Too much rust?

[cowlitzcoach]

Here is a bus in Spokane, WA: https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/59e6762db7b89d0fb75e0b23/

Here is a bus in Auburn, WA: https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/5a5693507735fe7929248602/

And here is a bus in Libby, MT: https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/59e67632ebd1ab23a80a8cb2/

I doubt any of these three buses will have any appreciable rust anywhere in the body, frame, or chassis.

 

[Rovobay]

my reaction when I see all the rust.... run

 

[cowlitzcoach]

If you don't mind a Cat engine, here is a link to a couple of Thomas HDX with Cat 3126 engines and luggage compartments. They will be in service through June of this year so they have to still be in good shape. And since they have seen service in ID the odds of them having any rust is slim to none.

https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/59e67632ebd1ab23a80a8cb2/

There are some other Type 'C' buses available with Cummins power as well.

Most seem to be very reasonably priced for the age, miles, and condition.

 

[John.Smith-SKO]

I bought my bus for 1500,

It's been a long project just taking care of the rust it has. I can show you a few pictures of what we are in the process of doing.




This rust is not near as bad as the one you are looking at.



I work around 70+ hours a week, so this project is months long.



The amount of work that I am putting into this bus is rewarding. I've purchased a ton of new tools and a welder which has also provided a valuable experience.

So for my first bus,
Cheap, a little rust, some new tools, and a vast amount of experience = worth it to me.


That being said, I will never do it again. You can get a rusty bus for cheaper, but your time alone is way more valuable than the money you save. Then you add in the consumables (grinding wheels, cutoff wheels, sanding discs, wire wheels), and all the tools you will either have to buy or ruin by countless hours of use.

Judging by the rust on the outside of your bus, I would guess the frame behind the wheels is in really rough shape.


Good luck with the decision, I hope you find a fruitful project that you will enjoy!

 

[cowlitzcoach]

If you don't mind a Cat engine, here is a link to a couple of Thomas HDX with Cat 3126 engines and luggage compartments. They will be in service through June of this year so they have to still be in good shape. And since they have seen service in ID the odds of them having any rust is slim to none.

https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/59e67632ebd1ab23a80a8cb2/

There are some other Type 'C' buses available with Cummins power as well.

Most seem to be very reasonably priced for the age, miles, and condition.

Silly me, I inserted the wrong link to Western Mountain Bus and Auto Sales in Nampa, ID.

Here is the correct link: https://www.westernmountain.com/inventory.aspx?dcbs=21,23

 

[LBaker-SKO]

Here is a bus in Spokane, WA: https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/59e6762db7b89d0fb75e0b23/

Here is a bus in Auburn, WA: https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/5a5693507735fe7929248602/

And here is a bus in Libby, MT: https://harlowsbussales.com/inventory/59e67632ebd1ab23a80a8cb2/

I doubt any of these three buses will have any appreciable rust anywhere in the body, frame, or chassis.

Thanks so much for posting these... I'll check them out!

 

[jjhwick119]

That seems like a good price on the one in Libby.

That MVP in auburn looks really nice too, but id want to see the service records with that mileage. assuming that it saying hours 334586 is actually the mileage

 

[o1marc]

Thanks so much for posting these... I'll check them out!

The one in Libby looks like a decent bus for the money. Good drive train and it has air horns.

 

[BRAGeorgia]

Stay away from rust. I bought a bus rust and wouldn't do it again. And from the looks of it your potential bus has wayyy more rust than mine did.