Should We Buy This Bus?

[Katie&Louis]

My husband and I own a wedding venue in upstate NY and are looking to convert a bus into a home on the property (possibly travel with it as well). We have been reading this forum and also watching a ton of youtube videos, trying to educate ourselves on what to look for / expect for the purchase.

We found a bus that is a bit older, 1977 LA earthquake relief bus that has been on the east coast for about 2-3 years. Was gutted and only has 51,000 miles. We are told that it was used mostly for transporting medical equipment and relief workers so it was not used all that much. The nice thing is that it's similar to a city bus with at least a 6' 6" ceiling height. It also raises and lowers for easy access when parked. The engine is a two-stroke diesel, Detroit 8v 71, runs and drives, and is being sold for $5,500 on facebook marketplace by a mechanic (price negotiable). We are told there is no visible rust, tires are in okay condition though we may need to replace them sooner than later since it's been sitting for a couple years - seems like they would be about $500 each based on the other comments on this site. The bus has been started often and moved occasionally to keep it in good condition. It's quite long, just over 40' but we do have quite a large property and also have a parking lot. The bus is located about 4 hours from our property.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...02292964397387

Any thoughts on this bus and whether it might be a good choice?

[johnbloem1974]

Wow, looks like a sweet deal....Except- "I do not have a title"

Good motor, clean looking bus. I'd be really wary about the title thing though...


John

[DeMac]

Originated in CA, located in NH with a AZ plates, and the seller knows 43 years history, just no title. Seems like you could have more space (bring a tape measure)for less money. If you don't have to drive it daily, mostly park on your land, then a leakfree, rust free, huge bus may be a better match. Good running post emissions busses are in low demand, cheap. The drive train is reliable but expensive if you have to pay a mechanic.

[bus-bro]

It's a V-drive with a left-hand engine. It would be important to know what transmission is in it. Some of those had something like 2-gear automatics. That would not be good.

Not for the faint of heart but could be a fun bus, depending on how it goes down the road.

[Katie&Louis]

Thank you for your thoughts! We are told that a buyer in NH purchased it from someone in Arizona and it was brought to the east coast then. She ran into some financial troubles and traded the bus for work on her car. It was being used as storage so the mechanic that took it in as trade never got a title for it.

Will definitely ask about the transmission. Appreciate the heads up about the 2-gear automatic.

DeMac, I was thinking it was shorter than over 40' based on the windows but that's what the seller is saying. Would definitely check with a tape measurer. Thanks or the suggestion.

Do you think there would be any issue with the height adjustment capabilities when adding plumbing and other features?

[peteg59]

NH doesn't require a title for vehicles model years 1999 and older.
A bill of sale and an old registration will get a new owner plates/tags without a title or a VIN verification.

I'm not sure how you'd get a title for it without a lengthy title search, but I've heard that some states will allow a registration based on previous registration in NH.

[ol trunt]

I don't mind being a spoil sport. I would strongly advise against this bus both because of it's age and the two stroke engine. It is getting harder and harder to find a DD mechanic these days as they like the DD's themselves are aging out. Don't get me wrong, I love the DD's but I'm able to do my own repairs. If you are really looking for a "tin" tent then I'd say go for it. However, if you actually plan to drive the rig then I'd say anything else would be better.

Jack

[Gdog 5651]

The lack of title may or may not be a problem. In MO and I imagine in most states there is a provision to re title abandoned vehicles.As for the Detroit in all the major cities there are DD repair facilities.Although as others have stated they are old outdated technology.They smoke smell and do not perform as well as the other pre-emission diesels but they do have something about them that I think are kinda cool.I am prejudiced that way as I was A DDA guild mechanic for years.The bus sounds great and as long as you know what you are dealing with could be a great buy though the price may be a shade high for a 43 year old piece that hasn't been roadworthy for years. Gene

[Katie&Louis]

Thank you for all your thoughts! I really appreciate it.

[rossvtaylor]

Personally, we love and specifically lean towards those older mechanical diesels...we have 3 of them! The 8V71 is a great engine, on which you'll be able to do much of your own work. Check out the YouTube videos on the channel of Bus Grease Monkey or Indiana Diesel and you'll learn a lot about those old reliable electronics-free engines.


As far as the transmission goes, I'd be surprised if it had the 2-speed...but not impossible. We have one in a 1949 GM and those were most common in local transit buses, which is what ours was. It's actually kind of fun to drive...the first "gear" is essentially two vane sets in a bath of oil...the bus sort of lumbers up to speed, with that great 2-stroke sound, until the torque converter (second gear) locks. Now...this would not be a great daily driver setup...so it may not be for you, depending upon your plans. But the DD 8V71 is a nice motor.


EDIT: I zoomed in on the interior photo and it's definitely got an automatic tranny shifter. I can't tell for sure, because of the resolution, but it looks like the shifter has too many detents for a 2-speed. And being an inter-city bus I'd bet it's not a 2-speed. But I'm often wrong...

[Doktari]

I’ve been witnessing my friend work on a similar older coach. pd4106 I think it’s called. It’s a labor of love. He’s been working on it nearly everyday for over two years and has spent a small fortune. I helped put in the inverter and energy system. The problem with these older coaches is a number of owners have possibly done shoddy alterations. It takes a lot of time to sort out who has done what and then redo it. I prefer buses that come straight from the government entity that originally purchased it. But the older buses sure have the cool factor.
I would offer half what he is asking. My friends bus was going for $20K and they accepted his offer of $10K but he should have only paid $5K IMHO.

[Rwnielsen]

I don't know about the 71's but an 8V92 does well to get 5 MPG according to the folks on the Wanderlodge forum

[Bus ted1]

I cannot say what an 8V71 in a bus would get for mileage, but I can say I owned a GMC Astro Semi in 1975 with that engine and a 13 Sp. trans. It was turbocharged and aftercooled for 370 HP, the highest ranking for one of these 8V71TAA. In the day when Cummins 350 and 400 were getting 4.5 to 5.0 mpg, mine was around 3 mpg. But these were almost always loaded to 80,000 lbs. It got around 5.0 empty. Very reliable and simple, and if you don't plan on lot's of miles the mileage might not be to bad. If not turbocharged but just supercharged then about 318 hp.

[Roadie]

Where about in Upstate NY are you? I'm outside of Rochester.