We're looking for a bus to convert to an RV. I looked at a couple of 1992 Carpenter/Ford 71 passenger buses this last weekend. Both identical, Cummins 5.9 with Allison three speed automatics. Bus #1 had 135k miles, new tires and good batteries but had an air brake leak. It took some time for the air pressure to build and release the brakes. Body had a few minor dings. I test drove it and was disappointed in the performance. It had atough time getting up to 55 mph. I would have thought the 5.9 would have performed better.
Bus #2 had a cleaner body and engine bay, rear tires dry cracked and dead batteries.
Both were offered at around $2000.

I'm wondering if #1 had a fuel filter plugged. It would be difficult to merge with it's sluggish performance.

Other option is a 94 Blue Bird with a 7.3L diesel with around 100K. I've yet to look at it, maybe this next weekend.

Here's the plan...
http://www.vonslatt.com/bus-main.shtml

I've got a Bluebird Wanderlodge. Not a real school bus but pretty close. Mine has a CAT 3208NA. It's pretty slow but I have never driven a 5.9 Cummins in a 35k lb vehicle so I can't make the comparison. I'd be concerned about a 3 spd. 4+ gears would be better.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Title showed this one at 16K lbs. My old 1 ton 5.9 farm truck tows my heavy tractor to hwy speeds just fine and it has nearly 400K miles on it. I just think the bus should have performed better than it did. It had a tough time with the slightest uphill grades. It would be very stressful driving any distance.

A Cat powered pusher would be ideal but I suspect they are rare.

Not sure the Cat pusher would be much better. Mine is a forward control which are far more common. I'm down to 18mph on steep grades sometimes, although on Raton Pass I think I can climb most of the way in 3rd and only get down to 2nd for the last half mile or so.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I used to have a '79 Chevy C-60 (or C6000, can't remember exactly). It had a 366 with a 5 spd. manual transmission. Not a bad monster. Never understood how it always ran so well. As for driving it, it wasn't at all bad. The biggest thing you have to watch for is the tail entering the other lane when turning because it hangs out so far past the rear wheels.

We converted it to an RV. It never had running water, but we got all the seats out and put down carpet, installed an entertainment center, and put in about 4 or 5 couches. It was a full-size bus and probably would have seated about 50 something kids, possibly 60. I can't remember now. There are quite a few people that have made the conversion. I did it when I was about 19 with 3 other friends. Insuring it can be a huge pain, so start doing some research now. That was our biggest problem.

Regards,

David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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For just a few miles, I drove a '60 Bluebird 72-passenger bus that was converted. The brakes leaked, which really made for a rather unpleasant drive. You had to really watch the air pressure.

The old Cummins 5.9 can be turned up pretty easy, they probably de-tuned it for the bus service.
I drove a C60-based bus with the Detroit 8.2, man that thing sucked. It didn't help that CT had the shortest on-ramps in the world, but I was lucky to be doing 40 by the end of the ramp.

Dan - are you fixed in to a school bus chassis? I have some 90's TMC's Single Axle, Detroit, Air ride, Automatic coaches we are going to move out of the fleet this year.

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No, it's just a school bus is within budget. They seem to be pretty cheap for a decent platform. Much rather have a coach if I could find a deal. We need to talk.

They're shining you on about the title saying 16K weight. I run a fleet of Freightliner MT-45 chassis delivery trucks. They are basically empty shells and are 27 feet long bumper to bumper. They're tagged at 14K, we're pushing the limit on occasion and we're delivering baked goods not lead pipes.

The 5.9 won't cut it in the bus chassis. The 3 spd is a big drawback also. My guys are running 5 speed Eaton manuals with a 4.10 diff. and they're topping out at about 68 M.P.H.

The DT 466 series International/Navistar engines seem to be pretty peppy in the school bus set-ups.

I have.

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For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

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Not surprised to see you driving the "short" bus!

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'86 300E 5 speed
'71 Triumph TR6
'46 Cushman Scooter
'41 Ford 9N tractor

What is your $ budget?

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

I've researched this project for myself and I would go either of 2 ways:

1. Thomas body on an internaional chassis powered by a DT466 with wither allison or a manual tranny.

2. GMC RTS city bus with a 5 sp. Allison conversion and highway gears.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Buddies of mine built one with an old MCI coach. Big Detroit Diesel motor in back. Ran pretty good. Weighed something like 36,000lbs.