New Converters Looking for Opinions

toomanydogs · 03-25-2018, 08:45 PM

Hey everyone! My wife and I are really excited to get started on our new skoolie lifestyle and we think we've finally found the bus we want. But, since we are so new, we were hoping we might get some feed back from some people a little more knowledgable than we.

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=2054768

Thanks in advance for the help.

PNW_Steve · 03-26-2018, 10:03 AM

Nice looking bus.

Great drivetrane.

Already "not yellow"

Miles are a bit on the high side. Not terrible but I would pay close attention to condition and prior maintenance.

Being an AZ bus it is likely rust free.

It has a lot going for it. Good find.

toomanydogs · 03-26-2018, 12:42 PM

Thank you very much for helping! There are no maintenance records for the bus. In your opinion are we taking a big risk with the high miles? I agree there is a lot going for this bus. It was a corrections bus. Thank you again!!

PNW_Steve · 03-26-2018, 02:36 PM

I don't think that I would run away from this one due to mileage. It would make me a bit more cautious.

I am not well versed on the DT466 but I have read the B50 life is 550k miles. That means that around half of the motors put in service will need to be rebuilt by the time they get to 550k miles.

School bus service is considered "severe duty" and the miles before rebuild would be somewhat less.

I expect that there are some folks here with DT equipped buses with similar miles that can share their experience.

PNW_Steve · 03-26-2018, 02:43 PM

I just caught the part about it being a corrections bus. I would think that would be less "severe" than school route service.

I would also expect highway gearing.

Can you get out to inspect it?

If so, I would be looking for the typical stuff. Coolant or oil in places that it shouldn't be. IE: oil in coolant or coolant in oil. Check for excessive blow by., leaks etc.

toomanydogs · 03-26-2018, 03:20 PM

wow thank you so much!! you have been so helpful! No we can't get out there in time to inspect it but its possible to find a mechanic to check it out nonetheless thank you and we will update you on our win (fingers crossed 3 days!)

PNW_Steve · 03-26-2018, 03:25 PM

Good luck!

toomanydogs · 04-02-2018, 12:09 PM

just an update ...we won the auction! thank you again for your input!!

PNW_Steve · 04-02-2018, 04:09 PM

Woo Hoo!

Congratulations. Now the fun really begins

We will be watching for your build thread.

PNW_Steve · 04-02-2018, 04:10 PM

Where are you located?

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