New owner of Thomas WestCoaster

[BusDriverMichael]

Hi guys my name is Michael. Tonight I won an auction for a 1993 Thomas Built WestCoaster. I live in the Bay Area of California and the bus is located in the Town of Truckee in the Sierra Nevada’s. I am considering starting a YouTube channel to document my trip and ensuring conversion. I’ve already posted here and received some encouragement.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

[MarkyDee]

Good to meet you! I'm in Indiana converting an old transit-style bus. JD is out west and he has a transit-style bus as well. I think just about everyone else who posts here are skoolies.

[brokedown]

WestCoastER is a pretty rare bus nationally, most of us not in California have probably never seen one. Where are the photos?

[BusDriverMichael]

So I went and saw the bus today and got it running and fixed the air leak issue and prepped for the 100 mile trip home.

[BusDriverMichael]

Originally Posted by brokedown

WestCoastER is a pretty rare bus nationally, most of us not in California have probably never seen one. Where are the photos?

Anyone know the story ? Besides the name why are they unique to the west coast?

[Iceni John]

Originally Posted by BusDriverMichael

Anyone know the story ? Besides the name why are they unique to the west coast?

They were Thomas's answer to the Crown and Gillig heavy-duty buses that were popular in CA. Thomas even made a few with dual rear axles (Sierra Sands had one), but I don't know if their GVWR was any higher than the 2-axle ones. I looked at a WestCoast-ER for sale by Ramona SD in San Diego County, slightly older than the one pictured here - it had full disk brakes all round (I guess because its Cat 3208 can't have Jakes) and full air suspension, big under-floor storage bays and a high roof, so a pretty nice bus by any standards. A church outbid me for it, but no matter, I now have the real deal!

John

[shaymcquaid]

Yeah...Document it.

[tallnewyorkchef]

Originally Posted by BusDriverMichael

Hi guys my name is Michael. Tonight I won an auction for a 1993 Thomas Built WestCoaster. I live in the Bay Area of California and the bus is located in the Town of Truckee in the Sierra Nevada’s. I am considering starting a YouTube channel to document my trip and ensuring conversion. I’ve already posted here and received some encouragement.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Good to meet you and welcome!
What was the name of the auction house you used?
My wife and I are still a year or so out and are beginning our search.
David

[BusDriverMichael]

Originally Posted by tallnewyorkchef

Good to meet you and welcome!
What was the name of the auction house you used?
My wife and I are still a year or so out and are beginning our search.
David

I used GovDeals.com and I’ve also used PublicSurplus.com for other vehicles in the past. Very secure. Very reliable. Usually you can privately inspect auction items. In this case I bought sight unseen. However I did have extensive phone conversation with the lead shop mechanic. On my bus I win the auction as the sole bidder, $750.

[Rickleyshrimp]

Originally Posted by BusDriverMichael

I used GovDeals.com and I’ve also used PublicSurplus.com for other vehicles in the past. Very secure. Very reliable. Usually you can privately inspect auction items. In this case I bought sight unseen. However I did have extensive phone conversation with the lead shop mechanic. On my bus I win the auction as the sole bidder, $750.

Did they include the back emergency door etc.?
I really considered that bus but ended up with a Westcoaster from Lake Arrowhead.

I can't remember, was that an 8.3 Cummins?

I'm trying to find manuals for mine. If you have any ideas I'd appreciate hearing from you.

[richmp3]

I just picked up one of the Rim of the world / Lake arrowhead Weatcoaster ER’s too. This bus is built really well! Love the retarder. I have. 1995 Cummins 8.3 MDB-647.

[Rickleyshrimp]

Originally Posted by richmp3

I just picked up one of the Rim of the world / Lake arrowhead Weatcoaster ER’s too. This bus is built really well! Love the retarder. I have. 1995 Cummins 8.3 MDB-647.

I'm the guy who bought their other Westcoaster.

[richmp3]

Originally Posted by Rickleyshrimp

I'm the guy who bought their other Westcoaster.

The one with the run away engine? If so, did you rebuild or put another one in?

[Rickleyshrimp]

I had Colton Truck put another one in. I regret the expense but like the peace of mind.