Saying hi! Also opinions on if I should buy this bus?

[Twitched]

Been wanting to do this for awhile so have been watching for good candidates and I think I found one.

Looking at a 2008 international 59 pass with roughly 100k. Diesel paired with an Allison transmission. Nothing done to it yet, all the seats are still in it. Body and interior are in good condition and it runs and drives well.

So couple questions.

From my understanding a CDL is not required if the bus is converted is that right?

Construction wise is seems pretty straight forward to convert over to an RV but what are some of the pointers and pitfalls y'all may have come across?

Also what's insurance like for something like this? Have never owned anything bigger than a Ford Club Wagon van.

Thanks all, really appreciate any insight you can give!

[kazetsukai]

'08 is one of those early years where problematic emissions were introduced. You really need to know the details of BOTH the engine and transmission down to the specific models and whether EGR/DPF systems were installed or not.

[peteg59]

Welcome to the site Twitched.

There is plenty of discussion on here regarding engine reliability issues as a result of EPA mandates on diesel powered vehicles.

Please do your due diligence on researching out the problem years, and other issues related to the emissions regs. established on model year 2004 and up diesel powerplants.

Good luck...

[Twitched]

DT 466 diesel paired with Allison 2500 and I don't live in an area with emissions checks if that helps. I am fairly confident it's a good buy but wanted some seasoned opinions. Looks like I should be able to get it for 3,000 - 3,500. Good running and driving condition.

Thanks for the insights guys!

[kazetsukai]

Checks or not, I believe the emissions equipment was federally mandated. Not a bad pair, but you do want to know if you have EGR and/or DPF. If you remove it and are caught, you could face fines.



It wasn't just buses, all diesels around those years should be looked upon with suspicion. I had an '08 F350 that I spent more in maintenance than on the vehicle purchase itself. $6k in one sitting for preventative maintenance- which I'd have to repeat every 100k miles if I didn't want the engine to blow up.

[Twitched]

Originally Posted by kazetsukai

Checks or not, I believe the emissions equipment was federally mandated. Not a bad pair, but you do want to know if you have EGR and/or DPF. If you remove it and are caught, you could face fines.



It wasn't just buses, all diesels around those years should be looked upon with suspicion. I had an '08 F350 that I spent more in maintenance than on the vehicle purchase itself. $6k in one sitting for preventative maintenance- which I'd have to repeat every 100k miles if I didn't want the engine to blow up.

Ah I was just saying that if it wouldn't pass emissions due to that component that it wouldn't be an issue.

And wow that is insane!

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by Twitched

Ah I was just saying that if it wouldn't pass emissions due to that component that it wouldn't be an issue.

And wow that is insane!

The problem is not to not pass emissions, if a component fails it can ruin the engine.

[Twitched]

Got it, will be picking it up in the next week! It's a 30ft flat nose. No EGR/DPF either

Covered all my bases except for one, insurance. Realized after bidding and winning. Called an RV insurance carrier who quoted me at 50/month. At the same time I had my lovely fiancee call our car insurance provider. They quoted her at 16/month. Then when we called back to activate the policy it went down to 12.50 and then eventually 10.50 for paying the entire year at once. So relieved. For sure thought it was gonna be 50-100 a month.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Twitched

DT 466 diesel paired with Allison 2500 and I don't live in an area with emissions checks if that helps. I am fairly confident it's a good buy but wanted some seasoned opinions. Looks like I should be able to get it for 3,000 - 3,500. Good running and driving condition.

Thanks for the insights guys!

Just my 2 cents-
I'd rather not be in the skoolie hobby than be stuck with an 04+ Navistar engine.
That 08 isn't the "DT" that earned a good reputation. Its the one that ruined that reputation.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by ABBus

The problem is not to not pass emissions, if a component fails it can ruin the engine.

Problematic to diagnose and very expensive to repair. Those are the issues with post 04 engines.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Twitched

Got it, will be picking it up in the next week! It's a 30ft flat nose. No EGR/DPF either

Covered all my bases except for one, insurance. Realized after bidding and winning. Called an RV insurance carrier who quoted me at 50/month. At the same time I had my lovely fiancee call our car insurance provider. They quoted her at 16/month. Then when we called back to activate the policy it went down to 12.50 and then eventually 10.50 for paying the entire year at once. So relieved. For sure thought it was gonna be 50-100 a month.

Did you realize if you have RV insurance and have an accident you won't be covered, because you don't have an RV, you have a bus. Sounds like some more research is needed on your end. Did your insurance not ask questions about what you have ?

[Twitched]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Did you realize if you have RV insurance and have an accident you won't be covered, because you don't have an RV, you have a bus. Sounds like some more research is needed on your end. Did your insurance not ask questions about what you have ?

They know exactly what we have, make, model, vin. Told them it's a bus that will be converted to an RV. Once it's home it won't be driven again until the conversion is complete or at least complete enough to title it as an RV. Thanks though

[musigenesis]

The DT466e added EGR for the 2004 round of EPA emissions standards and DPF for the 2007 round, both cost $$$ to repair. Navistar also started calling it the Maxxforce DT in 2007; it's kind of disingenuous for a seller to call a 2008 a DT466e, but they do it because the Maxxforce has a deservedly terrible reputation. The only positive thing about your bus is the transmission, which will be a 2000-series (if it's anything else it will be even better).

[DeMac]

His engine is blue. Black is a MF. I've seen '07 dt466s with no egr or dpf.

The 466ci MF version remains a wet sleeve and can still be overhauled in-frame by a competent mechanic.

[jeffmakley]

From what I've read,the Navistar 6.0 engines problems started getting corrected in 2005,and most are good from 2007 and up.