91 All American, FE, any thoughts?

[BBTC2K]

My name is Shawn, I'm new to the board, and I am purchasing this bus...and I would like a few opinions...

This is a 1991 BB All American 84 pass bus. It has approx 150K miles on the clock and has a Cummins 8.3L engine. The trans is a 4 speed auto, but I am not sure of the model number. It has some kind of cold weather package with supposed heavy duty insulation in it...tinted windows all around, air throttle, even has a air horn... The rear axle has a gear ratio of 4.44

Body on it is straight, except for a little rust on the tail, but nothing i couldn't repair in a day...runs like a dream. (I used to drive her to Vo Tech) They want 2K for it, my price. I have driven this bus myself and there is no holding her back...Even the tires are good...

Does this sound good ?

thanks in advance for your time...

Shawn

[the_experience03]

Based on what you've described, it's a steal. A similar bus from UTB (where I got mine) would run $10,000.

[oldog12]

They got any more like that?

[Elliot Naess]

Makes me kick myself for paying $5.500 for mine. In fact, I ought to scrap mine
and start over with that one. That answer your question? Oh, and welcome!

[the_experience03]

I sure wouldn't want to work on one of those though. Ughhh....how do you guys even change the air filter with everything so cramped like that? Ford seemed to make a point in using the WHOLE engine compartment on my bus. One look at the intake routing says it all....it comes in on the passenger side, goes through the big filter chamber across the valve cover, into the turbo (on the driver's side I might point out), through the intercooler, and back into the intake plenum on the right side.

[beekay]

Looks like a steal to me as well. Take it for another drive. Good luck.

[oldog12]

I'm serious, do they have any more like that?

[GoneCamping]

Sounds like a great price to me too, especially if you already know the bus well enough to determine it has no major flaws... I paid $2100 for mine sight unseen via internet auction....I think I got lucky as it's a really good bus with a strong motor and no significant problems...

[BBTC2K]

oldog 12, I will look as to the status of my buses sister, which is at a different garage..

shawn

[oldog12]

Thanks Shawn...

[BBTC2K]

I have a quick question...Does anyone think it would do any harm to smooth out the sides by removing the rub rails? It would also make her a little less "School", or would I be compromising the structure of the bus?

Shawn

[Elliot Naess]

You will probably get as many different opinions on that as you will get replies ,
but I sure would NOT remove them.
Big flat panels of steel tend to vibrate, noisily, and the rub rails probably help dampen that.
And you would have to fill all those holes!
You want "less school"; just paint the rails to match the rest, and they will not be so prominent.

[crazycal]

Might look like this.

[lapeer20m]

an 8.3 liter cummins and a 4.44 rear end!

WOW...I'M JEALOUS!

you stole that bus

i think elliot had a good idea about just painting the rub rails same color as the rest of the bus.

however

bus' are crazy strong and i don't think that removing rub rails would significantly impact the structural integrity of the vehicle.

[wtd]

I think Wanderlodges are essentially the same body as a bus and they don't have rub rails, so don't what it would hurt to take 'em off.
I'd hate thinkin' about the body work after tho' ...
If it turns out like the one posted by CrazyCal - that's a sharp bus

[dlor1]

Dude I want that bus too! If anyone knows of one let me know.