Newbie looking for bus recommendations

[busnut_texas]

Hey, I am very new to bus conversions and am looking for a cheap but reliable start to my project. I am sure I sound like many people on here that have started and quit their bus conversion projects but I really plan on sticking with this. So I am looking for advise on what kind of coach to purchase that is within my price range. I have been reading up on MCI, Prevost, Van Tool, etc... but all of these appear to start in the $10k or above range for a decent shell. I don't want to go the skoolie route, because of resale value being sub-par on skoolies and I have a big family that will be toting along a lot of stuff so a transit doesn't sound like it will have enough storage. Am I off base or do I need to be looking for a passenger coach? Are there any reliable brands that may sacrifice a little quality (not reliability) for price? I am looking for something below $10k and below $5k if possible.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide,
Jeremy

[JackConrad]

Welcome to the wonderful world of busnuts.  While some under floor storage can be made under a city (transit) bus, it will not be as much as you would have with an intercity (highway) coach.  I have not seen any highway coaches for less than $5K, except maybe 1 or 2 without engines and transmissions. A few under 10K (barely) that are in good shape. I think will take a lot of looking to find someting reliable that does not need a lot of mechanical work in the price range you are looking at.  Best of luck, Jack

[H3Jim]

be careful that you are not swayed by an initial price that's low.  If it needs much, you can easily spend more than you paid for the coach.  Better to get a well maintained coach and pay a litle more than one thats just cheap.  But keep looking, there are  lot of them out there.  Generally its probably best to stay away from buses owned by church groups, since they usually skimp on the maintenance.

[RJ]

Jeremy -

Welcome to the world of busnuts.  We're a strange, but actually quite friendly, breed. . .

Now, to answer your question:

Cheap and reliable, when it comes to a bus, do NOT exist.

Those that are cheap have been run hard and put away VERY wet.

Reliable will be one just taken out of revenue service by a REPUTABLE charter bus outfit, preferably one from the SW.

You get what you pay for - seriously.

Sorry if this bursts your bubble, but facts is facts.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Dreamscape]

Welcome to our world!

I agree with what has been said. You will not find a reliable coach for under 10K for sure. It will need work of some kind, brakes, engine, transmsion, etc. etc.etc.. And at a very costly price. You could easily spend 20K on mechanical repairs, not including tires and stuff.

Just find out what you want first, and see how much you will have to spend to get it.

If you could afford more, it would be to your benefit.

Otherwise plan on spending a lot of time trying to do it yourself, only if you have the knowledge.

These babies are not cheap for the faint hearted or light wallet.

I don't want to burst your dream bubble, just laying down some cold hard facts.

Happy Trails and Good Luck finding your dream coach,

Paul

Dreamscape

[TomC]

Jeremy- welcome!  I was in the same boat, in that I couldn't afford much of a cash outlay.  In 1993 I bought a '77 AMGeneral 10240B transit with 8V-71N and V730 Allison transmission.  I had an old truck with a good engine that I traded my mechanic for changing to larger injectors, installing Jake brakes, changing rear end ratio from 5.57 to 4.625 for a comfortable cruise of 65mph at 2100rpm, changed the grease bearings to oil, and changed the hub piloted wheel studs to ball nut piloted so I could use my truck rims on the bus (changed from 12R-22.5 to 11R-24.5-slightly bigger in diameter and easier to find on the road [12R-22.5 is almost exclusively a bus tire whearas 11R-24.5 is a truck tire]).  The bus initially cost $4,000.
I spent the first year on my back installing the 85gal gray tank, 45 gal black tank, 20 gal propane tank, 2-8D deep cycle batteries, 10kw Diesel generator (installed next to the drivers seat like a front engine), and created a 99w x 22h x 66L storage area.  Inside I have 130gal fresh water with two 10gal electric water heaters-one feeds into the next with the final one powered through the inverter to have hot water while driving.  Also have the normal stuff- 6.3 ac/dc reefer, 100lb chest freezer, washer/dryer, microwave, 3 burner stove with oven, full size kitchen sink (counter is 9ft long), full size shower, outside shower, 3 roof top A/C's, 2- Fantastic fans (12v electic roof vent).  So you see you can install all you want in a transit.  Transits are the strongest built buses for their punishing service, have only 3 steps to get into them, and are simpler to work on then a highway bus in terms of wiring and engine access (especially with a V drive).  Not including all the engine and transmission work I've done, I have about $55,000 into the conversion.  I bought all new equipment-you can save if you have the time to look for used.  Good Luck, TomC

[busnut_texas]

Thanks a lot guys, I pretty much thought that was the case. So my next question is, where can I find a reliable coach (one that has been in a fleet and maintained and just retired)? Someone had mentioned SW? If I am going to have to start saving, I would like to know how much I will need to pile away to buy a coach from a respected source.

Thanks again,
Jeremy

[Dreamscape]

Get in touch with Mike, he owns this board. He should be able to help as he is located in Southern California.

Be Patient when looking, you will know it when you see it.

Paul

[Hi yo silver]

Jeremy,
I share your enthusiasm...we all do.  But, I would encourage you to do LOTS of homework first.  (Translation; reading this board, doing hours of research.)  If you love buses, this isn't work, rather a joy.  Learn all you can about these buses before you buy one just because it's cheap.  It might turn out not to be so cheap...the best advice I got concerning my search for a bus was from a bus owner from Pennsylvania, whose bus I looked at a number of years ago.  He told me, "Before you buy a bus, you need to LOOK AT A LOT OF BUSES".  If I have half the fun owning one as I have looking for the right one, I'm lookin" forward to a lot of fun!  Following this board daily is the most valuable resource I've found...period.  Thanks, guys.
       

[Eagle]

As in the previous posts LOOK LOOK and LOOK.  I spent almost two years looking for a coach.  Find one that has a reliable drive train under it so it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

[busnut_texas]

How do I know if it has a reliable drive train? What can I look for? I have been furiously reading the archives here and online for about two weeks now soaking up as much information as possible, but I have somehow overlooked this topic.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[JackConrad]

This can be difficult on any vehicle. Look at the rear axle for any grease leaks. If you are able to drive it, listen for any noises from the rear axle. They may occur only on acceleration or deceleration. Check transmission for obvious fluid leaks. If you can drive it check for slippage or erratic shifts. If an automatic, look at the transmission fluid. Is it red or dark brown? Does it smell burnt? . Look at the engine for obvious leaks (almost every Detroit leaks a little). When you start the engine it may smoke for a minute or two white smoke is unburnt fuel-normal on a cold engine, blue/gray smoke is oil burning, could be rings or seals, Black smoke is excess fuel, usually on visible under a load, can also be partially clogged air filter. If the bus has been sitting for a while you should probably drive it at least 25 miles to "clean out" the engine. Hopefully other will add to this, Jack

[H3Jim]

And thats' just the big stuff.  All kinds of other things such as alternator, air compressor, all the parts of the cooling system, brakes, starter motor etc can leave you stranded.  And there is not much to predict those things other than try to find a well maintaned coach.  All yo can do is look, get a mechanic to check it out, and as has been said, try to get one just being taken out of service by an operator.

[RJ]

Jeremy -

You live in Austin, TX, right?

Start with the charter bus companies right in your own hometown, then spread out to D-FW, etc.

You need to talk to the shop foreman for the best info on his fleet, he'll know more than the guy who signs the checks.

But before you plunk down your hard-earned $$$$, seriously think about what you really want to DO with the bus.

Serious thought must be given to the coach's use, as that will often dictate which shell is best, as well and interior and systems layouts.

No sense getting "a greyhound bus" if you're going to be boonie-bouncing on Forest Service trails in the backwoods.

Consideration should also be given to a coach that's already been converted - lots of good buys out there if you're willing to shop.

This topic has been covered many times, both here and over on www.busnut.com.  Lots of info in the archives for you to digest.

Just like in school, do your homework for best results.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[gg04]

 Just shows how much bus conversion has changed....Low priced conversions still exist..If you can do all the work yourself it is actually  cheaper now than it was when we built or first bus..the 4104 we are in now came from a cow pasture in Yorktown... looked at over 50 04's in a two year period before we found this one...just goes by if you can actually do it all yourself.....gg04