looking for a Flat Nose FE Blue Bird 169" Wheel Base

jplabarge1975 · 12-01-2018, 12:24 AM

Hello All

I'm JP

I am looking for Blue Bird, 169" wheel base, flat nose FE bus to convert to a RV / Rig to pull a 5th Wheel Toy Hauler.

I will be moving my family into it hopefully in the fall next year to live full time for a couple of years.

Any advise of which engine I should look for. I'm leaning towards the 8.3L Cummins. Let me know if I should consider the 5.9L at all and the Allison transmission

I will be cutting off about 5' of the frame off the back. Creating a 8' bed with a 5th wheel hitch and moving the back cap of the bus up. I will also be raising the roof by 2'.

I'm already signed up on one government auction site. and have looking on craigslist as well, but any other places I should look for a bus. I like to keep it to between $1,500 and $2,500 purchase price. Let me know if that is reasonable.

I use to build custom yachts so I'm comfortable doing the work.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

brokedown · 12-01-2018, 06:15 AM

The TC2000 was not offered with the 8.3 in a front engine configuration. I'm not sure about the BBAA. If you find a BBAA in usable condition on an auction site with the 8.3 for $2400 you've found a hell of a deal!

With extremely rare exception, the TC2000 will always have the AT545 transmission, which is not a great choice for towing. I have seen 2 unicorns that had the MT643 for sale. Always look up the VIN.