time for a bus

[Ronnie]

I have had a camper for many years, and put many miles on them but the bodies just do not hold up, and my current one has seen better days. I have dreamed for some time of getting a bus, preferably without engine or drivetrain with the idea of building it with 5.9 cummins and eaton/fuller manual trans. A shorty bus of 40's or 50's vintage.

Well that seemed to have changed, as I found a 1974 Wayne with International 1700 loadstar chassis behind a friends shop. Sitting there waiting for a new home. It was factory converted as an RV. So was never a real schoolbus. I will need to do a lot of cleanup, get it running again, and decide what needs to be changed and what can stay the same. I am sure I will change the rear bedroom, as it is set up for 4 children. I would prefer it be the "master" bedroom. No children yet, but they could be in the front as it does have an overhead bed above the front seats.

I have had a few international trucks before and really do like the old loadstars with "butterfly hood". Have not looked under the hood yet to see what engine is in there. Hoping a 345. It does have an allison 6 speed auto.

[EastCoastCB]

6 speed auto in a 74? Fancy!

[Ronnie]

even has what allison calls a "hydraulic retarder". this gives braking I believe through the torque converter.

[Ronnie]

Our bus arrived by stretch lowboy on friday, so now we are working on it. Have decided it is best to remove everything, sort what we want to keep. Then build it the way we want. Will post some pictures soon.

[Tango]

I'm guessing the 6 speed Allie was a later addition. I don't think they were avail until about 2005. Either way...sweeeet!

[PNW_Steve]

My 2002 came from the factory with an MD3060. I remember looking at RV'S equipped with MD3060's in the mid 1990's.

I could be a factory setup.

[Ronnie]

The allison is original, have the papers. Think it is the MT series. No overdrive, 6th is direct. The rear end ratio is low, so should do well on the highway.

The bathroom is staying all else inside goes.

[Tango]

Interesting. All the Allies I have seen are either 4 speed with 1:1 top gear or as six-speeds with two OD's. 5th being .75 and 6th being .65.

[Ronnie]

This series was produced in the sixties and early seventies. It is built as a three speed with a built in range splitter to give the 6 speeds. Does have lock up torque converter.

[EastCoastCB]

After meeting Ronnie and Dee I can affirm this bus is amazing. A true one of a kind.

Cruise control and ac in a 72? That is one special bus.