Finally, after a year long search for the right bus, I think we nailed it...
...It's a 78 passenger 1996 Bluebird TC2000RE with the 8.3 Cummins and the MD3060 Allison, its got 198k on it. Runs like a raped ape
. We had to take it on 180 mile trip over two mountain passes to get it home. My dad drove and I followed, dad didn't know about the shift inhibitor in the tranny preventing down shifting with the foot to the mat so he pulled both passes in 5th gear. Even so, he was able to maintain 60 mph until the summits, at which point he slowed to 50 mph. During the the whole trip the ONLY smoke I saw was a light puff during shifting as he got to speed on the interstate.
Major bonus point...the guy I bought it from had already done the yeoman's work of pulling the seats, flooring, and paneling...
Let the games begin
Looking to re-do the driving compartment first to get the second seat up front, so the first order of business is to modify the door so it doesn't fold in so that I can move the steps. I had three thoughts on this. 1) Weld the pivot and convert to swinging door, 2) reverse the door so that it folds out, 3) replace the door. Any input on the best approach would be appreciated.
Casey