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06-19-2018, 10:15 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 25
Year: 1955
Coachwork: Superior
Engine: 327 Chevrolet
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New From Norhern California
My wife and I just purchased our second school bus. A 1996 Thomas 3600 Vista with a 7.3 V8 & automatic transmission. I bought it at auction online and picked it up yesterday. It made the 5 hour drive home with only a few issues. Mainly the "Press Brake" Light and beeper coming on for the first hour. I was seriously second guessing the decision to by it at that point. I pulled over and started to take the dash apart and it stopped. No idea why.
While trying to find information on it I came across this site.
We plan to use it as an RV not a full time live in.
Looking forward to this project!
Lee
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06-20-2018, 10:12 AM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,402
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Welcome Lee,
I am going to guess that the alarm that you were observing Was The low air pressure alarm.
That is something to take seriously if your bus has air brakes.
We look forward to seeing your conversion.
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06-20-2018, 10:20 AM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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My Vista has hydraulic brakes. Is yours air?
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06-20-2018, 10:54 AM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown
My Vista has hydraulic brakes. Is yours air?
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Most buses have air brakes I think. Not all, obviously.
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
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06-20-2018, 10:58 AM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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But most buses aren't Vistas! Hydraulic brakes seem to be very common on them.
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06-20-2018, 11:22 AM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown
But most buses aren't Vistas! Hydraulic brakes seem to be very common on them.
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Ah. Could be. I have an International. I'm in Northern Nevada so not THAT far from you. If anyone in the area wants to go in on new RV windows from China so we could get a better deal, let me know!
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
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06-20-2018, 12:54 PM
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#7
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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 2martins
Ah. Could be. I have an International. I'm in Northern Nevada so not THAT far from you. If anyone in the area wants to go in on new RV windows from China so we could get a better deal, let me know!
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More details on the windows, I'm interested.
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06-20-2018, 02:29 PM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vacaville, Ca
Posts: 1,634
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown / Pusher
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
More details on the windows, I'm interested.
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Yes me also
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06-20-2018, 02:54 PM
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#9
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Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Flagstaff AZ
Posts: 149
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Vista 36pp
Engine: 7.3 L diesel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown
But most buses aren't Vistas! Hydraulic brakes seem to be very common on them.
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We have air brakes on our Vista 3600
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06-20-2018, 03:16 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,402
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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OP,
Do you have air or hydraulic brakes?
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06-20-2018, 05:52 PM
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#11
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 25
Year: 1955
Coachwork: Superior
Engine: 327 Chevrolet
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown
My Vista has hydraulic brakes. Is yours air?
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I have Hydraulic Brakes.
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06-23-2018, 10:08 AM
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#12
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
More details on the windows, I'm interested.
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I saw them on Alibaba sold by Mayhew I think. They are smoke tinted already, pop up toward the outside with gas struts to hold them up. They have built in screens AND blinds. Up is screen and down is the blind which makes the 'room' dark and provides privacy. I'll see if I can find a link. The price is good but it's better if you buy more and the shipping per piece ought to go down considerably.
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
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06-24-2018, 04:30 PM
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#13
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Dublin CA
Posts: 17
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Ford
Chassis: e350
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Hi 39Henney, I'm in NorCal too. I have no mechanical skill but I did convert my shuttle bus to a camper (with some help). Welcome!
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06-24-2018, 05:20 PM
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#14
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 25
Year: 1955
Coachwork: Superior
Engine: 327 Chevrolet
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCamper
Hi 39Henney, I'm in NorCal too. I have no mechanical skill but I did convert my shuttle bus to a camper (with some help). Welcome!
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Thank you!
I'm pretty handy with a set of tools. However we plan to take our time with this as we already have another bus to use.
Lee
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06-27-2018, 06:59 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
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The press brake is a warning as you know. Mind you I'm trying to remember from 10+ years ago but I seem to recall there is an electric motor backup on that hydraulic brake system in case of engine vacuum pump failure. There are a couple switches on the master cylinder that get sticky. This could cause the alarm. A bad motor or connection could also do it.
I'd pull the switches and make sure the pintle on them moves freely.
Sorry I can't be any more help, it's been a very long time since I've seen a hydraulic system.
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06-28-2018, 07:11 AM
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#16
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 505
Year: 1986
Coachwork: Gillig
Chassis: Phantom
Engine: CAT 3208
Rated Cap: 87, says Gillig...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 39henney
My wife and I just purchased our second school bus. A 1996 Thomas 3600 Vista with a 7.3 V8 & automatic transmission. I bought it at auction online and picked it up yesterday. It made the 5 hour drive home with only a few issues. Mainly the "Press Brake" Light and beeper coming on for the first hour. I was seriously second guessing the decision to by it at that point. I pulled over and started to take the dash apart and it stopped. No idea why.
While trying to find information on it I came across this site.
We plan to use it as an RV not a full time live in.
Looking forward to this project!
Lee
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Welcome Lee. I live in MD, but my bus is from Northern CA. I believe it started its life in Truckee, CA. I bought from Forest Lake Christian School in Auburn, CA (I picked it up in Redding, long ride home...). Any of those places near you?
So this is your second bus; what happened to the first one?
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06-28-2018, 11:17 AM
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#17
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ComfortEagle
Welcome Lee. I live in MD, but my bus is from Northern CA. I believe it started its life in Truckee, CA. I bought from Forest Lake Christian School in Auburn, CA (I picked it up in Redding, long ride home...). Any of those places near you?
So this is your second bus; what happened to the first one? |
This is very close to me! Less than an hour! 
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
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06-29-2018, 07:58 AM
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#18
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 505
Year: 1986
Coachwork: Gillig
Chassis: Phantom
Engine: CAT 3208
Rated Cap: 87, says Gillig...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2martins
This is very close to me! Less than an hour! |
Getting over those mountains was exciting. Thank goodness no roads were closed.
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06-29-2018, 10:59 AM
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#19
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
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Many a trucker has had an exciting day on 80 near Truckee. One was too scared to continue once and a CHP officer had to drive his rig a ways for him!!!! Chains are your friends when they are called for!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComfortEagle
Getting over those mountains was exciting. Thank goodness no roads were closed.
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__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
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06-29-2018, 11:48 AM
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#20
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 25
Year: 1955
Coachwork: Superior
Engine: 327 Chevrolet
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ComfortEagle
Welcome Lee. I live in MD, but my bus is from Northern CA. I believe it started its life in Truckee, CA. I bought from Forest Lake Christian School in Auburn, CA (I picked it up in Redding, long ride home...). Any of those places near you?
So this is your second bus; what happened to the first one? |
I live in Willits California It's south west of Redding about a 3.5 hour drive. It's in Mendocino county about 30 miles inland from the coast.
My first bus is a 1955 Chevrolet short bus. I still have it and plan to use it during the renovation on this new bus.
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