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04-14-2018, 02:22 PM
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#1
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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I bought a bus!!
Well, I decided to buy a bus.. It's a 2003 Thomas HDX with a rear engine: Caterpillar 3126 with a MD 3060 Allison Transmission.. I can stand up inside at 6'3"(a little plus) I didnt care about seating because they are coming out, but it has 11 windows a door and a half window.. im thinking 34-38 foot.. 104,589 miles.. All tires BRAND NEW!! ( yeah that's a plus) one underbelly storage..( A PLUS) 3 NEW batteries!!(another plus) No rust throughout , but a small hole in the ENGINE DOOR (aluminum crap) seems pretty legit as far as condition... I will attempt to upload a picture... I haven't decided upon a name but for now she will be called Ole' 41
Now, I am going to be needing advice,materials,and maybe even some help. If there is anyone willing to maybe give advice, or anyone with experience in this area ... I am a disabled auto mechanic with loads of tools and abilities. (although they are now relatively limited physically)
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04-14-2018, 02:40 PM
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#2
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Harlem, GA
Posts: 21
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 65 passenger
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Congratulations on the good looking bus and welcome to skoolie madness! Looks you got a good drive train combo. I just returned from driving my dog nose bus home yesterday and looking forward to the adventure.
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04-14-2018, 02:49 PM
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#3
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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Thank you GaDawg, good luck with yours as well... mine isn't home yet, but am super excited to get started ... with the physical limitations I have, that may change later with all the frustrations that can arise with these builds from what Iv'e seen in various videos on you tube... I should be picking it up in the first week of May...I will need 3 years to complete it but I only have about 6-8 months
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04-14-2018, 06:02 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
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You have what I (almost) have. The sole exception is I have a C7 engine.
Once you strip the seats, run wiring first. Then, some rigid foam insulation, 1" thick, will fill the void between the seat rail and the top wire run. Plumbing comes next.
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04-14-2018, 09:21 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Very nice bus.
Younger brother (sister?) to mine
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04-14-2018, 11:22 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004
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04-14-2018, 11:37 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004
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Same bus, different badge.
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04-15-2018, 01:22 AM
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#8
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004
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See... I have so much to learn...
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04-15-2018, 11:58 AM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilentReprieve
See... I have so much to learn...
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They didn't change the bus, they just changed the badge to make the EFX and HDX easier to understand.
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04-15-2018, 12:49 PM
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#10
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg
They didn't change the bus, they just changed the badge to make the EFX and HDX easier to understand.
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I figure I have enough time to figure that all out but was told its the HDX Either way shes/hes mine... I want to come up with a good name for it though... For now its Ole'41 but i really want it to have a name that describes me and the bus...
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04-15-2018, 12:59 PM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilentReprieve
I figure I have enough time to figure that all out but was told its the HDX Either way shes/hes mine... I want to come up with a good name for it though... For now its Ole'41 but i really want it to have a name that describes me and the bus...
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Yeah. I was told mine was a '99.
Indeed, it was first registered in 1999, but it was manufactured in 1998.
That had major implications. Had it been a '99 it would have had the Cummins ISC engine. That's the electronic version of the famous 8.3 liter.
Instead it has the 6CTA, which is the mechanical version of the same engine.
On balance there is probably no real difference between them, and many would say I got the better deal.
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04-15-2018, 01:13 PM
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#12
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg
Yeah. I was told mine was a '99.
Indeed, it was first registered in 1999, but it was manufactured in 1998.
That had major implications. Had it been a '99 it would have had the Cummins ISC engine. That's the electronic version of the famous 8.3 liter.
Instead it has the 6CTA, which is the mechanical version of the same engine.
On balance there is probably no real difference between them, and many would say I got the better deal.
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After working in the automotive field for years.. the OLDER THE BETTER!!! now... with people, I am not so sure if the same rule applies judging by the way my body feels most days... I am glad my bus doesnt show the wear and tear I have...lol So yeah twigg I think you have the better engine.. wish mine was an 8.3 just because of the trailer I want to throw behind me .... ( to protect my rear bus bumper?)
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04-15-2018, 01:24 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilentReprieve
After working in the automotive field for years.. the OLDER THE BETTER!!! now... with people, I am not so sure if the same rule applies judging by the way my body feels most days... I am glad my bus doesnt show the wear and tear I have...lol So yeah twigg I think you have the better engine.. wish mine was an 8.3 just because of the trailer I want to throw behind me .... ( to protect my rear bus bumper?)
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I found out that my engine was manufactured in March 1998. The bus was manufactured in May 1998.
I know that by August 1998 the Saf-T-Liner was being fitted with the ISC, so it really was just a matter of weeks.
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04-15-2018, 01:43 PM
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#14
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg
I found out that my engine was manufactured in March 1998. The bus was manufactured in May 1998.
I know that by August 1998 the Saf-T-Liner was being fitted with the ISC, so it really was just a matter of weeks.
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so does that make you happy Twigg?? it would me but... everyones different... I like the idea of it being an ODDBALL persay but i also like the thought of being whats sposed to be... great toss up though... You have the lucky one... I kinda wish mine was the c7 seeing as how its not Cummins...was it C7?? i dunno it all blends together for me thus far .. need more research...lol
Jim
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04-15-2018, 01:49 PM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilentReprieve
so does that make you happy Twigg?? it would me but... everyones different... I like the idea of it being an ODDBALL persay but i also like the thought of being whats sposed to be... great toss up though... You have the lucky one... I kinda wish mine was the c7 seeing as how its not Cummins...was it C7?? i dunno it all blends together for me thus far .. need more research...lol
Jim
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Yes, I'm happy.
I would not have been happy had a C7 slipped under my radar
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04-16-2018, 09:30 AM
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#16
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Marion NY
Posts: 103
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: 3126 7.2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004
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I received a phone call from Thomas built buses this morning and I was told that my bus is indeed an HDX, however I wasn't told what the differences are ... They sent me a build sheet and also a parts manual.. definitely some nice info on the build sheet however it is limited.. once I figure out how to get it on here I will post the build sheet
__________________
"Fitting a bus for your lifestyle is certainly easier than fitting your lifestyle into your bus" The journey begins... I am expecting a rough road ahead!!
Jim, Marion NY
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04-16-2018, 10:26 AM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilentReprieve
I received a phone call from Thomas built buses this morning and I was told that my bus is indeed an HDX, however I wasn't told what the differences are ... They sent me a build sheet and also a parts manual.. definitely some nice info on the build sheet however it is limited.. once I figure out how to get it on here I will post the build sheet
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The HDX was not changed until 2004, so do you have a 2004 HDX or a 2003 HD?
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04-16-2018, 10:35 AM
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#18
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Pendleton Indiana
Posts: 348
Year: 2010
Coachwork: IC
Engine: MF DT466
Rated Cap: 81
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Good looking bus I like the Thomas fronts. New tires big bonus.
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04-16-2018, 11:09 AM
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#19
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
The HDX was not changed until 2004, so do you have a 2004 HDX or a 2003 HD?
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Not sure why this matters so much to you but my guess is that they were building the HDX in '03, for the '04 model year, and some went out early.
All they changed was the badge.
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04-16-2018, 11:41 AM
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#20
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Pendleton Indiana
Posts: 348
Year: 2010
Coachwork: IC
Engine: MF DT466
Rated Cap: 81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg
Not sure why this matters so much to you but my guess is that they were building the HDX in '03, for the '04 model year, and some went out early.
All they changed was the badge.
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Mine was manufactured mid year 09 but is a 10. Auto makers kinda do what they want. They said the luv trucks were few years off from sitting on docks. I guess the bus is within a few years,lol.
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