear dually, 7.3 diesel turbo power stroke school bus.
It's been my dream to have this exact bus for a long time, and I actually sold my old 1990 4 window gmc gasoline school bus so that I can get this one.

The bus was $3500, I bought it from a Durham Dealer.
I spent $500 registering it as a regular automobile, and getting it smog exempt.
I also got insurance for $50 a month through AIS insurance (regular insurance companies told me to piss off due to six wheels.
Anyways, I'm super excited to have this bus, it's got 127,000 miles

thanks for the support

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by Mobobaddon

Salutations Skoolie Comrades,

I just picked up a 2002, 5 window, rear dually, 7.3 diesel turbo power stroke school bus.
It's been my dream to have this exact bus for a long time, and I actually sold my old 1990 4 window gmc gasoline school bus so that I can get this one.

The bus was $3500, I bought it from a Durham Dealer.
I spent $500 registering it as a regular automobile, and getting it smog exempt.
I also got insurance for $50 a month through AIS insurance (regular insurance companies told me to piss off due to six wheels.
Anyways, I'm super excited to have this bus, it's got 127,000 miles

thanks for the support

I don't know if you can get 'Artisan' insurance there or not - it's what I've been getting on all of my vehicles for many years, cars, pickups, cube van, now a big Suburban, etc - it allows me to use it privately as you would normally use a family vehicle - l'm not restricted for mileage, I can carry tools and supplies for my own jobs, and in a Province with ridiculously high insurance rates, it's the cheapest available, cheaper and more useful even than pensioner's insurance - when the time comes, I'll put it on my bus as well - l have comprehensive, liability, insured for accidents with uninsured drivers - it covers me if l hit a deer or other wildlife, covers broken glass etc, for about $75 per month, depending somewhat on what vehicle it's for - if I just had liability it would be somewhere around $50 per month

[Native]

I am happy for you! How long did it take for you to find your dream bus?

[HazMatt]

Cute little rig. What's it look like from the shotgun side?
Popular wisdom advises us to, "dream big."
Kudos on fulfilling your small dream! (Well, short, anyhoo...)

[Mobobaddon]

It took me over 1 year to find this exact 7.3
they are incredibly rare, and people are charging A lot of money for them!

My recommendation for people looking for a bus with the same engine; check the auctions during this summer!

[Smok3y]

Hey, I just bought the same type of bus and was curious what you did with yours. Not sure if we have twins or if I have the one you owned.

[Mobobaddon]

I’ve been living in it for two years

[Smok3y]

Awesome! Twins it is, mine came green, though. Love how you built yours out, mine will be mainly a road trip rig, but its also my commuter, felt really fortunate to find it. Thanks for sharing pictures!

[Mobobaddon]

Sweet

Make sure you change the fuel filter,
Run diesel additives
& the best oil is Schaffers 15-40

[Oldyeller]

Originally Posted by Smok3y

Awesome! Twins it is, mine came green, though. Love how you built yours out, mine will be mainly a road trip rig, but its also my commuter, felt really fortunate to find it. Thanks for sharing pictures!

Green is a great color. Even better when it keeps you from having to paint a freaking school bus.

[Smok3y]

Its really growing on me! Just figuring out what layout will work best for me.
Thanks for the pointers on what will keep it running happy—what diesel additive do you use? Im not very familiar with that.