New member looking for bus suggestions

[Mercuric Mind]

Hi All,

I'm planning on purchasing a used school short bus for conversion and would like some suggestions of what to look for and what to look out for in my search. Info or links to auction sites would be helpful as well. I would like to convert it to 4x4 I know there is an upfitter that does these conversions, https://tulsatruckmfg.com/index.fsp?avs_what=schoolbus. I may use them IDK.

Thanks and cheers.

 

[dzl_]

I think the easiest / cheapest to convert would be one of the ford cutaways. There is a large aftermarket for the ford E-Series and several upfitters including one company that sells DIY or partial DIY kids (Ujoint Offroad). I do think a 4x4 conventional schoolie would be very cool though, there was one for sale in Mendocino a while back, 6 window international 4x4.

 

[Mercuric Mind]

Thanks DLZ I will look into that.

 

[Mercuric Mind]

I know I need to settle on a chassis / platform before getting carried away with the minutiae. Currently I'am thinking of a 29 passenger IC CE mid / short bus, or something similar. My belief is that the heavier duty chassis will be more road worthy than a van chassis once it is fully loaded up with stuff.

 

[dzl_]

My belief is that the heavier duty chassis will be more road worthy than a van chassis once it is fully loaded up with stuff.

I would think so too. Or at least more robust.


On the flip side, the heavier duty/stiffer springs, heavier weight, etc might not perform as well off road. But I suppose it depends on the type of 4x4 driving you intend to do.