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06-01-2019, 11:55 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 2
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: CAT 3126B with an AT 545 trans
Rated Cap: 65
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Getting Started
I just recently bought a 2002 Thomas Built Freightliner 65 passenger bus and have done a good portion of stripping out the interior. I am looking to do a roof raise since there is only about 6 feet of clearance from floor to ceiling (before insulating the floor) and I am also going to be taking out the engine to do an unnecessary tear down/rebuild. I'm doing a tear down/rebuild of the CAT 3126B since I have to do one for class anyway as a student in a diesel technology program so I may as well do my own engine. It also gives me an excuse to keep the bus on school property rather than having to find a home for it for the time being.
I look forward to bouncing ideas off this community and eventually being someone who can offer advice.
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06-01-2019, 12:24 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Way to go leveraging your school needs to assist with your skoolie build.
Regarding the roof raise, the Thomas's have a slight inward tilt on the upper wall that makes the roof raise a bit more challenging than on some other buses. Several people here have done it successfully. I would suggest that you search and read what others have done with their Thomas to deal with the 'slant'.
Good luck with your conversion.
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06-01-2019, 01:01 PM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Excellent that you've a parking spot that's covered by tuition. That's using your smarts! [emoji106]
Sometime in between classes, labs, and keggers, fill in the bus' details in your profile. Makes it easier for folx to lend a hand to any questions that may arise for you, w/o having to ask.
F'instance: what tranny's in it? If a 545, might be a good chance to swap it out while the engine's out...
Welcome to the jungle!
(We got fun n games) [emoji111]
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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06-01-2019, 03:42 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Locybin
I just recently bought a 2002 Thomas Built Freightliner 65 passenger bus and have done a good portion of stripping out the interior. I am looking to do a roof raise since there is only about 6 feet of clearance from floor to ceiling (before insulating the floor) and I am also going to be taking out the engine to do an unnecessary tear down/rebuild. I'm doing a tear down/rebuild of the CAT 3126B since I have to do one for class anyway as a student in a diesel technology program so I may as well do my own engine. It also gives me an excuse to keep the bus on school property rather than having to find a home for it for the time being.
I look forward to bouncing ideas off this community and eventually being someone who can offer advice.
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good for you - I was just thinking as l read another post, that one thing a skoolie owner needs to be is self reliant and resourceful - you are already showing that you have those attributes - stick with it and you're going to do great - it's the ones that need advice about where their left hand is at the moment that are in for a difficult time with their skoolie
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06-02-2019, 01:12 AM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,856
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960
F'instance: what tranny's in it?
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Most liely, an Allison AT2000.
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06-02-2019, 05:45 AM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Who knows? Could be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Native
Most liely, an Allison AT2000.
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Just a f'instance on a well filled out profile! [emoji6]
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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06-02-2019, 12:13 PM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 2
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: CAT 3126B with an AT 545 trans
Rated Cap: 65
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It is an AT 545. I'd like to do a swap but not sure where to look to get one that isn't going to break the bank. Is there a particular type that you would recommend?
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06-02-2019, 12:25 PM
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#8
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Locybin
It is an AT 545. I'd like to do a swap but not sure where to look to get one that isn't going to break the bank. Is there a particular type that you would recommend?
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Allison MD3060, find one with 6th gear unlocked. 
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06-02-2019, 07:11 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Athens, TN
Posts: 1,574
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International RE
Engine: International T444e
Rated Cap: 76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
Allison MD3060, find one with 6th gear unlocked. |
I've thought about this, but how is this even done? I asked the International dealer I've been buying parts from if they swap engines / transmissions and they gave me a funny look...
I have a T444e/545 combo in an International RE and have been wondering if its worth it/not worth it, what is even required, who can do it, how much does it cost, am I good for mountain trips as it is, etc.
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06-02-2019, 07:44 PM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Brotha, are you ever in the right place!
BTW, you'd best get used to the funny looks. School bus transmogrification doesn't sit easily in many's world view...
Quote:
Originally Posted by kazetsukai
I've thought about this, but how is this even done? I asked the International dealer I've been buying parts from if they swap engines / transmissions and they gave me a funny look...
I have a T444e/545 combo in an International RE and have been wondering if its worth it/not worth it, what is even required, who can do it, how much does it cost, am I good for mountain trips as it is, etc.
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It is definitely worth investigating. The 545 ain't exactly a prize pig, and the 444 will never win the Kentucky Derby, unless in the off-season...
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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