Thunder Bus :: 1996 International Thomas

[Johnny Mullet]

I have been searching for the perfect bus for a Skoolie conversion for the last 2 months. After looking at about a dozen vehicles within a few hundred mile radius, I was able to locate a mid-sized bus that fit my needs about 160 miles away. It's a 1996 Thomas International T444E with an Allison AT545. I not only got to look at it, but was able to test drive it. At first I thought it was a real turd because it was slow to accelerate, but driving it home through some of the Appalachian mountains changed my perspective.

First step in buying a Skoolie is making sure you have a running, driving vehicle you can depend on. Having this alone has already saved me thousands of dollars finding a mechanically sound bus.

Now the build will begin. Here are some pictures of the bus as it sits right now.....

[shakenama]

Wow....the engine looks immaculate....like it just came off the assembly floor. This is the same size I'm looking at for my first skoolie. Wishing the best for you.