I've bought a bus! Now I need a name for it! :)

JamieJackson · 01-31-2018, 08:37 PM

After searching high and low. Looking at every craigslist ad, local ad, ads from here, anywhere I could think there might be a good bus for sale, I have finally found my bus!

I bought a 1995 Thomas RE MVP

It's got a 8.3l Cummins with a MD 3060 Allison 6 speed with the 6th speed already unlocked.

It comes equiped with automatic chains deployed via switch on the go, a diesel powered pre-heater (Wabasto), a full basement for storage, cabin heaters, air ride driver's seat, and air brakes.

The tires are in outstanding shape all around. Steer tires are almost new, less than 3,000 miles on them. The rear tires have less than 5,000 on them.

I am going to pick it up in the next couple of weeks and can't wait to get started. This will be a project that me and my dad will work on together. I am 50 and he is 84 so this will be an amazing thing to share with him!

I will be full of questions, a few will be good questions, some stupid questions and some where you will ask yourself... does he really know what he's in for? lol

I am in for the long haul.. I am hoping to get it livable in 1.5 years and finished in a total of 3 years.. Why so long you might ask... I work over 62 hours a week that is funding my retirement and 401k so the work will go at a steady but slow pace and when this is done, I am hoping to semi retire and travel around these great states and meet people, see places I've only imagined and finally live life!

Thanks ahead of time for all the great knowledge I have gotten from lurking on these forums and I look forward to joining the great Skoolie family!!

BennysTire · 01-31-2018, 08:44 PM

I'd call it Peanut Butter.
(Because that power train is going to make others "Jelly"[emoji57][emoji849])

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RRRVBUS · 01-31-2018, 08:47 PM

Welcome!!! Nice bus, nice project with your dad. Good luck and keep us posted.

Delerious · 01-31-2018, 09:00 PM

i agree peanut butter is an awesome name.!!!!!!!

Twigg · 01-31-2018, 09:13 PM

That's a very nice bus ... congrats. I'm in Tulsa and we appear to almost have twins

I have a specific question:

What Final Drive Ratio do you have?

I am looking to see which combinations Thomas and Allison have agreed to unlock 6th gear on. I know about a 6.14, but I don't have info on other ratios.

ps ... Do you mind us asking how much you had to pay for it?

JamieJackson · 01-31-2018, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennysTire

I'd call it Peanut Butter.
(Because that power train is going to make others "Jelly"[emoji57][emoji849])

Sent from my E6883 using Tapatalk

That's an awesome name but I am not sure I want to make anyone jealous.. Live and let live..

btw, I lived in Manchester, NH for about 12 years. LOVED NH!! I will definitely be traveling around there and VT when I am roaming around.

James

JamieJackson · 01-31-2018, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRRVBUS

Welcome!!! Nice bus, nice project with your dad. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks! I will! Some of my friends want me to do the YouTube thing, but I am not video friendly.. lol I cuss like a sailor, one of my shortcomings.. I am sure this project might bring some of that out in me.. haha

I will certainly keep you guys and gals updated with pictures and my progress!

James

JamieJackson · 01-31-2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

That's a very nice bus ... congrats. I'm in Tulsa and we appear to almost have twins

I have a specific question:

What Final Drive Ratio do you have?

I am looking to see which combinations Thomas and Allison have agreed to unlock 6th gear on. I know about a 6.14, but I don't have info on other ratios.

ps ... Do you mind us asking how much you had to pay for it?

I don't know what the drive ratio is.. After I go get the bus in a few weeks I might be better able to help answer your question.

As far as how much I paid... I paid too much, but it's the first bus that had everything on my check list. The seller was super super great about answering questions. The way I figure it, the price was a little high but since this is my home I don't mind putting a little more into it to make sure I have a good foundation and in turn a great home.

Plus, add the fact that I am working on this with my father at this age, the money will be well spent in the project and time spent with my father working on my Skoolie.

James

Twigg · 01-31-2018, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieJackson

I don't know what the drive ratio is.. After I go get the bus in a few weeks I might be better able to help answer your question.

As far as how much I paid... I paid too much, but it's the first bus that had everything on my check list. The seller was super super great about answering questions. The way I figure it, the price was a little high but since this is my home I don't mind putting a little more into it to make sure I have a good foundation and in turn a great home.

Plus, add the fact that I am working on this with my father at this age, the money will be well spent in the project and time spent with my father working on my Skoolie.

James

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I picked mine up in Nebraska and drove it 500 miles home. Easy drive, nice ride.

The only significant difference is that I have the higher ceiling, but they are great buses and you are going to love all those screws where others used rivets.

BennysTire · 01-31-2018, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieJackson

That's an awesome name but I am not sure I want to make anyone jealous.. Live and let live..

btw, I lived in Manchester, NH for about 12 years. LOVED NH!! I will definitely be traveling around there and VT when I am roaming around.

James

I know a good tire guy in the Manchester/Concord area....
[emoji849][emoji848][emoji57]

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Tango · 01-31-2018, 11:35 PM

Sweet find...keep the pix coming!

Rusty · 01-31-2018, 11:45 PM

Best bus I've seen in a long time- nice score. All the boxes checked.

Get reading and scheming.

I'm going to have to agree on Peanut Butter....my 5-spd Md3060 is jelly.

Welcome !!!!

These are the "good" days- relish them.

BennysTire · 01-31-2018, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Best bus I've seen in a long time- nice score. All the boxes checked.

Get reading and scheming.

I'm going to have to agree on Peanut Butter....my 5-spd Md3060 is jelly.

Welcome !!!!

These are the "good" days- relish them.

Paint her green and name her Relish🤣🤣

(Can you tell I may be hungry?)[emoji57]

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brokedown · 02-01-2018, 09:32 AM

Someone give this man a hot dog!

Nice bus BTW, you do have the jelly drivetrain!

PNW_Steve · 02-01-2018, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieJackson

but I am not sure I want to make anyone jealous..
James

Too late!

Mechanical 8.3 and a 3060 with 6th unlocked....

Probably the most wanted drive train in a Skoolie. Congrats!

EastCoastCB · 02-01-2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Too late!

Mechanical 8.3 and a 3060 with 6th unlocked....

Probably the most wanted drive train in a Skoolie. Congrats!

Well- there are the Cummins 855 Crowns with 10 speeds... but for the rest of us yeah that 8.3 with double OD is the cream of the crop!

PNW_Steve · 02-01-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Well- there are the Cummins 855 Crowns with 10 speeds... but for the rest of us yeah that 8.3 with double OD is the cream of the crop!

I stand corrected

cowlitzcoach · 02-01-2018, 02:49 PM

I may be wrong but I do NOT think that is a Saf-T-Liner MVP ER. The quad headlights and the fact it has the 8.3L with an Allison with 6th unlocked do not equal the spe'c's normally found on an MVP.

Unless somewhere on the build plate it says MVP I think that is more likely an HDX.

About the only thing that isn't great is it has the 9" windows.

Any price paid less than $10K is a bargain for that bus!

Good luck and happy trails to you!

JamieJackson · 02-01-2018, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

I may be wrong but I do NOT think that is a Saf-T-Liner MVP ER. The quad headlights and the fact it has the 8.3L with an Allison with 6th unlocked do not equal the spe'c's normally found on an MVP.

Unless somewhere on the build plate it says MVP I think that is more likely an HDX.

About the only thing that isn't great is it has the 9" windows.

Any price paid less than $10K is a bargain for that bus!

Good luck and happy trails to you!

Ah interesting.. I haven't actually looked for the exact model, I was just going on what the po called it. He is sending me a picture of the title for the vin number for insurance when I bring it home, I will have to check and let you guys know.

What do you mean by the 9" windows? They have different heights in the windows? With me pulling them out, that should bother with my build though right? The RV windows I order will just have to fit!

Well with that price I got a bargain then.. I thought/think it was a little high but worth it for the amount of good going for it.

James

Twigg · 02-01-2018, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

I may be wrong but I do NOT think that is a Saf-T-Liner MVP ER. The quad headlights and the fact it has the 8.3L with an Allison with 6th unlocked do not equal the spe'c's normally found on an MVP.

Unless somewhere on the build plate it says MVP I think that is more likely an HDX.

About the only thing that isn't great is it has the 9" windows.

Any price paid less than $10K is a bargain for that bus!

Good luck and happy trails to you!

It's confusing me

I noted the headlights, but thought the HDX only came with the 77" ceiling that this one doesn't have. The date and lights do say "HDX" though.

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