Hello

[1Wyatt2]

My name isWyatt I live in Louisville Nebraska I’ve been looking at a couple buses up for bid in IA ones a 2007 Freightliner Thomas Bus
condition: fair
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: diesel
odometer: 145000
2007 Freightliner Thomas Bus
77 Seat Capacity
145,000
Engine - Mercedes MBE900-250 with air brakes the other is a

1998 international bluebird
condition: fair
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: diesel
odometer: 142000
transmission: automatic
59 Seat Capacity
Engine DT466E
Has air brakes
I’m trying to figure out if I need a cdl to drive it with air brakes or an endorsement. Any suggestions on what bus u would go with or stuff to look for

 

[Johnny Mullet]

I would totally choose the 98 over the Mercedes powered 2007 bus. Welcome and good luck!

 

[EastCoastCB]

I would totally choose the 98 over the Mercedes powered 2007 bus. Welcome and good luck!

+1

 

[PNW_Steve]

I would totally choose the 98 over the Mercedes powered 2007 bus. Welcome and good luck!

Good advice.!!

Welcome to the site.

 

[brokedown-SKO]

I think you'll find that any engine not made by Cummins or International won't be recommended here. A lot of it is around availability of parts and service, where a MBE or CAT etc will limit you to dealers and occasionally big truck service lots, but a 5.9/8.3 cummins or a 7.3/7.6 international wouldn't really confuse anyone who has ever seen a Dodge or Ford truck, and most parts are available at Autozone.


With that said, the MBE and CAT engines are great engines if you aren't adverst to spending dealer money..

 

[cowlitzcoach]

Some other issues to consider about the 2007.

First off, the bus electrical system will be a multiplex system. Unless you understand the system you can totally kill your bus if you try to eliminate or add accessories.

Second, a 2007 model bus is going to be fully smogged. The emissions equipment is a major PITA. The emissions equipment tend to be maintenance intensive. It also tends to make the engines run poorly.

A 1998 IHC chassis bus with a DT360 or DT466 is going to be a pretty good platform.

 

[brokedown-SKO]

Indeed I totally glazed over the year of that MBE bus was just focused entirely on the powertrain. I would not own any bus made in 2007 by any manufacturer that was legal to sell in the USA, hard stop.

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I'd avoid the MB engine myself. When the emissions stuff breaks (and I guarantee you it will), you're looking at a trip to a Big Truck shop on the Big Hook (wrecker, with a proportionately Big Bill).

The IH engines prior to the MaxxForce have excellent reputations and you can darn near find parts for 'em at the corner drugstore.