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Old 05-19-2017, 02:20 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Engine: 12 valve 8.3L Cummins
Can this be a Skoolie?

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...19&acctid=7911

I've seen a lot of these transit buses listed. Can these be as reliable as a School Bus? Anything you'd want to know about the bus to make your decision?

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Old 05-19-2017, 02:24 PM   #2
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I've seen a few skoolies built on those types. Problem is that most are designed for inner city travel, and therefore don't have the highway gearing to give any kind of top speed that one would want. So, like with all busses, do your due diligence and make sure it's something that will work for you. It's easier to buy the right bus then it is to make the wrong bus right.
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Old 05-19-2017, 02:42 PM   #3
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There is a full length front engine activity bus for sale in the Carolina bargain trader.
If anyone is interested let me know and I will get the contact info.
Doesn't list anything more than a phone number.
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Old 05-19-2017, 02:53 PM   #4
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Transit buses seem to be gaining in popularity lately. Probably due to those dealer prices we keep seeing. I ran into a bunch of videos of transit buses, and like skoolies they seem to have some pretty nice setups.

I always thought transit buses would be all used up by time the cities let them go. It's not really worth it to regear them. Someone changed the rear end gearing of a skoolie recently, to the tune of about $3,800 if I remember correctly. I do know of one account where a city bus was built and driven coast to coast at a very leisurely pace.
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Old 05-19-2017, 10:07 PM   #5
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I went with a coach because I wanted the extra room over a skoolie (45 ft max vs 42 ft max), but I got a high-floor model. The only way I'd do a low-floor is if it was a double-decker. IMHO there just isn't the storage room to do a conversion unless you are willing to go really lo-tech. And those wheel wells, wow....

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Old 05-20-2017, 02:18 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyDee View Post
I went with a coach because I wanted the extra room over a skoolie (45 ft max vs 42 ft max), but I got a high-floor model. The only way I'd do a low-floor is if it was a double-decker. IMHO there just isn't the storage room to do a conversion unless you are willing to go really lo-tech. And those wheel wells, wow....

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You make your own high-floor bus, and basically get a bus with a basement!

Or, at least, I think that's what I might do. Keep the front section low for the drivers seat and "lounge" area, then raise the rear, so the water tanks would be inside the passenger compartment, but under the floor. The head room on some of the low floor models is pretty good.

I also think that's a neat idea because here in New England, that would keep all the tanks and things inside the bus - so the salt and road crud couldn't get to them as easily as it could if they were hung under a skoolie.

The only downside is that most of them are really geared for city driving, and are slooooow on the highway.
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Old 05-20-2017, 04:41 AM   #7
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I can see the appeal of that setup in a cold climate. The baggage compartments on the high-floor buses are fully enclosed, except they aren't heated or cooled.

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Old 05-20-2017, 06:34 AM   #8
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I know in my city of columbus the transit busses have to run the freeways on some routes... im told by a friend who works for the transit agency that the busses themselves are rotated around to even out hours / mileage / age etc.. the city doesnt just buy "express" busses.. the ones on the freeways will run 65 with the traffic.. no idea if they are redlined or not.. my buddy didnt know either as he only drives local routes most days.. and said the city did tell them that the busses are governed at 65 max by computer..
-Christopher
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Old 05-20-2017, 06:55 PM   #9
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This would be an interesting conversion
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Old 05-20-2017, 08:13 PM   #10
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