Hello from south Georgia

TrailLifeBill · 02-02-2018, 11:20 PM

The bug has bitten me too. I've long thought about converting a school bus, but hadn't gotten much past dreaming until discovering this forum. Now, it's gotten a whole lot more serious. I'm in the midst of watching auctions, reading forums, getting insurance and tag quotes, drawing up floor plans, etc. I think I want a 1999ish Blue Bird TC2000 if it can be had in good condition with good tires for under $5000. I don't think factory air is needed since I want to go with a dual zone mini-split heatpump. I think I want a small diesel generator to keep from having to buy gas.
So much to read - I'm trying to learn as much as possible to lessen the inevitable mistakes.

Jdawgsfanasty · 02-03-2018, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailLifeBill

The bug has bitten me too. I've long thought about converting a school bus, but hadn't gotten much past dreaming until discovering this forum. Now, it's gotten a whole lot more serious. I'm in the midst of watching auctions, reading forums, getting insurance and tag quotes, drawing up floor plans, etc. I think I want a 1999ish Blue Bird TC2000 if it can be had in good condition with good tires for under $5000. I don't think factory air is needed since I want to go with a dual zone mini-split heatpump. I think I want a small diesel generator to keep from having to buy gas.
So much to read - I'm trying to learn as much as possible to lessen the inevitable mistakes.

Once bitten there's no cure...welcome to skoolieville[emoji41]

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EastCoastCB · 02-03-2018, 12:44 AM

Why a TC and not an All American? The TC was the cheap line of Bluebirds.
A decent TC should be 2-3 grand.

jjhwick119 · 02-03-2018, 03:02 AM

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...79&acctid=3798
tires may not be ideal, but its got a good tranny
and the street that it is located on is also my last name, which is a weird coincidence

edit better tires on this one
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...tid=3798#media

Jdawgsfanasty · 02-03-2018, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhwick119

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...79&acctid=3798
tires may not be ideal, but its got a good tranny
and the street that it is located on is also my last name, which is a weird coincidence

edit better tires on this one
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...tid=3798#media

It says the 2nd one don't run

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jjhwick119 · 02-03-2018, 04:18 AM

Didn't even notice that, lol. Oops

Jdawgsfanasty · 02-03-2018, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhwick119

Didn't even notice that, lol. Oops

People helping people

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Johnny Mullet · 02-03-2018, 07:04 AM

Welcome and good luck on your search. Don't rush into it.

Robin97396 · 02-03-2018, 12:10 PM

How far are you willing to travel for the right bus?

TrailLifeBill · 02-05-2018, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

How far are you willing to travel for the right bus?

There are lots of them available in the 300-400 mile area around me. Since I'm still leashed to a full-time job, that would probably be my limit. Also, don't want to go north because of road salt/rust issues.

I have been looking at those on govdeals from Pell City, AL - they look well cared for.

I think I want to avoid a pusher for the following reasons:
1) I want a 2-3' garage in the rear.
2) I've read that it's pricier to repair because everything is harder to access. TC2000 isn't as easy to work on as conventional, but seems like a good compromise between the two.

OK, tell me where I'm mistaken.....

Twigg · 02-05-2018, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailLifeBill

There are lots of them available in the 300-400 mile area around me. Since I'm still leashed to a full-time job, that would probably be my limit. Also, don't want to go north because of road salt/rust issues.

I have been looking at those on govdeals from Pell City, AL - they look well cared for.

I think I want to avoid a pusher for the following reasons:
1) I want a 2-3' garage in the rear.
2) I've read that it's pricier to repair because everything is harder to access. TC2000 isn't as easy to work on as conventional, but seems like a good compromise between the two.

OK, tell me where I'm mistaken.....

All I'd argue with is labor on the engine.

The most difficult to access is a front engine transit. The rear engine is very easy to get at most things, and the conventional is easy when the hood is removed. With the hood in place lots of stuff is hard to reach.

Robin97396 · 02-05-2018, 11:45 PM

Sounds like a plan to me. I've got about a 6' garage in the back of my TC1000. This is a 26' 9 window handi bus. They also produce the TC2000 in a 28' model. Lots of choices out there.

I'd say you're on the right track. Sounds like you're basically building something like I'm building with a garage in the back. I consider mine to be a fishing shack with garage.

EastCoastCB · 02-06-2018, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

All I'd argue with is labor on the engine.

The most difficult to access is a front engine transit. The rear engine is very easy to get at most things, and the conventional is easy when the hood is removed. With the hood in place lots of stuff is hard to reach.

What's hard to reach?

Twigg · 02-06-2018, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

What's hard to reach?

Anything you have to lean over a wheel to get to.

My F150 is bad enough. The rear engine on my bus is easier. It remains true that a CE is the easiest though, especially once the hood is out of the way.

EastCoastCB · 02-06-2018, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

Anything you have to lean over a wheel to get to.

My F150 is bad enough. The rear engine on my bus is easier. It remains true that a CE is the easiest though, especially once the hood is out of the way.

You don't lean on the wheel, you can stand on either side of it, or on top of it.

CE is by far the easiest for working on it.

Twigg · 02-06-2018, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

You don't lean on the wheel, you can stand on either side of it, or on top of it.

CE is by far the easiest for working on it.

Well yes.

I was merely correcting the OP who was indicating that, of the three, the RE was the hardest.

If I was wrong about that I apologize.

WanderWoman · 02-06-2018, 08:18 AM

If you want to come down to central Florida and get some inspiration, we are having a skoolie get together 2 weekends from now.

https://www.facebook.com/events/373939663017866/

Sandi
p.s. there is a thread on here, but I couldn't find it with the search function

Jdawgsfanasty · 02-06-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderWoman

If you want to come down to central Florida and get some inspiration, we are having a skoolie get together 2 weekends from now.

https://www.facebook.com/events/373939663017866/

Sandi
p.s. there is a thread on here, but I couldn't find it with the search function

Sounds cool...wish I could...I don't have FB btw

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EastCoastCB · 02-06-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

Well yes.

I was merely correcting the OP who was indicating that, of the three, the RE was the hardest.

If I was wrong about that I apologize.

Well there's no wrong, its just a discussion of opinions.
I've not had an RE as I need a CE or FE.

I'd imagine from easiest to hardest for engine access it would go CE, RE, then FE.

EastCoastCB · 02-07-2018, 07:24 AM

Mechanical DT466. Go for it!
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...=6&acctid=9831

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