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Old 09-16-2014, 10:56 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444 7.3
Rated Cap: 36
Willbilly Bus

Hello everyone. I'm new to this board but have followed it for a good while. I have been looking for a bus in my price range for over two years. I've done a lot of research and was aware that what I was looking for may cost a little more than the average bus.

Today I was blessed with my bus. I stumbled onto an ad on craigslist for 97 3800 with the T444 and an Allison trans with 155k. They were asking $1000 and it was part of an estate sale. The bus is only missing a piece of the horn mechanism. Inside the bus it says it's a 98. It has air brakes and a wheel chair lift.

I'm very pleased with the price I paid and look forward to sharing my progress here and hopefully learning as much as possible. I pick it up Saturday morning. I need to insure it first

Nice to meet you all, sorry if I missed a new member introduction thread.

Will
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Old 09-17-2014, 09:51 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The Valley - Arizona
Posts: 644
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freight-shaker (Freightliner)
Engine: Cat 3126b 250 HP
Rated Cap: Only 1 seat
Re: Willbilly Bus

That's a pretty nice price for a new home on wheels! Post lotsa pics and let us know if we can help!!


Welcome to the neighborhood!

-Doc
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Old 09-18-2014, 08:52 AM   #3
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Willbilly Bus

Welcome to the Asylum Will! --- Wow...what a deal! Looks good too. Best of luck with the build and don't hesitate to ask questions.
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Old 09-18-2014, 11:31 AM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444 7.3
Rated Cap: 36
Re: Willbilly Bus

Thanks!! I just got it insured. Picking it up Saturday morning. I won't need a CDL as it's under 26k pounds and will have less than 16 seats.

I got it from an estate sale and it was being handled by an IRS contractor. Can't believe the deal I got and worst case scenario I can still get $8.75 per 100 pounds of bus at the metal recycler and double my investment.

My first question is where to find a new front tire?

Thanks for welcoming me
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Old 09-18-2014, 04:26 PM   #5
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Willbilly Bus

No idea what size/type you are running, but very often you will find the best tire deals through big-rig tire shops.
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Old 09-18-2014, 05:42 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 58
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Gillig
Engine: Cat 3160
Re: Willbilly Bus

Welcome! Love the name of your bus! We're new, too and will look forward to following your progress.
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Old 09-19-2014, 12:07 AM   #7
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444 7.3
Rated Cap: 36
Re: Willbilly Bus

Cool! Good to meet you Gilligus!

I'll check the size when I get it home Saturday and I will have more pics to come.
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Old 07-15-2015, 03:33 PM   #8
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444 7.3
Rated Cap: 36
10 months later...

Hey everyone. My skoolie project took a crazy turn for me. At first I was intimidated and listed it on Ebay, it came within $200 bucks of my $4000 reserve but I decided to keep it. I was inspired by my you all and I knew my mother would be disappointing in me if I didn't follow through with the project. I moved forward and completed the bus in her memory.

I never intended it to be a full-service bus, just a spare room really. No bathroom or kitchen.

I completed the entire bus for $2650, including the original $1000 bus cost. I decided to try posting it on "Airbnb" and it immediately took off. Since January of this year I have made nearly $4000 on the bus and over 75 visitors have raved about their experience staying on it. I have it plugged into my house and added a little air-conditioner. The woodstove is a big hit also, but there is a small heater on the bus as well.

Meanwhile... I have missed having my bus available to use for myself, so my girlfriend and I invested in a new bus, and "usbus", not for Airbnb. It is a shorty, 4 window 1995 chevy C30 with the 6.5, 134k miles. New Michelin tires and CD player came with her. We plan to travel XC this coming winter.

My first converted bus:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o43u2zyaqb..._3438.JPG?dl=0

Here is a link to the Airbnb listing:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4678535

here is our second bus, "zebus"
https://www.dropbox.com/s/972x0fz4h4...rtbus.jpg?dl=0
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