Help finding a bus

[dnhll]

I am based in NH and want to find a bus that I can use all winter essentially as a "ski house". I am 6'3 so between my height and insulation I am going to need to raise the roof. I also have a good friend in KY who owns a door manufacturing business and can raise the roof easily. Given the roof raise and spray foam, I want to start with a really clean West Coast bus. I would love to find someone knowledgeable who would be willing to inspect any local busses that fit the bill from a dry climate. I would also be interested in finding someone who would want to drive it to Corbin, KY. I would obviously pay for labor, travel, etc.

Really looking for a full length rear engine with a Cummins 8.3 and 3060 in good shape.

[DEPierce]

Ever consider a Florida bus? We generally don't see rust on our vehicles, and it's a helluva lot closer to KY. PublicSurplus.com auction site has a few Florida buses up for auction right now.

Check it out:
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/al...aucs?catid=402

Also, there's WeSellSchoolBuses.com - they're in the Tamps Bay area and offer a layaway option:
https://www.wesellschoolbuses.com/

Good Luck

[dnhll]

Thanks. I have heard that eastern busses aren't as clean, but i don't really care where it comes from as long as it is clean. I would be fine with a good bus from where ever.

I would like to stay older than emission issues and AC is actually a liability since I would simply remove it.

Thanks!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by DEPierce

Ever consider a Florida bus? We generally don't see rust on our vehicles, and it's a helluva lot closer to KY. PublicSurplus.com auction site has a few Florida buses up for auction right now.

Check it out:
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/al...aucs?catid=402

Also, there's WeSellSchoolBuses.com - they're in the Tamps Bay area and offer a layaway option:
https://www.wesellschoolbuses.com/

Good Luck

Never found a REAL nice bus in FL and been looking since 96.

[BeNimble]

"raise the roof easily" lol you want a box truck, a trailer would mean stripping it down to increase insulation, but then you are doing all that work with a school bus, so...

[dnhll]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

"raise the roof easily" lol you want a box truck, a trailer would mean stripping it down to increase insulation, but then you are doing all that work with a school bus, so...

I would argue having access to overhead cranes, multiple forklifts, 40+ full time welders/fabricators and CNC punches/brakes makes the process much easier. That said, I have never raised a roof so maybe I am wrong.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I want to use it during the winter, which basically makes the roof raise mandatory given my height and required insulation. That said, I also want to use it the rest of the year to travel.

[Sehnsucht]

Florida buses may not have the tendency towards rust but they're usually pretty lacking in other areas like HP and too many miles and cheapest quality.

Yes a west coast bus is going to cost more and be more work to get home but at least you only have to go through the ordeal once if you buy the right bus the first time.

[cadillackid]

ive actually seen some really nice busses come out of kentucky believe it or not.. some areas do more sanding than salting.. and ive come across some pretty nice powerful drivetrains..

[BeNimble]

Originally Posted by dnhll

I would argue having access to overhead cranes, multiple forklifts, 40+ full time welders/fabricators and CNC punches/brakes makes the process much easier. That said, I have never raised a roof so maybe I am wrong.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I want to use it during the winter, which basically makes the roof raise mandatory given my height and required insulation. That said, I also want to use it the rest of the year to travel.

No you were very clear, and that is why I suggest a box truck.
Get a refer box truck, and its already insulated.

Doesn't effect me one way or the other what you choose to do.
When an old school bus was $1,000, made sense to start with one. Now at $5,000 or more?

[Stu & Filo. T]

I'm selling mine if your interested in taking over someones project.

[peteg59]

You're on the right track in looking for your bus outside the "Rust Belt".
I found mine in Pender County NC, without any rust or rot on it.
Lucky, maybe, but I'm still happy with my buy 2 years on...

That Crown above looks like it would be fun, IF I was looking for something to get up and running in quickly. (Assuming it runs and motivates down the road)...

[Stu & Filo. T]

Originally Posted by peteg59

You're on the right track in looking for your bus outside the "Rust Belt".
I found mine in Pender County NC, without any rust or rot on it.
Lucky, maybe, but I'm still happy with my buy 2 years on...

That Crown above looks like it would be fun, IF I was looking for something to get up and running in quickly. (Assuming it runs and motivates down the road)...

Just gotta charge the battery, It has the 250 Cummins & Allison 647

[cadillackid]

you are selling the crown??? heck that project is the hard part done!!

[Stu & Filo. T]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

you are selling the crown??? heck that project is the hard part done!!

Yep, Have some health issues keeping me from being able to continue , So wife said " That bus is going to kill you get rid of it & get a motorhome" So I bought the motorhome now I need the room.

[cadillackid]

definitately something to be said for going and getting a motorhome that you can just hop in the seat and travel in now vs another couple years of building on the bus..

[BeNimble]

California is a bit far from New Hampshire for the OP, and the roof raise was the "easy part" so...post the Ruined Classic Crown on the for sale forum, lot more people here would be interested.

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

California is a bit far from New Hampshire for the OP, and the roof raise was the "easy part" so...post the Ruined Classic Crown on the for sale forum, lot more people here would be interested.

that's kind of exaggerated, I think it is a very clean roof raise. Looks a lot like the factory Crown bookmobiles I've seen on occasion.