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04-13-2019, 03:02 AM
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#1
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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Look a bus!
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto...856690544.html
I’m looking for advice on this bus I really like the shape and size just wondering how reliable this could be and if the price is fair. The reason I like this is because is is as close to a flat nose in this length that I think exists.
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04-13-2019, 12:46 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HenrysCat
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto...856690544.html
I’m looking for advice on this bus I really like the shape and size just wondering how reliable this could be and if the price is fair. The reason I like this is because is is as close to a flat nose in this length that I think exists.
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looks nice and clean - that nose would allow good visibility when driving
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04-13-2019, 01:59 PM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
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If it was closer to me, the add would be down already...
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04-13-2019, 04:41 PM
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#4
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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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Diesel pusher, I don't think so. Must be a trunk under that dognose, or whatever you call those noses.
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04-13-2019, 07:25 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 255
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Vista 3600
Engine: DT466E / AT545
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddgracer
looks nice and clean - that nose would allow good visibility when driving
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The visibility of the 2nd Generation vistas are amazing. Flat nose may be a bit better, but in a pinch the vista is still better than the full dognoses I checked out and drove.
Can't even see the hood, you have to lean up a bit to see all 2 feet of it.
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04-13-2019, 10:23 PM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 503
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I like it. Mileage is good, 7.3s in a bus that size are just fine, the rear heat/AC is a bonus. For buses that length, I think its a reasonable price.
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04-13-2019, 11:02 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
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Looks like a decent bus.
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04-19-2019, 12:30 PM
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#8
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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Hey everyone! I went to see the bus today. I am looking for more advice now that I’ve seen the bus. If I like what I’m hearing, I’ll go buy it on Monday.
So first off, the instrument cluster is having issues. No fuel gauge, no speedometer, the temperature gauge read as hot as it could go, but the engine didn’t feel that hot, the odometer stopped as well.
I have the records of it’s last 3 inspections and it has only moved 1000 miles since.
The underside seemed to a bit oily, not sure of where the oil may be coming from. Any ideas?
It is a California bus so it has an exhaust regenerator installed which has a green indicator light that does not turn off with the key. It seems to be draining the battery relatively fast.
The seller is taking it to a diesel mechanic tomorrow to see what he can have fixed up for me prior to purchase, no extra charges added.
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04-19-2019, 01:05 PM
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#9
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by HenrysCat
Hey everyone! I went to see the bus today. I am looking for more advice now that I’ve seen the bus. If I like what I’m hearing, I’ll go buy it on Monday.
So first off, the instrument cluster is having issues. No fuel gauge, no speedometer, the temperature gauge read as hot as it could go, but the engine didn’t feel that hot, the odometer stopped as well.
I have the records of it’s last 3 inspections and it has only moved 1000 miles since.
The underside seemed to a bit oily, not sure of where the oil may be coming from. Any ideas?
It is a California bus so it has an exhaust regenerator installed which has a green indicator light that does not turn off with the key. It seems to be draining the battery relatively fast.
The seller is taking it to a diesel mechanic tomorrow to see what he can have fixed up for me prior to purchase, no extra charges added.
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Find out who the mechanic is and see if he'll go over the bus and find everything wrong with it.
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04-19-2019, 01:23 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,404
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Instrument cluster issues are somewhat common. The most likely problem is cold solder joints on the circuit board.
I have seen quite a few that were repaired by simply resoldering the connections on the circuit board.
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04-19-2019, 02:05 PM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Damascus, OR
Posts: 681
Year: 2004
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e w/ 2000 Allison Trans
Rated Cap: 35
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Find out the transmission. Is it probably an AT545. Never driven one, but I was interested in them because of the size. Heard they ride rough and the engine can be more difficult to work on vs. a regular dog nose.
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04-19-2019, 05:05 PM
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#12
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
Instrument cluster issues are somewhat common. The most likely problem is cold solder joints on the circuit board.
I have seen quite a few that were repaired by simply resoldering the connections on the circuit board.
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Thanks! That is a relief. Most of what I read so far in my research says it’s common. I’m just more comfortable getting my information directly from here.
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04-19-2019, 06:52 PM
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#13
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rovobay
Find out the transmission. Is it probably an AT545. Never driven one, but I was interested in them because of the size. Heard they ride rough and the engine can be more difficult to work on vs. a regular dog nose.
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This is a picture of the transmission tag. AT542.
Any info on that?
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04-19-2019, 06:58 PM
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#14
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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Some photos of tags and the regen light that’s always on as well as inspection records.
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04-19-2019, 07:11 PM
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#15
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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Some photos of the undercarriage so you can see the oily bottom. Hoping this is a simple fix. Really loving to shape and size of this bus.
Michael (co-potential bus owner) went to school for automotive repair, but does not have a whole heaping ton of experience with diesel. We are prepared for some hard work, and willing to drop new gear under the hood.
I’m going to see if I can’t get the info to the mechanic as mentioned above. Great idea! Thanks.
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04-19-2019, 07:25 PM
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#16
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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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If I'm not mistaken the 542 is the same as the 545 only with a deeper pan. It is the least desirable transmission for a Skoolie.
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04-23-2019, 03:59 PM
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#17
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: The tops of mountains, the bottoms of valleys, and everywhere in between.
Posts: 89
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
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We decided today this isn’t our bus. Though we love it, and will be on the hunt for one very similar, we have been swayed from this purchase.
I’m more confident in my next bus hunt and will be posting on this site regularly. Thank you guys for your help thus far.
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