roof raise or not to roof raise

[Jim Blackwood]

A number of us feel that the DL or DL3 is the best deal going in a candidate for conversion. I would go even further and say that '94 represents the near ideal choice, up to whenever they upgraded from the DDEC4. Many, many pluses in those buses, from headroom to drivetrain to width and it just goes on and on. Currently the price is right. Fleet owners are selling them off and bargains are out there. For example, my '95 cost a bit under $7K delivered to my door with  a 135K mile engine, aluminum wheels, aux heater, working OTR air, 14.7L Series 60 4 stroke, B500 6 speed auto, good batteries, and pretty decent tires. It has kneel and rear raise too, and the restroom had been removed already. Now that deal doesn't come around every day, you have to put in the time to to find them. But it's a heck of a beginning.

Jim

[luvrbus]

? who installed the 14 L in your DL3,the 14L didn't come on the market till 2000-2001 you have a good setup,you have a typo I think (12.7L}

[buswarrior]

Last of DDEC III would be desirable in the eyes of the engine guys I know.

1997

The stuff to come online for busnuts beyond that will be the same challenges as the fleet guys faced...

Learning the coping strategies to keep each family of emissions restrictions running will be really important.

Skipping all the way to engines with DEF will be the least painful... they are much better behaved in fleet service.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[6805eagleguy]

For me a roof raise was essential.

Raising the roof was not hard at all, but what you have to be concerned about is new front and rear caps.

That is where the expense and time comes in.

But then too I work with metal for a living...

[Jim Blackwood]

Oops. Yes 12.7 you are right Clifford. Brain fart, it happens. But the point is still valid I think and the 12.7 is a very good engine for that bus apparently. I didn't really want to get into a full interior strip and roof raise so I looked for a bus that wouldn't need it. My approach may be a bit too minimalist for some, but I'm keeping the OTR air and most of the overhead bin storage simply because they are very nice bins and really are as good as anything I'm likely to build to replace them. I don't object to the existing ceiling fabric either, and see no real need to tear out the walls. Anything that is removed must be put back so if it doesn't offend, why remove it to begin with? For now at least the windows can stay and any that get blocked off by the interior, well I could just spray the inside black. I love all the storage space, both overhead and below decks, and the weight capacity is really rather exceptional. There are advantages to a more modern bus, and the MCI from '94 to '97 seems to me to really represent the best bargain of all the things we'd like to have at the right price without too much extra complexity.

Jim

[windtrader]

I would go even further and say that '94 represents the near ideal choice, up to whenever they upgraded from the DDEC4. 

Debating various DDEC versions is beyond my pay grade but in general newer is better; however, see results from a recent auction on newer coaches that just came out of service so good working/legal condition. Read the thread as there is an image of a driver checklist dated 12/2018.


https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=33782.msg387049#msg387049

[brettpearson67]

"Debating various DDEC versions is beyond my pay grade but in general newer is better"

Perhaps, except that once you get into the emissions years, you get into a lot  of issues.  Learned the hard way.

[DoubleEagle]

Pre EGR and DEF is better for making fewer problems for the owner that has to pay for maintenance.