I am thinking about this one

[Cliff & Wendy]

Hello to everyone!
I have found this one about an hour and half drive away, I think the pictures look very good, but would like some thoughts.
We are wanting to do some part time living in our bus, maybe someday full time. It is just me and my wife.

1995 Ih Genesis Ts3900 Transit Bus 54 PASSENGER In Platte City Kansas City Saint Joseph Rusty's Auto Sales

DT 408 with an automatic, 184,000 miles and asking price of $4950



thanks

 

[Elliot Naess]

A bit much money for a 20 year old bus, methinks. And are you sure you want a bus with the engine inside the front? Those are difficult to work on.

 

[nat_ster]

If the rust is minuscule, I would pay that.

Nat

 

[Kubla]

Which transmission?

 

[Cliff & Wendy]

I talked to him on the phone today, he said it was a 4 speed Allison
he said it was 38 ft long bus and no rust on it anyplace.
he drove it up from Odessa Texas and said it drives very nice.
I have not been able to get over to look at it, maybe on Saturday.
Thanks

 

[Outcast-SKO]

The price is a bit high, my us is almost identical (DT466 instead of the DT408, but with the same power) and I paid only $2500 for it, and it's one year newer. But, price often differs depending on the region.

And I really think it is either a 75 or an 84 pax bus, not a 54. Unless they are talking adult instead of children (which would be odd on a school bus). Mine is listed on the plates and build sheet as a 75 pax, and it's 38 feet long.

 

[cowlitzcoach]

Usually in a bus of that size 54-pax would be a 13-row bus.

A 54-pax school bus at 3-to-a-seat would be a 9-row bus, which would be considerably shorter than that bus.

I would agree that the age and mileage of the bus doesn't warrant that price.

Some plusses I see for it would be that it is relatively close to where you are, it appears to be rust free, the glass and body panels are in good shape with no parking lot rash, it has a skirt mounted luggage compartment, it has 10-hole Budd wheels, and it has air brakes.

Some minuses I see for it would be that it is a DT408 instead of a DT466--not a lot of difference but as every hot rodder will tell you size does matter, it is an FE with the engine sitting right next to the driver--it will be loud and hot.

 

[Cliff & Wendy]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone! planning on looking on Saturday

 

[jazty]

...it has 10-hole Budd wheels...

Is that a +1? I say nay. Dayton power!

 

[Elliot Naess]

It has Budd wheels --- that is, it has normal lug nuts, and that is good.
More info here:
Dayton or Budd? The eternal question. |

 

[jazty]

It has Budd wheels --- that is, it has normal lug nuts, and that is good.

Good? I suppose that depends on who you talk to.

Dayton wheels (spoke wheels; wagon wheels): tires can be changed with a breaker bar and something on the ground to check trueness of wheels. Carry a spare on a lightweight rim. Recommended dry torque of 200-260ft.lbs.

Budd wheels: 3/4" air impact wrench to remove. Always true unless bent. Carry a spare on an effin' heavy rim. Recommended dry torque of 450-500ft.lbs.

I've removed and replaced most of my tires. It's really not a big deal. For my independence, I'll take Daytons.

http://www.webbwheel.com/pdfs/literature/TorqueBrochure0409.pdf

 

[jazty]

Just read this from previously posted link: "He claimed it was possible for the flanges holding a spoke style wheel to break loose effectively neutering any breaking power as the wheel was no longer really connected to the drums! Tall tale to scare the rookies? Very possible."

I'm not sure about all school buses, but this is a near impossibility on my rig. The inside of the rim has metal "stops" welded on to be sure that the wheel can't spin beyond the spokes. Also note that the rim would only spin if improperly tightened.

 

[Cliff & Wendy]

I passed on this bus.
Left early as this is at a dealership and wanted to get there when it opened. The dealer gave me a call as we were about to pull in the lot, he said he would go get it warmed up for us, I asked him to leave it cold until I got there.
Nice looking clean bus with minimal rust, even though he said NO RUST, the back door hinges were rusted stiff and when I got the door open I noticed runs all around the door frame, he had to jump start so we could start it, then the air would not pump up past 60 pounds because it kept popping off at 60 pounds, he wanted me to take it for a test drive but I declined.
From the ground I noticed that about 30% of the seams on the roof were sealed with silicone.
I could not get the doors open to check the antifreeze either.

anyway it was a nice trip.

bus for sale all the time, one will come along I like soon.

BUDD and Dayton wheels, When I was growing up my family did domestic water well drilling and repair so I got acquainted with both styles of wheels on our trucks.

Thanks everyone for the advice