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12-30-2017, 07:10 PM
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#1
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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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Help Me Find The Right Bus
So after being here for just a few weeks and doing a massive amount of research I am extremely interested in finding a bus and doing a full build. After working at the trailer fab shop in Ocala for 5 months earlier this year and being associated with Airstream trailer modifying and Tiny Home building I am extremely motivated to get started. I don't want to run into any (or many)factors during mid build that tells me I shoulda had this other bus instead.
The criteria I need is a 40'er so I can have a 7-8' shop, bedroom, bath, kitchen, etc. A wheelchair lift in the right rear corner would be a huge plus. Must be front engine. I've seen buses up to 2006's going for $5K and less, 1995-99 in the $3500 range. I'd like to stay in the $5k or under range. Considering engines and trans and needing highway speed capabilities are important. What are the pros and cons of a flat front bus over a truck hood type?
What bus am I looking for?
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12-30-2017, 07:15 PM
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#2
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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
So after being here for just a few weeks and doing a massive amount of research I am extremely interested in finding a bus and doing a full build. After working at the trailer fab shop in Ocala for 5 months earlier this year and being associated with Airstream trailer modifying and Tiny Home building I am extremely motivated to get started. I don't want to run into any (or many)factors during mid build that tells me I shoulda had this other bus instead.
The criteria I need is a 40'er so I can have a 7-8' shop, bedroom, bath, kitchen, etc. A wheelchair lift in the right rear corner would be a huge plus. Must be front engine. I've seen buses up to 2006's going for $5K and less, 1995-99 in the $3500 range. I'd like to stay in the $5k or under range. Considering engines and trans and needing highway speed capabilities are important. What are the pros and cons of a flat front bus over a truck hood type?
What bus am I looking for?
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Flat front (Transit) ... Engine access the worst of all. More interior space for the overall length. Often a shorter wheelbase for better manoeuvrability. A little more expensive than Conventional. Hot to drive in summer, and noisy all year
Conventional ... Better engine access (much better). Cooler to drive and a little quieter. Less space for OA length. Easier to drive for a novice because the wheels are in the normal position. Visibility is not as good as transit. Might have a longer wheelbase as front axle is further forward. Cheap and plentiful.
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12-30-2017, 07:29 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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So you're looking for a 40' FE bus? Larger engines only please.
Many of the wheelchair capable buses were the smaller and medium size more maneuverable buses.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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12-30-2017, 07:30 PM
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#4
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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 Twigg
Flat front (Transit) ... Engine access the worst of all. More interior space for the overall length. Often a shorter wheelbase for better manoeuvrability. A little more expensive than Conventional. Hot to drive in summer, and noisy all year
Conventional ... Better engine access (much better). Cooler to drive and a little quieter. Less space for OA length. Easier to drive for a novice because the wheels are in the normal position. Visibility is not as good as transit. Might have a longer wheelbase as front axle is further forward. Cheap and plentiful.
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Any brands in particular that stand out one way or the other? Desired Engine/Tranny combos are in what buses?
I forgot to mention my qualifications for building one of these. I owned a window tint shop in the late 80's, then a pressure washing company in the early 90's. Then I did vinyl siding for about 6 months after my divorce and then started to do residential construction for 12 years until the economy tanked in 08. I single handedly build a 3 bedroom slab home on a lake for $60K and sold it for $110. Then I but my current home that I run a custom powder coating business out of. During all that time I was heavily involved in motorsports, becoming a 2 time NASCAR track champion with 60 feature wins over 18 years. Building and fabricating all my own cars. Then started the fabrication of the Bonneville Land Speed Record holding Metro and S-10. Also built a number of custom vintage motorcycles. Now I wanna build a bus.
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12-30-2017, 07:34 PM
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#5
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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 Robin97396
So you're looking for a 40' FE bus? Larger engines only please.
Many of the wheelchair capable buses were the smaller and medium size more maneuverable buses.
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I've seen lifts used for anywhere from $250-$800. The trick might be finding a door to salvage to mount it in, though I don't think the WC door is any different from other doors as the lift mounts to the floor. If it doesn't have a lift I will mod a door and make the back a double LR door.
I saw a 2006 International 89pass. flat front that got no bids at $5500, that surprised me. That definitely has the room for a build out, front engine FE.
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12-30-2017, 07:37 PM
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#6
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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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You have competing requirements, which is not unusual.
For highway driving you want a big engine and decent transmission. They tend to be the province of rear-engined buses, ruling out a rear garage. It's possible to find a conventional with the Cummins 8.3L, but they are rare.
You want 40', but few of them are SPED buses so no lift. Buses with lifts tend not to have the better power-trains as they rarely venture on the highway.
So you have to decide what's most important, and where you can compromise.
A DT466 with a decent transmission would be fine for most purposes, and there are a lot of them around. Avoid the ones with the AT545 transmission. That trans ain't great, and they only go behind the lower-powered DT466 anyway.
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12-30-2017, 09:17 PM
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#7
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Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
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12-30-2017, 09:58 PM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
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Marc,
What Rusty posed is probably the closest thing you will ever see as far as what you are looking for, based upon your description. Jump on it FAST. Those are not very common.
Just my two cents.....
M
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
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12-30-2017, 10:01 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
So after being here for just a few weeks and doing a massive amount of research I am extremely interested in finding a bus and doing a full build. After working at the trailer fab shop in Ocala for 5 months earlier this year and being associated with Airstream trailer modifying and Tiny Home building I am extremely motivated to get started. I don't want to run into any (or many)factors during mid build that tells me I shoulda had this other bus instead.
The criteria I need is a 40'er so I can have a 7-8' shop, bedroom, bath, kitchen, etc. A wheelchair lift in the right rear corner would be a huge plus. Must be front engine. I've seen buses up to 2006's going for $5K and less, 1995-99 in the $3500 range. I'd like to stay in the $5k or under range. Considering engines and trans and needing highway speed capabilities are important. What are the pros and cons of a flat front bus over a truck hood type?
What bus am I looking for?
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Nice, I grew up on the outskirts of Ocala, partly. The Shores.
What trailer fab shop did you work in?
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12-30-2017, 10:05 PM
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#10
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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 EastCoastCB
Nice, I grew up on the outskirts of Ocala, partly. The Shores.
What trailer fab shop did you work in?
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The Trailer Doctor and Fab Shop on NE 36th. North east corner of Marion county
I have friends that live in the Shores.
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12-31-2017, 08:29 PM
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#11
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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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i'm going to start keeping ideas for my build here until I get a bus and start an actual build thread. I'm capping my budget at $20k. With luck that will include the price of the bus. I want a full wall with a door to access the rear shop. I figured the other side of that wall would be the bed area. I'm trying to decide how important wall thickness is. Do I go just 2"insulated walls or 2x3 or 2x4 walls. I was thinking of doing a pocket door in that wall so I wouldn't loose floor space from door swing, I don't want the door to swing into the shop. If I do a pocket door I could have a full size Murphy bed on one side and a set of Murphey Bunk beds on the other so when they were both down the whole width would be mattress and have a second bunk. I just found these and think the are cool as shite. And simple and inexpensive to make.
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12-31-2017, 08:32 PM
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#12
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Bus Geek
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
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Effin' Brilliant!
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12-31-2017, 09:00 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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Mentally I thought my bus was going to be a lot cooler than it really is.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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12-31-2017, 09:03 PM
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#14
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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 Robin97396
Mentally I thought my bus was going to be a lot cooler than it really is.
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I'm trying to avoid that. I'm sure it happens to a lot of builders. Functional is ok, but as long as it's costing a chunk of change I'd like it to be worth more than it cost. I'd like to be able to build these for others since the trend is getting bigger to downsize.
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12-31-2017, 09:12 PM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty
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That's a pretty attractive setup actually! Two diesel generators even!
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12-31-2017, 09:35 PM
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#16
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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 brokedown
That's a pretty attractive setup actually! Two diesel generators even!
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More than I wanted to spend on a bus. But when you consider the cost of the 2 generators and 3 air conditioners, it's probably cheaper than what I could find for $3500. It's a sham that it has a rear wall already, but it's only 3' to the rear, I'd have to move it forward to in front of the side door, maybe put a lift in that door. I'm slowly leaning towards this one. I'd like to hear how loud the generators are.
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12-31-2017, 10:58 PM
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#17
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Greater Houston, Tx.
Posts: 589
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That bed setup is great. I never saw anything like that on the Murphy bed site. Where'd you find em?
As far as you back wall...I'm sure you know that those fumes can, and will, funnel into the bus. I remember trying to sleep in an RV that had a shop in back. NOT FUN.
I've donated blood several times in one of those buses, and never gave those gens. any thought. Everyone talking at their normal volume. If that's what your thinking about, no worries.
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12-31-2017, 11:06 PM
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#18
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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 1olfart
That bed setup is great. I never saw anything like that on the Murphy bed site. Where'd you find em?
As far as you back wall...I'm sure you know that those fumes can, and will, funnel into the bus. I remember trying to sleep in an RV that had a shop in back. NOT FUN.
I've donated blood several times in one of those buses, and never gave those gens. any thought. Everyone talking at their normal volume. If that's what your thinking about, no worries.
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Saw those beds on Pinterest. I can't stay away from there anymore than I can here or the 2 motorcycle forums i'm on. I was searching Tiny Home Floor Plans. While most of them are useless because they are usually 12-14' wide, it's hard to squeeze all that into a 7'9". What fumes are you talking about, the gas in 2 motorcycles?
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12-31-2017, 11:48 PM
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#19
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Greater Houston, Tx.
Posts: 589
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Yep. That and anything that might get spilled. Even fumes on oil rags, etc. I found it worse with 2cyl bikes and ATVs. Nothing that I thought would kill my big ass, but always woke up with a sore throat.
About your Iron butt rides., and seats....I used to have an old /6 BMW with their stock bread loaf seat. Wore my buns out, so I swapped it out for a Harley single. I could cruse all day on that cloud.
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12-31-2017, 11:51 PM
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#20
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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 1olfart
Yep. That and anything that might get spilled. Even fumes on oil rags, etc. I found it worse with 2cyl bikes and ATVs. Nothing that I thought would kill my big ass, but always woke up with a sore throat.
About your Iron butt rides., and seats....I used to have an old /6 BMW with their stock bread loaf seat. Wore my buns out, so I swapped it out for a Harley single. I could cruse all day on that cloud.
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Those were Twiggs Iron Butt rides, not mine.
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