Decisions Decisions

[bridg73988]

Good morning all! This is my first post on the site although I have been reading a lot the last couple weeks. There is a wealth of information in this community! Anyway, I have wanted an RV ever since my family took a RV vacation on the west coast from northern California up to Washington. However, seeing how poorly the structure is of a RV, I have become very interested in doing a Skoolie. I am made of questions right now! I have found what I think is the right bus for me except the engine, people don't seem to be to fond of the Cat 3126. The bus is a 2002 Thomas rear engine (cat 3126) with belly storage, 78' inside height, and air suspension. The bus has 165,000 miles on it. I don't know the axle ratio though, is there a way to get that from the VIN number? Any thoughts or comments?
Mike

[Iceni John]

Originally Posted by bridg73988

Good morning all! This is my first post on the site although I have been reading a lot the last couple weeks. There is a wealth of information in this community! Anyway, I have wanted an RV ever since my family took a RV vacation on the west coast from northern California up to Washington. However, seeing how poorly the structure is of a RV, I have become very interested in doing a Skoolie. I am made of questions right now! I have found what I think is the right bus for me except the engine, people don't seem to be to fond of the Cat 3126. The bus is a 2002 Thomas rear engine (cat 3126) with belly storage, 78' inside height, and air suspension. The bus has 165,000 miles on it. I don't know the axle ratio though, is there a way to get that from the VIN number? Any thoughts or comments?
Mike

If it has a Rockwell (Meritor) rear axle, there should be a small credit-card-size metal plate riveted to the differential casing with some numbers on it including the ratio, such 410 for a 4.10 ratio. Or contact Thomas and ask then for the build specs. The ratio is not part of the VIN!

Or just drive it and see how fast you go for any given RPM in direct-drive top gear, and calculate the ratio from any of the available on-line formulas. For example, with 12R22.5" tires (485 revs per mile) I am doing 67 MPH at 2100 RPM with a 4.10 ratio differential.

John

[bridg73988]

Thanks John, I am about 600 miles away from the bus so driving it to calculate the ratio is not feasible. I was wondering if I called Thomas with the VIN if they could tell me what came in it.

[EastCoastCB]

Call whoever is selling the bus and ask them.

[bridg73988]

I did, they dont know and said they can't get under the bus to look.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by bridg73988

I did, they dont know and said they can't get under the bus to look.

IDk if I'd drive 600 miles if they're that unwilling to provide the info you want/need.

[bridg73988]

So I emailed Thomas Bus company, at first they replied that they can only give the info to the registered owner with proof of ownership. After a couple exchanges they told me the bus was built with a Cummins ISB engine (?) and a Allison 3060 trans and the spec for the axle shows 0.00. Any other questions about the bus were no comment. I think I am gonna go for it and hope it has a tag on the axle when I get there or see what RPM at highway speed and calculate. If it's not the ratio I want I will make a lower offer that will allow me to have the gearing changed and see if he takes it.

[Robin97396]

It's much easier and less expensive to buy the right bus that doesn't need to be changed. Are buses rare in your area?

[bridg73988]

Have not found many, this one just seems to fit the bill for what I was looking for. I can do the work myself so that should keep the cost in check.

[Robin97396]

There are the trip buses that already have the appropriate gearing, but it's almost like trying to find a hen's tooth. They're out there, but you'd probably have to travel for it. I can see what you're saying. It just seems more expensive overall.