shuttle bus conversion??

[abuswithnoname]

hey all -

first time poster, new to the forum. i’ve decided, even though i have no experience with stuff like this, it was time for me to convert a bus and hit the road. i’m ready to get to work as soon as i can find the right bus. but i’m pretty much in over my head mechanically and hoping i might find a little guidance here.

specifically, i found this bus here. i love the look and the size ( i want to be under 30ft). it’s already gutted, which is nice. they say it runs great and the tires are in good shape. i’ll confirm that and have a mechanic have a look at it. it’s a late nineties freightleiner shuttl bus, with a cummins diesel (5.9 i think) and allison transition. there are 137k miles. is this the sort of thing that’d be good for s conversion? are there potential problems with this type of rig? why is it that school buses are more common than shuttle buses like this? will it have ended enough power? what am i missing?

would you recommend i go i’m a different direction?

i appreciate your help.

thanks!

 

[CaptSquid]

I'd go for it. This looks like an excellent beginner's conversion.

 

[pbeggs]

if that drives well and has little or no rust I think it would be ok for a conversion

school buses are more common because there are a lot more of them in the world,..

that shuttle looks cool has almost an RV appearance already,.. I can't speak for engine /drivetrain (ford gas shuttle myself) that depends on your anticipated terrain,.. mountains? plains? florida? alaska? all those factors change what will work or what you can get away with.

welcome to the forum we like as much info/pictures as possible but someone here can usually answer any questions you have

 

[Johnny Mullet]

That is a sweet looking shuttle bus, it's not yellow, and good engine/trans combo.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Mighty low to the ground. Best keep it on asphalt. Or get an air lift system.

 

[abuswithnoname]

i like that idea, how practical/affordable is an airlift system?

 

[Tango-SKO]

Usually not all that bad if you do the work yourself but I'd price it out ahead of time being vehicle specific.

 

[joeblack5]

Maybe it has air in the front and it is just low because deflated. Did you drive it? Can you see the springs or bags?


Later j

 

[BlackJohn]

Is that pic not a kneeling position? Must have airbags, worth checking out.
I noticed one yesterday so it looked higher as he wasn't kneeling but at a stop light.


John

 

[Rovobay]

interesting ride. I am also curious about the low stance, but if there are air bags then it could be good. unique looking. should be fun!