Considering a DT466 2002 International

[mplsdog]

I'm looking at the following bus, and wondering what good questions I might ask the seller?

Thanks in advance!

condition: excellent
fuel: diesel
odometer: 147000
title status: clean
transmission: manual

"We have recently taken a 2002 International out of service and am offering it for sale. It has an excellent running DT 466 diesel engine with 176,000 miles, automatic tranny, good tires, exhaust and fluid brakes. Bus has always been stored inside so the is no paint fade. Everything still works on this bus as it has recently passed a MnDOT inspection. Asking $3,500"

 

[EastCoastCB]

I'm looking at the following bus, and wondering what good questions I might ask the seller?

Thanks in advance!

condition: excellent
fuel: diesel
odometer: 147000
title status: clean
transmission: manual

"We have recently taken a 2002 International out of service and am offering it for sale. It has an excellent running DT 466 diesel engine with 176,000 miles, automatic tranny, good tires, exhaust and fluid brakes. Bus has always been stored inside so the is no paint fade. Everything still works on this bus as it has recently passed a MnDOT inspection. Asking $3,500"

Ask em what the rear axle ratio is, the tire size and age, and if the trans is a manual or auto as both are listed above.

 

[mplsdog]

Thank you. I noticed the transmission thing too. I'm fairly sure it's an auto. As far as the rear axle ratio, are there advantages to certain gearing ratios?

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Thank you. I noticed the transmission thing too. I'm fairly sure it's an auto. As far as the rear axle ratio, are there advantages to certain gearing ratios?

Lower numbers means higher top speed. A ratio like 5.37:1 will get you around 50-55 on the highway, a 4.11:1 will get you around 65-70. An overdrive transmission will help with top speed, too.

 

[mplsdog]

Thank you.

I've done a lot of research on the engine itself and it seems to be a fairly solid model, but would welcome any input on the DT 466

 

[EastCoastCB]

Thank you.

I've done a lot of research on the engine itself and it seems to be a fairly solid model, but would welcome any input on the DT 466

They're GREAT engines. Better than even a Cummins.

 

[Dapplecreek]

See if you can find out which model of automatic transmission it is, too. Allison makes nearly every one I've heard of, and they are dandy from all I've heard. But the 545 does not 'lock up' so it is more appropriate for flat land (no engine braking going down a hill). This might or might not be important to you.

If the tires were replaced at some point you're likely to be OK, but original tires would now be 14 years old. Conventional wisdom suggests replacing them at ten years regardless of tire wear. Look for the date codes on the side walls: they should look like "*DOT1309*" or some such: first two digits are the week and the last two are the year. [Others: if I got that wrong, please correct me - I am, after all, a book learner and do not have hands-on experience. Yet.]

 

[mplsdog]

Great info! I'm somewhat hopeful the bus was well maintained, it's just been retired from a district, with latest dot inspection. I will ask those questions.

Thanks so much.

 

[Kubla]

if you get the vin and go to the local international dealer, they can print out the build sheet that has all that information

 

[Stu & Filo. T]

They're GREAT engines. Better than even a Cummins.

Now your just being mean.

 

[Stu & Filo. T]

And wheres the g

 

[EastCoastCB]

And wheres the g

I got a chuckle from that one!

 

[mplsdog]

So...

Allison 2500 transmission
He's going to send VIN
DT466 was rebuilt at 150,000 (new sleeve?)
Tires are okay, changed once since 2002, he thought about 1/2 tread

I'm going to look at it this weekend, will take pictures of undercarriage. Other suggested photos for this group to look at?

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Might wanna check the rear end gear ratio, should be a small plate on it.

Check around the wheel wells for rust. Floor cross-beams too. Date codes on tires (especially the rears which could possibly be retreads). Probably more that I can't think of right now.

 

[EastCoastCB]

So...

Allison 2500 transmission
He's going to send VIN
DT466 was rebuilt at 150,000 (new sleeve?)
Tires are okay, changed once since 2002, he thought about 1/2 tread

I'm going to look at it this weekend, will take pictures of undercarriage. Other suggested photos for this group to look at?

Sounds like a good bus.

 

[mplsdog]

Thanks.

He did mention some undercarriage rust, but said it hadn't rusted through, to be expected on a Midwest rig.

Ideas on whether $3500 would be a good price (given no major showstoppers) for this bus? Should I counter with a lower offer? So much variance on prices, it's hard to tell, but I think I'm set on the DT466 and less than 200k on the bus.

 

[EastCoastCB]

I guess I missed something about the rust?
Depends on how much rust we're talkin here, but I'd likely move on and start with one that's not rusty to begin with.

 

[mplsdog]

I'll take a look and try to get a few good photos, but I would think you'd be hard pressed to find one from 2002 without under body rust? I'll see what it looks like and take pics.

 

[EastCoastCB]

My 92 bought 18 months ago doesn't have any appreciable rust underneath.
Not only does the rust never sleep- it makes it a pita to work on anything.

 

[mplsdog]

Cool. I'll assess the amount and go from there. My sister lives in Denver so I might watch the CL there as well.