Would make a great conversion

peterbylt · August 26, 2016, 06:46:58 AM

Just happened to be looking through this auction site and found this.

This would be good starting point for a conversion.
Already has a lot of the big ticket items included.

http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/all,az/auction/view?auc=1671836

Peter

chessie4905 · August 26, 2016, 07:53:17 AM

Going to be pretty noisy with that engine up front. Limited underneath storage.

Utahclaimjumper · August 26, 2016, 09:20:20 AM

That was the main problem with the early "birds", so noisey you can't hear speech above 35 MPH and NO storage unless on the roof.>>>Dan

CrabbyMilton · August 26, 2016, 09:38:04 AM

Looks nice. Noise might be an issue but if one is making just short trips or if it's stationary more often than not, it may be a good buy. Then again, class A and C motorhomes have the engine in front.
Slip a FORD V10 in and then you have a nice smooth engine.

Utahclaimjumper · August 27, 2016, 01:26:39 PM

+One good feature I see is the turbo at 250 horsepower. the early ones were NA at 225 horse and were dogs.>>>Dan

Geoff · August 27, 2016, 06:00:16 PM

I would have liked to been paid to be the converter of that bus-- it must have cost the city of Scottsdale a small fortune.

--Geoff

Jim Eh. · August 27, 2016, 06:30:15 PM

How much different would this be vs a Dodge PU with a 5.9 for noise?

chessie4905 · August 27, 2016, 07:10:40 PM

All the engine is behind the dash, not 1/2 like a pickup. And they didn't spend big engineering bucks to make it nice and quiet either. I drove a school bus Bluebird with a Cummins V555 and it was rather noisy. I didn't look closely, does it have air suspension or leaf springs? It would probably be ok for someone starting out on a small budget. Just wear earplugs.

Scott & Heather · August 28, 2016, 04:27:44 AM

It seems I've seen that bus before up for sale. Been floating around for a while now.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oonrahnjay · August 28, 2016, 06:53:57 AM

Quote from: Scott Bennett on August 28, 2016, 04:27:44 AMIt seems I've seen that bus before up for sale. Been floating around for a while now.

They're probably trying to get about 1/10th of what they put into it -- and nobody will pay that. I'm guessing that it would make a good conversion platform -- at the right price; the -- as always -- the devil is in the details.

Iceni John · August 28, 2016, 07:44:50 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on August 27, 2016, 07:10:40 PM
All the engine is behind the dash, not 1/2 like a pickup. And they didn't spend big engineering bucks to make it nice and quiet either. I drove a school bus Bluebird with a Cummins V555 and it was rather noisy. I didn't look closely, does it have air suspension or leaf springs? It would probably be ok for someone starting out on a small budget. Just wear earplugs.

At work we brought back an Amtran Genesis front-engine bus about 30 miles on the freeway, and my ears were ringing when we got back. In comparison my rear-engine Crown is MUCH quieter, and rides much better. FE buses usually have a bouncy ride at the rear, and their long rear overhang can be a problem in tight spaces. Also, a 5.9 Cummins is working hard all the time in a bus of this weight - it's only a pick-up truck engine.

Why buy this bus when similar RE ones often come up for sale?

John

luvrbus · August 28, 2016, 08:54:42 PM

I looked at that bus Friday it's been well cared for till Scottsdale got their new command center last year and it's been setting out side since then. It has some features that are real neat and it's not loud either, only problem is the low gearing 4:78 rear that little Cummins hums at 55 mph. It has HWH leveling jacks too.lol I bet it goes for 20k there are too many people looking at it.I was wanting the engine but it is too much money already for me