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09-08-2020, 10:48 AM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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From CA - excited and a little nervous to be here!
Hi all, we’re a family of 4 and two dogs and a cat in California looking for a little more freedom and ability to travel in this pandemic world. I have always dreamt of building my own teardrop trailer or owning a VW Bus to help facilitate our travels. We didn’t consider a skoolie conversion until recently. Watching “Expedition Happiness” helped fuel some of this interest. I knew I wanted something more customized than an RV and bigger than a teardrop trailer or VW Bus given the size of our family.
After much consideration and some spur of the moment decisions, we are looking to buy this 2009 Collins Mini Bus in New Jersey and driving it back to California.
The only thing I’m concerned about is the rust on the bottom. Living in California, we don’t see rust on cars very often unless they’re very old. Is this too much rust?
Any insight about the engine, body, bus type, etc. would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your knowledge and expertise!
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09-10-2020, 11:43 AM
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#2
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 12
Year: 1998
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Genesis
Engine: Navistar DT466E/ AT545
Rated Cap: 78
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Anything beyond very little surface rust was too much for me to consider. If you can see that much rust I would worry about what you cannot see.
Then again, I bought an Amtran with an AT545 transmission so my opinion may mean little on this forum based on the going checklist of the perfect bus, LOL.
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09-10-2020, 11:48 AM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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General consensus is to stay away from New England for bus purchases. The salt on the roads eat these things up. There's a reason they are unloading 2009 buses when everyone else is selling them 5 years older. There's plenty of deals on your side of the states.
__________________
I Thank God That He Gifted Me with Common Sense
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09-10-2020, 12:01 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 7,000
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: CE 300
Engine: DT466e
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
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That bus has signs of severe rusting on the back side. I advise people from New Jersey to avoid buying buses from New Jersey - driving to Jersey from CA to buy a bus is that much worse of an idea. Buses from around here get badly rusted (with very few exceptions), it's just how it is.
Also, common advice here is to buy a bus from 2003 or earlier, to avoid expensive repairs of the emissions control systems added after that date.
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09-10-2020, 12:38 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 994
Year: 1999
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Worst idea ever to be in california and go to east coast to get a vehicle.
There are a few short buses on auction in San Jose coming up tomorrow.
While they have lots of miles like all the school buses do because they auction them after they are worn out, at least they are not rusted, and can fix the engines easily.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...timingWithin=1
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09-10-2020, 12:58 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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I doubt many buses are sold because they are worn out. They retire them by age or mileage, having nothing to do with condition.
__________________
I Thank God That He Gifted Me with Common Sense
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09-10-2020, 12:58 PM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Guam/SanDiego
Posts: 35
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: tc 2000
Engine: P pump cummins
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Where at in CA are you? and whats your price point? not mini bus exactly but could fit the ticket? I've seen some freightliner "mt45" (i think) for sale on sandiego craiglist. 24 valve cummins newer NOT at545 transmission all aluminum body grummin step van originally sold to the post office (funny large 8 lug dually wheels singled out on all corners maybe 19.5s?) anyway had a fleeting thought as they had two for 10k each and a third for just under 5k with vp44 pump issues. id be tempted to scoop up the broken one just for the project as bored stiff while down here for school. craiglist cummins 5.9 and they should pop up
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09-10-2020, 01:19 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oliveguam
Where at in CA are you? and whats your price point? not mini bus exactly but could fit the ticket?
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Thanks for responding! We're looking for a mini bus due to size limitations. We have a home in CA and want to be able to park it in our side-yard, work on it in our driveway, etc. without having to plan for alternative storage. So size-wise needs to be ~20 feet in length. We're looking to spend ~10k but preferably less if we can find a good deal.
Other requirements:
- Diesel
- No handicap lift/door
- Less than 200k mileage.
Everything I've found out in CA is gas only.
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09-10-2020, 01:22 PM
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#9
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesB
Anything beyond very little surface rust was too much for me to consider. If you can see that much rust I would worry about what you cannot see.
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Thanks for taking a look at it. I'm starting to get worried that we planned this trip for nothing. We really haven't been looking for very long, maybe a few weeks. This is the best of what we've seen given what we're looking for. Mostly everything out this way has a gas engine and most are full-sized, which is not what we're looking for. Fingers crossed it doesn't look that bad in person. We still have time to cancel our trip...so I do appreciate your input.
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09-10-2020, 01:26 PM
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#10
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeNimble
There are a few short buses on auction in San Jose coming up tomorrow. While they have lots of miles like all the school buses do because they auction them after they are worn out, at least they are not rusted, and can fix the engines easily.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...timingWithin=1
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Thanks for this resource! I've been trying to find more bus sales out in CA but didn't know where to start. I'll check this link out.
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09-10-2020, 01:42 PM
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#11
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
General consensus is to stay away from New England for bus purchases. The salt on the roads eat these things up. There's a reason they are unloading 2009 buses when everyone else is selling them 5 years older. There's plenty of deals on your side of the states.
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Thank you! We haven't had any luck with finding a mini near CA with a diesel engine. I'll keep looking in the meantime!
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09-10-2020, 01:43 PM
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#12
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis
That bus has signs of severe rusting on the back side. I advise people from New Jersey to avoid buying buses from New Jersey - driving to Jersey from CA to buy a bus is that much worse of an idea. Buses from around here get badly rusted (with very few exceptions), it's just how it is.
Also, common advice here is to buy a bus from 2003 or earlier, to avoid expensive repairs of the emissions control systems added after that date.
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Thanks - I didn't see any rusting on the body from the pictures. I'll look more closely.
Regarding the emissions control systems, is this specific to CA requirements?
EDIT: Never mind on that last part. I misunderstood.
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09-10-2020, 01:51 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
I doubt many buses are sold because they are worn out. They retire them by age or mileage, having nothing to do with condition.
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alot of busses are sold because they are worn out or have had excessive issues costing the school more $$ than its worth to keep it going.
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09-10-2020, 02:48 PM
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#14
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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I hope we don’t get too much flack If we go through with the purchase. We’re going to negotiate the price down. My husband is a car guy so we somewhat have an idea of what we’re getting into. Wish us luck!
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09-10-2020, 02:49 PM
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#15
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Guam/SanDiego
Posts: 35
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: tc 2000
Engine: P pump cummins
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Well in reading what you have written seems these freighliner grummans could be just what you are looking for only deal breaker is the milage. As these are 250k other truck sales selling same thing about 15k. With diesels everyone has their opinions, personaly my bias leans heavy towards cummins8.3 or 5.9, chevy 6.2 /6.5 block are middle of the road as cheap to fix but never powerhouses. Old ford IDI (most non turbo) like the chevy engines were reliable, but ford power strokes I would advise running away from rapidly. Pain to work on and 3 common failure points over 1k to fix and 5 common problems to leave you stranded. I can list my personal pros and cons of different engines and trannies upon request, but every team has its weak points. You might also look for p30 step vans featuring ford and chevy gas and diesels and g30 chevy van nosed cutaway box trucks. Another rescource you might look at is "iron planet.com" selling military surplus at auction. Air force sells off a lot of g30 vans with chevy 6.5s often they live their life running around an airfield while receiving good maintnence. Should be worth a look. Btw I just bought a blue bird seabee bus from them on guam for less than $500. A few months back.
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09-10-2020, 03:04 PM
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#16
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Guam/SanDiego
Posts: 35
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: tc 2000
Engine: P pump cummins
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twothurstons
I hope we don’t get too much flack If we go through with the purchase. We’re going to negotiate the price down. My husband is a car guy so we somewhat have an idea of what we’re getting into. Wish us luck!
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This is likely a great thing. Measuring pros and cons of makes and models is pretty stressfull. If you find the one that speaks to you, what can anyone say but congratulations. Once youbpull the trigger on a purchase thay frees up your minds to begin working on the fun stuff like floorplans!! Also once committed you only have to research failure pints to your model only and plan to address them as they come. Kinda like a boat your nearing an exiting turning point. Good luck whatever you choose! David
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09-10-2020, 04:07 PM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 7,000
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: CE 300
Engine: DT466e
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twothurstons
I hope we don’t get too much flack If we go through with the purchase. We’re going to negotiate the price down. My husband is a car guy so we somewhat have an idea of what we’re getting into. Wish us luck!
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Once you've bought your rust bucket you'll be in the club, so no further flack at that point. I think people here are just trying to point out that it's not the best club in the world to join - especially when there are better clubs a lot closer to you.
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09-10-2020, 04:18 PM
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#18
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 18
Year: 2009
Chassis: Chevy Collins 3500
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis
Once you've bought your rust bucket you'll be in the club, so no further flack at that point. I think people here are just trying to point out that it's not the best club in the world to join - especially when there are better clubs a lot closer to you.
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Haha! Understood and I appreciate the honesty from everyone. We're embarking on this journey with our eyes as open as possible and the comments have helped. Thank you!
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09-10-2020, 07:00 PM
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#19
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 787
Year: 1993
Coachwork: 44' Newell Coach
Engine: 8v92T Detroit
Rated Cap: 2 adults and two pigeons
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Hey, I just bought a bus that looked like its been through hell and back. Most AZ buses do since the sun just eats away at everything including the interior. (Oh wait, thats the dried throw up) That said, my bus although rust free had its share of oil leaks, smelly hydraulics on the undercarriage, massive rattles from windows falling out of their frames and two ac's that have had their belts pulled off for some reason. Why did I buy it?? 'Cause it had the Cummins 8.3 and no emissions. She runs sweet and I enjoy driving it. Tracks true and steady. Its all i could ask for as a foundation for my build. But yes, rust is such an evil to deal with Vs cleaning up leaks and squeaks. Either way, congratulations and please post pics of your new toy and journey. I think the journey to bring it back will be the most fun part. I believe we all need a reprieve from the stresses of todays climate.
__________________
--Simon
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09-10-2020, 07:39 PM
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#20
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twothurstons
Hi all, we’re a family of 4 and two dogs and a cat in California looking for a little more freedom and ability to travel in this pandemic world. I have always dreamt of building my own teardrop trailer or owning a VW Bus to help facilitate our travels. We didn’t consider a skoolie conversion until recently. Watching “Expedition Happiness” helped fuel some of this interest. I knew I wanted something more customized than an RV and bigger than a teardrop trailer or VW Bus given the size of our family.
After much consideration and some spur of the moment decisions, we are looking to buy this 2009 Collins Mini Bus in New Jersey and driving it back to California.
The only thing I’m concerned about is the rust on the bottom. Living in California, we don’t see rust on cars very often unless they’re very old. Is this too much rust?
Any insight about the engine, body, bus type, etc. would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your knowledge and expertise!
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You should also be concerned with registering a “foreign” vehicle that’s also a diesel. Check with DMV before you do!
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