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Old 07-20-2019, 01:37 AM   #1
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New member looking for a bus.

Hi, I’m fairly new to the skoolie world and I welcome any advice anyone has on finding a bus. I’m currently looking at a 2008 ford E450 shuttle bus and am interested in anyone’s thoughts on that model and any tips on assessing the busses condition. Thanks for your help.

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Old 07-20-2019, 04:14 AM   #2
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Location: E Central Tejas
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Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
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Anything manufactured after 2004 will be burdened with EPA mandated emissions controls that break easily, and are repaired expensively.
What are your goals? What do you ultimately hope to do with your bus? With only a vague impression of what you wish to achieve, a shuttle bus may be, in general, either a dream or a nightmare.
Not knowing where it, or you, are located limits suggestions of what to look for when inspecting.
The list is more lengthy in the Rust Belt than in the SW, there are plenty of threads describing pre-purchase inspections. I'd recommend reading around the forum...
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Old 07-20-2019, 08:08 AM   #3
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be VERY wary of a 2008 ford if its a Diesel... that would be the beginning of the 6.4 era.. if you thought the 6.0 had issues.. the 6.4 was 3X worse..



if it has the gasoline V10 it will drink gas but generally be reliable.. the 5.4 V8 gasoline. is a decent mix of both.
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Old 07-20-2019, 12:10 PM   #4
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I live in Portland Oregon and my primary goal is to build a skoolie to live in. I would be interested in driving it down the coast once but that’s about it. I would prefer a school bus and I would need it to be no longer then 25ft. I’ve been having a very hard time finding a bus that fits that criteria. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.
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Old 07-20-2019, 12:18 PM   #5
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
You might want to check these folx out.
Another forum member had a most excellent experience, backed up by 2 other recomms.
Don't know if there's an URL attached, but one of the pix gives contact info. About as close as you might hope to find...
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...2&share_type=t
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Old 07-20-2019, 12:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
be VERY wary of a 2008 ford if its a Diesel... that would be the beginning of the 6.4 era.. if you thought the 6.0 had issues.. the 6.4 was 3X worse..



if it has the gasoline V10 it will drink gas but generally be reliable.. the 5.4 V8 gasoline. is a decent mix of both.
Id prefer a 25ft school bus mostly to just live in. Im having a really hard time finding one here in Portland Oregon. I’ve tried calling all the school districts I could, online auctions, and Craigslist with no luck. I’m open to any suggestions. I really appreciate your help. Thanks
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Old 07-20-2019, 12:22 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by HazMatt View Post
You might want to check these folx out.
Another forum member had a most excellent experience, backed up by 2 other recomms.
Don't know if there's an URL attached, but one of the pix gives contact info. About as close as you might hope to find...
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...2&share_type=t
That sounds great. I’ll check that out today. Thanks again
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Old 07-20-2019, 12:24 PM   #8
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
'Betcha! Good luck.
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