I won a bus

[o1marc]

Group 31s usually run $500 each.

Looks like you'll have to turn a hose loose on the inside of that find.

I'm a firm believer that not all battery brands are the same quality and priced accordingly. Idon't know where you're getting yours that they're $500. I paid $113ea for 2 group 31-5T batteries from O'Reilly's, some found Walmart batteries in the $85 range.
Most pics I see of the inside dashes on buses at most auctions look as though the left the doors open during a dust storm, this one is no different.

 

[RRRVBUS]

I’m a big fan of surgical power washing if possible. Not around electronics of course.

 

[o1marc]

I’m a big fan of surgical power washing if possible. Not around electronics of course.

Pressure washing the bare shell is definitely on the list.

 

[2martins]

Pressure washing the bare shell is definitely on the list.

I would like to clean the undercarriage at an RV wash today down in Reno as well as test the ceiling for leaks. How should I prep the electrical stuff along the sides of the ceiling? Maybe saran wrap? A big piece of plastic taped over the cockpit?

The windows definitely leak so I will need to tarp it anyway at least on the side toward where the wind almost always comes.

Then spray with corrosion treatment?

I think I may have a little more rust than I'd hoped. My son is unphased as he wants to learn to weld anyway. So that's good!

Any tips for the RV wash?

Mobi is 35 miles from home now!!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[o1marc]

Be careful what you wish for. I emailed Thomas last night requesting a build sheet on my bus. I was surprised to see it waiting for me when I awoke this morning.
Holy shite is it extensive, showing every single part that went into this bus. I was glad to note it has a AT2000 and not the 545. It also shows it having a 100 gallon fuel cell. Looks like they were installing 1998 Cat 3126 engines in the 2004 still. Air brakes, back up alarm.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check myself into the hospital for a heart cath installation to try and keep me alive long enough to finish this phase of my life. Hopefully I'll be out in time to go get my bus next Wed.

 

[jjhwick119]

Be careful what you wish for. I emailed Thomas last night requesting a build sheet on my bus. I was surprised to see it waiting for me when I awoke this morning.
Holy shite is it extensive, showing every single part that went into this bus. I was glad to note it has a AT2000 and not the 545. It also shows it having a 100 gallon fuel cell. Looks like they were installing 1998 Cat 3126 engines in the 2004 still. Air brakes, back up alarm.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check myself into the hospital for a heart cath installation to try and keep me alive long enough to finish this phase of my life. Hopefully I'll be out in time to go get my bus next Wed.

Random question. I have an international chassis, Thomas body. Would I need to talk to international or Thomas for build info?

 

[o1marc]

Random question. I have an international chassis, Thomas body. Would I need to talk to international or Thomas for build info?

As easy as it is I would send the info to both.

 

[jjhwick119]

Did you just say hey I just bought this bus, can you help getting info about?

 

[2martins]

Did you just say hey I just bought this bus, can you help getting info about?

I called international and said hey, I heard if I give you the last 8 of the VIN you can tell me about my bus and they said Yep! I don't know what they call it at Thomas or the other, but for International if you ask for your "line set ticket" they will email it to you and it has AL the info about the original build. Obviously some things could have been replaced, but it's GREAT info. There is probably something similar the other guys do. Good luck!

 

[cadillackid]

most times you can call the b ody manufacturer if the yare in busoness and since they SPEC the chassis and are a licensed "body-builder". they will have the line-ticket for the chassis and of course the body... this works for thomas / bluebird/ and IC(amtran,ward,IC brands).. gets trickier if you habve a no longer made bus like a carpenter / crown or a Wayne..

wow $500 for group 31 batteries?? wowseee! Ive never seen them that expensive.. even my group 31D AGM deep cycle marine batteries for house cells were much less than 500 for the good ones at Interstate... I paid $69 a piece at Rural King for their basic batteries for my Red bus. plus I got a $12 core on each old dead one I returned.. so really 57 bucks a piece.. im sure they wont last real long, but the conditions I run my bus in arent condusive to long lasting batteries.. I run iut on Hot hot summer days and cold cold winter nights..
-Christopher

 

[o1marc]

I just used the "contact" link and replied "I just bought a Thomas bus with VIN#xxxxxxxxxx. I would like to request a build sheet for this bus.". They replied first thing in the morning.

 

[JamieJackson]

Be careful what you wish for. I emailed Thomas last night requesting a build sheet on my bus. I was surprised to see it waiting for me when I awoke this morning.
Holy shite is it extensive, showing every single part that went into this bus. ....

I love this company! I am actually thinking of keeping the front face of my bus yellow to represent the company proudly. They have in a short time stood out as excellence of service!

James

 

[cadillackid]

I love this company! I am actually thinking of keeping the front face of my bus yellow to represent the company proudly. They have in a short time stood out as excellence of service!

James

Bluebird has been great to me as well on mine... the fact all of us are effectively free advertising for their busses.. driving them around with shiny chrome thomas logo'sand pretty colored birds painted on the side.. I think they like the fact the busses are enjoying a long life...
-Christopher

 

[JamieJackson]

Bluebird has been great to me as well on mine... the fact all of us are effectively free advertising for their busses.. driving them around with shiny chrome thomas logo'sand pretty colored birds painted on the side.. I think they like the fact the busses are enjoying a long life...
-Christopher

Indeed!

James

 

[Twigg-SKO]

I love this company! I am actually thinking of keeping the front face of my bus yellow to represent the company proudly. They have in a short time stood out as excellence of service!

James

I am keeping the "Thomas Built" badges attached to the front, rear and side, and I plan on reproducing the vinyl transfer attached to the front of the roof. The old one will have to be removed for painting.

 

[jjhwick119]

i got a 5 page sheet just listing components and numbers. kinda surprised when i read a line "PARKING BRAKE OMIT"

 

[cadillackid]

i got a 5 page sheet just listing components and numbers. kinda surprised when i read a line "PARKING BRAKE OMIT"

do you have air brakes?

 

[o1marc]

do you have air brakes?

Kind of negates the need for E brake with air brakes that lock down.

 

[cadillackid]

Kind of negates the need for E brake with air brakes that lock down.

thats what I was thinking.. that the parking brake Omit is because the bus has air brakes on it..

 

[jjhwick119]

yes i have air brakes, but its still an air operated parking brake. i know it works, just didnt expect to see that