Cummins powerd school bus? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Seabass · 12-31-2005, 07:46 PM

Any of you guys know if any school manufactures made a short school bus w/ a cummins. I'm playing w/ the idea of a tow rig/ rv type of build up. Maybe rockwells and 44's for cruisin glamis later Any one done this or have any input?

cnrussell · 12-31-2005, 09:04 PM

I bought a short bus a few months ago, to use as a tow rig/rv for my jeep.

If you're looking for a 5.9 cummins, you'll find a lot of Blue Bird buses that are equipped with them. Unfortunately most of them are the flat-nose buses, and you might be looking for something a bit shorter than that, older than that, or more of a "conventional" type. International provided chassis for some 4x4 buses. These generally have diesels (7.3) or gas (345).

Most short buses are going to have gas engines or ford & international diesels. Dunno about the larger cummins - 8.3 is it? - so, sorry if thats what you're looking for. Older ones (pre 80's) will be all gas (my ford has a 390).

One thing to keep in mind, my short bus (1970 superior body, on a ford frame - less than 20 feet long, 2 inches shorter than my x-cab longbed F-250) weighs 17,600 pounds (This is what I was told by the tow truck driver - I haven't gotten it weighed yet). I expect that fully loaded, wet weight, with jeep in tow it will be pulling about 25k, assuming that 17k was accurate.

I want to do a cummins swap eventually (beyond my budget right now).

Seabass · 01-01-2006, 11:56 AM

How does it tow? Does it have a gasser or the 7.3? Would you do it again?
-Thanks, Sebastian

PROJECTJUNKIE · 01-01-2006, 01:35 PM

I know alot of the flat nosed blue birds run 3208 cat turbodiesels with allison trannies, I love the cummins for a P/U truck, but for pulling 10tons, I'd check out the cats. You can get a big bus for about $5k with this drivetrain. You could cut it down to shortbus size, but personally I'd like to make a toyhauler out of a long one, It'd be sweet to have a garage as the back half of a RV.

cnrussell · 01-01-2006, 02:46 PM

I haven't used it yet. We pulled the engine and have one waiting to go in next week, I hope. It will be a gasser 390.

I'm worried about having to pull 24-26k with it though, that's a lot of work for the engine.

Robert · 01-01-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnrussell

I haven't used it yet. We pulled the engine and have one waiting to go in next week, I hope. It will be a gasser 390.

I'm worried about having to pull 24-26k with it though, that's a lot of work for the engine.

I have had a little experience with that engine in a heavy haul set up.
Gearing is your friend, and you are not going to do anything fast.

cnrussell · 01-01-2006, 11:48 PM

I know, but it will make a fun toy...it's been a great project.

Bringing it home I got it up to about 65-70 before it just smoked too much. It had a 330MD in there. It should be able to run 60-65 while towing. Even 55-60 is fine by me.

Red Chevy Girl · 01-02-2006, 12:47 AM

This is my buddy's bus he has a gooseneck hitch in it. He also has future plans of a front axle with at least 44's on it to play in the dunes.
I realize its not the short bus but I figured everyone might like this.

Seabass · 01-02-2006, 11:25 AM

Oh that is to sick. does he use it like a flat bed?

dbunyip · 01-02-2006, 12:32 PM

Hey, thats my bus!!! LOL and yes it has an 8.3 cummins. You can get the same bus in the short version but only with a 5.9. Where is the pics of it doing a burnout?

Red Chevy Girl · 01-02-2006, 10:20 PM

Bring it to Starbucks and well take pics again

pcorssmit · 01-03-2006, 11:23 AM

FWIW, the local school district has newer full-length conventionals with the 5.9 Cummins, I think they are 275 hp and a Freightliner Chassis. From what I heard they went this route at least partially due to consistently poor warrenty service from the local Navistar dealer.

Pete

Towner · 02-18-2006, 02:22 PM

looks like a p-pumped 12v with a stick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-...QQcmdZViewItem

NJ · 02-19-2006, 08:42 AM

www.nwbus.com is here in washington, they might be able to help you find what you want

12-31-2005, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Seabass Granite Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 49159 Location: Orange County Posts: 843	Cummins powerd school bus? Any of you guys know if any school manufactures made a short school bus w/ a cummins. I'm playing w/ the idea of a tow rig/ rv type of build up. Maybe rockwells and 44's for cruisin glamis later Any one done this or have any input?

01-02-2006, 12:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Red Chevy Girl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 504 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 690	This is my buddy's bus he has a gooseneck hitch in it. He also has future plans of a front axle with at least 44's on it to play in the dunes. I realize its not the short bus but I figured everyone might like this. Attached Images __________________ Kristen 85 chevy, 350, T400, d60, corp 14 -4.56 gears, locked front & rear with 44" boggers 84 Toyota 02 F250 Diesel

01-02-2006, 10:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Red Chevy Girl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 504 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 690	Bring it to Starbucks and well take pics again __________________ Kristen 85 chevy, 350, T400, d60, corp 14 -4.56 gears, locked front & rear with 44" boggers 84 Toyota 02 F250 Diesel

01-03-2006, 11:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
pcorssmit Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4406 Location: Denver Posts: 2,335	FWIW, the local school district has newer full-length conventionals with the 5.9 Cummins, I think they are 275 hp and a Freightliner Chassis. From what I heard they went this route at least partially due to consistently poor warrenty service from the local Navistar dealer. Pete __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways , beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOW, what a ride."

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12-31-2005, 09:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
cnrussell Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 62687 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 50	I bought a short bus a few months ago, to use as a tow rig/rv for my jeep. If you're looking for a 5.9 cummins, you'll find a lot of Blue Bird buses that are equipped with them. Unfortunately most of them are the flat-nose buses, and you might be looking for something a bit shorter than that, older than that, or more of a "conventional" type. International provided chassis for some 4x4 buses. These generally have diesels (7.3) or gas (345). Most short buses are going to have gas engines or ford & international diesels. Dunno about the larger cummins - 8.3 is it? - so, sorry if thats what you're looking for. Older ones (pre 80's) will be all gas (my ford has a 390). One thing to keep in mind, my short bus (1970 superior body, on a ford frame - less than 20 feet long, 2 inches shorter than my x-cab longbed F-250) weighs 17,600 pounds (This is what I was told by the tow truck driver - I haven't gotten it weighed yet). I expect that fully loaded, wet weight, with jeep in tow it will be pulling about 25k, assuming that 17k was accurate. I want to do a cummins swap eventually (beyond my budget right now).

01-01-2006, 11:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Seabass Granite Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 49159 Location: Orange County Posts: 843	How does it tow? Does it have a gasser or the 7.3? Would you do it again? -Thanks, Sebastian

01-01-2006, 01:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
PROJECTJUNKIE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52361 Location: Tucson,AZ Posts: 1,197	I know alot of the flat nosed blue birds run 3208 cat turbodiesels with allison trannies, I love the cummins for a P/U truck, but for pulling 10tons, I'd check out the cats. You can get a big bus for about $5k with this drivetrain. You could cut it down to shortbus size, but personally I'd like to make a toyhauler out of a long one, It'd be sweet to have a garage as the back half of a RV.

01-01-2006, 02:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
cnrussell Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 62687 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 50	I haven't used it yet. We pulled the engine and have one waiting to go in next week, I hope. It will be a gasser 390. I'm worried about having to pull 24-26k with it though, that's a lot of work for the engine.

01-01-2006, 11:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
cnrussell Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 62687 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 50	I know, but it will make a fun toy...it's been a great project. Bringing it home I got it up to about 65-70 before it just smoked too much. It had a 330MD in there. It should be able to run 60-65 while towing. Even 55-60 is fine by me.

01-02-2006, 11:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
Seabass Granite Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 49159 Location: Orange County Posts: 843	Oh that is to sick. does he use it like a flat bed?

01-02-2006, 12:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
dbunyip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27609 Location: Modesto Posts: 50	Hey, thats my bus!!! LOL and yes it has an 8.3 cummins. You can get the same bus in the short version but only with a 5.9. Where is the pics of it doing a burnout?

02-18-2006, 02:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
Towner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16589 Location: Tahoe City Ca Posts: 354	looks like a p-pumped 12v with a stick http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-...QQcmdZViewItem

02-19-2006, 08:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
NJ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27082 Location: Olympia, Wa Posts: 303	www.nwbus.com is here in washington, they might be able to help you find what you want