Decent skoolie conversion candidate?

TomC · August 31, 2015, 09:48:59 AM

Many advantages to skoolies. They are built on a modified truck chassis. Service is much easier and cheaper then on a rear engine bus. Thomas being owned by Daimler Trucks North America, basically uses Freightliner front and chassis. Blue Bird has their own chassis, so servicing and parts might be more expensive. Navistar also makes skoolies. Good Luck, TomC

Scott & Heather · August 31, 2015, 12:21:24 PM

They are pretty tough if you see what they go through on the rural dirt roads of michigan....and snow and ice. They are tough trucks in my opinion. You can slice em and dice em pretty much as you wish and they will still drive down the road because they are sitting on a truck frame. Near home for us in michigan, they actually remove the roof and sides down to just below where the windows would have been and use them to haul watermelons. Cool.

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Oonrahnjay · August 31, 2015, 06:22:18 PM

^^^ Exactly the same in NC.

HB of CJ · August 31, 2015, 09:02:57 PM

Excellent topic and answers. Thank you. Also consider that the older Crown Supercoaches seemed to be a South West Coast area thing. Mostly CA. Some in the few western states. All would have been on salt free or nearly so conditions.

If I had to do it again, and I might, the sweet spot for a used Crown would be around the 1985 model year or so. Made in LA CA during the peak days. Custom high grade steel frame, aluminum body, 4130 roll bars every 19" in the roof. Very strong.

A 1985 35 footer will weigh about 23,000--24,000# stripped. They strengthened the body and frame in about 1975-76 or so. Earlier lighter. Later heavier. I am not sure when Crown went to computerized Detroit engines. Earlier had MUI diesels.

The mill rests on its left side at about a 70 degree angle or so in the middle of the coach under the floor. The big radiator is behind the driver on the side. Options of hydraulic motor or big twin belt fan. Mine had TRW power assist steering. Great!

In 1970, the factory guarantee was 20 years and 200,000 miles bumper to bumper, parts and labor. The flat glass windshield version was a better choice. White painted roofs cooler. The Detroit powered models were OK but are too slow for a hot RV.

If you like shifting gears, the infamous 10 speed Roadranger sized to your needs. A nice warmed up Big Cam Cummins. The side radiator will support about 400 hp continuously and over 500-600 HP intermediately. The HT740 is also a good choice.

Jake Brake. All had huge air brakes. The two axle 35 footer might be a better choice. Leaf springs. Air bags doable. The only downside is the limited 75" headroom. I am 6'1" and had no problems. Some raise the roof. The concern is lack of storage space.

I was going to mount the water tanks inside the coach over top the small wheel wells. Others decide upon less capacity and fit it all under the floor. Better. There is so much one needs to know about Crowns before buying. I paid $3000 for mine in 2001. PEM me.

PRZNBUS · September 01, 2015, 05:49:32 AM

This is probably the only school bus I'd want.

Bruce

CrabbyMilton · September 01, 2015, 06:05:10 AM

Is that real or a doctored photo? Regardless, it certainly would attract attention.

TomC · September 01, 2015, 08:50:26 AM

It is a doctored picture. That would be way too long.

CrabbyMilton · September 01, 2015, 09:15:47 AM

I had a feeling it was a composite. But you never know if someone built a shorter version like that.

TomC · September 01, 2015, 09:07:07 PM

Along those lines, I saw where a guy made a fifth wheel trailer out of a Crown bus. Was interesting looking. Good Luck, TomC

Iceni John · September 01, 2015, 09:18:30 PM

Quote from: TomC on September 01, 2015, 09:07:07 PM
Along those lines, I saw where a guy made a fifth wheel trailer out of a Crown bus. Was interesting looking. Good Luck, TomC

Oh, the horror.

It's like cutting the head off an animal and nailing it to a wall - oh wait, people actually do that. Never mind.

Did it still have an engine in the middle? It could have been the world's first self-propelled fifth-wheel trailer.

John

opus · September 02, 2015, 02:21:04 PM

I'm pretty fond of mine:

Zephod · September 16, 2015, 05:03:48 AM

I have a schoolbus. It's a 20 year old Carpenter with international chassis, dt466 and only 96,000 miles! Coming to the end of my single handed conversion.

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Lin · September 16, 2015, 01:07:45 PM

Wow! Doing a bus conversion is a lot of work even when using two hands.

CrabbyMilton · September 16, 2015, 02:49:40 PM

Sharp looking bus you have there Opus!!

Zephod · September 16, 2015, 04:44:29 PM

Quote from: Lin on September 16, 2015, 01:07:45 PM
Wow! Doing a bus conversion is a lot of work even when using two hands.

Lol. I know. I've been working on this since November. As my work is a bit seasonal at the moment, I spent the whole summer in 100+F working on it. I have to do the plumbing and window blinds. After that and a shower curtain, the bus is complete!

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