| Author | Message | ||
| Brian Elfert
Rating: N/A |
The older Van Hool T840s have the Cummins L10 engine so I thought it might make a good conversion candidate. I went over to ABC Bus yesterday to look at their T840s. For me personally, I ruled out the T840 after looking at a couple. Van Hool didn't use stainless steel undercarraiges until 1995. The older models rust very badly if used in the rust belt. One 1989 had the engine door held on with baling wire as the hinge had rusted through! ABC had even cut out and replaced a lot of rusty metal on one T840. The bigger problems for me were inside. The headroom is only about 75". I'm 6'2" and was just about brushing the ceiling. There are also four engine bay access panels in the rear floor and a little raised platform at the very back that would need to be built around. The Van Hools look nice, but I decided a 96/102A3 or 102C3 is a better bus in the big picture, even if they do have the two strokers. The MCIs have better parts availability and every bus mechanic should know MCIs. Brian Elfert | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
Go look at the Prevost H models! They have the modern look. They have the SS under carriage. They are easy to convert. They never seem to lose their value as seen here! And THESE are shells ONLY! http://www.rvtrader.com/rvdetail170664.htm http://www.rvtrader.com/rvdetail170667.htm Glad I got mine when I did. The more I search, the more I tend to think it's almost as bad as real estate here in Florida!  Ace | ||
| Brian Elfert
Rating: N/A |
Prevost H3s are way out of my price range, even an early one with 8V92. They hold their value well. The Van Hools I was looking at were listed from $25k to $35k and that was with no negotiation. I'm going to look at one more coach and then I am going to buy something. An MCI 102A3 with 6V92 or 8V92 is a likely choice. I really want the 8V92, but not sure if I want the MPG hit. Brian Elfert | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A |
snip** "I'm going to look at one more coach and then I am going to buy something" snip** I looked for over 2 years before I bought - never once did I think that way - It was worth the wait - FWIW | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
That coming from another satisfied H3 owner! Brian, remember, ya get what ya pays for! Ace | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Rating: N/A |
Brian ...I came out of Mexico with a other bus, MCI 5 (35 ft) with a DDEC 6V92TA running a B500 Allison (motor and trany were brand new, a takeout from a fire truck). He had it programed as a 5 speed because he didn't regear the rearend. I'm running a 8V92 TA with a manual 6 speed(40' coach & 8000lbs heavier than the MCI)...we both were running around 60 MPH @ around 1400 RPM, on the flat,(he's got an overdrive in 5th and I regeared from 3.7:1 to 3:1) both pulling toads about the same weight and I was using 5 gals more than he was between fill ups. (500 miles) The differance is I could leave him standing still on the hills if I wanted too, and if I kept the RPM down between 1700 & 1900 on the grade, in 5th gear I could pull any grade at 50 to 55 MPH...and the fuel milage in the mountains wasn't that bad. But I could also pull those grades at 60 to 65 MPH in 6th gear and pass everything on the hill....but I'd paid for it. I did it a couple of times and once had a mini van try to pass me on the grade, we started at the bottom of the hill (6 to 7% grade) beside each other and the steeper the grade we hit, the more ground he lost. I could see him in my mirror, looking at the bus, then at his speedo...back to the bus..it was a hoot...he just couldn't fathom a 40' bus with a tow vehicle as big as the one he's driving pulling a grade faster than he could.... You aren't going to get great mileage with either motor. But if you watch how you drive it, you can get 6 to 7 MPG with a 3:1 rear end, running between 55 to 60 MPH. Ron |