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08-03-2018, 12:08 AM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Rio Vista, California
Posts: 12
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New owner of Thomas WestCoaster
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.
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08-03-2018, 05:47 AM
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#2
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Posts: 670
Year: 1999
Coachwork: New Flyer
Chassis: D45HF "Viking"
Engine: 11.1L Detroit Diesel S60
Rated Cap: 51,600
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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.
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08-03-2018, 07:43 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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WestCoastER is a pretty rare bus nationally, most of us not in California have probably never seen one. Where are the photos? 
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08-03-2018, 10:11 PM
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#4
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Rio Vista, California
Posts: 12
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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.
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08-03-2018, 10:13 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Rio Vista, California
Posts: 12
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Quote:
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?
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08-03-2018, 10:49 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,362
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown, integral. (With 2kW of tiltable solar)
Chassis: Crown Supercoach II (rear engine)
Engine: Detroit 6V92TAC, DDEC 2, Jake brake, Allison HT740
Rated Cap: 37,400 lbs GVWR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BusDriverMichael
Anyone know the story ? Besides the name why are they unique to the west coast?
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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
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08-03-2018, 11:43 PM
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#7
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Just south of Dallas.
Posts: 172
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 40' MVP-ER
Engine: Cat 3126
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Yeah...Document it. 
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08-03-2018, 11:49 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 12
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Quote:
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.
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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
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08-04-2018, 12:19 AM
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#9
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Rio Vista, California
Posts: 12
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Quote:
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
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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.
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01-04-2019, 05:47 PM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
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Questions?
Quote:
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.
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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.
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01-05-2019, 09:17 AM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
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Westcoaster ER
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.
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01-05-2019, 10:57 AM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
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Quote:
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.
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I'm the guy who bought their other Westcoaster.
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01-05-2019, 11:03 AM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickleyshrimp
I'm the guy who bought their other Westcoaster.
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The one with the run away engine? If so, did you rebuild or put another one in?
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01-05-2019, 11:06 AM
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#14
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
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I had Colton Truck put another one in. I regret the expense but like the peace of mind.
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