What kind of milage can be expected?

[Cjwaln@yahoo.com]

Looking at buying a desiel powers bus, what kind of milage can be expected?

 

[CaptainInsaneo]

Well that really depends on your budget, but its safe to say between 0 and 400,000.

 

[austin1989us]

If by mileage you mean fuel economy then it depends on a lot of things. 8-10 mpg seems to be typical. A couple weeks ago I took a 300 mile trip in my half converted 9 window (26') flat nosed blue bird with 5.9 cummins, AT545 transmission, and 4.33 rear end and I got about 10.5 mpg staying around 2,500 rpm / 68 mph most of the ride. I've still got a couple thousand pounds to add to the bus before I'm done converting. Hopefully I'll stay in the 9-10 mpg range once I'm done converting.

 

[johnbloem1974]

I drove my bus (9-window DT466e/AT545) back from Florida to Texas (+/-1300 miles) and got about 9MPG. I must have a different rear end than Austin1989bus as I was doing 55MPH @ 2400RPM's. Granted, I couldn't go faster even if I wanted to as it is electronically governed at 55MPH. Hope to get that removed soon...

 

[austin1989us]

I drove my bus (9-window DT466e/AT545) back from Florida to Texas (+/-1300 miles) and got about 9MPG. I must have a different rear end than Austin1989bus as I was doing 55MPH @ 2400RPM's. Granted, I couldn't go faster even if I wanted to as it is electronically governed at 55MPH. Hope to get that removed soon...

I wouldn't feel comfortable going over 2,500 rpms. There's another skoolie in the storage unit where I park mine, and he destroyed his engine trying to go fast in a bus with the wrong rear end.

Top speed is a function of the RPM, tire size, ring gear and pinion ratio, and transmission final gear ratio. Our buses had the same rpm and transmission final gear ratio. I've got 11Rx22.5 tires. If you've got the same size tires as me then you've got a 5.something rear end.

Here's a calculator: Speed Potential Calculator For Ring Gear And Pinion Changes

 

[johnbloem1974]

Do you have any idea what the cost would be to get a different rear end in? I haven't been able to find a good answer...

 

[austin1989us]

I have no idea what it'd cost. It could be a lot if you buy new parts and pay someone to install them. It could be a lot cheaper if you find used parts and install them yourself.

 

[CaptainInsaneo]

OH MPG, in that case, ITS A BUS who cares about mpg. Lets look at the numbers, NY, NY to LA, CA its about 2800 miles. Assuming $3/gallon
@10mpg its 280G of diesel= $840 good modern bus
@9mpg its 311G of diesel = $933 Average bus/ modern Detroit diesel
@8mpg its 350G of diesel= $1050 Vintage bus
@7mpg its 400G of diesel= $1200 Vintage Detroit Diesel
@6mpg its 466G of diesel=$1400 bus with problems
plane ticket one way is about is $225
car with 30 highway mpg $3/G would be 93G of gas and $280
It would also be 46.5 hours on driving time @60mph

Yes it would be expensive to drive from ny to la. How many times would you really do that?
If you are concerned about MPG while seeing the country I would suggest something like a prius or nice TDI vw (better performance and mileage but worse for environment). Tire pressure, Tire condition, road condition, and loads will all change all of these things. I doubt most road trips are this long round trip. If you are not taking a tow vehicle you probably won't still drive your bus to get dinner or to the grocery store (unless it is en route). Think of driving a bus conversion in part as driving a home/hotel room on wheels not just a vehicle.