Ford vs. Chevy (short bus)

[BUSBOY!]

Hey, Skoolie- I want to get advice about Ford bus and Chevy bus. I am mechanical inclined and need advice on “BUS”. I know every company “bus” have it problems. Ford have it “problems “ and Chevy have it “Problems “. For a new Skoolie- What bus is more “reliable and trusted “ to invest in. Give me your advice- Thank again Skoolie Friend!

 

[Nawbdy]

For a new Skoolie- What bus is more “reliable and trusted “ to invest in.

The one that can be proven to have had the best, most timely maintenance.

It is generally recommended to avoid the Ford Power stroke engines and AT545 transmissions.

 

[BUSBOY!]

I have heard the 7.3 L Power-stroke Diesel engine- was a great engine. Which power stroke engine you are talking about ?

 

[Nawbdy]

I have heard the 7.3 L Power-stroke Diesel engine- was a great engine. Which power stroke engine you are talking about ?

Any one after the 7.3.

It is said that if you perform 'bulletproofing' on the 6.0 that it can be a good engine but you'd have to be willing to find one that's not clapped out already and sink some-thousands of dollars into it.

Perhaps someone else with more knowledge can provide more information about the later Power strokes.

 

[BUSBOY!]

Thank -for the info. I got my eye on this 02 GMC 3500 shorty (Gas engine) what your opinion?

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

which gas engine.
anything smaller than the 6.0 is pushing it as far as being underpowered.
the 6.0 in my 04 does decent empty but i have not put a load on it and i am upgrading everything i can without pulling it for an internal upgrade.
once i get it on the road for my wife i will find a replacement and upgrade everything about it to have a ready to go drop in for when its time.
the 350 or the 305 have plenty of upgrades but still underpowered in a bus unless you pull and upgrades the internals.
my bus empty bringing it home from purchase ran 70-80 on the interstate and felt like it had room for more.
make sure you look at the brake system under the hood and at each wheel it is a hydroboost system and the powersteering and brakes are one system.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

as far as ford imy son is a ford mechanic and says try to stay away from any of the triton stuff especially from 05-10 unless its a v-10 and some years of them had the same triton problems.
or the 7.3 is good motors with plenty of support.
also the chevy duramax is good but there early versions had injector problems i know my 2000 duramax had constant issues and it was after the recall era when i bought it and didnt know any better but learning how to work on it i got over 400,000 out of it and it still runs when i need it.
dont use it as a heavy hauler like i used to but its still around.

 

[BUSBOY!]

That was a lot of information, Thank you good to know. ��