Saoirse- The Freedom Unicorn

[david.dgeorge07]

My 3126 3060 combo has been holding up. Big bus though. Cat shop told me mine is a 210 hp. I’m towing and climbing. In a small bus that isn’t towing. I would think it would be peppy.

Post pics and details when you can!

[Whatthefak]

My 3126 and 3060 clipped right along, granted my run through Appalachia wasn't like running the Rockies but I never really slowed down much or gained much heat on hills.

And that's in a full size

[brokedown]

When are you gonna go get it? If you're taking 75 you should stop by!

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by brokedown

When are you gonna go get it? If you're taking 75 you should stop by!

There's really only one way from his neck of the woods to D'ville , straight up 75 to 20 west and run right into D'ville

[brokedown]

Originally Posted by o1marc

There's really only one way from his neck of the woods to D'ville , straight up 75 to 20 west and run right into D'ville

In theory, but sometimes Charlie will surprise ya.

[HappyInTN]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Well I bought an unlikely bus today. Thomas with a Cat. Probably surprised a bunch of you but I'm just frustrated with not having a bus to enjoy and I've been working so hard this year!

As most of you know I've been looking for a good deal on a rusty but mechanically sound donor bus to replace a bunch of mechanical stuff on my 04 IC shorty. Well even rust buckets are going for a lot it seems. In my search and continual bidding on donor buses I came across some decent looking shorties in GA.

I was happy no one posted links to this in the buses for sale thread. Scored a 1999 Thomas shorty. Maybe a high headroom model. I think its a 6 window. Maybe 5. Hard to tell from the pics. THe prices stayed low due to the lack of pics and info but a vin decoder figured out most of what I needed to know.

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=2113681



Low miles and hours on a handi bus. I think I got a good deal. Will be my first Cat 3126. They had four, two of which had Cats and the other two were later model Mercedes. I've been wanting to try a Cat for a while now so I figured this was cheap and close enough to go for it.
If I don't like it I'll paint it and flip it on CL.



I'm a sucker for a clean, straight handi bus.

Atlanta isn't too far, so getting it here won't be too bad hopefully.
Wish me luck- The adventure continues!

Congrats!!!! Looking forward to some conversion pics.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

My 3126 3060 combo has been holding up. Big bus though. Cat shop told me mine is a 210 hp. I’m towing and climbing. In a small bus that isn’t towing. I would think it would be peppy.

Post pics and details when you can!

According to the vin decoders online its "224hp" which I'm going to assume is the "230" rating. IDK... If its a 175-185hp with a 545 I won't be surprised or disappointed. I bought it assuming that's what it is. But if that vin decoder is right it sounds like I've got another high powered shorty. And maybe even 5-6 forward gears!

I'm actually excited to try a bus with a fancy gold motor. Ever since my disappointment with my latest DT.

Pics and details will be posted as soon as I can get up there to pick it up. They haven't answered the phone or called me back for 2 days now. I have determined its a 5 window. And it definitely appears to be high headroom. Man I hope its got air ride too!
I'll probably go get it early next week. But I really would prefer to have them mail me the title so I can try to get a temp tag. I've never successfully gotten a temp tag for an out of state purchase but maybe I'll get lucky.

With a little luck maybe this bus will be our ticket to good times and happy busing for many miles!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by brokedown

When are you gonna go get it? If you're taking 75 you should stop by!

How far off 75 are yall?

I was going to head up to Ga today but I want to wait till I can add the bus to my insurance and they're not open till monday. Plus I've got some checks to deposit before leaving.

IDK if I should leave in the morning, get the bus in afternoon and check into a motel for the evening or if I should just turn around and head straight home with it.

I wanna check all the fluids and lights before I head down 75.

Another thing I wonder about is the gearing and top speed. Being so close to Atlanta and possibly having a high hp rating I hope its geared for speed.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I'll probably go get it early next week. But I really would prefer to have them mail me the title so I can try to get a temp tag. I've never successfully gotten a temp tag for an out of state purchase but maybe I'll get lucky.

In GA, I have gotten a temp tag with proof of insurance and proof of purchase (bill of sale, photocopy of title, printed email from auction site, etc). Can't remember if they even checked for residency or not.

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

How far off 75 are yall?

I was going to head up to Ga today but I want to wait till I can add the bus to my insurance and they're not open till monday. Plus I've got some checks to deposit before leaving.

IDK if I should leave in the morning, get the bus in afternoon and check into a motel for the evening or if I should just turn around and head straight home with it.

I wanna check all the fluids and lights before I head down 75.

Another thing I wonder about is the gearing and top speed. Being so close to Atlanta and possibly having a high hp rating I hope its geared for speed.

Hi CB and Roxy. Congrats on the new addition to your family, nice to have a CAT in the family believe me. Good luck with it for sure.
Take some sockets and screwdrivers etc, wrenches. Tighten every hose clamp you can see and get at if you are gonna highball it home right away. Make sure the rad has no air pockets as you don't need to run into overheating etc on that hwy.

I would def stay over and give it a good look before heading back to homebase in the heat.
Glad you have finally seen the light and giving a CAT a new home. Sounds like a good one with low mileage and hours so all the best with this one CB.

Hope you celebrate with the good stuff when you get home..enjoy it man!


John

[cadillackid]

whens the bus party????? thats really what I want to know.. I may be heading to Savannah late this week but i think thats off the beatin path from where your new rig is..



-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

whens the bus party????? thats really what I want to know.. I may be heading to Savannah late this week but i think thats off the beatin path from where your new rig is..



-Christopher

If I can get everyone together sometime soon that would be great.



ANY time you're over this way we'd love to see you.

[brokedown]

We are in no shape to travel at the moment but I made some key progress this weekend that was holding us back. By the time the weather is appropriate for it we should be good to go.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by brokedown

We are in no shape to travel at the moment but I made some key progress this weekend that was holding us back. By the time the weather is appropriate for it we should be good to go.

Cool, Sandi is back in FL too. You'll have to come check out the Cat.

Plus we have several new members in FL!

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

whens the bus party????? thats really what I want to know.. I may be heading to Savannah late this week but i think thats off the beatin path from where your new rig is..



-Christopher

A get together in the southeast would be perfect in the fall!

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

According to the vin decoders online

What is all of ^ this BS? I don't want no sticking online decoder. What the hell does Thomas say? They built the damn thing, they ought to know and give you serial numbers for everything. Gotta love Blue Bird for that even if you hate rivets.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

What is all of ^ this BS? I don't want no sticking online decoder. What the hell does Thomas say? They built the damn thing, they ought to know and give you serial numbers for everything. Gotta love Blue Bird for that even if you hate rivets.

I haven't asked thomas.
Why are online decoders BS???

The decoder info on "Buslandia", Wikipedia, and almost every other site was completely inaccurate.
But the gates vin decoder and a couple others will at least tell you the year and model of engine.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

A get together in the southeast would be perfect in the fall!

Lets do this. Early fall.

Or late summer.

You all just let me know.



I'm about to go get my latest bus. Packing my stuff now.
Tools, oil, tire pressure gauge, clothes, cooler full of drinks.

Roxy's aunt lives in the town where the school is so we have a place to stay and check the fluids and tires before heading back.

[EastCoastCB]

Just called and added it to my insurance. Waiting on my email from the agent I use so that I can print out that card and hit the road.

They asked me if I wanted towing included. I didn't know that was available.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I haven't asked thomas.
Why are online decoders BS???

Because at best they are incomplete. Thomas will have everything. VIN won't get you the serial # of the tranny, how many exit windows, etc. but Thomas will. I don't like screwing around with the online ones if I can get the manufacturer's. I dunno how much of a pain in the butt Thomas is. Blue Bird requires an account. It's free but takes a little effort to set up. Then you still have to call/email for the build sheets (exit window type stuff).