Opinions of this Shortie?

[Big Tim]

It is listed at $4,900. Does that seem right? Anything I should watch out for? I'm scared to throw my precious pennies at something that will be tons of problems. This looks promising though.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...123373532.html

FACTORS:
* I'm looking for something to convert and insulate and still be able to stand up in, without a roof raise. I'm 5'11".

* I don't plan on driving around a ton, though some trips (even potentially a cross-country one might be nice. Daily life will be as a quarantine bus in the Philly area.

I realize that I'll need to learn about the engine if I really am to commit to any significant travel - is this a good one to learn on, depend on, get parts for, etc?

Thank you for looking, and for the knowledge this forum has provided.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

can almost guarantee the 6.0 motor is the reason they are selling.
stay away unless you have thousands more to bullet proof it?
it can be a good motor after that?

[CHEESE_WAGON]

First, it's a 6.0 PowerJoke.
Second, it's a dealer stupid enough to buy a 6.0 PowerJoke for resale.
Third, the price is about half of what it will likely cost you in repairs.

RUN, FORREST, RUN!

Don't buy a 6.0 diesel Ford. EVER. AT ANY PRICE.

[EastCoastCB]

Hard pass on that one.

[banman]

At least it's on a 450 chassis and not a 350...

The engine either is, or is not in good running condition at the moment.
check it out and see...

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by banman

At least it's on a 450 chassis and not a 350...

The engine either is, or is not in good running condition at the moment.
check it out and see...

04+ are all 450's aren't they?

[banman]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

04+ are all 450's aren't they?

I only know the 450 is a heavier duty frame & suspension -- seems a much better candidate (to me) for a build-out than the 350's...

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

04+ are all 450's aren't they?

Originally Posted by banman

I only know the 450 is a heavier duty frame & suspension -- seems a much better candidate (to me) for a build-out than the 350's...

Unfortunately, completely irrelevant when dealing with the 6.0 PowerJoke engine.

[Native]

It has a 14000 pound GVWR. I wonder how much the vehicle weighs in its current configuration. Any clue as to the interior height?

[CHEESE_WAGON]

As I said, irrelevant when dealing with the 6.0 diesel. These engines are bad news and should be avoided. A very common dirty trick to hide their problems is to clean or replace the coolant recovery tank, plug the overflow hose with RTV, then reinstall and fill with clean coolant to hide the coolant contamination. The listing honestly comes off as typical of a predatory dealer anyway.

Many a poor soul has been burned on these engines, so much so that it has generated at least several years' and several million dollars worth of lawsuits. Just say no. Navistar supplies this engine for Ford. Navistar has yet to build an emission-equipped engine that didn't have problems, and this one is the worst by far.

Check these out before buying any vehicle with the Navistar 6.0L diesel (aka the VT365).

Originally Posted by banman

The engine either is, or is not in good running condition at the moment.

Operative words being, "AT THE MOMENT". I'd sooner trust gas station sushi and nachos before I would trust one of these things.

[Big Tim]

Wow thank you everyone. I thought the post looked a little sketchy, but the dimensions looked appealing. I've read over and over that it is best to start with the best engine possible - are there any of those E-450 shorties that have a good engine?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Big Tim

Wow thank you everyone. I thought the post looked a little sketchy, but the dimensions looked appealing. I've read over and over that it is best to start with the best engine possible - are there any of those E-450 shorties that have a good engine?

Not 04+
If it were an 03 it would have the much more desirable 7.3.
If you want one newer than 04 I'd look for one with a GM gas 6.0 engine.

[Jocelyn]

Originally Posted by Big Tim

Wow thank you everyone. I thought the post looked a little sketchy, but the dimensions looked appealing. I've read over and over that it is best to start with the best engine possible - are there any of those E-450 shorties that have a good engine?

Look for a 2003 or earlier! I'm waiting for a mechanic to eval a local e450 with a 7.3 before I make an offer (seller has no fixed price since they know it needs some work). There's a dramatic difference in the 2003 and earlier 7.3 engines (which have a very good reputation) and the 6.0 that replaced it which is apparently a big POS.

Good luck with your hunt!

[Big Tim]

What about something like this?

https://asheville.craigslist.org/ctd...122609589.html

[WIbluebird]

I don't think there's a ton of difference between the E350 and 450 cutaway buses. Maybe 1 or 2 leaf springs in the rear at most.



Those 6.0s are bad. My bus company still has a couple dozen in the fleet. We have an '07 E450 with a Girardin body right now that has been sitting in the yard for the last 2 years because it develops an interminnent no start issue and cannot be relied upon for anything.



The mechanics hate them because access is bad (except for maybe the turbo/y-pipe area because the interior doghouse is surprisingly easy to remove).

[BamaBus]

Originally Posted by Big Tim

It is listed at $4,900. Does that seem right? Anything I should watch out for? I'm scared to throw my precious pennies at something that will be tons of problems. This looks promising though.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...123373532.html

FACTORS:
* I'm looking for something to convert and insulate and still be able to stand up in, without a roof raise. I'm 5'11".

* I don't plan on driving around a ton, though some trips (even potentially a cross-country one might be nice. Daily life will be as a quarantine bus in the Philly area.

I realize that I'll need to learn about the engine if I really am to commit to any significant travel - is this a good one to learn on, depend on, get parts for, etc?

Thank you for looking, and for the knowledge this forum has provided.

Here is the listing when sold on Gov deals, just in case you're interested.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...31&acctid=3934

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BamaBus

Here is the listing when sold on Gov deals, just in case you're interested.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...31&acctid=3934

wow- good looking out! Its been listed as high as $5900 on FB- https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...0385701104433/

Quite a markup from $637 and some change!

[WIbluebird]

It's from that massive yard in DC that sells dozens of those heaps every year.


They're often listed as parts missing etc so I would never touch anything from there even if it wasn't a 6.0 Powerstroke.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

It's from that massive yard in DC that sells dozens of those heaps every year.


They're often listed as parts missing etc so I would never touch anything from there even if it wasn't a 6.0 Powerstroke.

Yep. They're always sold as "not running" "tow away".

[Big Tim]

Wow really impressive sleuthing folks. What a rip. I'm so grateful for the guidance!!!