New purchase advice

[Kinson]

Hey fellas! Let's try this again with round two. It is not exactly what I had my heart set on, but it may just work out. Did I find a decent one? Did I mess up big-time? Please let me know any thoughts, pro's, cons, advice for pickup, etc. This is about an hour and forty minutes away. I looked at the underside pictures of a sister bus with double the miles and the rust seemed light. Thanks guys.

Description: 1996 International 3800 BUS, 7.3L V8 OHV 16V DIESEL
Instrument Bus With Shelving And Some Seats Removed
International 444E
Manual 6 Speed
On Spot Automatic Chains
Starts With A Boost
Runs Good Mechanically Sound
No Check Engine Light Or Warning Lights
No Leaks
Tires Good
Body Fair Condition
Floor Good

 

[magnakansas]

I dont see any scary stuff

tires, under body, engine/trans, high roof, and I dig the stairs at the rear.

looks good to me.

william

 

[musigenesis]

That looks pretty sweet. No signs of serious rust at all. What is the asking price?

 

[Kinson]

That looks pretty sweet. No signs of serious rust at all. What is the asking price?

I bought it already at $3k plus fees. The sister bus went for half, but it had double the miles and a few oil leaks I believe. Seems like an ok trade-off.

 

[musigenesis]

I bought it already at $3k plus fees.

:bow:

That's a huge win. I think the fact that the underside looks so good despite being around snow bad enough to need chains is a sign that this school district (or college?) took good care of its buses. Probably the only negative about your bus is that the engine is considered by some to be a little underpowered for a full size, but everything else about this is pretty fantastic.

 

[BamaBus]

Hey fellas! Let's try this again with round two. It is not exactly what I had my heart set on, but it may just work out. Did I find a decent one? Did I mess up big-time? Please let me know any thoughts, pro's, cons, advice for pickup, etc. This is about an hour and forty minutes away. I looked at the underside pictures of a sister bus with double the miles and the rust seemed light. Thanks guys.

The listing also stated the service records were available, so call before you go and make sure they have these ready. If they say they are electronic ask if they can print them. The records will help verify the mileage, not that internationals are ever wrong. Check the oil and coolant levels after visual inspection of the tires. Watch out for the back end swing. Which insurance company are you using?

:bow:

Probably the only negative about your bus is that the engine is considered by some to be a little underpowered for a full size, but everything else about this is pretty fantastic.

At least there is no AT545 to cook the engine!

 

[Kinson]

The listing also stated the service records were available, so call before you go and make sure they have these ready. If they say they are electronic ask if they can print them. The records will help verify the mileage, not that internationals are ever wrong. Check the oil and coolant levels after visual inspection of the tires. Watch out for the back end swing. Which insurance company are you using?



At least there is no AT545 to cook the engine!

I asked specifically about the miles and they confirmed they were accurate. They also said the maintenance records are inside the bus, so I will confirm when I see them. They are topping off fluids and charging battery for removal tomorrow. I have Nationwide for normal car insurance. New purchases being covered is policy specific or company specific? Thanks, Pat.

 

[BamaBus]

I asked specifically about the miles and they confirmed they were accurate. They also said the maintenance records are inside the bus, so I will confirm when I see them. They are topping off fluids and charging battery for removal tomorrow. I have Nationwide for normal car insurance. New purchases being covered is policy specific or company specific? Thanks, Pat.

From the looks of things I don't doubt the mileage claim. The actual records will help the value if resold. Confirm with your agent about the policy you have since this is not a replacement or the same type of vehicle. I read my old progressive commercial policy one way about a new to me bus and they read it another, in their favor of course.

 

[Kinson]

Got her home with no issues. Time to get myself back into the loop.

 

[musigenesis]

Whereabouts in PA are you?

 

[HamSkoolie]

You're gonna love your DT444E engine. It's the same as in the Ford PowerStroke pickups with a few differences. Be sure to hit the dieselstop forums and read up on the cooling system requirements. That's a maintenance MUST DO to prevent early death of the engine. Other than that, change your oil when you should and you've got an engine with a B50 or half a million miles, a rating for up to 75,000 GVW.....AND A STICK.


I've got a 96 AmTran (international) with the DT444E and my 2002 F350 has the same engine.

Those OnSpots are about a $2000 (installed) option and so 3 grand for the bus with a 2 grand auto chain option (mines got them as well) is a good deal.


I'm not so sure about those wheels though. No experience with those except on some farm equipment and I'm not sure I'd keep them but I don't know what it takes to swap them out with something more modern.

 

[peteg59]

Check the tires.
G159 Goodyears are worth $500.00/each no matter their condition, if they are on it...
Check it out: https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f15/goodyear-recall-on-rv-tires-39518.html#post474024

 

[mmoore6856]

the rear tires are recaps

 

[Kinson]

Whereabouts in PA are you?

Sorry been a little busy. I'm an hour north of Pittsburgh.

 

[dozr62]

That’s what I have although I have a 97 with Alison automatic . You should check your glow plug relay it’s on the drive side directly left of the fuel filter just try jumping from the large hot to the small hot you should hear it click. I sure wish mine had the manual 6 speed

 

[dozr62]

I was looking at mine and if I raise the roof I would cut it above the window behind the driver seat and gradually lift it up as I go back stretching it just enough not to buckle or splitting loosening the inside roof panel screws giving a little more flexibility

 

[Kinson]

I was looking at mine and if I raise the roof I would cut it above the window behind the driver seat and gradually lift it up as I go back stretching it just enough not to buckle or splitting loosening the inside roof panel screws giving a little more flexibility

Yea I'm not sure about a raise. I am a big guy and can currently stand in the center aisle only with the high roof. I'll have to think about it a bit before I decide. I appreciate the tips.

I am trying to determine the model of Spicer they put in the bus. I crawled underneath to take a look and only saw "51061 FS" wrote on the side. The only mention of it in the records is "Spicer 6 speed". I noticed a few digits stamped into the transmission in the pictures I took of the above number, so I will take a closer look. It has 6 gears with first being a granny gear. Top speed was 62-63mph, but I think that is the governed speed. Rear ratio is 4.78 with Goodyear G149 tires. I am wondering what a lower ratio will do to the granny gear and drivability. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[cadillackid]

10R22.5 would give you close to 62-63 at 2500-2600 RPM which is all that engine will do... 11R22.5 tires you should get a little closer to 65 at 2600 RPM

 

[Kinson]

10R22.5 would give you close to 62-63 at 2500-2600 RPM which is all that engine will do... 11R22.5 tires you should get a little closer to 65 at 2600 RPM

I thought they were 11R22.5's and just confirmed. So my only options are rear end swap or see if removing the governor will add enough speed. I don't think it was over 2450rpm during the trip so maybe that will be enough.

 

[cadillackid]

running a T444E at maximum RPM makes a lot of noise and heat and kills the MPG.. with 6 gears id probably gear up a couple notches.. knowing that for hill climbing you can downshift a gear or 2.. a 4.44 gear driven at 65 would put the engine in a range where it more likes to be.