Potential Buy - thoughts? International 01 DT 530 40ft

[Phillip14]

Hey all. I've been researching for the past few months and found a bus I'm excited about but like to hear everyone's opinions. Wasn't sure where to post this question, so its here and another spot.

It is a 2001 international flat nose rear engine with a DT530 engine and an Allison transmission (uncertain model currently). Tires are 7 and 6 years old, so probably need to be replaced. They had just finished a roof raise with a professional welder who also is a diesel mechanic. It was raised so the inside is now in the middle 86" and the ends 78". All windows taken out and bars welded to the side to start the process of a roof deck. Has been sitting for a couple years but was moved and had the fuel pump fixed before. All seats out , floor and ceiling gutted and there was very little rust which has been fixed and floor has been rust treated. New single 8d battery and was in school rotation till bought 3 years ago with 259k miles, which all checked out on car fax report. Asking is 13k

Thoughts? Thank you advance. I am interested and feel lots of bonus here. I like the raise is done and the DT530 engine along with it being a the rear pusher. I'm a carpenter and zero welding experience but I would hire someone to help with putting new windows in.

 

[o1marc]

Great bus and drive train. IMHO, $13k is a bit steep. Have any pics?

 

[Phillip14]

Great bus and drive train. IMHO, $13k is a bit steep. Have any pics?

Yeah I Thought the same thing. I am going to ask for more photos so I can put them up. They sent some, but cant download them. If it is what it is and I can get it down to maybe the $9500 range I would be very interested. Any worries otherwise, and I understand without photos hard to know

 

[jimmythomas]

That fact that it has been sitting, and partially completed (where does this wire go? ) are reasons not to pay full price.
What climate was it sitting in?

 

[Phillip14]

Thanks Jimmy good question. It has been in Arizona.
Those are not reasons I want to buy it at all actually, I do like that it has already had a roof raise, but thats really all that is done that I care, the other part (stripping the flooring) is really not a big thing. I do not want to pay more, I do like the bus type, engine, and condition from what I can tell.

Appreciate the question! It was in the public school in Arizona and taken out of service in 2018

 

[o1marc]

I think it would be closer to fair if you can get it for $9500, being what places are charging for roof raises.

 

[Phillip14]

Found dream

Thank you both for your thoughts. I agree the officer is too sleep for me.

I'm in the process of gathering information and visiting a bus bring retired from fleet.
2002 blue bird school bus with 165,000 mi a 8.3 Cummins engine and Allison transmission, storage underneath, rear engine pusher and automatic tire chains. So far pictures show it in great condition with no rust otherwise I'm going to go view it shortly. Probably needs new battery and new tires but if I can get cheap enough I would do it. This would be a much better bet for me and I can do a rephrase on my own and I've only heard amazing things about the 8.3 Cummins engine and there's a chance I could get it under $5,000 talking with them now

 

[WIbluebird]

Thank you both for your thoughts. I agree the officer is too sleep for me.

I'm in the process of gathering information and visiting a bus bring retired from fleet.
2002 blue bird school bus with 165,000 mi a 8.3 Cummins engine and Allison transmission, storage underneath, rear engine pusher and automatic tire chains. So far pictures show it in great condition with no rust otherwise I'm going to go view it shortly. Probably needs new battery and new tires but if I can get cheap enough I would do it. This would be a much better bet for me and I can do a rephrase on my own and I've only heard amazing things about the 8.3 Cummins engine and there's a chance I could get it under $5,000 talking with them now

That's a great deal, even factoring in that it may need new tires. Especially if it's a factory high roof.

I have a 2001 Blue Bird AARE with the 8.3 and it is a fantastic bus!

 

[musigenesis]

2002 blue bird school bus with 165,000 mi a 8.3 Cummins engine and Allison transmission, storage underneath, rear engine pusher and automatic tire chains. So far pictures show it in great condition with no rust otherwise I'm going to go view it shortly. Probably needs new battery and new tires but if I can get cheap enough I would do it. This would be a much better bet for me and I can do a rephrase on my own and I've only heard amazing things about the 8.3 Cummins engine and there's a chance I could get it under $5,000 talking with them now

If that has an MD3060 transmission (which it probably does) it's a "Holy Grail". Those go in the neighborhood of ten grand lately.

 

[Phillip14]

My thoughts exactly, I am going to go look at it, if I can get it, and it is not totally rusted and is running enough to at least get back home I am going to go with this for sure. Not sure interior height, learning more soon when I go look at it in person with a diesel mechanic, I am not expert, but I am ok hiring one to come with me.

So good to know WIBlueBird like your blue bird, don't know about height inside, but that would be great if so, I would probably still replace windows, but nice if I don't need a roof raise, even if I do, I still would go for it

 

[Phillip14]

Ok so it has an Allison 3000 6 speed automatic transmission
Floor to ceiling in middle is little more than 6ft and sides is 5 1/2 ft
Tires 5 years old and batteries same
Some rust on the under-storage boxes, but not much I am told

Overall sounds great, if I can get it for the right amount, going to go see it in person. I will probably do a roof raise now, but thats ok too!
Thank you all for your thoughts

 

[musigenesis]

Ok so it has an Allison 3000 6 speed automatic transmission

Holy Grail! It's a low ceiling, but the high ceiling model would only be about 3" or 4" taller anyway, still probably not enough to get by without a roof raise unless you're shorter than 5'10" or so (or aren't planning to insulate).

 

[Phillip14]

Yeah I think I'll do a roof raise of it all looks good, feels like the perfect bus I've been waiting for!

 

[rossvtaylor]

On that tranny, even though it's got the potential for 6 gears you should verify that it's programmed to use the 6th gear. Put it in drive and see if the red LED display shows a 5 or a 6. If it's 5, you can get the 6th gear programmed to be accessible...but it's a bit of a pain. Definitely not a dealbreaker, though! We have a 8.3/MD3060 combo in our Freightliner and it will cruise at 80 if we want (we don't).

 

[Bus'n it]

Ross do you have someone you know who can program the TCU if I removed it and sent it to you? Better yet, if I get the bus road worthy, I may take a drive up just to visit you! My initial shakedown cruise of 15 mies revealed a weak radiator.

 

[Phillip14]

On that tranny, even though it's got the potential for 6 gears you should verify that it's programmed to use the 6th gear. Put it in drive and see if the red LED display shows a 5 or a 6. If it's 5, you can get the 6th gear programmed to be accessible...but it's a bit of a pain. Definitely not a dealbreaker, though! We have a 8.3/MD3060 combo in our Freightliner and it will cruise at 80 if we want (we don't).

Thank you for this! I will ask and check on it myself..I am excited about this one potentially

Now I just have to hire someone or find a way to drive it through Colorado without a CDL

 

[rossvtaylor]

Ross do you have someone you know who can program the TCU if I removed it and sent it to you? Better yet, if I get the bus road worthy, I may take a drive up just to visit you! My initial shakedown cruise of 15 mies revealed a weak radiator.

I don't have the ability to do it myself, but I do have an actual Nexiq and have contact with the "Allison Master" who can do it. I have a laptop dedicated to just this use. If you do come up, we can let him work his magic and the only cost would be his charge.