Committed.... but nervous!

[Sinamonster]

Hello and Salutations to all! I am new to the Tiny Home and Skoolie movement! I do not currently have a bus, but i am looking at a 2004 Blue Bird A3re Bus from one of the local school counties. I am living in Florida.

[Roadrunner]

Hi Sinamonster. It is normal to be nervous, don't sweat it. After all, how many people go out and buy a bus? Wait till you actually buy it and start tearing it apart. There are many good people on here that would be happy to help you along the journey. Just make sure you start with a good bus. It just boils down to time, money and inspiration. The great part is that you can build it your way. I've lost a lot of sleep just thinking how I want to do something and I'm not near done yet. Be forewarned it is going to be a lot of work. It will also be worth it in the end. Just look at some of the beautiful results on here. It is a great adventure, enjoy it and good luck. Oh yeah, and ask lots of questions. There are many very knowledgeable people on here with the right experience. Whatever you want to do many have been there, done that and they will be happy to offer advice.

[Sinamonster]

Thank you so much! I am looking for a place to start but its all so much and dizzying!

[Robin97396]

That's kind of a fun nervous feeling, like you're just about to do something really good.

[cowlitzcoach]

BB AR3RE make good candidates for conversion.

The preferred engine is a Cummins 8.3L/ISC.

The next choice would be the Cummins 5.9L/ISB.

If the price is right the last choice for most people would be a Cat 3116/3126.

Regardless of which engine it has it most likely will have the Allison 3000 series automatic transmission with the 6th gear locked out giving it five forward gears with 5th and overdrive.

Good luck and happy trails.

[1990thomas]

look at florida church bus in hudson fl

[Robin97396]

This sounded like something that someone here needs. 2008 International diesel engine Model: C330, 8.7 liter built by Navistar inc. Sn:531HM2U1542324, will turn by hand. Pre - Government Liquidation

[cowlitzcoach]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

This sounded like something that someone here needs. 2008 International diesel engine Model: C330, 8.7 liter built by Navistar inc. Sn:531HM2U1542324, will turn by hand. Pre - Government Liquidation

The problem with the newer electronically controlled engines and transmissions, unless you have the exact automatic transmission that goes with this particular engine you might not be able to get the two to talk together well enough to operate correctly.

[Robin97396]

Cowlitzcoach; I was surprised at the number of people here driving cornbinders, and yes this is kind of new so it's possible there are no buses here that are that new. It's just that it's so pretty.

I'm not looking for an install. I'll do fine at 55 with my 5.9.

[cowlitzcoach]

IHC had more than 50% of the OEM vendor supplied chassis business from the 1950's until they stopped making them available to outside builders around 2004.

Even today with each body builder being owned by the company that makes the chassis the IC/IHC bus still claims more sales every year than the competition.

Part of it is the IC bus is a quality product. Part of it is the IC bus is a known quantity to most bus operators. And part of it is the IC bus is usually the least expensive option when schools or states ask for bids or quotes for new equipment.

So not unsurprisingly, the most common brand of chassis in used buses is the IHC chassis.