What is the difference between a BB All American & a TC?

crazycal · 03-01-2007, 09:25 AM

Does anyone know?

Elliot Naess · 03-01-2007, 11:37 AM

Try taking a look at this thread on the School Bus Fleet Magazine forum:

http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum/...TOPIC_ID=14745

crazycal · 03-01-2007, 04:08 PM

Thanks for that link. It was helpful. I read somewhere on this forum I think that the All Americans had a galvanizied body. Do you know if thats true?

Elliot Naess · 03-01-2007, 04:58 PM

Sorry, I don't know about the galvanizing. But SOME of my TC2000 is galvanized --
most notably the floor.

CVanDamme · 03-02-2007, 01:02 AM

Good Question I always wondered myself. Good to know.
Thanks.

sportyrick · 03-02-2007, 08:37 AM

My all american and the local SnapOn guys are completely galvanized sheetmetal. Mine is a '76 with a 427 gas motor and his '88 with a 3208 cat. Like the fleet forum said, we have very healthy frames and suspension. The thing you have to be careful about with these is welding, you can't breath the gas put off from the burning zink or you will spend some time in the hospital, messes up your lungs and it will give you blood poisoning if inhaled enough. sportyrick

boojiewoojie · 03-02-2007, 11:28 PM

We have the TC 2000 and All Americans and the All American is a heavier duty bus like ya'll are talking about. The mechanics say that there's a lot of little differences such as fasteners, etc. Having driven both older and newer versions (well, there aren't new TC2000s) the AA just feels better. Yesterday I drove a brand new AA FE and it is smooth, quiet and powerful. The new Thomas' (FE) feel much less solid and are noisier than the AAs. The mechanics say the new Thomas have really bad quaility control. For instance, in places the wiring is all the same color and some of the harnesses are held together with masking tape. Sometimes the buses stop because some connection came loose. Our supervisor pointed out some of the differences between the two to some of the school board members. Even though the Thomas' bid was lower for new buses they voted unanimously for the AA's. The visibility out of a Thomas is really good, however. The dash layout on the newer AA's are really nice. The mechanics speak highly of older Thomas'. The older TC2000s are really stripped down, with minimal gauges, less insulation, unfinished edges (comparatively),etc.

crazycal · 03-07-2007, 10:17 AM

Sportyrick, can you put up more pictures of the door install if you have them. Also, where did you get the door?

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