can someone tell me ballpark value of this bus looks complete. was running when taken out of service in 2003 1991 Orion 29 Passenger Bus. 6V92 Detroit Diesel Engine. Allison HTB748 Automatic?
what model Orion?
as with most transits, I would not go over 5k...as there are thousands to choose from.
keep in mind Transits make "challenging" conversion products and many are not geared for highway speeds nor do they have tiures capable of extended high speed runs
this equals $$ for regearing and tires at minimum
And it has been sitting for 4-5 years?
Discount by another 50% on the cash.
Rode hard, put away wet, and allowed to molder...
Parked on gravel or dirt....brakes will be rusted on, lots of rust on the front drums, lots of damp in the engine room....
As long as you are prepared.... Better to find something that came out of service last week/month?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I'd stay away from it too. 8)
Another basic question - from what transit system? Running when taken out of service may not mean much, there was a story of one system that would make pullout by pushing buses out the gate. Don't get me wrong, some systems have excellent maintenance, but some other systems have had chronic issues with the maintenance department over the years.
Contact me off the board if you want, to see if I'm familiar with the original owner. In case it is a system (client, former client) that has or had issues, I wouldn't answer that question in a public forum.
Arthur
I bought a transit because I didn't have the money to buy a highway bus. I paid $4000. Granted the conversion side was harder, but not impossible since I have all that I need in it, but the drivetrain was a bugger to get to the point it is now. All in all, first I had the small 55 injectors increased to 65's (8V-71N), 5.57 rear axle ratio changed to 4.56, greased wheel bearings changed to oil, jake brake installed, 12R-22.5 changed to 11R-24.5. Then after converting, discovered the engine had been overhauled in a sloppy method and had the engine overhauled at my shop. A bit later had the air assist steering replaced with Sheppard hydraulic, 8 air bags replaced. Not satisfied with the high altitude performance (too much smoke and not enough power) had the engine turbocharged by Don Fairchild in Bakersfield. This included having an custom air to air intercooler made, increasing the size of the radiator, changing the muffler and air cleaner, adding an auxiliary transmission cooler, having the transmission overhauled, adding cooling vents to the engine compartment, 15 misters to the radiator. All in all, I've spent about $36,000 in mechanical upgrades. The best is to find a bus with exactly the power train you want rather than having to deal with upgrading to what you want. With the initial $4000 I paid plus the $36,000 over the last 15 years, I could have had a more up to date bus probably with a Series 60 and World transmission. My next RV is probably going to use my truck with a 3406 Cat with my 13 spd changed to an Allison HT740 so I can have a rear garage with the capability to tow a large boat behind. Good Luck, TomC
TomC: Just curious as to why you changed the wheel bearings to oil and if this was just the front axle or both.
Transit buses use grease bearings since they usually don't go over 55 mph. I just use the example of what over the road big trucks use-virtually all use oil bearings-that's why I changed mine. I know that high speed/high temp greases are made now for highway speeds. Good Luck, TomC
Tom: Was your drive axle already oil lubricated bearings or did you have to change them too?
The drive axle is like a truck axle and oil lubricated with the gear oil. Good Luck, TomC