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Old 10-05-2024, 02:55 PM   #1
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Posts: 99
1988 International Shorty

1988 International short bus build.

The basics-
Motor- DT 466 with mechanical pump (A series)?
Trans- Allison MT643
Rearend- J175 S with 4.78 gears
Bud style wheels
23 feet long

History of the bus. Bought new in cali by a school district then sold or auctioned to prison system in Oregon where it was used as an inmate work transport bus. Then off to auction once again where it was bought by a dealer who sold it to me in September 2023.

I switched my wheels from my Bluebird to this and sold my bluebird. Stripped the seats out. Stripped the floor down to bare metal. Now I'm taking the skins and insulation off the walls and then ceiling.

Basic plan-

New windows
AC Unit
CD Heater
Roof Rack
Paint
Change gear set to 4.10 area with locker
New floor
New seats
Solar
2- 5.0 cf chest freezers- one for freezer one for fridge
Bed- hideaway, Murphy??
Couch
Hardshell rooftop tent
stereo
CB
FASS fuel pump
Receiver to tow a trailer or car

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Old 10-05-2024, 02:59 PM   #2
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Old 10-05-2024, 03:11 PM   #3
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Sorry, trying to upload some pics. I'm horrible at this.
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Old 10-05-2024, 04:38 PM   #4
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,683
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 29
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Sorry, trying to upload some pics. I'm horrible at this.
Take your time.
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Old 10-07-2024, 06:09 PM   #5
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Looks like a no go for me on posting pics. Photobucket cost now. O well.

Got some work done last night. Passenger wall is down to outside sheet metal with insulation mostly scrubbed off.

Wired my emergency/door alarms together and the bus still starts.

Hopefully start pulling screws out of the passenger wall tonight. 10,000 screws I bet but at least its not all rivets.

Question for anyone looking at this.
I am considering putting a tandem axle set under this bus.

Why you may ask? Well I like the idea if a bigger footprint in soft terrain(sand) and having lockers in two axles would allow me to go more places more comfortably. Also get more stuck!! Just kicking it around, I can get a matching set of axles for 500 bucks from a buddy.
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Old 10-07-2024, 10:56 PM   #6
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,683
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 29
When you go to post, if you select advance button it will open up a manager attachment button below it. Hit that, then a new window will pop up. Hit upload buttons, one pic per button up to 8 per post then once you've selected all the pics, hit the upload button that's hidden off to the right (Scroll over there), wait a min for the images to upload. When it's done in the middle of the popup screen it will say uploads finished. Then you can close the popup window and then on the original window, hit save.
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Old 10-08-2024, 01:10 PM   #7
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Old 10-08-2024, 01:13 PM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,683
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 29
Interesting shorty.

Thanks for the pics!
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Old 10-08-2024, 03:42 PM   #9
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No idea why it loaded like that?
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Old 10-08-2024, 05:11 PM   #10
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Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 661
Coachwork: Busless for now
Were you doing a head stand or hanging from a tree limb?

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Old 10-08-2024, 05:22 PM   #11
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Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Central Kentucky
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Coachwork: Busless for now
Try this:

Click image for larger version

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Old 10-08-2024, 06:28 PM   #12
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Thanks Kentucky! That's a good looking bus!����
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Old 10-08-2024, 07:08 PM   #13
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Location: Central Kentucky
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Coachwork: Busless for now
Nice looking bus. About the size I would like to have.
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Old 10-09-2024, 09:37 AM   #14
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Yeah I started the bus life with a 37 foot Bluebird puller. When I bought it I thought the most important thing was the motor. It had a 5.9 reman that ran great.

Now I think the motor is still probably the most important thing but so is having the right trans and being able to stand up with out hitting my head and being able to maneuver the bus in tight spots and being able to go faster than 50mph!! hahaha live and learn!

Still excited about being apart of the skoolie life! Ive wanted a bus since I was a kid. My mom has been a school bus driver for 45 years and she used to bring her bus home after school. Sometimes my dad would have to work on it to get it to start in the mornings. I remember asking as a kid if we could by one of the buses when they got new ones. My mom told me they sold the old buses for like 100 to 500 bucks. If only I could go back in time!
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Old 10-09-2024, 03:41 PM   #15
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 19,823
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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Originally Posted by Kentucky Dreaming View Post
Nice looking bus. About the size I would like to have.

I love the short busses... so easy to park! at times even easier than my pickup truck
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Old 10-09-2024, 03:53 PM   #16
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Yeah it is pretty easy to park!

I'll ask here before I go to drivetrain. I'm looking for a locker for an International RA 472 axle with 4.10 gears or a 4.10 gears/carrier for Spicer J 175s axles that has a locker. Also if anyone knows is the International RA 472 axle just an International labeled axle from spicer-dana?

Thanks
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Old 10-09-2024, 05:30 PM   #17
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 19,823
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Quote:
Originally Posted by NWOleman View Post
Yeah it is pretty easy to park!

I'll ask here before I go to drivetrain. I'm looking for a locker for an International RA 472 axle with 4.10 gears or a 4.10 gears/carrier for Spicer J 175s axles that has a locker. Also if anyone knows is the International RA 472 axle just an International labeled axle from spicer-dana?

Thanks

typically RA was rockwell.. I have an RA39 in 2 of my busses and they came back to rockwell
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Old 10-10-2024, 09:46 AM   #18
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Trying to upload a few pics of the tag.
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Old 10-10-2024, 09:53 AM   #19
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These are the tags off the axles I want to use. Any info anyone can provide on them would be great. Thanks
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Old 10-10-2024, 06:56 PM   #20
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,391
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1600
Engine: 6v-53n detroit
Nice bus, the next series newer from mine, as I have a loadstar. A locker is great to have, I had one in my previous bus and it pulled well in soft sand, often pulling other buses. As for putting tandems in while you will get more floatation you will also get more weight, and will likely be a rough ride on the highway. I have driven tractors without a trailer and it is no fun. Maybe air ride would help? But did not have that on the old things I was driving.
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