Can't find the air dryer 1996 Thomas bluebird

[Leprechaun]

I recently purchased this bus to drive across the country and while I'm trying to service everything I cannot find anywhere the air dryer

Is it possible it doesn't have one?

1996 Thomas bluebird tc2000
5.9 Cummins

[Biggin]

When the air system reaches it's maximum pressure, do you hear a loud release of air as the dryer purges the moisture? I do know that in the mid 1990's there were some trucks made without a dryer, they used a special aluminum air tank with an automatic drain valve. We had a few of them in the fleet I used to maintain.

[mmoore6856]

follow the supply line out of the compressor. the drier is usually within 10 feet of the compressor. it was not unusual to not have one back then. you probaly will be looking for a bendix ad4 or ad8 model. lookonline as to what they look like then follow your line

[s2mikon]

I just recently serviced mine and ordered the parts through O'Reilly's auto parts. It was a Bendix AD-4. I would call it a 2 banana job. It is heavy so be careful lowering it out.

[Leprechaun]

No hiss to be heard no

[Leprechaun]

Where was it mounted on the bus?

[mmoore6856]

whereever they wanted. lots were installed by the end users as it was not always a option. it must be within 10 feet of the compressor. follow the airline as it could be somewhere else on the same bus.

[mmoore6856]

Originally Posted by s2mikon

I just recently serviced mine and ordered the parts through O'Reilly's auto parts. It was a Bendix AD-4. I would call it a 2 banana job. It is heavy so be careful lowering it out.

i used a ad4 on my outside airline at my shop. no matter how cold truckers could always air thier tires. i liked the ad4 it worked and was not expensive to rebuild

[Booyah45828]

Originally Posted by mmoore6856

i used a ad4 on my outside airline at my shop. no matter how cold truckers could always air thier tires. i liked the ad4 it worked and was not expensive to rebuild

What pressure was it at?

I've been thinking of doing that here, but the air pressure in the shop is 175 and I think most air dryers have a high limit below that.

[mmoore6856]

175 is what I had as some truck tires took 125. I had to adjust the overpressure safety valve up but the drier will take 200 easy. I would never try that with these newer ones. Just hook up your unloader on your compresser to the purge valve

[s2mikon]

Mine was located just behind the fuel tank, in front of the baggage bays, toward the left side.

[cadillackid]

where was the bus purchased from? what state?



my 2000 Bluebird with hydraulic brakes.. yet has air ride suspension and air seat, had no air dryer.. the line came from the conpressor directly to the wet tank.. since i live north i installed one..


if your bus is fully hydraulic as in hydraulic brakes and no air ride, no air seat it may not have an air system at all.. or if it lived in a very warm dry climate it may have been built with no dryer

[shortbus4x4]

A 1996 might not have been built with an air dryer. I've seen trucks from that era not have one, all the school buses I work on are this century and came with air dryers.