VERY new to the concept but hopeful

[BeeGuru439]

Evening All. Where to begin... I quit my job of 16 years because I was tired of all of the travel and just getting disgusted with the semiconductor industry kind of work. Tried to 'retire' early but it was like a yo-yo adjusting spending habits for a 90% pay cut. Moved back to my hometown (from NH to TX) where I do own a home but have been renting it out for the last few years. Moved in with the folks...temporarily; it's already been a year. I want to live outside of the city limits so I need to score a piece of land reasonably priced, with no restrictions. I don't want to acquire another vehicle to tow a tiny house...which finally leads up to the possibility of a skoolie!!

I honestly am inspired by this site and what everyone is doing with their projects and knowledge sharing. I want to convert into a livable long term bus. I however, don't know the in's and out's for this in the state of Texas. Requirements, tagging, registering, inspections, etc. I shot out on a 2hr journey just hours ago to lay hands on a 1992 Blue Bird that has already been converted to a 'tailgater/camping bus'. It was pretty sweet and I was kind of in awe but it does not have a/c, shower or toilet. Nice rear 10x10 covered, open air patio as well!! It has the 5.9L Cummins and AT545. I'm not sure of what I need to keep an eye out for as far as warning signs. He's asking around 10k. Appreciate any advice. :biggrin:

 

[BeeGuru439]

Also looking at a 1984 Ford B700 V8/AT. Advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

On that '84 Ford, more info needed. Is it a gas Ford engine or diesel? Trans will probably be an AT545. Gas engines (According to the Wiki) could either be the 370 or 429, V8 diesels with either be the Detroit 8.2 "Fuel Pincher" or 3208 Cat engine (neither are terribly desirable school bus engines). The gassers will be fuel hogs. Expect around 3-4 MPG with 'em in a full size bus.

The '92 BlueBird with a 5.9 and AT545 is somewhat better. The transmission isn't an ideal choice for much long distance cruising (it has no overdrive or lock-up torque converter) and will generate a lot of heat ascending hills - which the 5.9 will not do quickly. The 5.9 engine is generally pretty reliable, having 2 well known "Fatal Flaws". The first affects 1988-1998 engines, the Killer Dowel Pin (which can be corrected prior to failure, basically opening up the engine and removing the pin); the second is the "53 Block" affecting *SOME* '99-2002 models (all with a "53" block casting number, a visual check on the engine itself is necessary to ID it.) This flaw is basically a bad design on the block casting and cannot be corrected; a new block casting is the only fix.

A/C and plumbing can be added, if there's room and enough determination.

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

The 429, in all fairness, isn't a bad engine if you don't mind the fuel consumption. I worked for a fellow who had one in a bucket truck and he said that once you got it wound up on the highway, it'd pass anything but a gas station.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Welcome,

I would suggest looking a little further afield for a bus.

Have you looked at the auction sites? Govdeals.com and publicsurplus.com ?

For $10k I'll sell you my 2002 with 8.3 Cummins and MD3060. Registered as an RV. And, I'll deliver it to you in Texas......

In other words.....$10k is way too much for that bus.

Good luck with your search.

S.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Also looking at a 1984 Ford B700 V8/AT. Advice appreciated. Thanks.

That was my first bus, and it was given to me free. I wouldn't have another.

 

[BeeGuru439]

I like this one but the price seems too high? Fdbk appreciated.

1995 GMC Blue Bird ,Cat 3116 , Hydraulic brakes,10 seats,Wheel chair tie downs, 86610 miles CASH ONLY !!!! $6500 or best offer
33 passenger, 23100 GVWR

 

[Kesona Fyren]

Texas is actually a preferred domicile state for Skoolie/van dwellers, so while I don't know the particulars of Texas' regulations, I can tell you it'll be easier in Texas than many other states

 

[EastCoastCB]

I like this one but the price seems too high? Fdbk appreciated.

1995 GMC Blue Bird ,Cat 3116 , Hydraulic brakes,10 seats,Wheel chair tie downs, 86610 miles CASH ONLY !!!! $6500 or best offer
33 passenger, 23100 GVWR

No offense intended, but you should probably read through all the "what bus to buy" threads.
You're looking at LOW end buses. $6500 is ridiculous for a bus with an unpopular drivetrain with hydraulic brakes.

 

[BeeGuru439]

No offense taken at all. Still at the very beginning of this race. I had looked around for that kind of info here but maybe I didn't look well enough. Thanks for the heads up!! :biggrin:

 

[dan-fox]

I'd be interested in your past life, if you care to discuss. I live in Keene half the time, and DC half the time. I never knew "New Hampshire" and "semiconductor industry" went in the same sentence. PM me if you wish.

 

[BeeGuru439]

I lived in NH but worked in MA at a semiconductor company for close to two decades.

 

[BeeGuru439]

1997 International

Evening all. I stopped in and looked at a 97 International today. Still getting the details. VIN 1HVBBABL8VH474300 Has a 7.3L IH engine and Allison AT. Both A/C works, already repainted, still titled as a bus, air brakes, 196k miles. Overall good condition. Still working on determining exact AT. Asking $4995.

 

[Rusty-SKO]

Evening all. I stopped in and looked at a 97 International today. Still getting the details. VIN 1HVBBABL8VH474300 Has a 7.3L IH engine and Allison AT. Both A/C works, already repainted, still titled as a bus, air brakes, 196k miles. Overall good condition. Still working on determining exact AT. Asking $4995.

Little steep- Tire age/condition? Rust?

 

[Njsurf73]

Just one thing to add, the killer dowel pin is real, and real easy to fix. You buy a "kdp" kit and it gives you a tap to screw over the offending dowel pin. You have to remove the front timing cover. It's a definite diy job. The 53 block is a casting from Brasil (I think) that is a no go. It could last forever or blow a window into the block tomorrow. My bus had that block - and it was replaced in 2006 (I have a 2002 bluebird built in 01). I don't know if it was replaced for failure or for preventative reasons. But I got lucky. I didn't even know about it untill I started running numbers and my block came back as manufactured in 2006. An email to Cummins got me the info on the swap, but it just listed it as a warranty for the 53 block.

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