Should I Buy....2005 Thomas HDX

[EastCoastCB]

So, would this jury like this model....



Used 2003 Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX School Bus B24372-Used2003ThomasSaf T Liner HDX



I would like if it were SHORTER. Looking for <=38’

It absolutely LUDICROUSLY priced, but yeah that's the kinda drivetrain to look for.
At auction that bus would be maybe 3-5 grand.

 

[BartStephens]

Also it is a low roof model.

Ah ha! The plot thickens once again! I've learned a little about makes, models, engine placement, length, engine and transmission models,....and now there is roof height!?



Help me out. What is the deal here? I've seen converters refer to "roof raising" and just assumed these were owners who were tall or especially ambitious or whatever. We've rented RVs and Airstream trailers for years and never had any issue with ceiling height. I am 5'10" and my wife is 5'4".

FYI, we have *zero* interest in cutting and raising a roof. Also, we definitely do not want *any* challenges with bridge clearance. We are an adventure family and need a maneuverable bus.

Your comment leads me to believe that there is more to this than I've thought.

1. What is the deal with roof height?

2. How do you tell height? Is it in model number or specs, or do you tell from photos?

3. What "standard" heights are available?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Ah ha! The plot thickens once again! I've learned a little about makes, models, engine placement, length, engine and transmission models,....and now there is roof height!?



Help me out. What is the deal here? I've seen converters refer to "roof raising" and just assumed these were owners who were tall or especially ambitious or whatever. We've rented RVs and Airstream trailers for years and never had any issue with ceiling height. I am 5'10" and my wife is 5'4".

FYI, we have *zero* interest in cutting and raising a roof. Also, we definitely do not want *any* challenges with bridge clearance. We are an adventure family and need a maneuverable bus.

Your comment leads me to believe that there is more to this than I've thought.

1. What is the deal with roof height?

2. How do you tell height? Is it in model number or specs, or do you tell from photos?

3. What "standard" heights are available?

standard height is around 6'. I'm 5'10 and in a standard height bus I simply NEED a roof raise. My shorty is standard height, but its a cruiser not meant for full on conversion or living in.
Extra headroom models have around 6'4" or more.
If the rows of windows are lower or even with the drivers window its a standard headroom model. The taller windows give it away on high headroom models.
standard headroom-

high headroom-

 

[BartStephens]

standard height is around 6'. I'm 5'10 and in a standard height bus I simply NEED a roof raise. My shorty is standard height, but its a cruiser not meant for full on conversion or living in.
Extra headroom models have around 6'4" or more.
If the rows of windows are lower or even with the drivers window its a high headroom model. The taller windows give it away.
standard headroom-

high headroom-

Do the 6'4" "extra headroom" models have any clearance issues? Bridges? Etc?

How can you tell height when looking at buses online?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Do the 6'4" "extra headroom" models have any clearance issues? Bridges? Etc?

How can you tell height when looking at buses online?

Nah, no clearance issues.
HUGE roof raises would have issues, but even with a sensible 8-12 inch raise you'd be well under the maximum height.

One thing to note- buses scrape low lying branches and wires even without a roof raise. Residential and rural areas can require careful maneuvering/planning.

Look at the window lines on the buses I put in those pics. That's how you can look at the bus and tell.

 

[MarkyDee]

Nah, no clearance issues.
HUGE roof raises would have issues, but even with a sensible 8-12 inch raise you'd be well under the maximum height.

One thing to note- buses scrape low lying branches and wires even without a roof raise. Residential and rural areas can require careful maneuvering/planning.

Look at the window lines on the buses I put in those pics. That's how you can look at the bus and tell.

Maximum legal height is 13'6" on the outside. Most school buses come in much lower than that (hence a "roof raise"...).

And to clarify ECCB's posts about the pictures (sorry, ECCB, those pics are tiny...):
1. look at the door (if you are on the curb side) or the driver's window (if you are on the driver's side).
2. follow the glass up to the top of said door or window...
3. now, follow the top of the glass towards the back of the vehicle - to where the door / window ends.
4. If the top of the glass of the curb door or driver's window is at or above the top of the passenger windows, then the bus is a low-roof model (ECCB's first picture). If the top of the glass is below the top of the passenger windows, then the bus is a high-roof model (ECCB's second picture).

The high-roof models are the ones you want to be looking at.

 

[BartStephens]

Alright, since I have your attention and I'm getting great advice from the group, I want to flash up another bus...

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=220&acctid=8931

Thomas HDX
1997, so no weird wiring, vibrating mirrors, or emissions systems
High-Roof (or so it appears)
Cummins Engine
4,107 miles (but 7,863 tach hrs!?)

I wish I could get more images or details, but seller is not giving much up.

I could find a local diesel mechanic to run out and inspect.

Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Concerns?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Alright, since I have your attention and I'm getting great advice from the group, I want to flash up another bus...

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=220&acctid=8931

Thomas HDX
1997, so no weird wiring, vibrating mirrors, or emissions systems
High-Roof (or so it appears)
Cummins Engine
4,107 miles (but 7,863 tach hrs!?)

I wish I could get more images or details, but seller is not giving much up.

I could find a local diesel mechanic to run out and inspect.

Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Concerns?

Is that the one that another member bought and couldn't get started even with 2 mechanic visits in 2 days?

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Alright, since I have your attention and I'm getting great advice from the group, I want to flash up another bus...

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=220&acctid=8931

Thomas HDX
1997, so no weird wiring, vibrating mirrors, or emissions systems
High-Roof (or so it appears)
Cummins Engine
4,107 miles (but 7,863 tach hrs!?)

I wish I could get more images or details, but seller is not giving much up.

I could find a local diesel mechanic to run out and inspect.

Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Concerns?

Not enough info on that one.

It is a Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP RE. It is not an HDX

It probably has the mechanical Cummins 8.3L and either an MT643 or MD3060 transmission. (It has a Cummins engine, and putting the 5.9 in that bus makes no sense).

It does have the high ceiling.

It's worth asking questions about, but it's already close to what it is worth looking at the bidding. It's one of those worth having, but it's likely to go over-priced.

True mileage is likely around 150-175k miles.

 

[o1marc]

Alright, since I have your attention and I'm getting great advice from the group, I want to flash up another bus...

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=220&acctid=8931

Thomas HDX
1997, so no weird wiring, vibrating mirrors, or emissions systems
High-Roof (or so it appears)
Cummins Engine
4,107 miles (but 7,863 tach hrs!?)

I wish I could get more images or details, but seller is not giving much up.

I could find a local diesel mechanic to run out and inspect.

Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Concerns?

4,107 miles? 200 miles a year?

 

[Gustav]

I asked what model Cummins was in it and they replied "six cycles". Take it from there.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

I asked what model Cummins was in it and they replied "six cycles". Take it from there.

That sounds like a clerk reading "6C"

That would actually be a Cummins 6CTA250-8.3L

One of the best engines ever put in a school bus .... it still needs to be running properly.

 

[o1marc]

That sounds like a clerk reading "6C"

That would actually be a Cummins 6CTA250-8.3L

One of the best engines ever put in a school bus .... it still needs to be running properly.

I think it's spellcheck doing it's thing and they meant "cylinders"

 

[BartStephens]

Not enough info on that one.

It is a Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP RE. It is not an HDX

It probably has the mechanical Cummins 8.3L and either an MT643 or MD3060 transmission. (It has a Cummins engine, and putting the 5.9 in that bus makes no sense).

It does have the high ceiling.

It's worth asking questions about, but it's already close to what it is worth looking at the bidding. It's one of those worth having, but it's likely to go over-priced.

True mileage is likely around 150-175k miles.

“True Mileage” huh? What is that about? Are they replacing odometers on these things? Is that a common practice?

 

[EastCoastCB]

“True Mileage” huh? What is that about? Are they replacing odometers on these things? Is that a common practice?

The gauges on buses are really crappy and thus they break and get changed out pretty often. Especially Navistar/IC gauges.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

“True Mileage” huh? What is that about? Are they replacing odometers on these things? Is that a common practice?

It has over 7000 hours on the engine. I have a similar bus set up for activity use and at 5500 hours it has 102000 miles.

 

[Thor-SKO]

Older engines

I can say in trucking that most people that are looking for older unit look for 2003 or older. 2004 was the first year of EGR. That's when problems really started. CAT then made the accert motor. They had so many issues the completely withdrew from the industry.
I wouldn't go so old that it has a mechanical engine. The electronic fuel injection engines made leaps and bounds of improvement in fuel economy.I'm speaking for my knowledge of the trucking industry, class 8 semi trucks. I'm sure that most of that would carry over to the buses.