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Old 02-02-2018, 10:20 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brunswick, GA
Posts: 150
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Hello from south Georgia

The bug has bitten me too. I've long thought about converting a school bus, but hadn't gotten much past dreaming until discovering this forum. Now, it's gotten a whole lot more serious. I'm in the midst of watching auctions, reading forums, getting insurance and tag quotes, drawing up floor plans, etc. I think I want a 1999ish Blue Bird TC2000 if it can be had in good condition with good tires for under $5000. I don't think factory air is needed since I want to go with a dual zone mini-split heatpump. I think I want a small diesel generator to keep from having to buy gas.
So much to read - I'm trying to learn as much as possible to lessen the inevitable mistakes.

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Old 02-02-2018, 11:38 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by TrailLifeBill View Post
The bug has bitten me too. I've long thought about converting a school bus, but hadn't gotten much past dreaming until discovering this forum. Now, it's gotten a whole lot more serious. I'm in the midst of watching auctions, reading forums, getting insurance and tag quotes, drawing up floor plans, etc. I think I want a 1999ish Blue Bird TC2000 if it can be had in good condition with good tires for under $5000. I don't think factory air is needed since I want to go with a dual zone mini-split heatpump. I think I want a small diesel generator to keep from having to buy gas.
So much to read - I'm trying to learn as much as possible to lessen the inevitable mistakes.
Once bitten there's no cure...welcome to skoolieville[emoji41]

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Old 02-02-2018, 11:44 PM   #3
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Why a TC and not an All American? The TC was the cheap line of Bluebirds.
A decent TC should be 2-3 grand.
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Old 02-03-2018, 02:02 AM   #4
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Location: Frisco, Texas
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Year: 1998
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Chassis: International 3800
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https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...79&acctid=3798
tires may not be ideal, but its got a good tranny
and the street that it is located on is also my last name, which is a weird coincidence

edit better tires on this one
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...tid=3798#media
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Old 02-03-2018, 02:12 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by jjhwick119 View Post
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...79&acctid=3798
tires may not be ideal, but its got a good tranny
and the street that it is located on is also my last name, which is a weird coincidence

edit better tires on this one
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...tid=3798#media
It says the 2nd one don't run

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Old 02-03-2018, 03:18 AM   #6
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Didn't even notice that, lol. Oops
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Old 02-03-2018, 04:20 AM   #7
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Didn't even notice that, lol. Oops
People helping people

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Old 02-03-2018, 06:04 AM   #8
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Welcome and good luck on your search. Don't rush into it.
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Old 02-03-2018, 11:10 AM   #9
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How far are you willing to travel for the right bus?
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:28 PM   #10
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How far are you willing to travel for the right bus?
There are lots of them available in the 300-400 mile area around me. Since I'm still leashed to a full-time job, that would probably be my limit. Also, don't want to go north because of road salt/rust issues.

I have been looking at those on govdeals from Pell City, AL - they look well cared for.

I think I want to avoid a pusher for the following reasons:
1) I want a 2-3' garage in the rear.
2) I've read that it's pricier to repair because everything is harder to access. TC2000 isn't as easy to work on as conventional, but seems like a good compromise between the two.

OK, tell me where I'm mistaken.....
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:39 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by TrailLifeBill View Post
There are lots of them available in the 300-400 mile area around me. Since I'm still leashed to a full-time job, that would probably be my limit. Also, don't want to go north because of road salt/rust issues.

I have been looking at those on govdeals from Pell City, AL - they look well cared for.

I think I want to avoid a pusher for the following reasons:
1) I want a 2-3' garage in the rear.
2) I've read that it's pricier to repair because everything is harder to access. TC2000 isn't as easy to work on as conventional, but seems like a good compromise between the two.

OK, tell me where I'm mistaken.....
All I'd argue with is labor on the engine.

The most difficult to access is a front engine transit. The rear engine is very easy to get at most things, and the conventional is easy when the hood is removed. With the hood in place lots of stuff is hard to reach.
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:45 PM   #12
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Sounds like a plan to me. I've got about a 6' garage in the back of my TC1000. This is a 26' 9 window handi bus. They also produce the TC2000 in a 28' model. Lots of choices out there.

I'd say you're on the right track. Sounds like you're basically building something like I'm building with a garage in the back. I consider mine to be a fishing shack with garage.
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Old 02-06-2018, 01:48 AM   #13
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All I'd argue with is labor on the engine.

The most difficult to access is a front engine transit. The rear engine is very easy to get at most things, and the conventional is easy when the hood is removed. With the hood in place lots of stuff is hard to reach.
What's hard to reach?
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Old 02-06-2018, 06:44 AM   #14
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What's hard to reach?
Anything you have to lean over a wheel to get to.

My F150 is bad enough. The rear engine on my bus is easier. It remains true that a CE is the easiest though, especially once the hood is out of the way.
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Old 02-06-2018, 06:52 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg View Post
Anything you have to lean over a wheel to get to.

My F150 is bad enough. The rear engine on my bus is easier. It remains true that a CE is the easiest though, especially once the hood is out of the way.
You don't lean on the wheel, you can stand on either side of it, or on top of it.

CE is by far the easiest for working on it.
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Old 02-06-2018, 06:53 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
You don't lean on the wheel, you can stand on either side of it, or on top of it.

CE is by far the easiest for working on it.
Well yes.

I was merely correcting the OP who was indicating that, of the three, the RE was the hardest.

If I was wrong about that I apologize.
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Old 02-06-2018, 07:18 AM   #17
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Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 65 pax
Come meet us!

If you want to come down to central Florida and get some inspiration, we are having a skoolie get together 2 weekends from now.

https://www.facebook.com/events/373939663017866/

Sandi
p.s. there is a thread on here, but I couldn't find it with the search function
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Old 02-06-2018, 07:22 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by WanderWoman View Post
If you want to come down to central Florida and get some inspiration, we are having a skoolie get together 2 weekends from now.

https://www.facebook.com/events/373939663017866/

Sandi
p.s. there is a thread on here, but I couldn't find it with the search function
Sounds cool...wish I could...I don't have FB btw

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Old 02-06-2018, 07:26 AM   #19
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Quote:
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Well yes.

I was merely correcting the OP who was indicating that, of the three, the RE was the hardest.

If I was wrong about that I apologize.
Well there's no wrong, its just a discussion of opinions.
I've not had an RE as I need a CE or FE.

I'd imagine from easiest to hardest for engine access it would go CE, RE, then FE.
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Old 02-07-2018, 06:24 AM   #20
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Mechanical DT466. Go for it!
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...=6&acctid=9831
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