New Skoolie owner on Oregon Coast

Bluebirdsaway · 09-20-2020, 05:19 PM

Hello! all you Skoolie family members.
Some really amazing work being created out there.

I purchased a 2004 Blue bird Vision 48 passenger with Cat C7 / Allison Trans back in July 2020. Cat has 149k runs and drives great.
My plans were to escape the PNW within a year or so. And be prepared to live off grid if need be.
I found my bus on CL. I did not do much research before purchasing the bus.
I got a little excited and made the deal. I think the the chaos going on in our world today interfered with my clear thinking. Anyway...I have a 32' Blue bird Vision and don't have a clear vision of what I'm going to do with it.
I stripped the seats out, removed the front fender heated mirrors, and front swing gate arm. I have done some temp layout converting and built some cabinets and some upper shelves. (trying to be creative by repurposing seats and cushions). I did all this work before viewing other bus conversions. So after viewing others I'm debating basics, and wondering if I want to go all out or just stay with simple camp living arrangements.

Anyways, I'm looking for some advise on the Vision blue bird, If this type is very sought after and the value, just in case I decide to bail out and sell it.
Series & body style is BBCV5400, has 2 large cargo and 1 small compartments on pass. side.

Thx in advance for any input and help.

Peace!
Love!
Create!

CHEESE_WAGON · 09-20-2020, 07:34 PM

The Vision is a somewhat desirable body style (I dig it), but the C7, while a decent engine, is after all, a Caterpillar, which comes with a premium price tag for parts. A 2004, fortunately, should be EGR only without DPF or DEF, a rather strong selling point. But being in Oregon, begs the question of rust. Was the bus originally used in Oregon / PNW? Also, trans model is a question. Pics of the underside and exhaust system will give a few answers for certain. Depending on the timing and price, I might be interested. Also, here is some info for identifying the transmisssion model.

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Bluebirdsaway · 09-20-2020, 08:40 PM

The trans is a 2000 I believe according to the inspection Identification plate.
Trans # on plate is 6310319978.

The bus was from Wilbur Wa. Just a little west of Spokane. It's only been here on the coast since July. And has been parked under a Rv pad shelter with very little exposure to rain.
There is some minor rust as far as I can see. The first step into the bus shows some rust damage, and the Cargo latches were rusted shut, so I drilled them out hoping to find boxes of gold in compartments. (no Luck) Just tires chain cables. The bottom edge of cargo doors have some surface rust, but not any major repair needed. There is a tennis ball size patch of rust at entrance door under lower corner window. Everything else is fine.
I'm about 8k into into it. Unfortunately I did not buy from screaming deal auction.
I'm working on uploading photos.

Thx for your help Cheese Wagon.

CHEESE_WAGON · 09-20-2020, 08:49 PM

As I said, some pics of the frame rails and exhaust would help greatly. Make a few more posts and you'll be to post some. Rust is usually more severe on frame rails. Exhaust pics would help to identify whether it is DPF-equipped or not. I doubt an '04 would have it though.