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01-28-2016, 01:51 AM
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#1
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 102
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worth converting?
just a general question? came across this and just fancied the idea of converting this being tht it seems pretty cheap and mileage is "low". its not a school bus so not tech a skoolie but close enough. has anyone ever had any experience with something like this? is it worth it? would it make a good home with its lack of ground clearance, type of motor,tranny, etc? any positives of converting something like this instead of a school bus? just figured id start a conversation and see what you all thought for anyone out there who decides converting a bus tht isnt a skoolie. being tht you all as a collective have far more understanding of these things than i.
https://eastoregon.craigslist.org/cto/5404721577.html
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01-28-2016, 06:41 AM
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#2
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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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I'm sure I've asked you this before, but where are you located?
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01-28-2016, 07:07 AM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: hills of sw virginia
Posts: 889
Year: 1996
Chassis: thomas
Engine: 8.3 cummins
Rated Cap: 11 window
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go for it, check the usual. ask the top speed. good luck
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01-28-2016, 08:05 AM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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That looks like a nice bus but it has quite a few issues that don't lend itself to being a good conversion candidate.
First, there is virtually no space under the floor for any tanks or plumbing.
Second, since it was in transit service the power package and gearing is most likely not set up for highway speeds.
Third, if you ever expect to go anyplace off pavement you are going to have some real issues with ground clearance.
I have seen some really nice conversions made in low floor transit buses where all of the plumbing and tanks were installed on the factory floor and then a new floor was built on top of everything. That is fine if you have enough inside height to do so. Basically the floor would be the same height as the floor behind the drive axle of this bus. One advantage of this sort of construction is you won't have nearly as much of a problem keeping the floor warm and the tanks from freezing in cold weather. The big disadvantage is if you ever have a leak it can become a major disaster before you realize you have a problem.
If you recognize the problems and everything seems to work properly then the price makes this bus sort of attractive.
Good luck and happy trails.
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01-28-2016, 02:29 PM
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#5
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 102
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ok, i wouldnt convert this is was just interested in u guys' opinions. east coast cb im in l.a.
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01-28-2016, 02:36 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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California or Louisiana?
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01-28-2016, 04:46 PM
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#7
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 102
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sorry i always forget to clarify, but its california
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01-29-2016, 12:14 AM
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#8
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 102
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i mean realistically how hard(expensve) would it be to gear this for highway speeds and to raise the bus by a foot or 2? would the cost outway just straight buying a skool bus even though this bus has low miles and is pretty? those r the windows i kind of want and would save me loads of work
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01-29-2016, 05:12 AM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
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IMHO, you would be better off getting a skoolie and installing those windows if those are what you want. Considering you want a roof raise, and such, the carbon fiber body becomes VERY weak during a roof raise and the whole structural integrity is compromised as well. School buses are designed to be brawlers with lots of steel to handle being upside down and not crush in. Thus you see lots of school buses getting roof raises. I do not have the facility, time, nor budget to do a roof raise, but I do appreciate roof raises done correctly and safely. The raise will give you options for larger windows and taller doors. I would not look at this fiberglass bus as a good candidate for such a project just in terms of safety alone.
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
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01-29-2016, 06:46 AM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: hills of sw virginia
Posts: 889
Year: 1996
Chassis: thomas
Engine: 8.3 cummins
Rated Cap: 11 window
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whats the top speed? 60 is fast enough in a bus. the roof is high enough. this is a great bus for the right person. i love those windows too, what a veiw of our great country. storage? plenty of storage area in the bus, most people haul to much junk around anyway. I M O
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01-30-2016, 06:12 AM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 447
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Ward
Chassis: International
Engine: Navistar 5.9 Diesel
Rated Cap: A butt-load...
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My only concern as a n00b is the body itself. I like my skoolie because it'll laugh at anything smaller than a car from any direction. This? I doubt it...
Ground clearance? You planning on going mudding with it?!? ;)
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01-30-2016, 06:26 AM
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#12
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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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Ground clearance is essential for getting up my driveway. YMMV.
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01-30-2016, 06:29 AM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 447
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Ward
Chassis: International
Engine: Navistar 5.9 Diesel
Rated Cap: A butt-load...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
Ground clearance is essential for getting up my driveway. YMMV.
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Park directly on the turnpike! I'm suuuuure the troopies will leave you alone! HA![emoji28]
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01-30-2016, 06:30 AM
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#14
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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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Its not too far now, they just expanded the 429 to about a mile from the bus!
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