Two total newbies from Texas

GUMDrop · 03-29-2019, 02:21 PM

Hello all,

We are two total newbies from Texas -- and I mean COMPLETE newbies. We are looking at buses now and will be doing any and all work ourselves.

If anyone has time, I have a few questions.

1.) What's your current mileage? Wondering if there is a number in mind - where you would just say that mileage is too high to start off with?

2.) Has anyone done an outdoor kitchen?

3.) Has anyone added a deck space to the back of their bus?

4.) Anyone haul motorcycles with or on their bus?

5.) Anything you positively wish you had known or thought of before buying your first bus?

We are looking at one on Sunday -- already ruled a couple of others out. It is a 1986 Blue Bird.

Looking forward to getting to know people and learning a lot!

Thanks for the add!

Tango · 03-29-2019, 02:57 PM

Best bet before biting off a big chunk will be to read, read, read. Especially the build threads. They can provide some insight as to what might work best for you. Likewise, take heed of the many posts regarding bus types. For example...lots of Newbies see 2004 and later buses as bargains. Low miles/low prices. Most are anything but. The EPA/environmental crap the Feds hung on them turned them into nightmares to maintain. That is why so many are being dumped with low miles.

Like I said...read all you can. Darn near everything a new bus builder needs to know is on this site....somewhere.

And BTW...WELCOME!

GUMDrop · 03-29-2019, 03:11 PM

Thanks! Yes, we have been reading a lot, this site and in general. The one we are looking at on Sunday is a 3/4 1986 Blue Bird. Owned by a diesel mechanic who was planning to convert it and has changed priorities.

Thanks again!

o1marc · 03-29-2019, 03:58 PM

Ask your important questions in the search bar above, it actually works great here. There really is 100 questions that you should have answers to before even start searching for the bus. What are your detailed plans for it's use? Go to the UserCP above and fill out your profile, it'll better help us answer questions related to your area.

Rovobay · 03-29-2019, 04:07 PM

If anyone has time, I have a few questions.

1.) What's your current mileage? Wondering if there is a number in mind - where you would just say that mileage is too high to start off with? My 2004 has 170K miles. well maintained. not worried about the mileage. maybe 100k more before an overhaul is needed, maybe more. With good TLC I am not worried at this point.

2.) Has anyone done an outdoor kitchen? I am sure someone has. I see them built into RVs that slide out of the storage bays. I will be setting up a foldable table with a simple camping cooktop. depends on how fancy you want to be.

3.) Has anyone added a deck space to the back of their bus? Several. use the search functions. some remove the walls of the last 6 feet to have a porch. some build them off the back bumper adding onto the frame. be careful of your departure approach as the longer you are behind the rear wheels the greater the chance of rubbing pulling in and out of elevated spaces.

4.) Anyone haul motorcycles with or on their bus? several. most popular use is using a rear wheelchair ramp and store them in a "garage" in the back of the bus. or trailer hitch rear porch set up.

5.) Anything you positively wish you had known or thought of before buying your first bus? best thing is to be on here and read read read. figure out what your needs are... size, capacity, power needs, etc.

Rovobay · 03-29-2019, 04:08 PM

oh, and another thing.... Welcome

GUMDrop · 03-29-2019, 04:16 PM

Thanks - yes I have been searching all these questions and more. The search function really does work well on here!

GUMDrop · 03-29-2019, 04:17 PM

Thanks Rovobay!

o1marc · 03-29-2019, 04:23 PM

Mine came with 252k on it and I doubt I'll put enough miles on it to need a rebuild. It runs like a champ now. I took the rear door and moved it to accomodate a second door so I had maximum access to my motorcycle garage.

Native · 03-30-2019, 01:34 AM

Ours has 155K on it, runs well.

Welcome to the site and the skoolie world. Hoping you get the riht bus at the right price at the right time!

EastCoastCB · 03-30-2019, 05:45 AM

I'd maybe avoid the 8.2 "fuel pincher". Lots of buses of that era had them.
They're no horrible but they're weak and unloved and are sort of a bastard now.
That sentence sounds Scottish^ lol

GUMDrop · 03-31-2019, 12:59 AM

That's awesome! Thank you!

o1marc · 03-31-2019, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUMDrop

That's awesome! Thank you!

I bought a BB AA with a 8.2 "Fuel Pincher", here it is on it's way to the scrap yard. No love lost here for the 8.2, other than I know they will go for awhile with no oil pressure.The 2nd pic is what it looked like the next day.

cadillackid · 03-31-2019, 08:01 AM

the 8.2 isnt a bad engine.. just harder to get parts for... the 9.0 International is also the same way... not real common anymore.. I didnt see what chassis you said your 86 bluebird is... the choice diesel in a navistar for that era would be a DT-466. the 9.0 and 6.9IDI were really common diesels then..

the 8.2 mentioned was common on the GMC / chevy chassis..

Gasoline engines of that era are easy to work on and get parts for but they use a lot of fuel and arent real powerful if you are planning on travelling loaded down

-Christopher

Sleddgracer · 03-31-2019, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

the 8.2 isnt a bad engine.. just harder to get parts for... the 9.0 International is also the same way... not real common anymore.. I didnt see what chassis you said your 86 bluebird is... the choice diesel in a navistar for that era would be a DT-466. the 9.0 and 6.9IDI were really common diesels then..

the 8.2 mentioned was common on the GMC / chevy chassis..

Gasoline engines of that era are easy to work on and get parts for but they use a lot of fuel and arent real powerful if you are planning on travelling loaded down

-Christopher

in your opinion Christopher, is RAM AIR a worthwhile add on for those bigger gas engines ?

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