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09-12-2018, 08:25 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
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First Shuttle Bus Purchase
Hello,
My name is Josh and I am 27 years old and I have been wanting to do a bus to rv conversion for some time now. So, I decided to purchase me first bus which is a 2004 Ford E-450 Super Duty 6.8L Gas V10 shuttle bus built by Turtle Top. 99k miles on it.
The bus is very clean inside and out as I am from Ohio and luckily this bus was in Florida up until 2013 so minimal rust underneath.
I paid $7,250 out the door and am looking to do a nice renovation of the inside and will plan to use this Airstream as a layout and design template.
Please let me know your thoughts and ideas as I dive into this any tips or advice will be appreciated. Did I get a decent deal?
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09-12-2018, 08:28 PM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
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Pictures
Here are pictures of my purchase and design ideas
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09-13-2018, 07:50 AM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Posts: 592
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Startrans
Chassis: Ford e-350 single wheel
Engine: 5.4 litre
Rated Cap: 12
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Looks real good to me. Welcome fellow Buckeye..
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09-13-2018, 07:54 AM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
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Thank you! Looking forward to the game this weekend. Go Bucks!
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09-13-2018, 08:46 AM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,835
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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GO bucks!!! and great lookin bus!! cant wait to see you make it like that air stream... love these bright modern style conversions.
-Christopher
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09-13-2018, 08:52 AM
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#6
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Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: southern maine
Posts: 114
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Coach & Equipment MFG
Chassis: ford E350 superduty
Engine: 5.4 liter v8
Rated Cap: 7 passenger
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nice clean looking shuttle!
your design concept looks cool can't wait to see the finished product
__________________
2010 ford e350 superduty v8 7 passenger bus
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09-13-2018, 08:55 AM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jgangi1728
Go Bucks!
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Omg......not ANOTHER one.....
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09-13-2018, 02:50 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
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Haha plfking, Are you outnumbered on here?
I am excited to get started with it, hopefully a couple months of work into the reno
Anyone have experiences with the shuttle bus conversions and how they handle the weight distribution on the road?
If there are parts of the reno that I should have a professional take care of I have no problem doing that
Thanks for the help!
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09-13-2018, 02:55 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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I can comment on the engine. My parents have one in their RV. Real tough to get at certain parts for repairs and maintenance. Even harder in a van chassis.
But they run good, they're reliable, and fairly powerful. Don't expect more than maybe 5-6 mpg. They do drink some fuel.
The spark plugs are the worst part. The design isn't the best and they're tough to get at and easy to strip. Not impossible, but definitely watch some videos before attempting to change them.
That's all I know. Looks like a clean bus. Have fun!
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09-13-2018, 05:21 PM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
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Thank you for the heads up EastCoastCB! It is definitely good to know what maintenance and fixes may be needed when I start to put some miles on this thing
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09-22-2018, 07:13 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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When you get your bus stripped out it would be a very good idea to take it over a scale to determine how much weight you can put back into your bus.
Most of those chassis had a maximum GVWR of 14,000 lbs. Most of the limitation is found in the axles (which are 1-ton F-350 dual wheel axles) and how much weight the tires can support.
Empty weight of those buses are usually over 10,000 lbs. In other words, the net payload was less than 4,000 lbs.
Unless you get creative and use light weight materials you will quickly go over the GVWR rating of the chassis very quickly.
Good Luck and Happy Trails to you!
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07-20-2019, 03:42 PM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: currently sunny san diego
Posts: 7
Year: 2006
Chassis: ford e450
Engine: 6.0 turbo diesel
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hey @jgangi1728! following up to see what kind of progress you've made! i have a shuttle bus, as well, and your design plans looked nice!
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07-20-2019, 04:35 PM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
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Hey cdothill, thank you! Progress has been delayed in the build so far. Had to put on the back burner for a bit. How about yours? You working on it currently?
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07-22-2019, 12:49 AM
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#14
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New Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: currently sunny san diego
Posts: 7
Year: 2006
Chassis: ford e450
Engine: 6.0 turbo diesel
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jgangi1728
ah, been there done that! haha i actually just picked mine back up a few weeks ago after it being stored for the past 7 months. about to gut her and start over, actually.
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07-24-2019, 07:41 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 5
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DD 8v92
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Nice! I am looking at a 2000 Ford F450 4x4 shuttle.... I love your interior design! What program are you using to do that?
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