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Old 10-26-2018, 08:34 PM   #1
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C5500 Shuttle Pros and Cons

Hello everyone! I'm trying to pick out a bus for my first conversion project. I've found a 2006 C5500 Shuttle bus that might work for me but is a 4 hour drive away to see and I'm trying to gather as much info as I can before I go for a look. It has the 6.6L Duramax, from what I've read it sounds like more or less positive reviews however I can't find too much info on the C5500 itself.

Hoping someone can chime in on some general pros and cons. I've read all the skoolie vs shuttle threads I could find and I think for the most part, a shuttle would work for me but every now and then I might want to go down a rough road to get into a mountain lake, nothing crazy rough but from what I've read, shuttles tend to like flat paved roads vs almost anything offroad.

Any advice and opinions are appreciated! I've attached a pic as well. Click image for larger version

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Old 10-26-2018, 08:57 PM   #2
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Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
These are pretty good trucks. I work on a lot of them and they seem pretty reliable. The Duramax is a great engine, but even in that flip hood chassis, they suck to work on.
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Old 10-27-2018, 09:31 AM   #3
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
a 2006 very well might have a 6 speed allison automatic in it which makes a nice highway cruiser in most of those C series trucks.. not sure about a shittle specifically but in general those trucks were geared nicely for the highway.
-Christopher
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Old 10-27-2018, 02:52 PM   #4
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
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The C5500 chassis is a bit of an orphan. If the parts are not in common with the C/K/G 1500/2500/3500 series they can be a bit hard to find. At least that is what is the experience here in WA state.

The biggest issue is the composite/plastic body of a shuttle bus . It is not built as stout as an all steel school bus body. The marriage at the top of the windshield header between the chassis and the body is never a happy marriage. Over time that marriage usually ends up in a very ugly divorce. The divorce is characterized by water leaks.
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Old 10-29-2018, 04:06 PM   #5
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Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I'm definitely leaning towards a proper bus chassis.
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