Question about a Thomas

[VinDaddy10]

I've mainly been looking at Bluebirds for a conversion, but a Thomas (2008 Thomas built MD/HD Saf-T-Liner MVP EF 8.3L MFI Turbo Dsl 6cyl) has caught my eye. Are there any common issues for Thomas? Red Flags? Things to watch for when I inspect it? Also what are the odds it has a Allison 545? I ran the VIN, but it didn't give me anything. Are there other transmissions that I should avoid?

[WIbluebird]

Zero chance that it has an AT545 if it's a 2008. Buses that new will not have any transmissions that could be considered "bad". Even the 2000 series will have lockup torque converter and be capable of at least 65 mph if not more.



With a bus that new though you're looking at emissions equipment. If it's a 2008 it'll have EGR which is fairly easy to delete on a Cummins.

[VinDaddy10]

How is the 8.3? I’m looking at it soon and I’d like to know if there are any known issues I should look for.

[Sehnsucht]

An 8.3 is at the top of my wish list. It's uncommon unless the bus is from a mountain region. No major issues, it's basically just a larger version of the 5 9. The electronics may be problematic but that is going to be the case with any emissions equipped engine.

As for the Thomas body, only obstacle may be if you plan a roof raise the Thomas sidewalls aren't perfectly straight so you have a rather small area in which you can cut and splice in your channel pieces.

[shaymcquaid]

Thomas angled walls are a non issue for roof raise. No consideration at all.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by shaymcquaid

Thomas angled walls are a non issue for roof raise. No consideration at all.

More explanation? Logically, it seems like they would be an issue, since the angles of the cut ends and the extender would have to be slightly different because of the geometry. Is it just not enough to be noticeable, or do the walls bend slightly to bring everything plumb? Not doubting, just curious.

[VinDaddy10]

I thought the same thing, then I watched this guy.

https://youtu.be/tRtm-3vowOo

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by VinDaddy10

I thought the same thing, then I watched this guy.

https://youtu.be/tRtm-3vowOo

Yeah, looks like there's enough flex in the walls for everything to stay in line once they clamp the extenders in at the bottom.

[Sehnsucht]

TBH I have been wanting to cut the top off a Thomas just for the reason that I *think* that angle could be a bonus not an obstacle to a roof raise but I'm not speaking from personal experience in the matter. I'll have to take a look at the video link provided to see how they addressed it. My thinking is if I get a specifically manufactured hat channel piece which has a comparable angle change to the original then theoretically by the time the roof and window line has been elevated 18-24" the sidewalls will be 3-4" wider than the original body width. This doesn't increase the interior width but it offers more wall thickness for wiring and insulation so that those factors don't decrease interior space by being mentally (and physically) limited to the original body width. School buses are 96" exterior width but can legally balloon to 102" so I'm just thinking this approach could maximize interior volume by shifting wall density to the outside of the original wall structure. Like I said, just a theory right now.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

TBH I have been wanting to cut the top off a Thomas just for the reason that I *think* that angle could be a bonus not an obstacle to a roof raise but I'm not speaking from personal experience in the matter. I'll have to take a look at the video link provided to see how they addressed it. My thinking is if I get a specifically manufactured hat channel piece which has a comparable angle change to the original then theoretically by the time the roof and window line has been elevated 18-24" the sidewalls will be 3-4" wider than the original body width. This doesn't increase the interior width but it offers more wall thickness for wiring and insulation so that those factors don't decrease interior space by being mentally (and physically) limited to the original body width. School buses are 96" exterior width but can legally balloon to 102" so I'm just thinking this approach could maximize interior volume by shifting wall density to the outside of the original wall structure. Like I said, just a theory right now.

That bent hat channel would be hard to do.

[Sehnsucht]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

That bent hat channel would be hard to do.

Probably true. Just my overactive imagination and too much time to ponder such things while never enough time to actually try any of it.

[EastCoastCB]

You'd need custom dies to bend em.