Does this look like a decent base for conversion? ('92 International)

[TheJakeEscape]

Hey guys, I'm a long time lurker making my first post. Been interested in the bus life for a while and been thinking about taking the plunge. Saw this one a few hours away and decided to contact the owner.

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/rvs/d/lake-worth-school-bus-international-92/6909821522.html

Apparently it's been sitting for a while but it runs. It has been vandalized, and has some broken glass, which you can kinda see in the pictures, and apparently the vandals broke the roof hatch. Are glass and replacement roof hatches hard to come by? I'm going to go look at it tomorrow and possibly purchase it if everything else checks out. But if there are any red flags or anything in particular I should look out for I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[WARGEAR]

Thomas Vista!

That’s an International 3600 chassis, aka the Thomas Vista. It’s got a reputation for a rough ride, hard to access engine compartment and just being so ugly haha (that’s subjective though).

It’s got some rust, and from what I’ve read on here some say that Florida buses are ran hard and put away wet. I’d hold out for a conventional dognosed shorty or a full size if you need the space.

I wouldn’t recommend jumping on the first bus you see. You could end up with something you’re not completely satisfied with.

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

I second WarGear. There is also a possibility that a shorter Navistar like that could have a hydraulic brake system, a headache you don't want in a Ford or Navistar chassis.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Looks like it’s had a hard life.

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Looks like it’s had a hard life.

I'm inclined to agree.

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I second WarGear. There is also a possibility that a shorter Navistar like that could have a hydraulic brake system, a headache you don't want in a Ford or Navistar chassis.

Unless it is something with the Lucas-Girling brakes (fairly uncommon on the IH chassis), I'm not aware of any issues with the Navistar hydraulic brakes.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Looks like its pretty sad and tired.
FL is a pretty rough place to shop for buses. Lots of rust and neglect in the S Florida buses especially.
Dig the "727" tag!

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Unless it is something with the Lucas-Girling brakes (fairly uncommon on the IH chassis), I'm not aware of any issues with the Navistar hydraulic brakes.

I thought I specifically mentioned the LG system, guess not. But some of them did get them, or so I've read elsewhere.

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

I thought I specifically mentioned the LG system, guess not. But some of them did get them, or so I've read elsewhere.

The other LG.
Definitely does not mean, "Life's Good!"