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Old 06-24-2020, 09:15 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 33
Year: 1989
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 545 Allison T
Opinon on 1999 Intnl T444

1999 International Ward, T444, 260K mi , 7 rows, no rust
$3600

What's y opinion? T444 w/ 260k miles, thoughts?

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Old 06-24-2020, 09:25 AM   #2
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Ward stopped in 1992. Its an AmTran.

I'd be looking at the 2000 Bluebird 8 window buses in TX on GovDeals.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...22&acctid=2910
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Old 06-24-2020, 09:37 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Ft Lauderdale
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Year: 1989
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 545 Allison T
Ok. The one I found is a FL bus, no rust. Plus, it's close to home.
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:01 AM   #4
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Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
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Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
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Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
No mention of the transmission but I assume it's an AT545 until I'm told otherwise. I suggest traveling for a bus rather than getting an AT545.. If it's not an AT545 and has a reasonable gear ratio then it would be interesting.
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:09 AM   #5
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I'm not big on FL buses. I've lived here my whole life and been into buses a lil more than 20 years and haven't ever found anything from here i'd wana sink money into. I've bid on a few but most are pretty tired and beat by the time they let them go.

On the bus you're describing I'd say it sound like on the highers side of mileage. I had a bus with a 444E and it ran ok at about 220k. Had 17k hours. I didn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. But the 444E and 545 are a crappy combo. You get a half a radiator and half an intercooler. Highway speeds require a bit of restraint as you have to keep an eye on the temp.
Its a very basic very base model v8 diesel engine. They're not bad but any straight 6 medium duty diesel is an upgrade over it.
One question I always ask about a prospective bus purchase- What's the rear end ratio?
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:11 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Ft Lauderdale
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Year: 1989
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 545 Allison T
Really appreciate your input. I'll keep on looking
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:26 AM   #7
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I mean look the price isn't astronomical. I'd still look at it... If its rust free and meticulously maintained with an engine clean enough to eat off of I'd be interested.
the mileage is a bit higher than I'd like, but if its IMMACULATE and mint and the seller is negotiable a bit maybe it could be a decent deal.

I'd want a 6 cylinder even if I did get a 545. My bus has a 545 and I'm not a fan of them but if you want an older shorter bus a 545 is darn hard to avoid. Can be upgraded to a 643 later but that will cost $$.
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:37 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 33
Year: 1989
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 545 Allison T
There is another one w 116k miles for 4k. Can y give me y opinion?

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto...139927194.html
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Old 06-24-2020, 11:05 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
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Year: 1989
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 545 Allison T
There's another one w 116k miles for 4k. Can you give me your opinion
https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto...139927194.html
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Old 06-24-2020, 01:45 PM   #10
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Looks okay, but the gauges may have been changed out. Its more common than not. Only way to verify that mileage is to hook up to the diagnostic port.
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Old 06-24-2020, 05:42 PM   #11
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Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 60
Year: 1999
Coachwork: International 3800
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: T444E
If you dont mind traveling out to Texas, 28 school busses are up for auction:

https://renebates.com/a_list_m_2.php?id=257
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Old 06-24-2020, 05:47 PM   #12
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Ft Lauderdale
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Year: 1989
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 545 Allison T
Thanks! Appreciate the offer, but they all got the same or way too many miles for me.to go that far.
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