96 or 2002 international 3800?

[Jmlcolorado]

The school district I live in is selling off old fleet and they have a few left. I have the option of a 96 or 2002 international 3800. Both with dt466 and Alison mt643 transmissions.
The 2000 has an electric driveline retarder and is about $500 more than the 96.

I haven’t looked at them yet and don’t know mileage on either of them yet, but wondering some pro’s and cons between the two.

[EastCoastCB]

Both sound real tempting.
I'd have to go for the one with the retarder if traveling in the mountains is the plan.
OTOH the 96 is mechanical.

I'd probably go for the retarder.

[Booyah45828]

I'd go with the mechanical.

I don't put more then a few hundred miles on per year, and none of it is mountainous, so an electric retarded wouldn't have much use for me.

Therefore I'd choose the reliability and cheaper operating costs of a mechanical.

[WARGEAR]

The retarder is nice. I’d also take into account your mechanical abilities, the type of driving you expect to do, the overall condition of both vehicles and if possible, the hours on each engine. All things considered, and if everything else was equal save for the computerized vs. non-computerized engine, I’d choose the non-computerized engine. My time in the Army working on equipment has taught me that the simpler things can be made, the less stressful servicing and operating the equipment is.

[Jmlcolorado]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Both sound real tempting.
I'd have to go for the one with the retarder if traveling in the mountains is the plan.
OTOH the 96 is mechanical.

I'd probably go for the retarder.

The all mechanical machine is awfully tempting for sure. I am accoustomed to mechanical Cummins engines already so I am familiar with the setup, albeit not exactly the same. But many similarities.

[Jmlcolorado]

Well, the seller got the years wrong.

One was a 87 with dt466 and driveline retarder.
Another was a 91 dt466. No retarder.
Last was a 94 dt466 with retarder.

Soooooooo.........I just bought all 3 🤣

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Jmlcolorado

Well, the seller got the years wrong.

One was a 87 with dt466 and driveline retarder.
Another was a 91 dt466. No retarder.
Last was a 94 dt466 with retarder.

Soooooooo.........I just bought all 3 🤣

Nice work!

[Native]

Wonderful! Are you planning on selling some off?

[cadillackid]

that one on the left is a CLASSIC.. S-series.. one of my favorite chassis.. I rode an 86 just like this to school every day when it was brand new..

[Jmlcolorado]

Originally Posted by Native

Wonderful! Are you planning on selling some off?

Yeah I’ll sell two of them

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Jmlcolorado

Yeah I’ll sell two of them

I've been wanting a mechanical DT with a retarder in a rust-free bus for a while now.

Keep me posted on these!

[Jmlcolorado]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I've been wanting a mechanical DT with a retarder in a rust-free bus for a while now.

Keep me posted on these!

The 87 has the retarder and it works well. I was quite surprised at how well it slowed the bus! I have it posted locally on Craigslist and Facebook now.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/elizabeth-1987-international-s1800/6859870738.html

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Jmlcolorado

The 87 has the retarder and it works well. I was quite surprised at how well it slowed the bus! I have it posted locally on Craigslist and Facebook now.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...859870738.html

Man, you're selling yourself short. That's a nice bus you got there. I'd start it for like 5 or 6 grand at least. CO and FL are two places its easy make money selling a bus.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by Jmlcolorado

The 87 has the retarder and it works well. I was quite surprised at how well it slowed the bus! I have it posted locally on Craigslist and Facebook now.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...859870738.html

good looking bus

[Jmlcolorado]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Man, you're selling yourself short. That's a nice bus you got there. I'd start it for like 5 or 6 grand at least. CO and FL are two places its easy make money selling a bus.

Honestly, I’m not looking to make a million bucks off the deal. I got all three for a song, so if I can help someone out, I’m more than willing.
It is pretty clean and since it’s een in Colorado all it’s life, is not rusty.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Jmlcolorado

Honestly, I’m not looking to make a million bucks off the deal. I got all three for a song, so if I can help someone out, I’m more than willing.
It is pretty clean and since it’s een in Colorado all it’s life, is not rusty.

I've personally BID more than your asking price on just such a bus. Sight unseen aside from three grainy pics.
Hell, I got five grand for a shorty with a 444E/545 from Aurora CO.

I hear ya, though. If you're still making a buck that's cool. You could make a few more, though.

[alexzckary]

what is a retarder, what does it do and what does it look like?

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by alexzckary

what is a retarder, what does it do and what does it look like?

It helps control your speed going downhill. Unless, of course, someone *wants* a runaway bus on a steep hill. Also reduces brake wear over time if used responsibly.

[Jmlcolorado]

Originally Posted by alexzckary

what is a retarder, what does it do and what does it look like?

It’s a large electromagnet brake built onto the drive shaft.
It has 4 stages each one brakes a little more than the last. With number 4 being substantial. Enough that you wouldn’t use it on wet or icy conditions as it could lock up the rear axle.
They are impressive.

[alexzckary]

Thank you!