2002 Freightliner Shorty

[o1marc]

2002 Freightliner with a Cat 3126B with 239K, Allison 2000 trans. Air ride, air brakes. 23' long. New tires. A/C non operational. NO RUST. I just drove it 400 miles, ran flawlessly. Block heater. Asking $3795 on Craigslist locally, Skoolie member can have it for $3500.

[sepudo]

Looks good.
I just bought a bus and it looks like that. Didn't know the lingo is short bus for that length ��

Mine is a 2003 Thomas Freightliner with a 3126 as well, not sure if it's a (b) or not.
Has air drivers seat and air parking brake but not sure if it has air brakes and/or suspension.

I agree with the drive. I expected this overly loud and rattling box. Drove like a large version of my sprinter van

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by sepudo

Looks good.
I just bought a bus and it looks like that. Didn't know the lingo is short bus for that length ��

Mine is a 2003 Thomas Freightliner with a 3126 as well, not sure if it's a (b) or not.
Has air drivers seat and air parking brake but not sure if it has air brakes and/or suspension.

I agree with the drive. I expected this overly loud and rattling box. Drove like a large version of my sprinter van

If it has air parking brake , it has air brakes.
Speaking of loud, I am impressed with this front door, it closes tight and doesn't make noise. One of the only things I didn't like is the front drivers window doesn't latch closed tight. while running it slowly starts to open and start whistling until you realize where the noise is coming from and push it tight again.
The air brakes will stop you on a dime and give $.08 change.

[banman]

Interesting -- so that's what my bus would look like if I lopped off 12 or more feet...
And then I realized it's a BB and not a Thomas but they look nearly the same.
Different rub rails -- wish mine had the arrow silhouettes in the rear turn signals...

What's the ceiling height?

Good luck with sale.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by banman

Interesting -- so that's what my bus would look like if I lopped off 12 or more feet...
And then I realized it's a BB and not a Thomas but they look nearly the same.
Different rub rails -- wish mine had the arrow silhouettes in the rear turn signals...

What's the ceiling height?

Good luck with sale.

It's 23', I just walked it off. Doing so showed me if a cop asked me to walk a DUI heel/toe walk, I would be going to jail. No way I could keep my balance doing it sober, scary.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

If it has air parking brake , it has air brakes.
Speaking of loud, I am impressed with this front door, it closes tight and doesn't make noise. One of the only things I didn't like is the front drivers window doesn't latch closed tight. while running it slowly starts to open and start whistling until you realize where the noise is coming from and push it tight again.
The air brakes will stop you on a dime and give $.08 change.

Nah, LOTS of buses have hydro brakes but an air parking brake.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Nah, LOTS of buses have hydro brakes but an air parking brake.

After some research I see that is correct. All I know on this one everything is air. You can tell if you have air brakes or not the first time you step on them. Not being used to this size bus, hit the brakes at the first stop sign and almost went through the windshield, Yup, air brakes. These will stop you on a dime and give $.08 change. I will never except hydraulic brakes if I have an option.

What is an "air over hydraulic brake system"

[EastCoastCB]

https://kor-pak.com/air-hydraulic-brake-system-work/

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

https://kor-pak.com/air-hydraulic-brake-system-work/

....

[WIbluebird]

Those Freightliners with the Bluebird bodies are actually kinda rare. I think Bluebird only offered the Freightliner chassis for a few years up until 2004 when the Vision came out.

Thomas sold way more Freightliner chassis buses than Bluebird ever did.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by o1marc

What is an "air over hydraulic brake system"?

Not a very common system, some *OLD* trucks used 'em (We're talking late 60's, early 70's) and some rock quarry off-road trucks and construction equipment (cranes, concrete mixers) used them.


Aside from some old Euclid quarry trucks, I've never driven a truck that had 'em.


Years ago (early 80's) I had a relative pour concrete stairs on a *VERY* steeply sloped property (something like a 200' drop from street to lake). The mixer backed down the driveway, much of the brake fluid ended up on the driveway and the mixer ended up being towed once it was unloaded.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

Those Freightliners with the Bluebird bodies are actually kinda rare. I think Bluebird only offered the Freightliner chassis for a few years up until 2004 when the Vision came out.

Thomas sold way more Freightliner chassis buses than Bluebird ever did.

The Blue Bird Freightliner FS65 was discontinued after 2002.

[sepudo]

Originally Posted by o1marc

The Freightliner FS65 was discontinued after 2002.

...hmmm, when I looked up the vin on the 2003 Thomas Freightliners I purchased recently the vin came up as FS65...

Did I get the last of the Mohican?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by sepudo

...hmmm, when I looked up the vin on the 2003 Thomas Freightliners I purchased recently the vin came up as FS65...

Did I get the last of the Mohican?

Nope, the FS65 was discontinued by BB, Crown by Carpenter, and Corbell in 02. Thomas continued until 2007. I edited the correction in my post.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Nope, the FS65 was discontinued by BB, Crown by Carpenter, and Corbell in 02. Thomas continued until 2007. I edited the correction in my post.

correct!!! I asked a friend about this who has an 07... his is an FS with a C7... after the FS is when thomas went all-in with the C2...



if this were a $2000-2500 bus I'd be on an airplane this morning... Just sayin.. if it doesnt sell...



-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

correct!!! I asked a friend about this who has an 07... his is an FS with a C7... after the FS is when thomas went all-in with the C2...



if this were a $2000-2500 bus I'd be on an airplane this morning... Just sayin.. if it doesnt sell...



-Christopher

I can't wait till you finally get ahold of a Cat.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I can't wait till you finally get ahold of a Cat.

almost had one last week.. after rising in my buddy;s A3RE that he picked up cheap in indy (almost a skoolie holy grail bus for 2k in the midwest... 125K, very little rust, 230 HP C7 / MD3060, runs like a CHAMP.. for 2k out the door...



that one is his.. and it will keep it's seats.. I looked at one local to me. with a 3126 / MD3060. but when I ran the computer it sent me a toilet-paper roll of trans codes on allison DOC. so I ran away quick...



I'd like a little FS to play with.. although this one when I read the other thread, if its the same bus being limited to 60 would be an issue for me..

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Marc,

Do you have access to the service records? Any idea what the issue is with the A/C?

Thanks.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Hey Marc,

Do you have access to the service records? Any idea what the issue is with the A/C?

Thanks.

I'm sure the records are available from the bus garage. Have no Idea why it doesn't work. Turn the knob, nothing happens.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I'm sure the records are available from the bus garage. Have no Idea why it doesn't work. Turn the knob, nothing happens.

My automotive a/c knowledge is a bit weak.

Can anyone tell me if there are any pitfalls to resurrecting 2002 air conditioning?

Parts? Refrigerant?

Thanks.