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10-04-2016, 03:39 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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My new bus 4x4 shortbus
Heading out Thursday to pick up my 4x4 "turtle bus." It's technically a 15 passenger van platform but my wife says its a bus so hopefully I can fit in on this group. Not totally sure what my plan is yet, but I have 4 kids and I like adventuring. We don't all fit in the 4x4 truck anymore and just barely in the minivan and there's certainly no room for bringing friends. Immediate plans are to remove the back row of seats and possibly 2 rows of them so I can loft a bed back there and have room for all the gear and bikes, etc. I'd love to figure out a rear door... And my wife says she will not go in it or let it be parked at our house until it's a different color. Should be a fun project and I look forward to getting ideas and how-to's from the site.
146,000 miles for $9,500. 2001 Chevy 3500. Did I do alright?
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10-04-2016, 04:22 PM
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#2
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kansas
Posts: 492
Year: 2000
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: Your mom +1
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no clue what they are worth, but I do know they're pretty rare and VERY expensive to retrofit a 2wd bus to 4x4. Nice find, I really wanted a 4x4 but just couldn't find any full size buses that were. Welcome 
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10-04-2016, 06:21 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 17,694
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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nice bus!! and definitely welcome to the group!! there are others with shuttle busses in the group.. and even a couple with Coach trip busses!!
bring it on!!
-Christopher
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10-04-2016, 09:00 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,690
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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At first I was gonna say "OMG man thats nice but you paid way too much."
But then I remembered the 4x4 part. That makes it a bargain.
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10-05-2016, 08:04 AM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Washington
Posts: 14
Year: 1978
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: Chevy 1 ton dually
Engine: Chevy 350 4bbl
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Nice bus! Am a little jealous as I want to convert mine to 4wd at some point. Great score!
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10-05-2016, 08:27 AM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portland,OR
Posts: 3
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4x4 bus!!! Super nice, how great for your kids!
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10-05-2016, 09:54 AM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Posts: 1,782
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
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That's a very curious shorty! I've never seen one with a shell like that.. Neat.
4x4 in a light weight unit like that will make the bus unstoppable!
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10-05-2016, 10:06 AM
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#8
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
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Diesel?
Rear locker?
Nice ride, we need pictures of the inside
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
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10-05-2016, 10:56 AM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Posts: 592
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Startrans
Chassis: Ford e-350 single wheel
Engine: 5.4 litre
Rated Cap: 12
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Love it....
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10-05-2016, 09:00 PM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 936
Chassis: GMC or Chevrolet, I hope
Engine: gasser probably
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Looks good. Congrats.
Sent from my BLU LIFE ONE X using Tapatalk
__________________
the more i learn, the less I know what to buy . . .
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10-12-2016, 11:33 PM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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10-12-2016, 11:35 PM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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10-12-2016, 11:36 PM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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10-12-2016, 11:37 PM
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#14
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 936
Chassis: GMC or Chevrolet, I hope
Engine: gasser probably
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Nice pics dude. Looking good!
Sent from my BLU LIFE ONE X using Tapatalk
__________________
the more i learn, the less I know what to buy . . .
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10-12-2016, 11:40 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
Diesel?
Rear locker?
Nice ride, we need pictures of the inside
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I believe it's an 8.1L Chevy V8... But I haven't actually looked... NO rear locker, but it's geared super low. I'm hoping to size the tires up to 32 or 33" to get a better cruising at highway speed engine RPM, but if for some reason I can't, then maybe I'll have to regear the pinion in which case a rear locker could be in order... But at this point probably excessive. Oh wait. I just bought a 4x4 bus....... To most that is excessive.
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10-12-2016, 11:48 PM
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#16
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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The interior plan is:
1.flip the front 2 seats on the right so I can put a table in between row 1 & row 2.
2. Remove the left 2 seats and replace with a foldout bench/futon bed type thing. And maybe a fold down counter or something.
3. Remove the rear 5 seats so I can build a modular bunk bed in the rear. "Modular" being that its low when driving so as to not obstruct the rear window, and then being able to pop it up when parked.
Exterior plan is:
1. bigger rims/tires since it's geared super low and is nearly at redline at 70 mph. This will likely require some fiberglass trimming. TBD
2. custom front bumper with low lights
3. big bike rack off the back.
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10-12-2016, 11:55 PM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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An R & P swap should be easy enough on that rig.
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10-13-2016, 12:54 PM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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I think you will find that you have the 6.0L gas V-8 under the hood if it isn't the 5.3L.
As far as I know GM never offered the big block gas V-8 in any of the G-series chassis.
Your bus looks like it once belonged to the tour operator Buffalo Bus in West Yellowstone, MT. They offer day trips all year long. In the spring through the fall the buses are on tires. But once the snow is on the ground they mount the buses on tracks and do abbreviated tours to Old Faithful.
Lodges and Motels in West Yellowstone | Yellowstone Vacations
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10-13-2016, 01:18 PM
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#19
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 17,694
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
An R & P swap should be easy enough on that rig.
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that would be Two R n P swaps on that
-Christopher
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10-13-2016, 01:23 PM
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#20
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 17,694
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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thats a badass lookin bus!! I wish i had seats like that!..
I'd bet on the 6.0.. but then I didnt know chevy offered a van in 4x4 stock.. I remember ford did for awhile (or may still)..
so maybe its custom with a big block?
-Christopher
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