Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-06-2017, 03:00 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
DT466 in a '01 E450 shorty

Hello skoolie commune! I am new to your site and have also caught the bug We have been searching for a E450 bus for some time and have narrowed our search down as much as we could. I came across one that apparently has a DT466 in it and its the first I have seen this engine in this body style before. Does this make sense to you guys? Plus, it has 213k miles and they are asking $3500. What is your initial thoughts when hearing this? I appreciate the help, love this page!

smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 03:27 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
First, shorties with a 466 are relatively rare. If it checks out mechanically, that's not such a bad price. That should give you the ability to pull hills easily as well as being able to drive fast (not recommended).
Nice find. Any photos?
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 03:57 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
Nice! Hills are a big thing for us considering I am in coastal NorCal! lots of those around

so far, I just have this one photo but should be expecting more from the seller soon.

smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 04:05 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Photobucket works well for uploading. Others report success with tapatalk.

It frequently takes a bit of effort to figure out how to upload.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 04:24 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
Here is the only pic I have so far. It seems photobucket cannot be used anymore due to terms or something. hopefully imgur works.

smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 04:27 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
man, you are right! uploading is difficult. hopefully it works this time.
Attached Thumbnails
209781-A.jpg  
smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 04:32 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I've been wrong before, but I'm certain there's no way that's a 466 in that van chassis. Unless its heavily modded.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 04:48 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I've been wrong before, but I'm certain there's no way that's a 466 in that van chassis. Unless its heavily modded.
My thoughts exactly.....
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 05:01 PM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I've been wrong before, but I'm certain there's no way that's a 466 in that van chassis. Unless its heavily modded.
That's why I thought I should ask. I would also be very surprised to hear that it would be a 466 in there as they had the bus listed as AmTran and its clearly a Thomas as per the logo. And I dont think it's modded, its being sold through First Student.

Do you guys have any recommendations for purchase sites? I gotta buy a bus in the next few weeks!
smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 05:07 PM   #10
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
a 466 is simply too large and heavy to even fit in any feasible way.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 05:29 PM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Jolly Roger bus 223's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Swansboro,NC
Posts: 2,973
Year: 86
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Ford B700
Engine: 8.2
Rated Cap: 60 bodies
It could be a 460 but if it is crammed into that it's going to be hot,loud and probably so crammed that you can't get a wrench on anything?
In the late 70-80's ford and almost all American manufacturers went to a metric designation like 5.3litre 305? or the 6.6 litre 400.
I would look to see if it's gas or diesel.
A factory ford diesel was probably around a 7.3 litre that was almost identical to there 460 block?
Jolly Roger bus 223 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 05:51 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
I'm thinking it's a 7.3 Diesel for sure, that has been the focus of our search and I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a mistake on the sellers part.

I would also love everyone's opinion on the layout we have so far built in sketchup, should I post that here or start another thread? Figured I would try to keep each thread relevant to the title
smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 05:59 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,753
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
like others have said unless its highly. modified its likely a 7.3 which is the same block as a T-444E. International manufactured the engines for those fords, so likely someone got mixed up and either called it a 'DT-444E' (seen that name used before).. or assumed a 7.3 and a 7.6 were close enough to call it a DT-466.

if they really did put a 466 in there id love to see it becasue that would be one Mean arse bus!
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 06:40 PM   #14
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
A couple days ago there was one of the larger 7 window cutaway bus that also said it had a 466 in it. It sold fast and at a high price.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 08:47 PM   #15
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
Ford never installed the DT466 engine in ... well ... anything, as far as I am aware. They did use thousands of the common 7.3 engines (almost the same thing as the T444). Sounds like a mistake on the listing to me.
Brad_SwiftFur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 09:56 PM   #16
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
False advertising! I'd make them put the 466 in it. Can you imagine the power?

Realistically I agree with the "it won't fit" theory. And yeah, Cornbinder and Ford aren't that kind of friends.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 10:59 PM   #17
Traveling
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
Is a nice little bus with the very good 7.3L. Sounds like a decent price depending on tires, rust, intended use etc.

Did you buy it???
Rusty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 11:17 PM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty View Post
Is a nice little bus with the very good 7.3L. Sounds like a decent price depending on tires, rust, intended use etc.

Did you buy it???
No we havent bought a bus yet. We have been narrowing our search down and we really like the 7.3 but saw this 466 madness and I had to ask the community.

Do you guys have tips as to what one may want to look for specifically in the '03 E450 7.3's? Should I be looking into the engine/tranny/rear end combo as much as I am thinking?

Also Rusty, to give you background for our intention with the bus, we will be driving it a buuuunch around the US come March time and possibly down to Mexico but we are going to be living in it full time so there is a buuuuunch of work to be done!
smiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 11:47 PM   #19
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Has anybody talked to you about the Ford cutaway buses? There are strong opinions against fords and there are better choices out there, not to disrespect anybody that's already got a ford.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2017, 11:47 PM   #20
Bus Crazy
 
roach711's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,968
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
'03 was the last year for the 7.3L. I believe Ford switched over to the infamous 6.0L diesel mid-year.

The 7.3L came with a 4R100 trans and the E-450 used a Dana dually axle, usually geared in the 4.10 range which lets the bus run at 65 mph comfortably. Tires are typically 16" light truck.

Aside from the 6.0L diesel, the only issue I know of with Ford cutaway buses is that big diesel shoehorned into a van engine room. It can make engine repairs an adventure.
__________________
The Roach Motel
roach711 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
dt466, e450, short bus

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.