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Old 01-09-2016, 02:47 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
Hello from Maryland!

Hi everyone! I am new to all of this, I can't believe I didn't think of this years ago. I haven't purchased a bus yet, just doing planning and research now. I have figured out one thing thanks to this site; I am absolutely positively 100% sure a DT466 MIGHT be where I want to start lol. I realized I need a bus in my life when I was thinking of something to haul my bike for some future track days, I may try to break into racing later if things work out. Add to that moving 3 times in the last 4 years, living single with no kids, a love for the all things motor, the outdoors and traveling...like I said I should have thought of this years ago. I have some framing skill but plumbing and electric leave much to be desired so I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible, I just want it to be functional. Anyway I am here among you, my heroes.

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Old 01-09-2016, 10:05 PM   #2
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Location: Johnstown, PA
Posts: 248
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9
Rated Cap: 83
Welcome aboard. If you need anything just ask and good luck.
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Old 01-10-2016, 08:29 AM   #3
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Spring Valley AZ
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Year: 2000
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 2 elderly children, 1 cat
Welcome
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Old 01-10-2016, 08:53 AM   #4
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
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Rated Cap: 15
You don't need a ton of skills to do it, but the ability to acquire them will help a lot.

When I was bus shopping I looked for a mechanical DT with an allison 643 or better. I got what I was looking for and its a great bus. I live in FL but our buses are poorly maintained and sold at inflated prices so I bid on a bus in Kentucky that popped up on GovDeals. Got a really great deal on it, I think, at $2150 total. Came fully fueled and with a brand new battery.
Be willing to travel for an awesome bus and you'll be glad you did.
There are some good buses in MD, though, so keep a watch on the auction sites.
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Old 01-10-2016, 01:34 PM   #5
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Location: ...little north of Toronto Ontario
Posts: 606
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomsass
Chassis: FreightShaker
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 5 speed
Rated Cap: 2 ATV's and friends
Welcome, what kind of bike? Trials, dirt, road...
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Old 01-10-2016, 02:32 PM   #6
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
Thanks guys! It seems for right now most of the answers to my questions are on here already.

I'll add that site to my list EastCoast.

The bike is an Yamaha R1 (road).
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Old 03-19-2016, 07:47 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
I waited for the novelty of this project to wear off and I'm still in. Just came up with more reasons to do it.

What I want; A TC2000 (or similar) shorter (42+3) front engine, rear wheelchair lift with DT466 and mt643 or 3060. Does this exist? Wikipedia says yes. Is it super rare or something?

I want it to eventually pull a car or mid sized SUV on a trailer. The lift only has to lift a bike w no rider which is <500lbs wet, I read most are rated for 600lbs max. I don't plan on living in it full time but hoping to squeeze as many amenities as I can afford/have space for.

What I'd settle for; The TC2000 with a 5.9 Cummings and mt643 or 3060.

Closest I've seen; 97? International 3800 DT 466, mt643, rear lift, 20 pass for 3000$ in the classifieds on here. If I was ready to purchase I probably would have pursued. I still have to find a place to park/store/convert. Oh yeah I also need more money.

Most often seeing and don't think I want; Cat3126 with Allison 2000? although Public surplus bid on one is at 500$....in Arizona and it needs tlc already. One on craigslist in VA for 6500?!?! One at National Bus sales claims to have DT466 but trans is just Allison auto. I'm ok with paying more for something running, I haven't been to the garage in Rockville/Bethesda MD yet either.

I guess what I'm looking for is the availability of the powertrain combos mentioned on these handy busses.
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Old 03-19-2016, 08:23 PM   #8
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Garage in Rockville/Bethesda? Tell me more.

If you're in the DC area you should know that Montgomery County Public Schools sheds a bunch of 34 foot Thomases with Cat engines in really good shape every year. Seasonal though; mostly May/June/July. If you're not near, I'm willing to look one over and take pics for you as needed.
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Old 03-19-2016, 09:13 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
Its the Bethesda Bus Depot. I'm assuming Mo.Co. stores and services school buses there.

I was trying to avoid a Cat...for no other reason than the personal opinions of others online.
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Old 03-19-2016, 10:14 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuntmanmitch View Post
Its the Bethesda Bus Depot. I'm assuming Mo.Co. stores and services school buses there.

I was trying to avoid a Cat...for no other reason than the personal opinions of others online.
OK; found it. I haven't been to that one yet. It's odd that they don't even list the one closest to me (Broadbirch Drive; east county, near the Home Depot). You're probably all over PublicSurplus.com already, but that's where MoCo sells their stock.

I have no experience with diesel engines (save my 1984 VW Diesel Dasher; an oxymoron if there ever was one). But, my opinion is that we don't put anything like the miles or stress on these engines that they saw in their first lives. If we get one that's not a lemon from the get-go, it will likely not get any worse under our care. Read the service records and don't buy one if you can't.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:20 PM   #11
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
purchased

FE flat nose TC2000. 5.9, MT643, 195k, good tires, running (well), handicap lift, clean, no AC buuut 1500$. Picking it up in a week or so (5hour drive back). Can't wait.

Possible names:
Action Bus
Transporter
Finesse
Diesie Does It
Escape From D.C.
Reverse Cycology

pics coming soon
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Old 10-29-2016, 07:00 PM   #12
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Welcome, I am close to MD not very far from PG county
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:03 PM   #13
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Location: near Christiansburg VA
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Originally Posted by Stuntmanmitch View Post
...5 hour drive back...
Where will you be picking this up? Maybe the community can cheer you on as you drive past!

I'm in Christiansburg VA area, 23 miles off Interstate 81. But I work in town and would be delighted to buy you lunch if it works out.
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Old 10-30-2016, 03:10 PM   #14
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
Parkersburg WV heading to Fredrick area for conversion. Thanks, I would definitely take you up on the offer if I was passing through.
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Old 11-01-2016, 07:14 AM   #15
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 774
Year: 2002
Coachwork: International
Engine: dt466
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
Welcome!! Glad to see you here....I'm a newbie too
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Old 11-03-2016, 09:37 AM   #16
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
When I was bus shopping I looked for a mechanical DT with an allison 643 or better.
Why? Where are the threads that compare one to the other and explain why A is better than B? Do those thread also include the (what's the proper term) commercial tour buses?
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Old 11-03-2016, 09:42 AM   #17
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuntmanmitch View Post
I haven't been to the garage in Rockville/Bethesda MD yet either.
What garage is Rockville/Betheseda?

Signed,
Newbier than you
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Old 11-03-2016, 09:45 AM   #18
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-fox View Post
If you're in the DC area
Quote:
Originally Posted by Damel18 View Post
Welcome, I am close to MD not very far from PG county
There seems to be a good number of MD-ish people here. Essex (Balto) myself.
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Old 11-03-2016, 03:38 PM   #19
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 495,270,340,9,7,28,66
Posts: 103
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 65?
Called Progressive commercial today and got insurance for private use (2 drivers). A phantom accident on my record made a 200$ difference for the year @800$ and 20$ difference in monthly payment @80$ after initial 170$. So I got to get that taken care of cause I might have a ticket or two but definitely have not been in any accidents since the 90s. He had to override the vin# cause it came back invalid but other than that everything went smooth. *fist pump*
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Old 11-03-2016, 03:51 PM   #20
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,757
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
be sure your VIN is correct... somertimes sellers / auctioneers typo the VIN on a title and it makes for a mess when trying to get it titled / registered in your home state... so definitely verify the 2 before you leave with your new bus..
-Christopher
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