Skoolie Conversion - Where to start - Buyer's guide - Cummins 

As a single female, planning and looking for a bus, finding your video is a God send. I've watched hundreds of hours of builds and conversions, but none have gone into detail about the best engines and transmission. I no longer have my Daddy who was always my mechanic and hero. I feel empowered and hopeful now that I have this info from someone who clearly knows mechanics. Thank you so, so much for this post!!! I will be following you.

This was SO VALUABLE!! I've been watching tons of "skoolie build" videos and they just talk about what kind of sink or shower to put in. They'll quickly mention what type of engine they have but it doesn't mean anything to me. I don't know ANYTHING about engines, and your video was incredibly helpful! I'd love to learn more from you!

8.3 Cummins Allison MD3500 / unlocked 6th. Factory jake brake. 40’ pusher with 20” raised roof. You see me rollin! lol!

Another very good option following the rear engine, good access and transmission. A little more of a “newer” model. The Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX or MDX. BE PICKY! Get one that that is pre-emissions, and one that has pass through underbelly storage. Maximized living pace and getting the best bang for your buck! Those have a couple engine options. The newest ones have the Cummins engines, BUT, they have emissions systems. The older ones have CAT C7’s and the Mercedes. I recommend the C7.

Shorter (city style) buses won't have rear engines, but instead they have a rear door which that makes for a great "garage" / storage/ utility zone in the back of the bus. Also short wheel base, my 30 footer has a 13foot wheel base, which makes it incredibly maneuverable.

I got this same bus.you are right they bad to the bone .its still a scool bus im.converting it next month i gave $4500 For it and dont regreat it at all .i bought it from AAAbus in phoenix and they got a stock piles of used parts and busse. Not to mention they treat ya family when you'er there. No bullshit sales man .they wont sell you junk .

Our Thomas rear engine bus has a Cummins ISC 8.3. Great engine but not indestructible... Ask me how I know. I recommend paying a lot of attention to corrosion, the state of the cooling system, and function of all engine gauges. The one drawback of pushers is that they don't get as much air flow without the fan function. Paying attention to the efficiency of the radiator is key. Also recommend buying a southwest desert bus instead of a rust belt bus. And don't buy one that has been sitting unused for very long. And I recommend for oil lines buy OEM or be Really Sure the hose fabricator gets them perfect. Maybe I'll make a prequel video about the saga of destruction and restoration that our Skoolie build started with.

I too am planning to build out a 40' School Bus and I think the best way to do it is...LESS IS MORE. I want one that is 77" inside height minimum to start. After that, out come the seats but save 2 for a modified dinette and another 2 for a couch along the opposite wall. Then a Tool Box from Harbor Freight that you can take one of the drawers out and mount a sink in the top then bolt the whole thing to a wall. Use a Coleman propane camp stove in the flat surface of the tool box next to the sink. Then...a really big cooler or one of those DC fridge/freezer things next to that on the floor. Then a bathtub with a shower fixture over it. Then a prison toilet next to that. Then the bed. Then if it's got a wheelchair lift, leave it in place and make that area a garage to hold my enduro bike and do repairs in. In that space I'd also put a couple deep cycle batteries too for running 12V equipment on. And that's it. No walls. No rooms. No blocked windows. Nothing that goes above the level of the bottom of the windows. If the bus comes with AC Units and a floor heater...KEEP THEM! It drives me nuts watching people tear out perfectly good heating and cooling units then spending ungodly sums of time and money putting mini-splits in. Why? The bus already had that covered. Why spend that money? Then under the bus mount 2 or 3 100gal water tanks. a 50 gal grey and a 50 gal black and a couple of propane bottles. And a spare tire or two. You're all set. Maybe down the road I'd put in solar but until then I'd just get the biggest Jackery Power unit and solar panels and live off of that. Maybe get a second hi-output alternator on the engine to help with keeping the batteries topped up for the 12V system. You get a good enough bus to start with...maybe cough up $8K for one...you can do all of the rest for $6K or less and away you go. A Million Mile "Camper" for 1/10th the money of those fancy motor homes.

Raise the roof, delete the bus windows and add rv style windows instead. Also, take the original rubber mat and sub-floor out. It will be nasty, moldy and rusty under there. Not a good foundation to build a house on. Also insulate the walls floors and ceiling well. If you don't use spray foam on the walls and ceiling but instead use an inferior conventional insulation make sure to add a high quality vapor barrier. It's a must. Good luck.

I drove an R E school bus for 10 years and loved her. I put about 150,000 miles on her best bus I ever had.

You Just taught me something thank you, keep the bus videos coming man!

I just purchased from Summit Racing a Oil Cooler with a water and dust proof fan for cooling my Allison AD 2000 Front Engine Thomas Safty Liner MVP Bus. The goal is to keep the trans oil temp below 190 F. The rear engine can have cooling problems pulling hills, mountains, in the summer. If the bus is used in the hot summer it will be hard to keep the transmission temp below 190 F. Most buses don't have a trans temp gauge! Hint hint! Taking the trans oil off the radiator will also help with engine cooling, but I would put a bypass on the Oil filter and install another cooler for engine oil. I just got a price from a Thomas Bus Dealer to replace my 2001 radiator and the price was over $6,500.00 yes you read right. Crazy! So I am flushing adding additive to new antifreeze to help drop another 10 F.with this additive. Just had my Allison rebuilt after a needle bearing failed. No sign of overheating in the teardown but it was a very hot summer day on the freeway going 63 mph and engine temp was running 205 F. The new Oil Cooler cost $349.00 and was the best unit they had to sell. Love driving the Rear Engine Bus much quite than my bus. I got a wheel chair lift in the far back and built a rear garage and door that separates my bedroom. Every man want a walk in garage! Enjoy your project and keep it cool.

Thank you, I am looking at getting mine soon and this info is super helpful.

Ft. Worth Texas is listening and learning. Thanks for bringing us along with you. We are very interested in doing just this.

Thank you so much for your video. I’m a widow mother who is currently searching for my bus to convert for full time travel. I appreciate the way you explained this and now feel more confident in what I’m looking for. Prior to your video I had been hunting the 466e!

I changed my intake system to make room for a generator, I love my 8.3 👍

Love this video thank u

Great vido! I am looking forward to the next installment.

That's good information sir , information is king on making good progress and development in choosing a platform to. Build on

Smart 🤓 guy good information thanks 👍😊

Thank you!💖

Thank you! I'm another person working on my van but dreaming of a schoolie. I know nothing about engines and your video is super helpful!

Thanksnso much for the great points!

Maybe try installing an RV washer and dryer system since you are going to be on the road 24/7 then you don't need to go to the Laundromat every Saturday night 🤝😁

Great explanation of the differences in busses Jason! 🙂👍 That pusher is a good start to a camper. Lots of potential 🔧

My wife and I would love to buy this bus. You sold us on the Cummins and 36' model. Thanks.

That is just the kind of bus that I am looking for. I would like to hear more on the transmissions. It looks like that bus is an activity bus. None of the busses I drove would go that fast

Getting ready to buy my bus, this video was the most informative of any other Skoolie video I've seen and I've watched hours upon hours trying to learn as much as I can. You probably saved me thousands of dollars making sure I don't get the wrong engine. - Thanks!

Nice!!!! Getting one soon.

Wow just found your channel. In another life I'd go back and buy a bull nose or high boy like you have in your videos. (Homer salivation 🤤). These days I'm learning all about box trucks. If you're ever near a diesel and have some thoughts about those in box- or chassis- form, I'd love to see the video! Thanks!

awesome video! thank you!

Would love to see a school bus conversion

Cummins HAS built some great engines, however with the push to get greater efficiency, they have had a lot of issues especially with all the electronics. I have driven both the 60 series and the DD15 Detroit Diesels and am favorably impressed. These engines would be great in the “skoolie” application. With in frame majors and the readily availability of parts. The ONE engine I would NEVER recommend is the Max Force from International/ Navastar. This engine is HORRIBLE ! I had one in an International Transtar (?) tractor and after about 25000 miles this thing started to develop ALL KINDS of issues. It spent more time in the shop than on the road. Great video, couldn’t agree more with your choice of engine, just thought you might like to see a trucker’s view, and experience on what might be “under the hood” of your prospective project. I too would prefer a “ pusher” over any front engine design. There is less drive train to maintain, there is no engine cover to deal with and there is more floor area to work with.

Sweet walk thru bud.

Just bought a 2nd bus with a 8.3 behind an Allison MT643. Now I've got a 5.9 and 8.3 both 12 valves.

I’ve got a 83 Thomas 40’ Cummins/Allison Pusher . 22” roof lift 2 - nine and half foot slides out ! Great Bus … and I’d sell it!

The Cummins is indeed a terrific engine. If it is in good shape initially at purchase. I highly recommend them. But my favorite is the International 466 or 466e. No longer in production unfortunately. It's what my '98 Bluebird runs. Always starts, runs all day with nary a problem and can be rebuilt in situ. So, if you buy a truck or bus with this engine it can be rebuilt in a weekend (if you have all the tools and skills). You don't have to trust a machine shop to get the cylinders right.

Would like to know where you found it and how much it cost. In the process of getting ready to get started on doing one and looking for the right bus.. Awesome info on the engine benefits...

Our class A diesel pusher is 37' and we get into lots of places. You are correct though that some states have shorter limits.

Great info regarding engines man...would love to see the bus get converted. You know what would be incredible? If you guys put slide-outs into the bus. Would LOVE to see that.

make it a top performing shinylicious engine again! watching from philippines!

To me a Flat nose bus, is a real bus. :)

My bus has a dt360! I love it, not powerful but super reliable

Thank you

I would like to find a bus like that one, but I also want the handicap door near the back. Unlike other builds I've seen, I want to put the kitchen in the back and use the Engine compartment for seating. The next area I would like to be the Bathroom. If there is a door back there, people could come in to the kitchen and use the bathroom without going through the rest of the bus. I'd also like to make a folding deck to hang on the side of the bus that would fold down when parked. I can see what I want in my mind's eye but not sure I can describe it adequately.

I live in the rust belt (Indiana) and know that I probably shouldn't buy a bus from here. That said... Finding an idea bus becomes quite the challenge. What are your tips on what to identify and look for when buying her? Key points to be on the look out for. Also it'll probably take me, realistically, 1.5-2 years to get it all built and finished. Any tips for keep it in good shape while we work on it

I've been looking at one near me for 2k. The description says " 316 caterpillar 6 cylinder diesel engine", do you happen to know any information on that engine? I'm going to ask the guy for pics of the engine and any more details he can give me but id love to hear it from you because your videos are awesome!

We’ve got a Blue Bird with the 5.9 Cummins, she don’t like hot weather at all, was running it hard on a 90 degree day and the transmission just kicked out! It recovered somewhat after I let it cool down awhile and I got it to the shop. Of course it worked fine for them! It was showing about 215 for water temp when it had its meltdown. I ran it hard today and the temp never went above 205 or so, it was only 70 degrees today. I suspect the radiator is clogged up and that causes everything to get too hot.

Absolutely AMAZINGLY informational and a massive help! I was just wondering is there any major flaws or bad things about the 5.9 12 valve Cummins busses

I'd love that bus if it was half as big. I have a 24.8 ft long conventional. International with the dt444e. Wish it had the 8.3 Cummins ...no such thing. I don't know how many people I've seen that become disenchanted pretty quickly with that big of a bus... They can sure enough be a money pit.

Build it. I just acquired a similar bus and am enthused about the deck hydraulic options. I have this system to tap into. Would love to see what you come up with. With much cyber loafing under my belt I'd be happy to provide any input required. Huge market it seems for the skoolie build/lifestyle. Not only because its less costly but if you do it right what you end up with is of much better quality than most RV manufacturers.

I'm going with a conventional full size because the back is gonna be a garage. Gonna build it into a double decker and have the main bed hanging over the hood. I'm also going to see about making it amphibious so having the engine at the front hydroplaning up away from the water would better better than a pusher position where it'd be dipping way down in it. All the water protection that'd require would take away its accessibility while the front hood can still open up and be mostly untouched except for access from the bottom. Also gonna have Hydraulic fold down pontoon decks for more space and float stability. Not sure yet on the water propulsion front yet though. A couple high power outboard motors or a giant jet ski system. Idk, I just know I don't want it to be a sea slug. I got a need for speed. Same with the land engine. Building that up would be pretty cool too, though I know it needs to stay low range for all the weight. You can't exactly make a tractor fast without taking away its tractor factor so then you basically just got a sports car that's dressed up like a tractor. Mmm. Engineering conundrums.

💪😎🇺🇲

Hey Jason, I'm looking at a bus right now, it has a rear mounted cummins 8.3 with an Allison transmission. The seller has told me the bus has a "bad cam" but runs and drives. Can you tell me a little bit about what replacing a cam would take?

Hey great video, i my self bought a FE Bluebird with a 5.9 Cummins. I got it for cheap but unfortunately currently not running. I was wondering if you knew any Cummins mechanics in the Philadelphia area. Hopping to get it running to drive to Texas where i plan to do my build out.

Researching skoolie builds. That being said I'll be patiently waiting for demolition and reconstructing videos on that beautiful bus. Thanks for the info on engine and transmissions. What state are you located?

Where are you you located? Also would like to see more in depth discussion about various Cummins engines pros/cons, and the various Allison transmission.

Curious what you think of the 5.9 Cummins that are pullers with an Allison trans. Looking at a couple seeing if it’s worth pulling the trigger. Doing a camper slide to have more space would be cool. Definitely toss a deck up top.

A lot of options like a Bank's 1500 horsepower turbo kit?

Thoughts on the #53 block on the 5.9 cummins?

What are the pros/cons of a mid engine in your opinion?

Just talked to a sales guy today, I put a deposit down on a 2007 THOMAS SCHOOL TRANSIT 84 passengers.

How do feel about the 5.9 I. The buses. I have one in a truck and one in an RV, 12V. I love them. I ground a few with the 5.9 and like that idea. My second option would be the DT466 as well.

Would like to see a hydraulic deck like you were talking about.

What do you think about tankless waterheaters for a Schoolie? Would it be enough for 2 people?

So what do you think of the 5.9 or 3.9L cummins?

how much can you tow with the cummins 5.9 Allison transmission? can you tow a SUV or how many tons do you think it could handle?

What model was this bus specifically? this is exactly the bus i'm looking for

Any updates on this beast?

Great content! wish you were my friend haaha anyway, do you know anything about wvo conversions or usage? I'm looking to purchase a 2000 ford bus so I can do some type of diesel mix at some point but only know surface information, anything helps, thx!

What about the Thomas c2 ?

Blue buds

Thank you for this information. I am now looking for a bus and found one with the Allison 3000 trans but not the Cummins, it has a Mercedes-Benz MBE926 diesel motor, has the radiator on the opposite side of the bus but looks and sounds good. What is your opinion of this engine ? Thanks

Hey CV Customs, my name is Luis Urbieta and quite frankly I love school buses yeah they're not as nice as a Prevost, as an MCI, or perhaps a Volvo bus but for the money it's amazing. Another thing about the bus it lacks in A/C and it's low in tech but you can add those things aftermarket. Plz respond.

How much would you charge to find ME a school bus ?

My issue with a pusher is I don't want to sleep over the engine. I just prefer a puller.

Have you started the RV build yet?

I have a 5.9 P pump Cummins with an Allison in a pusher RV, so it's behind the differential facing back like this one. QUESTION: Can I put that Allison in my 95 5.9 Cummins Ram 4x4? Would the gears be backwards? I'm scrapping the RV but the engine and trans are in great shape. The RV engine going in my buddies truck.

Thanks so much for this! Any thoughts on the 8.3 vs the 8.3 ISC? Do you think the ISC runs the same risks as the dt466e?

Can someone tell me what mpg they are getting on their cummins powered skoolies.

Anyone know whether you can run this motor on used motor oil?

I just bought a mci tour bus to convert. It has the v8 detroit in it. Whats your opinion on that motor. It has 800,000 miles on it 79 model

Could you give some dimensions on the bus? I'm retiring at the end of the year and am considering going the skoolie route. Problem being that there isn't much I could do myself other than design it so would need a lot of assistance in the conversion. Some of what I'd like to do I'm not even sure if it's possible. But I have my wish list...

What do you think of an Allison automatic transmission, 444 E 7.3 international engine? I’m thinking of buying this bluebird and would love your input.

Why would you prefer the 7.3 over the 5.9 Cummins engine in a pusher or an front inside engine ?

Where are you located??? So, did I understand you do the conversions? Maybe you can do a conversion for me?

By the way, Is it a Blue Bird Cummins 8.3??? This is the bus I want- gotta make sure 😂

So......7.3 international Diesel engine. 3800 T444E. Alison automatic AT545 with 215k milea a good choice?

Does short school bus come with Cummins Diesel engine Or DT466 and Allison transmission?

where are you?

What area of California are you in?

Hp horsepower? Cummins

Do you help build Skoolies?

What gas mileage does this bus get?

I want 8.3 . I want ungoverned ; too many crackas on the road going slow .

Way to BIG! take about 10 ft out of the middle and it would be about right.

just wondering do you have an instagram ?