We Got A SKoolie

[Nellys Nomads]

Well back in march on our trip to Florida from Massachusetts, we had been debating for quite some time on getting a bus. After stopping at a used bus lot and doing some test drives, which if you haven't driven a school bus yet, it's exhilarating. I drive box trucks for a living, nothing close to a monster as this bus, but I personally find it easy. We ended up buying a 32' 1998 International 3800 T444E with only 90k miles. A lot of people may consider that bad for the year of the bus, all considered the body was the most important. You can replace and engine, but replacing the body is a different story. Also after a 1400+ mile trip back home running straight for 25 hours, I'd say the engine is doing quite fine. Also to mention that we were towing our Subaru on a trailer behind us.
The plans are to gut, repair and convert, so far floors and seats are up and the ceiling panels and insulation has been removed. Before we start converting, the radiator for the passengers and the drivers cockpit needs to be gutted and the floors need to be sanded and sealed. Have to weld around the wheel wells, due to some windows with deteriorating seals letting leaks in. Thankfully the windows need to come out in order to take the side panels off, so resealing them in the process won't be out of the way at all. Of course we are saving the cockpit and controls for last, mainly because they are intimidating. I'm not a mechanic, electrician, plumber or a carpenter for that matter, so the comfort zone is being breached. Thankfully to the people on here and other networks, finding answers to my problems has been simple.
We will continue to take pictures and make videos showing the progress, in hopes that we help someone else decide what their options may be.

[cadillackid]

nice lookin bus!.. 90k miles is nothing for an engine, eso if you take good care of it.. I have a T-444E that runs like a champ with 151k on it, ECCB (another forum member ) has one with 212K or something like that and it runs like a champ..

they are very similar to the power-stroke 7.3 that was in the ford trucks.. and those go for 300K plus all the time..

I Totally dig driving a school bus around.. ive driven close to 22K in the last 12 months (between my 2 busses)..

have fun with this!!
-Christopher

[Nellys Nomads]

Thanks Cadillackid! That is some reassurance! I know diesel generally runs longer, I guess I'm concerned that it wasn't used enough in the 20 years. Coming from the south, especially from a somewhat flat region, then into the hills of the northeast. I doubt the engine has been worked that hard.
-Thanks!

[cadillackid]

being from the south its probably better,(as long as it never over-temped).. in winter with the heaters on the 444-E can barelty stay warm enough.. or if run on short routes it would never warm up... whicb is hard on a diesel, down south that engine likely warmed up to full operating temp every time it was run.

-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Its really common to have the gauges swapped, I'd wanna VERIFY that mileage.
That said, nice bus!
As Chris pointed out- mine has nearly 16,000 hours and 210,000 miles and runs like a BEAST!

[Robin97396]

That is a nice looking bus. I'm especially jealous of the double doors on the chair lift. Looks like a quad could fit through those doors. Garage in the back?

[BowserJournal]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Its really common to have the gauges swapped, I'd wanna VERIFY that mileage.
That said, nice bus!
As Chris pointed out- mine has nearly 16,000 hours and 210,000 miles and runs like a BEAST!

How do you verify the mileage if you don't trust the odometer?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BowserJournal

How do you verify the mileage if you don't trust the odometer?

Get ahold of the school you got it from and ask about the mileage.
The IC/Navistar gauges are FAMOUS for breaking and the whole cluster gets replaced.
My 1992 has "127k" on the odo. The school were honest and told me it was actually at 237k.

[Nellys Nomads]

Thanks everyone, As for the back of the bus we intend on that being the bedroom, allowing for some nice scenic views from bed. We plan on a single axle trailer to tow, for the odds and ends. I'll have to make some calls, 4000 hours 90k miles sounds to good!

[Dog Rescuer]

That is a beauty of a bus - well done! I am in the process of getting a dolly to tote around my Subaru! I can't wait to get out on the road. We will be looking for you!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer

That is a beauty of a bus - well done! I am in the process of getting a dolly to tote around my Subaru! I can't wait to get out on the road. We will be looking for you!

Can you tow a subaru on a dolly?? Don't they have to be flat towed?

[Dog Rescuer]

You are correct - 4 wheels down or 4 wheels up - I meant a car trailer!

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Can you tow a subaru on a dolly?? Don't they have to be flat towed?

[Nellys Nomads]

Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer

That is a beauty of a bus - well done! I am in the process of getting a dolly to tote around my Subaru! I can't wait to get out on the road. We will be looking for you!

Thank you! If you do get a dolly over a trailer make sure to disengaged the AWD.

[Nellys Nomads]

The fuse box has a spare fuse to insert into a slot labeled FWD, its also a good way of getting better mpg in summertime.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Nellys Nomads

Thank you! If you do get a dolly over a trailer make sure to disengaged the AWD.

Can't disengage it on a sube like the old days. Its full-time.