Re: Shopping for my first Skoolie.
Most SHUTTLE buses will have front & rear A/C...it's off the engine. Some use a second compressor, some run both off one compressor. The dual-comp setup is MUCH better. Many van-chassis SCHOOL buses will NOT have A/C at all.
Most do have 4.10's...with 225/75R16 tires and the OD automatic, 65MPH is about 2100RPM, according to the AIC readouts in the ones I drove. 2600RPM sounds like no OD or 4.88 gears. Be aware: while the E4OD was introduced around 1989, the E-350 was available with the 3-speed C6 until 1994!
MOST (but by no means all) Econoline cutaways will have cruise control...if not, it can be added.
Some have a full cab (like a class C motorhome), a passenger seat in those would be very simple to add. If they have the "cut cab" with the entry door on the side, that's more problematic...I cannot think of a SAFE way to add a shotgun seat to one of those.
One VERY important thing: you said "At this point I am looking for a E350/450 bus, the longer the better. 7.3 diesel being a must." You might want to rethink this. The biggest problem witrh a cutaway is WEIGHT. I have driven an E-450 (a 2000 with a massive luggage-van body) that was overweight EMPTY. A diesel E-350 will be VERY easy to overload. The diesel adds several hundred pounds of lard on the front. I wouldn't convert an E-350 unless it was a gasser and a shorty (17 or 21-pax). Any bigger, I would want an E-450 for the extra 2500lbs of chassis capacity. (E-450 is 14,050lbs, E-350 is 11,500-12,600lbs.) The 450 also gives bigger brakes with 4-wheel discs, better parking brake, hydroboost (even on gassers), larger rear axle, and usually more fuel capacity. Also, anything badged "E-Super Duty" is an E-450.
Don't overlook gas engines...expecially on an E350, they have plenty of guts...a 5.4 E350 has no problems with hills even (over)loaded with passengers. The 5.4 and the V10 are easy 300,000+ milers if maintained even sort-of properly.
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Jarlaxle
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Optimism is a mental disorder.
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