PorchDog
1996 Bluebird, DT466 Mech. Spicer 5 Spd. 6 window
This bus is not very common, as far as I can tell, east of the Mississippi.
Asking Price--$10,000
1996 Bluebird 7 Window, Front Engine
Increased roof height from the factory-- 77 inches from metal floor to ceiling.
Rear Air bag suspension
Air Brakes
Air conditioning that works and tinted glass. Two compressors, two condensers, and one big evaporator housing with two evaporators mounted in the rear. Evaporator was partially disassembled by me and the coils thoroughly cleaned.
DT 466 NGD Mechanical Fuel Injection-- Bosch pump
MD3060 Allison 5 speed Transmission. 6th gear capable-- but never attempted. With the axle ratio changed-- I do not think it is warranted...
65 gallon Fuel Tank
Rear axle was 6.14, and I changed to 5.38
Will cruise happily at 63 MPH all day long.
Titled and tagged as an RV in Alabama.
This bus lived in Los Angeles all its life, so no rust anywhere. I purchased the bus from some really nice folks south of Carson City, Nevada, flew to Reno and drove it home. The ONLY reason I was willing to do this-- is that Ross Taylor apparently had purchased the bus at auction, and sold it to these folks, and he had driven the bus about 1000 miles and said it did fine. That gave me the confidence I needed to drive it 2100 miles back to my home in Alabama. Thanks Ross!!
Work I have done--
Changed engine oil and filter
Changed transmission fluid and filters (TranSynd 668......)
Replace old rear airbags with new Goodyear OEM bags
Installed a new AD-9 filter/dryer for the air brake system
Replaced one AC compressor, and filter dryer
Purchased a truly remanned 5.38 ratio rear differential (not just “cleaned and inspected" ) from ProGear in Orlando Florida and swapped it in. Filled with full synthetic rear end dope.
Removed the driveshaft and had new joints and a new yoke installed by a driveline shop.
Rerouted the exhaust to exit in front of the passenger rear tires to make room for holding tanks, etc.
Tires are older, but as usual have lots of tread left.
Brand new battery installed October 2025.
The instrument panel may have been robbed from this bus, and I assume that Ross Taylor or someone fabricated a new instrument panel-- with mechanical oil pressure, air pressure, temperature gauges, and a speedometer that is quite accurate. It looks very professional.
The rear bumper has a dent about a third of the way across, does not hurt anything—but it is there. There is also a crease above the last window on the passenger side. It does not exactly jump out at you—but it is there as well.
It has two fans that blow on the driver—both of those work, all the lights and turn signals work.
All the seats except for the driver have been removed. All sheet metal of the interior is still intact. The drivers seat is air ride, and does work, but the padding is sort of mashed flat.
This bus has an air operated door which is functional.
The only electronics on this bus are the controls for the transmission. The engine has an electronic solenoid to shut the engine down, but nothing else. There is no ABS—so a very straightforward brake system to maintain. No body control module to go bad or troubleshoot.
This should make for a high reliability, easy to maintain powertrain—based on the simplicity alone. That was why I was so attracted to it.
I do not know the miles on this bus-- however, the engine front structure/front cover appears to have been repainted, and on my 2100 mile drive home there was no significant oil consumption. This bus had sat for months on a concrete pad next to the previous owners home and had not dripped any oil, and it still does not leak any oil. It starts immediately hot or cold and I highly suspect, but have no documentation, that this engine has been in framed or more in the not-too-distant past. I have never seen it smoke—other that when you “woof” the engine…. It drives down the road great, and being a 7 window it is easy to maneuver and park. It can sit for months, and still fire right up.
I bought this bus long distance, and it was well represented to me, and I am trying to do the same…
About me-- I am a 67 year old guy, a gearhead at heart, and been in automotive retail for nearly 45 years ( so far). This bus checked a bunch of boxes that are pretty hard to check-- and I went with my emotions and bought it. I really, really like mechanical fuel injection because of the reliability and simplicity –and the 5 speed transmission with overdrive,... however, building out a conversion has proven difficult for a lot of reasons.. and I need to move it on to someone who appreciates what it is…
My cell is 205-four one two- six one six one. I can text photos.
Asking Price--$10,000
1996 Bluebird 7 Window, Front Engine
Increased roof height from the factory-- 77 inches from metal floor to ceiling.
Rear Air bag suspension
Air Brakes
Air conditioning that works and tinted glass. Two compressors, two condensers, and one big evaporator housing with two evaporators mounted in the rear. Evaporator was partially disassembled by me and the coils thoroughly cleaned.
DT 466 NGD Mechanical Fuel Injection-- Bosch pump
MD3060 Allison 5 speed Transmission. 6th gear capable-- but never attempted. With the axle ratio changed-- I do not think it is warranted...
65 gallon Fuel Tank
Rear axle was 6.14, and I changed to 5.38
Will cruise happily at 63 MPH all day long.
Titled and tagged as an RV in Alabama.
This bus lived in Los Angeles all its life, so no rust anywhere. I purchased the bus from some really nice folks south of Carson City, Nevada, flew to Reno and drove it home. The ONLY reason I was willing to do this-- is that Ross Taylor apparently had purchased the bus at auction, and sold it to these folks, and he had driven the bus about 1000 miles and said it did fine. That gave me the confidence I needed to drive it 2100 miles back to my home in Alabama. Thanks Ross!!
Work I have done--
Changed engine oil and filter
Changed transmission fluid and filters (TranSynd 668......)
Replace old rear airbags with new Goodyear OEM bags
Installed a new AD-9 filter/dryer for the air brake system
Replaced one AC compressor, and filter dryer
Purchased a truly remanned 5.38 ratio rear differential (not just “cleaned and inspected" ) from ProGear in Orlando Florida and swapped it in. Filled with full synthetic rear end dope.
Removed the driveshaft and had new joints and a new yoke installed by a driveline shop.
Rerouted the exhaust to exit in front of the passenger rear tires to make room for holding tanks, etc.
Tires are older, but as usual have lots of tread left.
Brand new battery installed October 2025.
The instrument panel may have been robbed from this bus, and I assume that Ross Taylor or someone fabricated a new instrument panel-- with mechanical oil pressure, air pressure, temperature gauges, and a speedometer that is quite accurate. It looks very professional.
The rear bumper has a dent about a third of the way across, does not hurt anything—but it is there. There is also a crease above the last window on the passenger side. It does not exactly jump out at you—but it is there as well.
It has two fans that blow on the driver—both of those work, all the lights and turn signals work.
All the seats except for the driver have been removed. All sheet metal of the interior is still intact. The drivers seat is air ride, and does work, but the padding is sort of mashed flat.
This bus has an air operated door which is functional.
The only electronics on this bus are the controls for the transmission. The engine has an electronic solenoid to shut the engine down, but nothing else. There is no ABS—so a very straightforward brake system to maintain. No body control module to go bad or troubleshoot.
This should make for a high reliability, easy to maintain powertrain—based on the simplicity alone. That was why I was so attracted to it.
I do not know the miles on this bus-- however, the engine front structure/front cover appears to have been repainted, and on my 2100 mile drive home there was no significant oil consumption. This bus had sat for months on a concrete pad next to the previous owners home and had not dripped any oil, and it still does not leak any oil. It starts immediately hot or cold and I highly suspect, but have no documentation, that this engine has been in framed or more in the not-too-distant past. I have never seen it smoke—other that when you “woof” the engine…. It drives down the road great, and being a 7 window it is easy to maneuver and park. It can sit for months, and still fire right up.
I bought this bus long distance, and it was well represented to me, and I am trying to do the same…
About me-- I am a 67 year old guy, a gearhead at heart, and been in automotive retail for nearly 45 years ( so far). This bus checked a bunch of boxes that are pretty hard to check-- and I went with my emotions and bought it. I really, really like mechanical fuel injection because of the reliability and simplicity –and the 5 speed transmission with overdrive,... however, building out a conversion has proven difficult for a lot of reasons.. and I need to move it on to someone who appreciates what it is…
My cell is 205-four one two- six one six one. I can text photos.
