Bought myself a Braapbus😎🤙🏁

[2mchprssr]

Well folks seems like I have a knack for random irresponsible purchases, which leads me to your humble community. I randomly saw a FB Marketplace add with busses for sale about an hour from home. With my sister looking to move out, we decided to go check out the “short buses” this guy had.
Well turns out his version of short and ours was quite different. We were thinking the van based short. Either was was still interesting to check these
out as I had never looked into busses at all (I’m a automotive enthusiast).

After really looking into the cost of a bus vs a truck that could fit my 3 kids and some friends, haul our dirt bikes and gear. I realized a bus would be FAAAAR cheaper and could also be used as a camper.

So I went back and put a deposit on this beauty. A 203k mile 2002 Freightliner 30’FS65 with a CAT3126 and Allison 2000 with wheelchair lift. I actually hadn’t realized that it was air suspension till I went for the 2nd look. It also has fresh oil and all new filters. Even noticed a lot of new gaskets that I had researched and planned on replacing. All these little discoveries made me much more satisfied in my decision to buy this bus.

It’ll be getting towed home as the right front brake is dragging but I suspect it’s just a brake line or stuck pins. Tires are worn but I was able to find 4 almost new tires on wheels for $220 total. So I’ll still need two more.

Can’t wait to start driving this to the track or state land trail heads ������

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Decent buy. The culprit of your brake issue depends on whether it has air brakes or hydraulic.

[2mchprssr]

It has hydraulic brakes. The drivers side has a new line on it and the passenger does not. Hence my suspicions.

Forgot I had also noticed a newer full exhaust. Seemed like they gave top priority to the maintenance of the handicapped bus. Kinda the last one you want broke down with kids on board ya know.

[Ronnie]

Could even be broken springs in the brakes not pulling the shoes back. Seems like a good bus for you. Welcome to the skoolie world.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Could even be broken springs in the brakes not pulling the shoes back. Seems like a good bus for you. Welcome to the skoolie world.

it should be disc in that year with hydraulics.. likely a stuck caliper piston.. ive seen that many times on these.. Luckily if its disc brakes you will find if you have ever put brakes on a disc brake car that its pretty much the same thing.. do be careful with the wheel. more than likely that is a Hub-pilot wheel and the bolts should be torqued to 450 ft lbs. you will want to look up the torque and make sure the bolts get torqiued to spec.. and yes at 450 ft lbs they will be tight!. My dewalt 1/2" 20 volt impact will take them off, however a friend's milwaukee will not..



if the lift is still in there it sure will come in handy for loading and unlooading your bikes.


ther 3126 / AD2000 combo is a great drivetrain!!

[cadillackid]

P.S. looks like you even got lucky and have Air-Conditioning

[2mchprssr]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

P.S. looks like you even got lucky and have Air-Conditioning

Yes it does have a rear air unit but not sure that it works at the moment. Might get it serviced later on.

Yes the plan was to use the lift for the bikes or get a uhaul ramp. I do wish the lift was in the rear but I’ll make do.

Thanks for the tip on the hubs😎🤙

[CHEESE_WAGON]

If it has hydraulic brakes, be sure to determine whether it has an air-over-hydraulic parking brake. This is basically the parking brake air spring portion of an air-brake vehicle, used to pressurize a hydraulic parking brake. And it does necessitate familiarizing yourself in part with the workings of an air brake system. I recommend you check out my Safety Inspection Thread, if you haven't already.

[musigenesis]

This guy has a good video on the CAT3126 with some useful tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA45...l=DEBOSSGARAGE

although if you're looking into specific gaskets already, there's probably nothing you don't know already (don't let the title fool you, he's pro-3126).

Having just had my exhaust replaced, I know your new exhaust is a valuable find.

[CHEESE_WAGON]

DeBoss Garage pretty much does nothing but "Everything Wrong With A" *insert engine here*. I wish he'd do one on the MaxxiPadd engine series.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

DeBoss Garage pretty much does nothing but "Everything Wrong With A" *insert engine here*. I wish he'd do one on the MaxxiPadd engine series.

He did do the DT466, but he says 1995 or later is bad for the engine line, so no way he'd do the MaxxForce.

[2mchprssr]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

He did do the DT466, but he says 1995 or later is bad for the engine line, so no way he'd do the MaxxForce.

i literally used this video series as my basis for research on the 3126 and Allison. when i went for the second look at the bus i noticed all the things he mentions were already fixed minus the HUEI oil feed line. so ill have that updated when the trans is getting unlocked.

[2mchprssr]

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

If it has hydraulic brakes, be sure to determine whether it has an air-over-hydraulic parking brake. This is basically the parking brake air spring portion of an air-brake vehicle, used to pressurize a hydraulic parking brake. And it does necessitate familiarizing yourself in part with the workings of an air brake system. I recommend you check out my Safety Inspection Thread, if you haven't already.

Thanks for the info and I’ll be sure to check thread out

[2mchprssr]

She got delivered tonight. I need a new battery (or two) and fix the brake issue. I tried to sneak it in under the cover of dark but the neighbor was heading out as soon as the truck pulled up. Good news is he’s super jacked and wants to fix it tomorrow for me 😎🤙🏁

Now it’s decorate for Christmas to surprise my son and parents 🎄 🎁