WTB 4x4 Skoolie

[cowlitzcoach]

Originally Posted by TJones

Cowlitzcoach,

Hypothetically... with unlimited time and resources could you use the front diff from a tandom rear axle truck on the rear of a RE type D and then run a driveline off the through shaft to a driven front axle then use the inter axel lock to egage and disengage the the front axle? Only problem I see is the rear axle would be running in reverse most of the time... unless you flip it upside down.

Ted

I suppose with enough time and $$$ just about anything can be accomplished. But just because you can doesn't make it a good idea.

The problem as I see it in regards to a driven front axle on an RE bus is two fold. First, that is going to be require a really long drive line and it will prevent you from building any pass through compartments under the bus. One of the main selling points of an RE is the lack of driveshaft that allows for stuff to be built under the bus.

The second issue is ground clearance. Regardless of how you set up the suspension the lowest point of the bus is still going to be behind the rear axle. The closest thing to the ground is always going to be the oil pan. If you are serious about going off-off pavement I don't think you would want your oil pan to be the first contact point under your bus.

[TJones]

I agree it wouldn't be good for off road and probly not practical given the length of the drive line. I was thinking more of the theory of how a 4x4 drive train could be set up on a RE.

[Miles O Roads]

May sound kinda crazy but build a skoolie and put an enduro on the back to get you where you need. ☺

[cdelvecchio]

https://www.proxibid.com/aspr/BUS-19...p?lid=42622892


Not converted

[DarkBladeRunner]

Thanks! Looks like what I want but... as you said, not converted at all. Wife wants to leave in 1-2 years, not 3-5!

[glenncooper]

There’s a gas van conversion bus available in Albuquerque, NM right now. It’s listed on the local craigslist and on EBay. The rig looks a bit beat, but has a lot of potential. And Quigley apparently has a great reputation for their 4x4 conversions.

Here is part of the description from Craigslist:

paint color: yellow
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: bus
This is a 2002 Thomas Short School Bus on a 2002 GMC Savanna 3500 (1-ton dually) Chassis. This bus is equipped with the sturdy 5.7 Liter Vortec Motor that runs solid with only 186k miles! No leaks or issues aside from new small exhaust leak

Here’s the link, if it will work from here.

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/c...610730652.html

[DarkBladeRunner]

Thanks very much. I guess I'll amend my post to indicate I'm looking for a "big" bus. We will be 4 + 2 dogs!

Again, thanks for taking the time to help me out.

[DarkBladeRunner]

oops, double post!

Update: I've found a former Military school bus locally with locking rear diff. however, it's 0% converted!

[Nomadic Patriot]

I just saw one for sale by Northwest Bus Sales. They had an ad on YT. IDK how much you're looking to spend. It was a shuttle bus. I thought it was awesome but a little out of my price range.

[Gumperoncini]

I came across these recently. I can't vouch for either but may be of interest if you aren't too far away.

4x4 bus:

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...595898748.html

With some work it could be a super cool skoolie.


Custom Conversions:

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...595454757.html

[DarkBladeRunner]

https://www.proxibid.com/aspr/BUS-19...p?lid=42622892

Ok so we found a fully converted full size bus with rear locking differential! Yay!

But my wife complained it was too big and would be unwieldly in the city. Of course she is right. However, the above posted bus is awesome! Any idea where I could find some more like this?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by DarkBladeRunner

https://www.proxibid.com/aspr/BUS-19...p?lid=42622892

Ok so we found a fully converted full size bus with rear locking differential! Yay!

But my wife complained it was too big and would be unwieldly in the city. Of course she is right. However, the above posted bus is awesome! Any idea where I could find some more like this?

That's the coolest Vista ever lol.

Its all the way up in AK though!




It isn't 4x4, but my latest shorty came lifted.

[DarkBladeRunner]

Oh, sorry, the full size conversion bus isn't listed online. I found it locally in Québec. I have photos but... I can't upload them directly to the forum?

Hmm...

And as for the vista: yeah! It would make a great Overland Adventure Vehicle! (which is what I'm trying to do). But... I'm not interested in the econoline-style short buses.

As for your shorty: is it for sale?

[jazty]

The Vista's are far from any Econoline. They are not a van chassis bus, but a true medium duty chassis from International.


It'll likely share a similar engine, though. The T444e (Powerstroke 7.3l is similar).

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by DarkBladeRunner

Oh, sorry, the full size conversion bus isn't listed online. I found it locally in Québec. I have photos but... I can't upload them directly to the forum?

Hmm...

And as for the vista: yeah! It would make a great Overland Adventure Vehicle! (which is what I'm trying to do). But... I'm not interested in the econoline-style short buses.

As for your shorty: is it for sale?

Not currently. Gonna enjoy it for a while till the insurance has to be renewed. But heck- I'm always open to offers.

Vistas aren't "econoline style" . They're on a modified 3800 chassis.

[DarkBladeRunner]

Sorry, should have been clearer: A vista is very cool and interesting AND wife approved.

The econoline style short buses based which resemble my current RV are not what we are interested in and I understand they are not the same as the vista.

The vista is interesting to us because it is a commercial heavy/medium truck platform and will be more suitable to a "Expedition Vehicle" type build.

[joeblack5]

Depending on how wild your overland trip is you might be more "awesome" with lmtv1078. 4*4 trucks have not enough articulation to do much useful off road stuff. Just good for muddy dirt roads. We have a couple of Quigley 4*4 and as far as adventure vehicle they are much more useful to get into real back country because of the size. Try to drive mengel pass or lippencot mine road with a skoolie or 4*4 truck. Not even talking about recovery vehicle you will need for that.

Good luck. J

[DarkBladeRunner]

I Want an lmtv or 4x4 fuso or something like that.

Wife isn't up for it. Besides, all we really want to do is be able to go to the beach and ford a few rivers without worrying too much as well as a few muddy back roads while also visiting big cities.

[joeblack5]

Yes that is what I thought before I bought Cool bus aka Elfie





But I sure am happy that I did not, however cool it is. Would not want to think about the trouble getting in and out, noise, fuel and repair plus I would need to buy a cat dozer to pull me back out of the mud.



I am in the process of pulling the 4x4 of my old ambulance camper and putting that under Elfie.

Try this with a 4x4 full size bus or even a shortie.


Have fun,


J

[joeblack5]

The fuso or isuzu npr might be the sweetspot.


later J