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Old 11-21-2018, 05:10 PM   #1
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Boise, Idaho
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Should I make this purchase?

Hey all,

Thank you to this community for all the recourses made available. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a bus, wanted to get some feedback on my most serious prospect. Heres the deets:

2001 GMC Bluebird 71 pass
3126 cat Allison 2500
183k miles
Reman Trans 2009, new heads, waterpump 2011

Things got dang near no rust, tires in better than usable condition, and was maintained well by brown bus co (school district).

Found at a dealer and negotiated down to $3700 including taxes, doc and fees. Thats about 3250 purchase price on the bus (*Edit* I have been following their inventory and this was previously priced at $4400, which was much more than I was willing to spend). Yes I have found some for less, but these vary in condition with tire tread/weathercracking, rust, and maintenance records available. This is 10 miles from my house with a full tank of fuel also, so no travel/shipping expenses. Based on what Ive read from these pages its ALWAYS worth it to have documented maintenance and less rust issues.

Thoughts?
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Old 11-22-2018, 11:32 AM   #2
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
That's a good looking bus.

Good tires are a plus.

Allison 2500 is a very desirable transmission for a highway bus.

The CAT engine........ Well, you are going to get some mixed reviews. I hear relatively good things regarding the 3126 as far as power and reliability. The fly in the ointment can be the cost and availability of parts and repair on CAT's in general.

I looked at buses with the 3126 when I was shopping for mine. I checked on availability of service. The nearest CAT authorized service is 70 miles away from me . There are three shops within five miles that work on Cummins and International.

To be fair, One of the nearby shop told me that if I couldn't make it to the CAT shop that they would "look at it... "

CB recently bought a 3126 powered shorty. He has had very positive comments.

Good luck with your quest.
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Old 11-22-2018, 01:52 PM   #3
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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
Sounds like a great bus to me.
Idaho is a pretty good place to buy a bus.
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Old 11-22-2018, 02:07 PM   #4
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Sounds like a great bus to me.
Idaho is a pretty good place to buy a bus.
One great thing about buying in Idaho is that you will be close enough to stop for a visit

Unlike some people who come to the Northwest to pick up a bus and don't even stop for a pint.
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Old 11-22-2018, 09:17 PM   #5
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Thanks CB,

Any big maintenance to be aware of?
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Old 11-22-2018, 09:19 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
That's a good looking bus.

Good tires are a plus.

Allison 2500 is a very desirable transmission for a highway
Thanks Steve,

Pulling the trigger tomorrow. Seems like a reasonable black friday gift to myself. Any real known luck unlocking 6th gear? Read a lot didnt see anything that said “yes, absolutely”.
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Old 11-23-2018, 08:43 AM   #7
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
On a 2001 2500 you only have five forward gears.

To get sixth gear you have to change out the valve body and reprogram the TCM.
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Old 11-23-2018, 12:52 PM   #8
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Roger that, thank you for the help! Pictures soon!
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