OK SO weird question for you guys How about a gillig model 534 1974 $600 bucks

[Dutch106]

Hi Guys,
Sorry if this is too off topic I've got a shot at a Gillig model 534 1974 $600 bucks. With you guess it a gasser 534 ford industrial engine 212K miles. newer tires a year old, new alternator, batteries, a spicer 5 speed, one small spot of rust high on the body.
A baptist church is retiring it replacing it with a 1980's Thomas diesel.

SO is it true this bus only gets 2 mpg?

Nice original bus but 2 mpg holy cow! Makes gold prospecting seem awfuly expensive.

Cheers,
Dutch
PS dearly hoping no one goes tactical on this one, Sorry about that guys

[desi arnaz]

for $750 there are some  nice transits in va

[TomC]

My first truck I drove was an International with a 549 w/5spd and 2spd rear end pulling a single axle 41ft furniture trailer.  If I cruised at 50mph, I could squeeze 4mpg out of it.  So 2 mpg isn't out of the range of possibility.  Since it gets such bad mileage, and the fact the 534 is long not made anymore, unless you're willing and capable ($$) of changing out the engine to say a Cummins 250hp or so, I would pass on this bus.  Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

Dutch, the 534 is a fun engine to play with I have the Cat diesel injection kit to make one a diesel used back in the 70's but for use in a bus I would pass the one I have in a 35 ft gets around 5 or 6 mpg on gasoline.
That is the same engine as the Cat 1160 V8 diesel before the 3208

good luck

[zubzub]

Uhmmm..... I think it is worth that much in scrap

[Dutch106]

Oh Heck Guys,
I missed saying this is a 35 footer. I have to admit I was hoping to get 5 + mpg out of it. It really is in very nice shape and supposed to run really well. The starter isn't working at the moment? and I'm working 4, 12 hour night shifts this week (whoever thought up the Dupont schedule really needs a good beating). So I won't get to drive it till the weekend.
I don't suppose that there is someone out there with a Gillig Museum who would want this old gal? I'm betting that there aren't a lot of them in running condition out there.
Cheers,
Dutch

[gus]

The 534 was a very popular fire truck engine and it usually had dual ignition.

I passed on a couple of antique fire trucks with this engine because I just couldn't face the thought of cleaning and gapping 16 spark plugs!!

It is a torque monster though.

[belfert]

You have to decide if you're a busnut who wants to restore an older vehicle because it is old, or if you just want a bus to drive on down the road.

If you just want something to drive down the road I would choose something newer with a diesel engine.  Gilligs with diesel engines can be found pretty cheap, but not $600 cheap.  The price difference is likely to made up in fuel costs pretty darned quickly.

[RJ]

I'm betting that there aren't a lot of them in running condition out there.

Dutch -

Maybe not a lot of 534s, but there are still a LOT of Gillig skoolies pounding the pavement in CA.  Some mid-engine, some pushers.

A diesel pusher Gillig would make a great coach for you're intended use, btw.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[RJ]

Dutch -

Here's a few ideas for you, and not too terribly far away, either!

First one's a pusher, already converted, even has a roof raise:

http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/1592603865.html


This one's a mid-engine, a possibility, but have to be careful of high-centering:

http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/cto/1558772656.html


How about 8-wheel drive, Cummins & a 10-speed??

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1592113985.html


If you prefer the Phantom Transit, there are a few, too:

A little shorty (30 footer - bounce, bounce, bounce in the driver's seat!)

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1585962916.html


Forty-footer in Orange County:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1587816989.html


One in WA, again a 40-footer:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/1589078658.html


Gillig's competitor, Crown?  Here's one:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/rvs/1583751617.html


Just a little bored tonight, so spent a few minutes searching CL out of curiosity.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[zubzub]

http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/cto/1558772656.html
wow that's cheap, I believe it may be less than scrap value (my new benchmark for good deals) can't go wrong with that one .

[rv_safetyman]

If you get it, and want to get rid of the engine, I belong to a couple of "binder" (IHC) groups and folks are looking for that engine - especially if it is the dual ignition system.

Jim

[gus]

Jim,

This is a Ford engine, not a binder.

I'm pretty sure the binder is a 549.

I have a bunch of old trucks (Too many) and two pumpers.

[rv_safetyman]

Gus, thanks.  When I heard the dual ignition and the 500+ cu in. I made a bad assumption.

Jim

[Dutch106]

Hi Guys,
The Gillig in Whenatche is long gone someone snatched it up on me.
Is $6500 to high on the 8 wheel drive?

For $600 I could pick it up and part it out is that workable?
There are new tires? It would cost about $400 to put plates on it here in OR and about $330 to insure.
So your correct I'm thinking of a diesel myself.
I was intrigued with a neat old odd bus.
Cheers,
Dutcj