Walkabout

[Just one man]

I am starting the process of making my skooly. I have not gotten very far. Mostly just research on different buses. I have decided on what type of bus. The bus I am choosing for this project is a Bluebird TC2000 FE 5.9L Turbo charged Cummings diesel 72 passenger bus. I am going to put rebuilt military 4x4 suspension on my bus(I don't want to get stuck). The name of my bus is WALKABOUT. I could use all the advice I can get. here is a link for a website where you can get the things you will need to make your bus a 4x4.


Boyce Equipment

Hope the website helps.

[SDR76]

I don't want to squash your dreams, but that's a lot of bus for not a lot of engine, throw the drag of a transfer case into the equation, and you have a recipe for a bus that will be impeding traffic quite regularly. IF you had a bigger/ more powerful engine, you could look into an Overdrive Transfer case. I think it was Detroit that made them for a while. Its like a brownie box and an x-case had a baby.....

[Just one man]

Originally Posted by SDR76

I don't want to squash your dreams, but that's a lot of bus for not a lot of engine, throw the drag of a transfer case into the equation, and you have a recipe for a bus that will be impeding traffic quite regularly. IF you had a bigger/ more powerful engine, you could look into an Overdrive Transfer case. I think it was Detroit that made them for a while. Its like a brownie box and an x-case had a baby.....

Thank you for your input. I might have to find a more powerful bus. I am just trying to bring my dream to reality. I am a retired combat vet. I am 34 I have been retired for over a decade. I have nothing to show for it. I am changing that. Plus the military running gear will work I just need to find a bus with a stronger engine. Your input has been helpful.

[Rusty]

I'd LOVE to see a FE 4x4 beast, but yeah, that's some seriously daunting work.

I think your best bet would be start with a duece, or better yet- M939 series truck. They are a pleasure to work on compared to civilian equipment as Military labeled everything, parts are plentiful,they published TM's up the wazoo, and were designed to be serviced by 18 year old farmboys in the desert.

Back when GovLiq had the DRMO contract, they were cheap and plentiful- I bought 2 M931 tractors and 2 M923 cargos. Now that IronPlanet is doing the auctions, prices are through the roof and stock is scarce.

But every once in awhile, Municipalities who were given a big Army truck that was cool, but then sat as it was nowhere near as comfortable or practical as a F450, sell them back to public. Look on GovDeals'

Heck, I just found your truck. Tires are crap.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...233&acctid=176

few M35A2C up there, but I'd hold-out for M939 series still- 2nd gen is 8.3 Cummins to 5-speed Allison auto- will do 60 MPH easy and MUCH quieter.

Good Luck and Welcome !

[Just one man]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I'd LOVE to see a FE 4x4 beast, but yeah, that's some seriously daunting work.

I think your best bet would be start with a duece, or better yet- M939 series truck. They are a pleasure to work on compared to civilian equipment as Military labeled everything, parts are plentiful,they published TM's up the wazoo, and were designed to be serviced by 18 year old farmboys in the desert.

Back when GovLiq had the DRMO contract, they were cheap and plentiful- I bought 2 M931 tractors and 2 M923 cargos. Now that IronPlanet is doing the auctions, prices are through the roof and stock is scarce.

But every once in awhile, Municipalities who were given a big Army truck that was cool, but then sat as it was nowhere near as comfortable or practical as a F450, sell them back to public. Look on GovDeals'

Heck, I just found your truck. Tires are crap.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...233&acctid=176

few M35A2C up there, but I'd hold-out for M939 series still- 2nd gen is 8.3 Cummins to 5-speed Allison auto- will do 60 MPH easy and MUCH quieter.

Good Luck and Welcome !

Here is a link to the website that I found for my running gear for my bus project. I have called them up and received a quote for the parts I will need. Cost just for parts $12,000.00 that is just for parts. Then I will have to hire out for the install.

[cowlitzcoach]

Why not start out with a bus that has a good strong engine and a driven front axle?

True the axles may not be quite as tough as military grade axles but the total cost of a bus that is already set up close to what you want is going to be a lot less than the cost for just the military axles.

International 1997 AMTRAN

[Just one man]

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

Why not start out with a bus that has a good strong engine and a driven front axle?

True the axles may not be quite as tough as military grade axles but the total cost of a bus that is already set up close to what you want is going to be a lot less than the cost for just the military axles.

International 1997 AMTRAN

I am going to build a bus that has not been done yet. I want to create something unique to me. I am making my dream. I am not worried about cost. I am making my future. I will invest as much money as it takes to fulfill my dreams. Besides the bus in the link that you provided is not a flat face bus. That being said. I need a bus with some hp under the hood that is a front engine bus to make this happen. I want to say thank you for your message and ideas. In my opinion the sharing of knowledge and ideas is the only way for the humane race to evolve past or current problems. Just a thought. Mind if I add you you my friends list?

[milkmania]

[cowlitzcoach]

Mind if I add you you my friends list?

Sure, no problem.

I think you will find some problems adapting a typical driven military axle to a forward control bus. The steering geometry of a forward control bus is different than most other kinds of axles. Going from the standard axle to driven military axle you may find you will have a very difficult time getting around a corner.

Most new buses have turn cut angles that are more than 50*. Which makes them really handy for getting around corners. I am old enough to remember OEM vendor supplied chassis and conventional bus chassis that had less than 35* of cut angle. Getting around corners, particularly if the bus had a long wheelbase, was a real challenge.