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Old 07-19-2019, 11:49 AM   #1
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
Just saying howdy, my first post.

Hey yall my name is Pat and I've had my first bus since Oct 2018 and am loving it.
I made a 6hr drive to a large salvage dealer that had 70 buses to chose from and I picked a 04 IC rear engine that had 89k on the clock. The blame thing had over 3/4 a tank of fuel and I even made it home without the least bit of any problems and didn't have to even buy any fuel.

My setup is a 7.3 T444E mated to a Allison MD3060, I was hoping for the Cummins 8.3 or a IH DT466 but I cared more about the slush box model. I've worked on many a 7.3PowerStroke and have several spare parts for them and loads of knowledge on them so I didn't mind getting another, IF it decides it's done in life I will probably throw a DT530 in rather than rebuilding the 7.3.

Half the conversion is done and thankfully I had 2 class A RVs I scrapped out so I had plenty of goodies that I didn't have to buy for the bus, a big one being copper wire.

I've wired mine up with a 125amp service panel and currently it has 75amp service but in a RV park it goes down to 50amp.

Sorry if my post is boring but anyways.

If you want to find me on youtube my name on there is PatrickBaptist, I have lots of how to videos though it will be some time before I post videos on my bus but all the same for 7.3 stuff I def can help a person trouble shoot those.

My first big thing I want to get done mechanically is unlocking that 6th gear, my bus is limited to 55 and I want to be able to make atleast 65 (interstate speed in my land) and also to get the RPMs down as well.

I'm located up in northeast TN and hardly ever see anyone with a skoolie, if you are somewhere near me I'd love to meet and compare ideas, also if you are in the area and need help, I'm always for hire.

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Old 11-07-2019, 11:17 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
Wow noone could even say hey back LOL.
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If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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Old 11-07-2019, 11:32 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
I think it got buried in the sea of other posts.
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Old 11-08-2019, 01:26 AM   #4
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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.
Yeah, the first post was done just before 1:00pm (Central time) so there was bound to be a ton of messages after that making the original post get pushed down to the bottom of the search list.
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Old 11-08-2019, 05:17 AM   #5
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: California & UK
Posts: 16
Welcome! I'm completely new here myself too Looks like a really friendly community!
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Old 11-08-2019, 07:28 AM   #6
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
>My first big thing I want to get done mechanically is unlocking that 6th gear, my bus is >limited to 55 and I want to be able to make at least 65 (interstate speed in my land) >and also to get the RPMs down as well.

Being speed limited to 55 is more than likely the computer controlled governor which can be removed by anyone with the right software. Find a local International shop and they can do it. They can also enable the cruise control if the switches are there.
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:44 AM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central missouri
Posts: 128
Chassis: 2000 Int Amtran
Engine: DT466HT
Rated Cap: 84
Posted before I found you guys. But sweet bus. I would be a false statement to say I wasn't jealous.
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:44 AM   #8
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
Quote:
Originally Posted by ermracing View Post
>My first big thing I want to get done mechanically is unlocking that 6th gear, my bus is >limited to 55 and I want to be able to make at least 65 (interstate speed in my land) >and also to get the RPMs down as well.

Being speed limited to 55 is more than likely the computer controlled governor which can be removed by anyone with the right software. Find a local International shop and they can do it. They can also enable the cruise control if the switches are there.
Thanks, yeah I've learned about that since then, I'm going to get the cables and use the free IH software and remove the speed and RPM limiters myself. I'm not one to take anything to a shop, I'm not one with money to waste.
Cruise already works.

I'm going with PCM pro and getting a 2nd TCM with 6th unlocked and keeping the original for a spare in case it takes a crap on me.

It's got 6.18 gears so it's geared low to begin with, I'd like to swap rear ends with something in the 4-5 range and 2 speed.
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If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:46 AM   #9
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
Quote:
Originally Posted by WLRoadScholars View Post
Welcome! I'm completely new here myself too Looks like a really friendly community!
Greetings bud, yeah 95% of the people here are mature acting adults, best forum I've seen and loads of good info to be had.
What kinda rig do you have? Fill out the about me part so we all will know!
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If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:50 AM   #10
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacC View Post
Posted before I found you guys. But sweet bus. I would be a false statement to say I wasn't jealous.
Hey friend, thanks for the comment. I feel that way looking at alot of other rigs on here, especially some of the crowns I've seen.
Do you have a bus already? If so fill out yer info so we know.
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If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:53 AM   #11
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by PatrickBaptist View Post
Thanks, yeah I've learned about that since then, I'm going to get the cables and use the free IH software and remove the speed and RPM limiters myself. I'm not one to take anything to a shop, I'm not one with money to waste.
Cruise already works.

I'm going with PCM pro and getting a 2nd TCM with 6th unlocked and keeping the original for a spare in case it takes a crap on me.

It's got 6.18 gears so it's geared low to begin with, I'd like to swap rear ends with something in the 4-5 range and 2 speed.
4.78 would make it into a superslab rocket.
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:54 AM   #12
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central missouri
Posts: 128
Chassis: 2000 Int Amtran
Engine: DT466HT
Rated Cap: 84
Not yet, I am getting a sum of money at the first of the year. My intentions are to start my search at that time. Looking now just upsets me when the bus I want is sold for a price I am willing to pay. I plan on living in it for up to 10 years so I might pay more for the RIGHT bus. 40 foot RE. Better hurry before the older more rust free ones are gone.
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Old 11-08-2019, 09:20 AM   #13
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacC View Post
Not yet, I am getting a sum of money at the first of the year. My intentions are to start my search at that time. Looking now just upsets me when the bus I want is sold for a price I am willing to pay. I plan on living in it for up to 10 years so I might pay more for the RIGHT bus. 40 foot RE. Better hurry before the older more rust free ones are gone.
Yeah I lurked around saving for 6 months before taking the plunge. I bought mine at a salaveg yard in Ruckersville VA (M&M salvage), at the time they had 70 of these and ws about 450 miles from me, so I knew with that inventory I'd find something to roll on home with. I didn't want to take a trip to come home empty handed....

I def don't regret it, but yeah a few I liked I got to watch being snatched up. Don't fret it bud there will be more out there, scrap metal is so cheap less buses are going to the scrap yard. Just don't get one new than 04 if you don't want the EPA junk like EGRs and DPFs to ruin yer fun in life by shortening the engines life span. If you want a full sized bus, run away from the AT545 autos, they aren't really a good trans to have.
Best combo would be an Cummapart 8.3 with a Allison MD3060, some 3060s have a built in retarder which is a awesome option, big reason I bought the bus I did. The salvage place didn't realize what it was and just said it was a 5 speed auto, but I climbed under and looked at the tag hehe and didn't make them the wiser. They are rude to deal with but I was allowed to drive without some monkey going with me and I took about an hour with it before making up my mind. I hate test drives where they send some blabber mouth that won't shut up and let me think. If I have questions the seller is the last person I want to hear from, they are selling it so they want to answer according to what I want to hear to make a sell and talk to keep my mind off the right questions to ask. I realize, I'm annoying to sell to but I don't care, I'm the guy that comes with cash in hand so it goes my way or I go on my way to someone else that wants to tolerate me well to make a buck and not waste either of our time.

I'm looking to move to MO next year BTW, want to buy land to build on, I live debt free so we will live in the bus till I get enough of our home built to move into it.
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If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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Old 11-28-2019, 05:58 PM   #14
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'

Here is a video of my bus. Mostly of just when I first got it. Nothing on the inside yet other than a video of when I got all the seats out.


First cold start (in the 30s) Nov 2019
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If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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Old 11-29-2019, 09:27 AM   #15
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Palmer, AK
Posts: 279
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf T Liner MVP 11 window 32’
Engine: CAT 3126E
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
4.78 would make it into a superslab rocket.
superslab rocket...I like it
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Old 11-29-2019, 09:31 AM   #16
Bus Geek
 
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
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superslab rocket...I like it
Truckers call the interstate the superslab.
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Old 11-29-2019, 09:37 PM   #17
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Palmer, AK
Posts: 279
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf T Liner MVP 11 window 32’
Engine: CAT 3126E
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Truckers call the interstate the superslab.



my pops (a retired Teamster) would be ashamed of my ignorance [emoji23]
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Old 11-30-2019, 02:43 AM   #18
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
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my pops (a retired Teamster) would be ashamed of my ignorance [emoji23]
Well- I'm sure you make up for that with tugboat knowledge.
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Old 12-01-2019, 09:43 PM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Hey patrickbaptist welcome to the friendliest place on the internet. Hope you enjoy this site as much as i do.
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