I bought a bus!!

[SilentReprieve]

Well, I decided to buy a bus.. It's a 2003 Thomas HDX with a rear engine: Caterpillar 3126 with a MD 3060 Allison Transmission.. I can stand up inside at 6'3"(a little plus) I didnt care about seating because they are coming out, but it has 11 windows a door and a half window.. im thinking 34-38 foot.. 104,589 miles.. All tires BRAND NEW!! ( yeah that's a plus) one underbelly storage..( A PLUS) 3 NEW batteries!!(another plus) No rust throughout , but a small hole in the ENGINE DOOR (aluminum crap) seems pretty legit as far as condition... I will attempt to upload a picture... I haven't decided upon a name but for now she will be called Ole' 41


Now, I am going to be needing advice,materials,and maybe even some help. If there is anyone willing to maybe give advice, or anyone with experience in this area ... I am a disabled auto mechanic with loads of tools and abilities. (although they are now relatively limited physically)

[gadawg9]

Congratulations on the good looking bus and welcome to skoolie madness! Looks you got a good drive train combo. I just returned from driving my dog nose bus home yesterday and looking forward to the adventure.

[SilentReprieve]

Thank you GaDawg, good luck with yours as well... mine isn't home yet, but am super excited to get started ... with the physical limitations I have, that may change later with all the frustrations that can arise with these builds from what Iv'e seen in various videos on you tube... I should be picking it up in the first week of May...I will need 3 years to complete it but I only have about 6-8 months

[CaptSquid]

You have what I (almost) have. The sole exception is I have a C7 engine.

Once you strip the seats, run wiring first. Then, some rigid foam insulation, 1" thick, will fill the void between the seat rail and the top wire run. Plumbing comes next.

[Twigg]

Very nice bus.

Younger brother (sister?) to mine

[o1marc]

2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by o1marc

2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004

Same bus, different badge.

[SilentReprieve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004

See... I have so much to learn...

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by SilentReprieve

See... I have so much to learn...

They didn't change the bus, they just changed the badge to make the EFX and HDX easier to understand.

[SilentReprieve]

Originally Posted by Twigg

They didn't change the bus, they just changed the badge to make the EFX and HDX easier to understand.

I figure I have enough time to figure that all out but was told its the HDX Either way shes/hes mine... I want to come up with a good name for it though... For now its Ole'41 but i really want it to have a name that describes me and the bus...

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by SilentReprieve

I figure I have enough time to figure that all out but was told its the HDX Either way shes/hes mine... I want to come up with a good name for it though... For now its Ole'41 but i really want it to have a name that describes me and the bus...

Yeah. I was told mine was a '99.

Indeed, it was first registered in 1999, but it was manufactured in 1998.

That had major implications. Had it been a '99 it would have had the Cummins ISC engine. That's the electronic version of the famous 8.3 liter.

Instead it has the 6CTA, which is the mechanical version of the same engine.

On balance there is probably no real difference between them, and many would say I got the better deal.

[SilentReprieve]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Yeah. I was told mine was a '99.

Indeed, it was first registered in 1999, but it was manufactured in 1998.

That had major implications. Had it been a '99 it would have had the Cummins ISC engine. That's the electronic version of the famous 8.3 liter.

Instead it has the 6CTA, which is the mechanical version of the same engine.

On balance there is probably no real difference between them, and many would say I got the better deal.

After working in the automotive field for years.. the OLDER THE BETTER!!! now... with people, I am not so sure if the same rule applies judging by the way my body feels most days... I am glad my bus doesnt show the wear and tear I have...lol So yeah twigg I think you have the better engine.. wish mine was an 8.3 just because of the trailer I want to throw behind me .... ( to protect my rear bus bumper?)

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by SilentReprieve

After working in the automotive field for years.. the OLDER THE BETTER!!! now... with people, I am not so sure if the same rule applies judging by the way my body feels most days... I am glad my bus doesnt show the wear and tear I have...lol So yeah twigg I think you have the better engine.. wish mine was an 8.3 just because of the trailer I want to throw behind me .... ( to protect my rear bus bumper?)

I found out that my engine was manufactured in March 1998. The bus was manufactured in May 1998.

I know that by August 1998 the Saf-T-Liner was being fitted with the ISC, so it really was just a matter of weeks.

[SilentReprieve]

Originally Posted by Twigg

I found out that my engine was manufactured in March 1998. The bus was manufactured in May 1998.

I know that by August 1998 the Saf-T-Liner was being fitted with the ISC, so it really was just a matter of weeks.

so does that make you happy Twigg?? it would me but... everyones different... I like the idea of it being an ODDBALL persay but i also like the thought of being whats sposed to be... great toss up though... You have the lucky one... I kinda wish mine was the c7 seeing as how its not Cummins...was it C7?? i dunno it all blends together for me thus far .. need more research...lol

Jim

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by SilentReprieve

so does that make you happy Twigg?? it would me but... everyones different... I like the idea of it being an ODDBALL persay but i also like the thought of being whats sposed to be... great toss up though... You have the lucky one... I kinda wish mine was the c7 seeing as how its not Cummins...was it C7?? i dunno it all blends together for me thus far .. need more research...lol

Jim

Yes, I'm happy.

I would not have been happy had a C7 slipped under my radar

[SilentReprieve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

2003 was an HD, HDX was introduced in 2004

I received a phone call from Thomas built buses this morning and I was told that my bus is indeed an HDX, however I wasn't told what the differences are ... They sent me a build sheet and also a parts manual.. definitely some nice info on the build sheet however it is limited.. once I figure out how to get it on here I will post the build sheet

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by SilentReprieve

I received a phone call from Thomas built buses this morning and I was told that my bus is indeed an HDX, however I wasn't told what the differences are ... They sent me a build sheet and also a parts manual.. definitely some nice info on the build sheet however it is limited.. once I figure out how to get it on here I will post the build sheet

The HDX was not changed until 2004, so do you have a 2004 HDX or a 2003 HD?

[Miles O Roads]

Good looking bus I like the Thomas fronts. New tires big bonus.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by o1marc

The HDX was not changed until 2004, so do you have a 2004 HDX or a 2003 HD?

Not sure why this matters so much to you but my guess is that they were building the HDX in '03, for the '04 model year, and some went out early.

All they changed was the badge.

[Miles O Roads]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Not sure why this matters so much to you but my guess is that they were building the HDX in '03, for the '04 model year, and some went out early.

All they changed was the badge.

Mine was manufactured mid year 09 but is a 10. Auto makers kinda do what they want. They said the luv trucks were few years off from sitting on docks. I guess the bus is within a few years,lol.