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Old 05-16-2017, 06:05 AM   #21
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
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Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Both my cheapo AmTrans came with air ride rear. The bags are a couple hundo to replace, each. Two in rear like any normal setup I've ever seen on a school bus.
Maybe I don't need a Crown if they're made so heavily of unobtainium.

After owning a bus on leafs and two on air bags, I'd never buy a leaf spring bus and spend time and money turning it into a horrible-riding home.
THIS!! air springs arent expensive.. the "control" for them is a simple lever arm valvew that costs 50 bucks and has 3 bolts to change it.. you can even change air springs yourself if you have a couple decent jacks and some good jackstands.. a broken air spring wont put you along side of the road.. a broken leaf spring will..

that bus with 4.78 gears and a 643 will likely top out at 55-60 unless you can push 2700 RPM out of that engine...

the one with 5.38's better have an MD3060 or you will be goin slow...

-Christopher

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Old 05-16-2017, 06:45 AM   #22
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Gulfport, MS
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Year: 2000
Coachwork: Bluebird All American Re
Engine: Cat 3126
The 4.78 geared air suspension bus has the Cat and 3060 Trans, when I drove it yesterday it got right on up to 60mph with no problem. At 60mph it was turning 2000rpm. I don't know if 5th and 6th gears are unlocked. When I put it in gear a 5 appears. Does that mean I am only getting 5 gears?

Mike
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Old 05-16-2017, 06:49 AM   #23
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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Originally Posted by bridg73988 View Post
The 4.78 geared air suspension bus has the Cat and 3060 Trans, when I drove it yesterday it got right on up to 60mph with no problem. At 60mph it was turning 2000rpm. I don't know if 5th and 6th gears are unlocked. When I put it in gear a 5 appears. Does that mean I am only getting 5 gears?

Mike
Yeah, 5 gears.
If its running great and you don't mind spending more for parts if they break that Cat bus sounds pretty nice. 3060 will be a 5 speed in a bus. 6th *can* be unlocked, but not for everyone.
Cats are great engines, if you're not paying for the stuff.
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Old 05-16-2017, 08:08 AM   #24
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What do you mean it can be unlocked but not for everyone? Is there restrictions on who can and can't? How does one go about getting it unlocked?
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Old 05-16-2017, 08:15 AM   #25
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What do you mean it can be unlocked but not for everyone? Is there restrictions on who can and can't? How does one go about getting it unlocked?
A couple owners have managed to get theirs unlocked, but others have been shot down.
You'd have to ask them.
5 gears with OD is still better than 4 with no OD.
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Old 05-16-2017, 08:36 AM   #26
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Who do I ask? Allison? 5th gear OD is better than nothing - Roger That! But, 6th gear OD on flat open highway would keep the rpm down at 65 mph!
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Old 05-16-2017, 09:04 AM   #27
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Go with the '97 and stay all mechanical.
Great advice. I read here that you can buy a full set of fuel injectors for a 12v 5.9 cummins for the same money or less than one injector for the electronic 24v 5.9 cummins. After you start your 5.9 12valve. then you no longer need electricity to keep it running..No codes to read and just basic knowledge will get you there and back engine wise.
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Old 05-16-2017, 10:35 AM   #28
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Great advice. I read here that you can buy a full set of fuel injectors for a 12v 5.9 cummins for the same money or less than one injector for the electronic 24v 5.9 cummins. After you start your 5.9 12valve. then you no longer need electricity to keep it running..No codes to read and just basic knowledge will get you there and back engine wise.

That's only true if you're talking about a common rail engine. Those electronically controlled injectors are about $300 each.

However, Cummins didn't adopt common rail injection until about 2003.

Prior to that, the injector pumps were electronically controlled, but the injectors themselves were not. An electronic engine with the VP44 pump uses injectors that cost about $75 each.

Still a little more expensive than a $55 injector for a P-pump engine, but not a huge difference.
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Old 05-16-2017, 10:46 AM   #29
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At first I was looking for a bus with the mechanical Cummins, but after driving a 40ft pusher with an older Cummins 5.9 it's just not gonna make traveling in it any fun at all.
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Old 05-16-2017, 11:21 AM   #30
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You're right, I wouldn't get into a 40' bus with a 5.9 either. It's a school bus, and someone obviously had a flat route hauling kids at low speeds. City school bus.

Even in my 26', 9 window, bus the 5.9 feels a bit on the weak side, but it does get up to speed on the highway. A little traffic will pile up behind me while entering the highway, but I'm soon up to speed. I wouldn't want a 40'er with this engine either, then again I do live in the mountains. I climb mountains just going home that are steeper than the passes you guys talk about traveling. Even here in the mountains I'm not finding that much trouble with my 545, but I can see where it could be a problem. I can only do about 25 mph climbing the steeper grades in this area. Climbing to the top of the mountain was the first time I'd ever seen the fan engage and it scared the carp out of me.

We're all in a hurry to get where we're going. It's not so bad to slow down. Someone with an actual fast bus would scare me.
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Old 05-16-2017, 01:23 PM   #31
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Engine: Cat 3126
Yep! The destination is just the half of it, the journey is the real fun! I don't need a tour bus that will cruise at 80-90mph, but something that can hold a steady 65 maybe 70 on the interstate would be awesome! I don't have to be the first one there, but I don't want to be the last either!
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