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Old 09-05-2020, 12:20 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
New from NOLA

Hi All,
I have been following this site for awhile now and feel like it’s time to make introduce myself and my family. We are a DIY military family Of three plus a 100lb four legged member interested in traveling. We have a considered RVs but that’s not our style so a Skoolie conversion seems like a good fit. I’ve spent years building houses (Framing, electrical, plumbing) and I currently work as a structural mechanic on military aircraft. I’ve read tons of threads and watched hundreds of videos and feel like this is doable. My family is up to the challenge.

We have decided that we need a bus with these characteristics; 36-40’, flat nose rear engine, dt466 or Cummings 8.3, AC and under storage.

We have found a bus that meets those parameters but and unsure if this is the one. I am interested in your opinions on it. I’m ready to purchase but I feel I need some confirmation. Any input would be helpful. Thanks

2005 IC RE dt466 md3060 AC Under storage 184,000 $6600
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Old 09-05-2020, 12:57 PM   #2
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If i was back in the states I know i would jump at the chance for this bus.
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Old 09-05-2020, 01:16 PM   #3
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
It is prone to the post 04 EPA issues, but has good drivetrain. I'd offer $5.
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Old 09-05-2020, 01:34 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
I’ve seen a lot about the “post 04”. what are they? I thought that it’s just the fact that it have some systems that most didn’t want to fool with, emissions stuff.
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Old 09-05-2020, 02:59 PM   #5
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
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Year: 1999
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Engine: DT466/3060
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bouysou View Post
I’ve seen a lot about the “post 04”. what are they? I thought that it’s just the fact that it have some systems that most didn’t want to fool with, emissions stuff.
The systems were/are problematic and are hard to diagnose and expensive to repair. It is all emission related, not just the EGR. EPA mandated these changes in 03 for the 04 model year.
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Old 09-05-2020, 03:41 PM   #6
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
nice bus... haters gonna hate.. yeah you might have to change the EGR cooler at some point.. theres a really slim chance it could velop a coolant leak around the timing cover thats a bit intense to fix.. but for all the fanfare I hear about the supposed issues.. the people I know running real aschool bus fleets with dozens of 04-07 DT466's hasve very few issues out of them.. get up to 08 and things change for the worse. (to some extent with the DT466 {renamed Maxxforce DT} and esp the Maxxforce 7..(bad!)
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Old 09-05-2020, 03:48 PM   #7
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
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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"?
Looks good with the interior partially "gutted". It should be easier to check out the flooring for rust/rot without any seats. But it being an 04, (first year of EPA regs on diesel powered vehicles), I'd probably pass on it unless the seller was willing to drop price considerably.
Good luck on your search...
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Old 09-05-2020, 06:20 PM   #8
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Location: New Orleans
Posts: 632
Year: 2001
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Engine: 3126b 210hp
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New from NOLA

Welcome. Also in NOLA. Two years this week on my build. I’m on hold due to hot weather. I can’t work in the yellow microwave till at least October.

Make sure the A/Cs blow cold. They can be very pricey to repair.

Peace
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Old 09-05-2020, 07:47 PM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
Where are you located Meathead?
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Old 09-06-2020, 02:55 AM   #10
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Join Date: Sep 2015
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Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
Welcome to the madness.


That '04 may be a decent buy. It was made on 08/26/04 ... so the driveline may be a very early 2004 or even a 2003.
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Old 09-06-2020, 08:15 PM   #11
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 632
Year: 2001
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Engine: 3126b 210hp
Rated Cap: 48
I work on my bus at Pontchartrain Landing campground on the Industrial canal (France Rd.). I don’t have hookups. I’m in the storage area and pay about $100 a month. I live in Lakeview, about 15 min away.

How about you?
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Old 09-06-2020, 10:08 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
From River Ridge but right now living at Jackson Barracks. I have a spot in Kenner were I can keep a bus. when I get one.
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Old 09-07-2020, 08:00 AM   #13
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 632
Year: 2001
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Engine: 3126b 210hp
Rated Cap: 48
That’s a pretty good looking bus you are looking at. It’s got THE engine and THE transmission and it’s an 04.(looking at the label).

I have found a couple of good diesel mechanics in the area. I haven’t found an inexpensive one yet.[emoji13]

I pulled the trigger on my bus when the CadillacKid said that the CAT 3126 was a Good motor. Not the most powerful motor but a good one. Many ppl (around here) said bad things about CAT; expensive to work on, no power, unreliable, etc.

If you look for a consensus on this site, you will die of old age. I trust the CadillacKid. He knows his shite.

Again, check the A/Cs blow cold, and no excessive rust.

Peace
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Old 09-07-2020, 12:37 PM   #14
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Location: Mesa, AZ
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Engine: 8v92T Detroit
Rated Cap: 2 adults and two pigeons
Agreed with what you said!
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Old 09-07-2020, 07:47 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
Meathead, I'm sure I'll need one of those not so in expensive mechanics in the near future. If you need some help with your bus I'd be happy to lend a hand.
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Old 09-07-2020, 09:01 PM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 56
Year: 2004
Chassis: International CE300 6 window shortie
Engine: DT466
For Louisiana folks, how hard was it to get registered/insurance.....having trouble finding info on Louisiana’s website.
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Old 09-07-2020, 09:09 PM   #17
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
I’m working on that now, maybe Meathead can help. I planned on driving mine from the place of purchase to a lot no conversion insurance needed. After that the next time I talk to the DMV is when I’m done with my conversion.
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Old 09-07-2020, 10:05 PM   #18
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 632
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 3126b 210hp
Rated Cap: 48
I went the Vermont route. There is a thread on here called “how to immediately register your bus as an RV.”
You don’t have to read all 600 posts. The first dozen posts explain all you need to know to do this. It seems that Vermont will take your money and mail your plates, registration, and renewals to your home address in any state.

I had progressive ins. until I sent State Farm pics of my build just last week. State Farm needed to see that it had bed, water supply, cooking facilities, etc like an RV.

If I had it to do over, I would dummy up some pics for State Farm right after I took the seats out. There was a pic on here where a guy installed an old fridge, sofa, countertop with sink, and a bed. All of this on top of the original bus rubber floor.

We worked with Susan Geohagen State Farm in Meterie, La. I can get an agents name if you want.(my wife handled that) It sometimes helps to work with someone who has insured a school bus before. Our current insurance costs us approx.$800/yr and it includes roadside assistance and towing.

[emoji3522]
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Old 09-07-2020, 10:23 PM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 56
Year: 2004
Chassis: International CE300 6 window shortie
Engine: DT466
Thanks for the info, my concerns are having insurance from purchase to home (5 hour drive). Did you wait to insure until you were built out? I just didn’t know with Vermont reg if it had to be in place (proof of insurance) like in LA?
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Old 09-07-2020, 10:37 PM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 20
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cummings 8.3
Rated Cap: 44
Are you referring to Suz”ahn” use to be for agent Warren Blum? That’s who we will be using if so. Waiting for a return phone call from her.
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