hyperboarder
Adventurer
It was a matter of time. I wanted something bigger than my RB E250 (though it's not going anywhere), I had money, just waiting for the stroke of luck or stupidity to roll around. That happened a bit before 5PM yesterday.
The short list was school bus, ambulance, or shuttle bus. I preferred the first two because they're built to a higher standard, the wife wanted the latter. The budget was vague and her commitment was as well. I have a few projects in the hopper that she would like to see done. Such is married life. A few of each have slipped through recently, usually with my losing by a few hundred dollars. I haven't had much heartburn. I keep an eye out and throw out a lowball bid here and there, hoping one sticks.
This one was an oddball. I saw it at the auction site while going to look at a school bus in the area. Relatively clean, pretty damn big, high miles. Ran and drove fine so I threw out the lowball bid and waited. It held until the day before the auction ended, and with 10 minutes to go the bid that just topped my last one was still winning. I couldn't help myself, bid the minimum increment, and now I own a 2003 Goshen E550 20 passenger shuttle bus. With the 7.3L. With 335k miles.
Picked it up today. A bit of blue smoke under acceleration while cold, but all gone once it warmed up. All fluids look good, drives and shifts well. But that mileage...
The wife is not so happy, but also likes the bus. My girls love it. I'm out a surprisingly low amount of money, but a decent amount of space. Surprisingly about everything works. Front and rear air and heat, all lights, radio, wheelchair lift, cruise, no real issues. Batteries may be on their way out (or I have a bit of a drain) and a couple screws could use tightening. One oil drip from the engine. PS box is seeping a bit. Photobucket is down, I'll get pics up tomorrow.
Questions for anyone that feels like offering sage advice:
Pics (and probably some sort of build stuff) coming soon.
The short list was school bus, ambulance, or shuttle bus. I preferred the first two because they're built to a higher standard, the wife wanted the latter. The budget was vague and her commitment was as well. I have a few projects in the hopper that she would like to see done. Such is married life. A few of each have slipped through recently, usually with my losing by a few hundred dollars. I haven't had much heartburn. I keep an eye out and throw out a lowball bid here and there, hoping one sticks.
This one was an oddball. I saw it at the auction site while going to look at a school bus in the area. Relatively clean, pretty damn big, high miles. Ran and drove fine so I threw out the lowball bid and waited. It held until the day before the auction ended, and with 10 minutes to go the bid that just topped my last one was still winning. I couldn't help myself, bid the minimum increment, and now I own a 2003 Goshen E550 20 passenger shuttle bus. With the 7.3L. With 335k miles.
Picked it up today. A bit of blue smoke under acceleration while cold, but all gone once it warmed up. All fluids look good, drives and shifts well. But that mileage...
The wife is not so happy, but also likes the bus. My girls love it. I'm out a surprisingly low amount of money, but a decent amount of space. Surprisingly about everything works. Front and rear air and heat, all lights, radio, wheelchair lift, cruise, no real issues. Batteries may be on their way out (or I have a bit of a drain) and a couple screws could use tightening. One oil drip from the engine. PS box is seeping a bit. Photobucket is down, I'll get pics up tomorrow.
Questions for anyone that feels like offering sage advice:
- What should I look at maintenance/condition wise that I haven't yet? Suspension bits for sure, what else?
- Some of the body seam sealant is cracking, what should I reseal with?
- Is there a good way to identify if the engine or trans has been rebuilt or replaced?
- Is it worth doing a (minor) build out knowing full well the drivetrain could **** the bed in the near term?
- Does anyone have an F450 front axle and transfer case to make this giant 4WD?
Pics (and probably some sort of build stuff) coming soon.
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