Fresh and starting to dip the toe...

[Toasty]

HELLO!!!!!
I've been creeping here for a while and been collecting a lot of good information. Hubby and I are starting to look at buses and collect our information for converting a beautiful big girl into our next home. We looked into the option three years ago and just kept hitting our head on a wall. We have more of a network now with other things aligned that will allow us to make this project happen.
In addition to us we have 3 cats, a ball python and 2 guinea pigs.

Any tips from seasoned skoolie friends out there for new young peeps starting out? We're currently shopping around and I have my eye on two; a 2009 and a 2010, both bluebird visions with under 300,000km. Allison transmissions and cummins engines (my favorites), already safetied and certified for road.

I have so much information and I'm excited to start... but where?

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[nikitis]

If you can swing it I would consider looking for older pre-emissions buses if you can find them. Emissions started in 2004 and with buses through 2008. You can find a 2008 with little to no emissions but a majority of them did have emissions. It was dependent on fleet ordering and state laws at the time. So the newest without emissions you could possibly find is 2008. Typically buses from 2000 to 2004 are in about as good of shape as 2008 models without the emissions headaches.

I would advise you take some extra time to look. If you are thinking they will have more problems the answers will like be no, not just because they are older. You introduce new problems with the Maxxforce engines with 2009/2010 models and are costly that pre-emissions engines won't run into. If you want the newest buses with least issues look for buses from 2001-2008 without EGR, DPF, and DEF. Those are the questions to ask. 2004-2008 Mostly have DPF's but not necessarily EGR and DEF. Just having DPF is better but still a pricey replacement if needed to be replaced and if it's a used bus is often the reason they sell them because of a bad DPF. It can cost thousands to replace a DPF.

2000-2004 is going to have none of those things, and parts are still mostly obtainable.

 

[Dbacks2k4]

I concur, go older than 2008 if you can, but I recall seeing a couple videos on YouTube about different emissions requirements in Canada vs USA, but that may just have been for importing a US bus into Canada? I'm certainly not an expert on that.

On International, EGR started ~2005, EGR+DPF ~2008, and DEF came later. EGR is annoying but manageable if you have even the tinest bit of mechanical aptitude or willingness to learn. I'm an International guy, mostly because where I live International dealers are plentiful and getting BlueBird parts was a giant pain in the neck. Plus, International makes their electronic diagnostic software available for free, Cummins does not.

Allisons are pretty standard in school buses, which model is important. Transit buses is a whole other story...

 

[Toasty]

Nikitis: Just having DPF is better but still a pricey replacement if needed to be replaced and if it's a used bus is often the reason they sell them because of a bad DPF. It can cost thousands to replace a DPF.

Very good point!! I work in buses thankfully so I have an extensive network to help bring down prices, but still a couple thousand for sure for a DPF.

Dbacks2K4:... getting BlueBird parts was a giant pain in the neck. Plus, International makes their electronic diagnostic software available for free, Cummins does not.

Interesting. I find in my line of work currently, getting Bluebird parts is easier; I deal directly with Girardin. However, International is just just as easy with a slightly longer wait. However, I I find we have a lot more problems with the MaxForce engines.

Currently I'm looking at a 2009 Bluebird, Cummins 6.7 ISB engine with Allison transmission. Has just over 250 000KM on her.

6.7 L ISB Cummins

Production: 2007 – Present Displacement: 6.7 L; 408.2 cu in (6,690 cc) Bore x stroke: 107 mm × 124 mm (4.21 in × 4.88 in) Max power: 150–420 hp (112–313 kW; 152–426 PS) at 2800 rpm Torque: 610–1,075 lb⋅ft (827–1,458 N⋅m) at ~1600 rpm Compression ratio: 17.3:1 Emissions control: EGR and DPF Turbocharger: Holset Engineering (variable) Fuel system: Common rail High pressure direct injection with 7-hole injectors Camshaft drive: Gear driven Crankshaft: Forged steel, 7 main bearings Oil System capacity with filter: 3 US gal (11 L; 2.5 imp gal)

 

[Dbacks2k4]

Interesting. I find in my line of work currently, getting Bluebird parts is easier; I deal directly with Girardin. However, International is just just as easy with a slightly longer wait. However, I I find we have a lot more problems with the MaxForce engines.

Where I live my closest dealer was Central State Bus Sales up in Chicago. With that one BB I had it would usually take about 10 days to get parts... call or email Central State with the VIN and what I needed, wait a few days for them to generate a quote, approve, wait a few days for them to actually ship the part, wait a few days for the part to actually show up. That was 7 years ago though.

We standardized the fleet on Pre-Maxxforce International 7.6s after that. I was looking up my own parts in OnCommand and ordering from whatever source I could find online that was best price and fastest shipping or in a pinch going to my local dealer that was about 2 miles up the road from my shop. Hated doing that, so pricey, but so is mechanic's hourly labor rate...