Mexican guy starting (or willing) a bus in Baja

[eduardoysla]

Hello happy skoolies!

I've been living in Baja, México (La Paz exactly, 100 mi from Cabo) for 4 years now and I can think easily living in a bus here.

I am thinking of a Thomas Saf-T-Liner 01' - 03' from auctions Pennsylvania and would like to read all your thoughts about it.

• Bus alone budget: 4K USD
• Conversion: 6K USD
• WVO & Tanks: 4K USD

All in a period of 2 years half time working on it by myself (and friends) in my frontyard.
Have some building skills and tools.
Uncertain about electronic stuff to take care of overtime or when buying.

Please, share some of your thoughts with me.

[Alan N]

Don't buy a bus from Pennsylvania or any where else in the northeast.
They come with something you don't have in Mexico.
RUST!
Just my opinion.

[EastCoastCB]

Hola!
I'd be watching the auctions for a clean, rust free mechanical bus on the West Coast.
If you're on my side of the country watch for Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky.. Ohio and Pennsylvania buses are almost always rusty. Mechanically they take very good care of their buses but they have to replace lots of body panels and such due to the conditions and rust that ensues. Michigan is bad too.

[sdwarf36]

+1
Its gonna cost a bunch to drive the bus from Pa to Baja. Find one in Ca.
Plus -do you have a steady supply of veggie oil? Do you plan on putting on enough miles to recoup the money spent to do a conversion? You can do a WVO conversion for less than than $4k. But if thats what you're budgeting, I'd find an old Benz or VW to convert first to learn your mistakes before you attempt a conversion on something as costly as a bus.