Quote:
Originally Posted by dgorila1
Has anyone bought a bus from the huge inventory that the NC school system has? Wondering what condition they generally tend to be in. Are they in good shape and road ready or do they tend to have issues? Thanks.
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I bought mine from the county bus barn.
Walked and talked with the mechanic's
When I went to pick it up I had to hang out for a few hours
They had to do a full safety inspection before they could turn it over to me because of liability
I didn't mind the wait because I got to watch them check/adjust the brakes
Air brake system pressure test
All fluids checked and topped off if needed and I paid attention to what fluid was topped off and what brand/type
And before I drove away they handed me the full 24 year maitenance record from day 1 including the FORD and THOMAS factory build sheets, specific wiring diagrams.
All weekly PM records and the monthly bi-annual oil analysis.
I bought a bus that was a daily driver for them 2-weeks before.
The only thing I wish I would have waited for was an activity bus. Better rear end gearing for higher road speed
They didn't have any for sale and for 2400$ I couldn't pass up what I have.
No matter what you get they all have leaks somewhere!
My bus body and frame is (down at the beach) in good to above good condition including the scar about halfway down one side from a sign somewhere in the jolly Rogers life (not bad but noticeable) and even though the barn had done a minute bondo skim and paint to dress it up.
The older bus barn man told me about it and it was in the maitenance records including before and after pics. No punctures,tears or damaged ribs.
The bus barn men my area in N.C. Are always ready to talk about there busses and if you buy one they want to see it and have experienced advice to offer.
I can only run at 49 butt I am getting ready to go to the barn and let them see the bus they sold me 5-years ago. Only primered but the inside is done.
I can do a lot of things but am tech challenged and my pics and photobucket do not quite get along.
Never done the surplus thing?
But my N.C. Bus was everything I expected and I can't complain