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05-18-2017, 08:22 AM
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#1
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Willing to give some advice? Purchasing.
I'm located in Chattanooga, TN and shopping for a bus to convert. I've been reading a lot and trying to digest. I found a craigslist ad for some busses in GA that are not too far from me.
I don't have link privileges yet, but here is the description:
Have 3 1997 Genesis School buses with diesel engine, automatic trans. Good tires, glass, very good bodies and paint. Take your choice for $4750. each. - See at Welch Industries, 650 Red Oak Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 --
I emailed for a little more info and found that all three are still available. The listing has been up for coming up on 2 weeks. He gave the following additional info: DT466 engine, automatic trans. 72 (student) passenger.
They are transit style busses. There's only one picture in the ad, but as much as one can tell from a single photo they look like reasonably well looked after busses. I'm sure if you do a google search on craigslist you can find it easily. Has this as the main caption: 1997 Genesis School Bus - $4750 (Stockbridge)
Does anyone know if these busses would be mechanically injected? Any chance they would have air ride?
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05-18-2017, 09:47 AM
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#2
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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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David, welcome to the community.
Here's some advice. Broaden your search.
https://www.govdeals.com/
Go to "Buses, Transit and School - 102 items"
https://www.govliquidation.com/login
Public Surplus: Browse all categories
We could guess all day about what equipment is in the three buses you found. I like the year because you're probably looking at mechanical engines. You could very well save one or two thousand off the purchase price.
Good luck.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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05-18-2017, 11:28 AM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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05-18-2017, 11:33 AM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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I've looked at hundreds of busses online, but finding everything in one bus has been difficult. I figured a bus that I could look at and that is hopefully more rust free from a life in the south was a good place to start. Open to things farther away if I can find a way to get confidence.
I just got off the phone with the seller. They each have right around 100k miles on them. Around 36' in length. I like pretty much everything about what I'm seeing so far, but the asking price is higher than I would like - although the low miles is attractive - and I really hear that air ride is worth it.
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05-18-2017, 11:34 AM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
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That's the one! Thanks!
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05-18-2017, 12:41 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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TN has better buses than GA.
FL and GA beat the snot out of em, rob parts off em, then sell em after they sit for a few more years.
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05-18-2017, 01:52 PM
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#7
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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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I think it should be obvious that if a bus is missing parts, you're already scraping the bottom of the proverbial barrel. If you know what you're dealing with, i.e. replacing a bad set of injectors, you can get yourself a pretty guy buy. At the same time scavenged vehicles can be missing things most of us don't even think to look for.
Buy a functioning complete bus from the bus barn in states that don't trash their old buses. A bus that's been sitting empty for several years is going to have problems of some sort, beyond the light skim of mold that starts growing on everything.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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05-18-2017, 06:24 PM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
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05-18-2017, 07:58 PM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Pensacola and Crystal River, FL
Posts: 647
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: Navistar 7.6L
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
TN has better buses than GA.
FL and GA beat the snot out of em, rob parts off em, then sell em after they sit for a few more years.
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Depends on the "richness" of the school district.
Although your not likely to find a mountain climbing equipped bus in FL or most of GA.
And if it is a route bus it might not go faster than 50, but that is true in every state.
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05-18-2017, 08:10 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleO7
Depends on the "richness" of the school district.
Although your not likely to find a mountain climbing equipped bus in FL or most of GA.
And if it is a route bus it might not go faster than 50, but that is true in every state.
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Even the rich districts here run their low-spec buses into the ground. Then the exporters pay 8-15 grand whether they're running or not.
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05-20-2017, 09:43 AM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Found a few more options:
Option 1:
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...55&acctid=4438
2002 International 3800 BUS, 7.6L L6 DIESEL. School Bus purchased new by Stewart County Schools. (72 Capacity); Runs & Drives Good; Used to transport students through May 15, 2017. Minor dents and dings on the bus body, but expected after being used 15 years - extended one extra year - total of 16 years on the road. PS; Air Brakes; 60 gal fuel tank; Tires -- fair; can be drove from our lot.
Current bid is $1000. 4 Days left on auction. Talked to head mechanic for school district (this is in TN) and it is a DT466 motor. Engine resleeved and tranny rebuilt 20k ago. My thoughts: Only cons I see are poor tire quality and not-air ride. Prob worth $2k to $3k.
Option 2:
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/6103678733.html
This is a 1998 Blue Bird bus that is in good condition in the interior and exterior with only 138k on miles. Make a good project for a Party bus! Model:: TC FE 7200 6 Cyl. It runs well and no known issues. I think this was a 72 pass bus.
I spoke with the seller and he told me the following: air ride, air brakes, new tires, Cummins motor but not sure displacement. Heat but no AC. Governed at 68mph. Asking $5500.
My thoughts: not sure if mechanical or electronic - anyone here know? Likely the 5.9 motor, which seems like it might be small in a full size bus. This is the first bus I've actually come across with air ride and that is really attractive to me. Painted white - looks nice.
Option 3:
No link - post expired, but seller active responding to me.
2000 Model year Thomas. Cummins 5.9. Leaf sprung. Brand new tires. Aluminum wheels. Air Brakes. 20k original miles. 78 pass. Leaf sprung. Asking $5k.
My thoughts: seems like a small engine for such a big bus. Open to opinions about this.
I would love to have you experts weigh in!
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05-20-2017, 09:45 AM
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#12
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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05-20-2017, 12:00 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KANSAS CITY
Posts: 751
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#2
Looks good to me. Unfamiliar with that engine. Tire Age? Condition.
#3 I like also
__________________
Former owner of a 1969 F600 Skoolie.
1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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05-20-2017, 01:59 PM
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#14
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Versatile
#2
Looks good to me. Unfamiliar with that engine. Tire Age? Condition.
#3 I like also
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Looks like you have a full size bus with the 5.9 that is the same year. Can you tell me what your experience has been? Turbo? Mechanical or electronic ignition? Powerful enough?
Thanks for sharing!
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05-20-2017, 02:12 PM
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#15
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07
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This looks like a pretty nice bus to me and the price is a bit on the low side considering the miles on the bus.
It also has the advantage of not being yellow.
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05-20-2017, 02:15 PM
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#16
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
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These look like pretty nice buses.
Welch Industries is best known as THE place to go for coach A/C parts, pieces, service, or upgrades. They have only recently gotten into used bus sales.
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05-20-2017, 02:18 PM
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#17
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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Option #2 appears to be a pretty nice looking bus as well and the price doesn't look out of line.
I would want to know exactly which engine and transmission it has.
Of all of the options I would go with #3 first, #2 second, and #3 third.
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05-20-2017, 02:28 PM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach
Option #2 appears to be a pretty nice looking bus as well and the price doesn't look out of line.
I would want to know exactly which engine and transmission it has.
Of all of the options I would go with #3 first, #2 second, and #3 third.
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Both #2 and #3 are not yellow, which I agree is nice. The air ride has me leaning toward #2. Is the mileage that has you leaning toward #3?
Do you feel like the 5.9 is a good powerplant in a fullsize bus?
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05-20-2017, 02:30 PM
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#19
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach
These look like pretty nice buses.
Welch Industries is best known as THE place to go for coach A/C parts, pieces, service, or upgrades. They have only recently gotten into used bus sales.
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Oh, that's interesting to know. He told me the busses were for sale because the owner was trying to run a shuttle service in Atlanta without AC and that was a bust.
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05-20-2017, 04:51 PM
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#20
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KANSAS CITY
Posts: 751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07
Looks like you have a full size bus with the 5.9 that is the same year. Can you tell me what your experience has been? Turbo? Mechanical or electronic ignition? Powerful enough?
Thanks for sharing!
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I love my 5.9 mechanical. Plenty of power for me. I can run 75 mph @2800 rpm IF i want. It is easy to go fast. Use mne has a Turbo. With a 12V Mechanical i don't need any electricity to run the Engine after start up.
__________________
Former owner of a 1969 F600 Skoolie.
1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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