Looking for Ideal Bus

[Cameron Finley]

Looking for a bus to convert to a skoolie. Will be putting a lot of miles on the highway as well as some somewhat steep grades, and would therefore like something with a good cruising rpm, with some good output for the up-hills and good engine/trans breaking for the downhills.

Length: 28ft - 30ft (end to end)
Type: Either dog-nosed or flat-nosed
Engine: Dt466 (open to suggestions)
Transmission: Allison 2000 (open to suggestions)

All my experience is just from reading online, and therefore I am very open to suggestions and recommendations.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I have one that I need to move. It may be a little shorter than what you are looking for ...
01 IH/Blue Bird (with a hood), "6 window" body with wheelchair lift. Approx 26' overall length.
T444E engine, EBPV delete done.
Air brakes/air ride rear suspension.
Spicer 5-speed transmission.
~217K miles (Verified by ECM)
Rear gears swapped to 3.91
LED taillights.

Seats unbolted, most of plywood floor removed, 1/2 of steel "Ospho'd", primed. Carpet partially installed (should be easily removed if desired). Most of the hard/undesirable work is done.
Asking $7500, PM to discuss.

[BeNimble]

Ideal stopped making buses in the 80's, will be very hard to find one.
Might have more luck finding a Better Idea bus that Ford produced.

For going up/down hills, you want the lightest weight vehicle you can get.
A 26,000 lb steel school bus is about the worst choice in this regard.
The only thing I can think of that would be worse is a Prison bus.

[Cameron Finley]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

Ideal stopped making buses in the 80's, will be very hard to find one.
Might have more luck finding a Better Idea bus that Ford produced.

For going up/down hills, you want the lightest weight vehicle you can get.
A 26,000 lb steel school bus is about the worst choice in this regard.
The only thing I can think of that would be worse is a Prison bus.

I honestly wasn't aware that there was bus company/org called Ideal.

Let me rephrase, I am looking for a bus in good condition with the aforementioned qualities.

[WiredForStereo]

Good buses come along. Here are my recommendations:

Rear engines are my favorite. You're gonna get the best floor space for the length and much nicer to drive when the engine is on the other end of the vehicle.

466s are good engines, 530 is the same engine but bigger.

Consider also a Cummins ISC 8.3, that's about 506 cubic inches. You're gonna want the biggest engine you can get if you're concerned about hills. So forget the T444e, same with the 5.9 Cummins.

Electronic engines can be turned up fairly easily. I have an ISC 260hp, but they can be turned up to 400 or so. Be careful with that though, you don't want to burn up your valves or turbo, you're gonna want a pyrometer to monitor exhaust gas temps.

I'm not as familiar with the Allison 2000 as I am with the MD3060. Do not get a 545, they are not for highways or mountains. If you turn up your engine, you'll want a transmission that will handle the torque and horsepower.

A lot of mountains and you're going to want an exhaust brake or a retarder installed. Exhaust brakes are much cheaper but a bit less effective.

You'll want a high (low?) ratio differential. Mine is a 5.39 (or whatever) which is about the highest you'll see. Good for acceleration and climbing, less good for top speed and cruising. 6th gear will be good for that, which you'll need to get unlocked depending on what bus you buy.

These are my views, for your consideration, ignore if they don't fit your desires.

[SawsSandBox]

Hi Camren Finley,
I have a titled/registered Motorhome that meets part of your call out.
2006 Thomas/Freightliner, Bull Noise, Mercedes engine, Alisan Trans, 102,ooo Mls +/-, Air Breaks, Air Ride Suspension, Rear Handy-cap door w/Working Lift, Cruse Control, runs great at 70mph. PM me if interested and more info

[SawsSandBox]

Sorry forgot to mention
8 Window, ~26 feet, 6'1" Ceiling, only 2 rows of seats inside (very open)

[SawsSandBox]

Hi Cameron, Did not see a reply on if you are still looking. I am posting this live 4 sale. thought I would drop you a note. Best:
4 Sale - 2006 30 ft Thomas FS65 / Whl Chr Lift-Rear Side / Mercedes MBE900 Diesel / Allison 2500 Auto Trans

Things I know:
- 2006 Mercedes MBE 900 Diesel
- Allison Auto Transmission, model 2500 (Det rear gear 5.13, geared at higher RPMs, per manufacturer)
- Dog Nose - Thomas built body / Freightliner Chassis
- 30 feet in length, Handicap w/ chairlift at rear side
- 102,ooo mls +/-
- Air breaks and Air Ride Suspension
- Runs the Freeway at 67-70 mph, then governor kicks in, 60 gal tank – it is currently full
- Original factory Cruse Control working
- Bonus Feature - most of the bus, inside and out are Screwed Not Rivet Fasteners
- 21ft behind driver seat, no wheel humps (flat run), two ceiling hatches,
- Tinted window with black frame coating, 8 windows deep with 4 emergency windows
- From Parma, OH school district (told it was a first student "backup bus" for the district, for past few yrs)
- Was OH State Highway Road Certified for service year 2020-2021
- Should be able to camp at most National Parks, as I could see
- Ceiling is at 6’ 1”

Work that has been done:
- Paperwork for deemed Motorhome via Vermont has been approved and processed, Email confirmation
- Painted Tan to cover the “Ticket me Bus Yellow”, other updates can easy remove to start fresh
- Bus side stop sign and arm removed
- Two rows of seats remain, with drivers seat – seating for 9 / all passage seats are child restraint
- Started labeling as disconnecting wiring for unnecessary bus lights/equipment
- Shut off gate values to rear and front floor heaters. Did not close off lines as may yet have use
- removed and reset several inside screws for ease of removal testing – most without issue

Mechanical/Auto Needs:
- Tires have good tread, not certain about date coding.
- Light rust along rear bumper line and each bottom of doors
- Had spoken w/ assigned mechanic and last oil change at 97,151-oil,filter,greased and fluids topped
3 newer batteries, started right up w/out jump, after full summer of parking

It drives and handles great with 21 feet of flat floor plain, due to wheelchair design. Originally purchased for Skoolie Motorhome and Mobile Office/client meeting area. Selling due to new long term family health issues, life balance (family 1st) and I need to keep project lists to a reasonable number. This is an AWESOME bus, but would not get to it in a timely manner and I know you will complete it sooner then I.
VIN for your reference: VIN 4UZAAXDG37CX70800

Priced to sell at $4,490, PM if interest