Bought a 2007 Ford E-350 Super Duty 5.4L V8 shuttle bus

[jgarl379]

If you own or have owned a shuttle bus like the one described -- what problems have you run into? I know they are known to get rusted in spark plugs and to be pretty poopy to put it nicely. Wellllll I bought one. I'm wondering if it's a lost cause and should trade ASAP or if it's not that bad. I was so excited about it until I realized the issues I can run into with it.

Some extra info on the bus:
- Only 1 other owner - a school district that bought brand new and kept very well maintained
- turtle top fiberglass shell
- braun wheelchair lift I plan to remove
- 31,000 miles! (used for special needs children for short occasional trips)
- battery was usually plugged in which I'm guessing was b/c of wheelchair lift sucking power... once I remove it should be okay?
- new wheels (~100 miles on them)
- new brakes
- dually
- gas so probably 8-9 MPG
- driver and passenger seat which is neat
- 21' long

Since I just got a job out of college that cannot be long term remote I will be using the bus for long weekend or week long trips for the next 1.5 - 2 years. After that, I plan to live in it full time moving it seasonally.

So does anyone have something similar??? How much $ have you put into yours for repairs and was it worth it? Any and all info appreciated. Thank you!!

[CHEESE_WAGON]

2007, I'll take the gasser over a diesel any day of the week and twice on Sunday. The 3V Tritons seem to be more known for the spark plug issues, as well as camshaft phasers. Not sure whether 2007 would be a 2V or 3V.

Wheelchair lift shouldn't use power when not in use. Be careful removing / disabling it, most are spidered into the electrical to prevent starting or driving. Miles don't tell the whole story. You need to find the hours on the engine as well.

[Tankster]

I've got an '06. https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/2...tml#post268404

[UFO pilot]

Not a lost cause at all! By 2007 Ford had corrected problems the 4R100 transmissions had earlier and should go a few hundred thousand miles without issues with regular maintenance. The 5.4 is a good engine with a (by 2007) long history of upgrades as needed. Yes it's no powerhouse in an E350 sized bus but it will go down the highway without making a fuss.
One big issue I cannot make enough noise for is the engine needs timely oil changes! Timely oil changes! If I could make these words underlined and flashing I would. The 3V (3 valve) engines are some of Fords early adjustable VVTi cam phase technology (VTEC YO!) and the engine requries clean oil for the ECM to make the camshaft adjustments. Change the oil every 5000 miles at a minimum and if you want to keep this bus for a long time change oil every 3000 miles.

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by UFO pilot

One big issue I cannot make enough noise for is the engine needs timely oil changes! Timely oil changes! If I could make these words underlined and flashing I would.

You can, however, make them bold, underlined and italic, as well as bigger... Also, if it is a 3V engine, they are prone to camshaft phaser issues. Do NOT replace these with Dorman or any other aftermarket, they typically result in noisy engine.

[ISAF2009]

3v tritons are tricky beasts we make a lot of money on them. On the other hand we see them in with 300k+ not infrequently.