Planning to Buy a Skoolie - Help!

[mscience]

Hi there,
Been dreaming of getting a skoolie for a while and now finally getting closer to having the resources to buy one!
I'm looking for a short bus with enough headroom to stand in. Preferably diesel.

I recently came across this bus for sale. I am not very familiar with this style of short bus (looks more like a full size but shorter). I like it because it looks like has more clearance than a more modern shorty. I am looking for any more info that anyone can give me on this bus? Thoughts?

I like this bus because it is in my budget, has a reliable engine(from what I've read?) with low miles. And the floor is finished! I am concerned because the bus is a little bit older than some other options that ive looked at (2000s). What would be some concerns with this bus?

Sorry for the jumbled thoughts. Hoping to get some more info or prompt good discussion!

Below is the seller description. Attached is a photo.
$6500. 1993 AmTran school bus. Great, manageable size at 22’ long. 12 valve Ford diesel Cummins engine. Runs great! Good tires. Only 118,000 miles. I gutted out the inside, treated the metal floor and sealed it with chassis saver. I installed a new plywood subfloor. Extra Lumber included. I need to sell my Skoolie in the making. I have no place to keep it or work on it.

[s2mikon]

I don't think it is a "Ford diesel Cummins" more than likely a Ford / New Holland diesel. I have one in a F800 truck. It works real well and has been reliable and is good on fuel. Also check the brakes. Are they air or hydraulic?

[Netteraachener49]

hallo,
ich möchte ja in einem aus gebauten Bus Wohnen,
den ersten Bus den ich im Internet sah war ein US - Bus der für die Amis- in Remagen nur gefahren ist...
Leider haben meine Brüder mir davon abgeraten.... man hatte mit dem Umbau begonnen..... er war abgemeldet... es gab da ein paar Bedenken.

haette die frage in die Runde--
gibt es ausser skoolie living- noch andere webseite wo man gebrauchte - Skoolies erwerben kann...?

danke

herbert kuckartz

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by Netteraachener49

hallo,
ich möchte ja in einem aus gebauten Bus Wohnen,
den ersten Bus den ich im Internet sah war ein US - Bus der für die Amis- in Remagen nur gefahren ist...
Leider haben meine Brüder mir davon abgeraten.... man hatte mit dem Umbau begonnen..... er war abgemeldet... es gab da ein paar Bedenken.

haette die frage in die Runde--
gibt es ausser skoolie living- noch andere webseite wo man gebrauchte - Skoolies erwerben kann...?

danke

herbert kuckartz

Howdy Herbert. Besser auf Englisch wenn moglich.
Have you checked out the buy/sell forum here https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/

Buying a used bus to convert is a very decentralized activity. There are many sellers, auction sites and agencies, including a few companies in the U.S. that specialize in selling used buses, but most people have to search multiple ways, which just takes time.

Facebook Marketplace is emerging as a common location for used buses.

[magnakansas]

call if you wanna talk older buses.

I have a three of them now... 1954 1994 and 1958

william 7852077600

[HamSkoolie]

I would say



It's over priced, our 1996 40' AmTran with IH DT444E diesel, brand new tires, alloy wheels, and automatic snow chains was only $5,300 and the seats were already out.



It DOES NOT have a ford cummins engine. NO SUCH THING


$5,000 should be able to get a 40 footer in just about any locale.....do avoid the "Salt Belt" states at all costs. And I'd avoid anything 2006 or newer due to BS emissions.