Building A Custom Bus For The Cajun Navy Ground Force!

[DavidAWilks]

For quite a while I have been enjoying the posts here and many of the technical tips!! I have a past of building crazy stuff, anything that Rolls, Floats and/or Flies has been my area/s of expertise. I am now shopping a bus to convert as an "Operations Basecamp" for the Cajun Navy Ground Force so we have a "no-holds-barred" means of communication to the volunteers, sponsors and other teams helping out during Disaster Events like the one currently in Louisiana.

My heart is really close on this one... ANY & ALL HELP is appreciated!! I will be sharing every step of the way on my YouTube channel as well as creating threads to help others as well as take any suggestions on how I can make something more reliable/better/stronger/efficient during the times when NOTHING in the area we go into is functional!!!

I currently have my "Cannonball Ambulance" which was my custom Media Vehicle being completely redone to be out Social Media platform and "First Response Vehicle" to get to the locations before the rest of the logistics are set up. If this interests anyone... LMK!!

Please, again... all suggestions are valid to me. We are building this rig by donations so I do not want to make any mistakes in this build for reliability as every penny lost is truly taking away from helping others.



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[DavidAWilks]

I am currently looking at a 2012 International Bus with the DT-HT 466 engine and Allison 3000 transmission.



The layout works perfectly with my project needs. Can anyone suggest any issues with the DT-HT 466 engines?

Thanks!

[rossvtaylor]

That bus should make a great platform...and that's an excellent drivetrain combination. But remember that with a bus you won't have a super speedy vehicle.

I'm certainly interested in following along, because our first conversion (7 or 8 years ago?) was a medium duty ambulance which we converted into the official "Ketosis Support Vehicle" which we took to many events.

Following!

[Bus'n it]

Twin turbos, some gearing and a valve job should get you to 135! LOL. I do not think they even make tires for that in speed rating higher than 85 do they?

Let me add that the bus you are looking at will have the Maxxforce engine. Not the one want.

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by Bus'n it

Let me add that the bus you are looking at will have the Maxxforce engine. Not the one want.

I didn't catch that it would have the Maxxforce and that completely changes my "great drivetrain" comment. Thanks for the catch and correction!

[DavidAWilks]

Originally Posted by rossvtaylor

I didn't catch that it would have the Maxxforce and that completely changes my "great drivetrain" comment. Thanks for the catch and correction!

I completely agree!! Since I have to focus on reliability in the face of a disaster, I cannot with a good mind accept a project in which the reliability is suspect with no means of making it better. Therefore I am now looking at a Blue Bird with a front engine CAT C7 & Allison transmission. My only concern is that it is not a Pusher, which reduces the undercarriage storage areas but with a drivetrain that should be robust, it might outweigh the negatives. I'm also thinking the Handicap lift will be a bonus for lifting items in & out, like cases of water which is always a help.

THANKS AGAIN for everyone who has been helping me with this project... the planning of this has been a lot of work.