How to buy a School Bus for your Bus Conversion/the School Bus Buying Guide that nobody asked for :)

In this video you'll learn everything you need to know before you buy a school bus for your skoolie tiny home bus conversion. We cover: bus style & length, motor options, what to look out for when buying a bus, and where to buy your bus.
Found this video helpful? Let us know! cashapp ► $parishskoolie
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Picking your body type
04:25 Length options
07:05 Motor types
09:58 Transmissions
10:08 Basic Checklist
11:42 Checking engine oil
13:01 What is too much rust?
16:16 Checking fluids hot vs cold
17:36 Blown head gasket
19:41 Checking the reservoir
22:45 How to check transmission fluid
23:52 if you buy a freightliner
24:38 Blow by
27:41 Where to buy a bus?
34:53 Where to find more info
If you're looking for information on bus transmissions, we have a comprehensive video here:
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2198

[@skooliebuild2444]

I just found this channel. I started building Skoolies in Y2K. I’m retired now this is some of the BEST advice I have seen for someone look to get into the nomadic lifestyle!!! I hope this guy grows his channel and makes some $ Enjoy your Journey!

[@grimsonforce7504]

Long way from buying a bus but wanted to say thanks for the visual aids. It nice to see an example of the do's and don'ts. Much appreciated.

[@parishskoolie]

Good morning, krewe! We hope y'all find value in this video because we put a ton of effort into this one for y'all

[@zacharywinters9413]

I definitely did and thank you for it! I’m next-door in Mississippi and looking around does yawls dealership rent out work stalls?

[@watahyahknow]

one thing i think is important , busparts allso wear when the bus is sitting building out a bus can take quite a bit of time with the bus basicly not driving anywhere i seen a lot of rv conversions on youtube and veryy verry often the busses break down during there maiden voyage , usually brakes airsystem hoses and clogged fuelsystem if youre planning on rebuild / refurbish the driveline or engine wait untill youre done with the interior basicly leave as small amount of time between the repair and the trip youre going to take make sure you got extra bedget when taking a trip as repair will come up , its basicly garanteed can be a small valve / broken hose or the bus busting the radiator or busting the headgasket before youre taking the bus on a mayor trip take it for small trips , expeditions to the local diy store to pick up building materials for the buildout would be perfect wat i often see that builders tear out a lot of the wiring , and theres a LOTof it in the bus , a lot is terminating in a closet next to the driversseat accessable from the outside and its pretty full best thing to do is not cut the wiring but loosen it at the end , then see if it affects the bus starting (door safety switches that cause the starter not working or the buzzer to keep buzzing) if it doesnt work the wiring loose all the way to the front after labeling it , this is to be able to find the termination points in the "box" aircon usually works of the engine , same with the heaters , the cooling fluis allso cools the engine so if you drain it you need to close the circuit and refill the system under the hood or the engine will run without coolant , terminate the lines to the heaters realy good as it will pressurise when it gets hot and will immitate old faitfull INSIDE THE BUS with hot water steam wish can at best scare you half to death while driving the bus or at the worst case cook you alive

[@parishskoolie]

Yessir! good info, always a pleasure. Watayahknow!

[@emmanuelmeredithjr4676]

I will have to strongly disagree with you on pricing as I have been working on school busses I see a major difference between cat Mercedes, Cummins and power stroke. Cat and Mercedes engine parts are extremely more expensive, and yes you have to wait on parts if you can get them. I have a bus that’s been down for 3 months waiting on cat parts

[@parishskoolie]

Different strokes for different folks;) I’ve been working on buses for three years now. I usually can find everything I need online with the right amount of effort and correct part numbers. You are right, some parts are harder to find & more expensive but not always. I’ve also never needed any parts more severe than sensors, filters, belts & such so I’m sure if you’re replacing major components your experience is valid. Thanks for watching Emmanuel!

[@emmanuelmeredithjr4676]

@@parishskoolie thanks I still enjoy your content and still believe I have a lot to learn about converting busses to tiny homes that’s something I don’t have experience in that terrifies me because I want convert a bus soon

[@WomanUnfiltered]

I enjoyed a lot of the info you gave out. I've been doing my research for the past several years to prepare me for the leap I'll be making within the next year. Your below the snow line for rust free buses confused me a bit. The entire Coastal Georgia area is above that line. We rarely see snow & if we do, it either doesn't stick or melts in an hour. Our buses aren't rusty.

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. We have only seen snow one time in our life’s! For us, anything above i10 we think it snows🤣 We have no real life knowledge of what states see snow😪

[@WomanUnfiltered]

@parishskoolie Well, I can tell you Northern Georgia gets the several inches occasionally, but Coastal Georgia freaks when we get any, even if it doesn't stick. 🤣

[@ToConnect2000s]

Thank you for sharing and all the great info

[@parishskoolie]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching the premiere :)

[@davidhenri2722]

Purchased my 2001 for $4300 with 170k miles, full length dog nose straight from school division. Been a real gem so far with T444E.

[@parishskoolie]

Whoop whoop!! Best of luck. If it ain’t leaking oil it ain’t got none in it😂

[@Swag-sd8uj]

Great info. Thanks!

[@parishskoolie]

You bet! Glad it was helpful!

[@scrappyny7432]

So much good information here! Thanks to both of you!

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching! Hope you found what you needed😁

[@nemesis4884]

this is so good thank you!!!

[@parishskoolie]

You’re welcome ☺️ Glad you like it!

[@ramouz4790]

What a great video filled with very helpful and useful information. Especially the part that shows what "bad things" to look for, great for reference. Awesome video guys!!! Thank you!

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching ol buddy ol pal!

[@rkc2617]

Great video.

[@parishskoolie]

Appreciate that. Thanks for watching!

[@rkc2617]

I was thinking of buying a semi before. The availability of parts was my concern too. Is the International a reliable motor and what would a strong tranny?

[@pumpdump4476]

In the first place there is no internal mechanical difference between "Park" and "Neutral " with exception of the engagement of the "Park Pawl" which locks the drive train in position, in both cases the engine is disengaged from the internal portion of the transmission. So you can check fluid levels in either position. With exception of the lighter duty applications very few if any Allison transmissions have a "Park" position.

[@parishskoolie]

In the first place, I’m happy you watched our video! I hope you found some information useful;) I’ve also never seen a a traditional school bus with a “park” it’s not a common occurrence, but this is a common practice in the world of wrench turning. The “park crawl” you speak of is a very small key way that can’t handle the gross weight of these buses as I’m suuuure you know. But buses come in all different shapes and sizes, and some buses unfortunately came with lighter duty transmissions. *Cough cough* ford. In case you didn’t want the full length (no offense taken.) We did state in this video that we don’t speak in absolutes, there are differences with each & every bus so “neutral” is a safe median.

[@parishskoolie]

This video has a TON of information for y'all so check out the chapters on this one so you can find exactly what you're looking for. If we didn't touch on a topic you would like to know more about, please do not hesitate to let us know!

[@lamh5265]

Just because you buy a bus in the south does not means that it lived in the south for it's lifetime. Also, you forgot to mention flood vehicles which are more common in the south. Over all, your advise is very good.

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for your additions! Very true, our donor bus came from Idaho & was a rusty piece of dodo even tho we found it in Texas! Gotta crawl under there!

[@Mikeonabus]

Thank you

[@parishskoolie]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@jackel440]

Great information and content. I'm in that research stage on all the details to know before purchasing. Nailed down my engine and body choice. Now it's figuring out were all the hidden concerns are that isn't readily brought up in conversation. Some of which you hit on.

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching & for your comments! Best of luck with your bus shopping & adventures. Lots of info here, lots more forgotten or that didn't make the cut. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariva55]

Currently driving in front of your bus! And looked up your handle!

[@parishskoolie]

No way! Very cool. We need to get some permanent stickers.

[@PapaCriss]

Love the honesty! Maybe you have done so in a previous video but, would you expound on your decision to put the exhaust pipes after the side mirrors vs before them.

[@parishskoolie]

It was the simplest route. Putting them in front the mirrors would have required extra piping and way more thought. Although we wish we could have done it that way, we are very happy with the results. 💙

[@PapaCriss]

@@parishskoolie yeah, after looking at the underside of a few busses I get it. Gonna take some serious planning once I get that far. Thanks for getting back to me. you rock.

[@djwashx]

excellent video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@parishskoolie]

Thank you very much! Let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover more!

[@noahlomax1]

This is a great and very informational video, Eli. I also like seeing my bus on here lol. I'll be sure to pass this video on in the groups for you. Keep'em coming, please.

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching buddy! Hope all is well, your bus makes it into a lot of our little clips;) Just picked up a couple of MT643s while cleaning up Karl’s yard!

[@noahlomax1]

@@parishskoolie No problem. You both knocked this one out of the park. These will answer a ton of questions new Skoolie folks may have. Oh sweet! Are the MT643's good?

[@parishskoolie]

@@noahlomax1 They are supposed to be! One is pulled "used" the other is a fresh rebuild from a school district!

[@noahlomax1]

@@parishskoolie Thank you good sir. I have my bus at a shop that is looking into getting a MT643 for us. He's back on Monday, I'll give him your info if you don't mind so he can see about getting that rebuild one from you.

[@timamyett]

The dt444e has a blowby tube that goes down the back side of the engine on the drivers side...so good luck finding any blowby at the filler cap.

[@parishskoolie]

So knowledgeable for someone calling it a DT444e🫣

[@moewrrrichard]

Really loved this video. Y’all always do such a great job of teaching and sharing your experiences. Much like the transmission video…this was very informative and helpful. Thank you very much. One of the things that I would love to hear you discuss would be braking systems in the different types of bus options. Are all of them Air brakes? What are some of the differences as well as pros and cons

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks Moe! Always appreciate the feedback & suggestions for new videos!:) Quick answer, there's two options. Air brakes or Hydraulic. Our big bus is hydraulic & our little bus is air! Each have their own characteristics but the general opinion is Air brakes are superior.

[@JimSmith-sz4sc]

Back when I was in the Scoop from the school back in the sixties we had a a bus to call the pusher man didn't order was in the back

[@timsimmons5190]

South carolina had plenty mid size flat nose rear engine buses rhey just took off road. I see a lot of fs65 at some district lots rotting away. Maybe they will sale them before they scrap them. But south carolina has recently updated they fleet so its a lot of busses they just parked. My favorite is the 88 international bluebird . Yes we were still using them 2020😂. They just won't stop and easy to fix

[@parishskoolie]

Wow! Very cool to hear, it’s been over a year since this video was put out and we have still yet to see a mid size pusher! Bummer they are just sitting, we have already gotten to the point here in Texas where no school districts are running first or second generation internationals. FS65’s are nearly all retired here as well. Very soon we will be seeing a shortage of these pre emissions buses😢 I love the first gen internationals! Very hard to stop them from running. These newer buses these days aren’t even seeing their full life expectancy :(

[@JimSmith-sz4sc]

Here in Southeast Missouri the school district had buses called Superior bodies

[@parishskoolie]

I have heard of superior! Never seen one in person but they sure look ugly from the photos I’ve seen 😂🤣

[@chadgilmore2842]

I'm not a mechanic either but it seams more of an oiling or venting issue if there's no real blow-by at the valve cover then it's not blowing by but it's obviously creating crankcase pressure for whatever reason. Just my thoughts on it. Great video!

[@parishskoolie]

I agree, Odd symptoms on that bus! Loads of crank pressure & no power. I’d hate for it to be my bus😳 Thanks for watching😁🫶🏻

[@johnweiland9389]

PCV valve and compression test? I am not a mechanic either. If your pcv valve is worn out or the lines are plugged you burn oil and lose power.

[@parishskoolie]

This is a how to shop for a bus video, normally you will not be doing a compression test in a field on a bus you don’t own. But you are correct, that would pinpoint blowby or not

[@rsieveke1]

Got any video on the Mini-Split Air Conditioning you added to your bus?

[@parishskoolie]

Yes, it’s in our DIY playlist on KZbin.

[@johnclamshellsp1969]

Really great videos as always. My bus was complete on December 11, 2022. Just doing mechanical work till weather gets warm for travel. Question 4U. Being in a bus yard, do you have a Allision M5643 and the whole shabang for sale to swap out a at545? 2002 Thomas Freightliner, Cummins 5.9 24v. If so we need to chat.

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks a bunch! Appreciate you watching. Most of the MT643* (assuming that’s what you meant) are usually behind 12v 5.9’s We do have 643’s already on the ground for sale but do not have a kit or frame cut unit currently. This year may bring more options!

[@Nissan300zxshowcar]

Great video! Quick question, how do you recommend changing any governed speed concerns?

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching! To change the governed speed you will need a computer & a smarty pants to remove the governed speed. There is also a governed Rpm which I would absolutely not remove or attempt to travel at max RPM. If your questions refers to speed concerns in the driveline, buses are built different for each application. In the same breath they are awfully similar. If you are trying to do 5-15mph more than stock it wouldn’t concern me too much about upgrading driveline parts. If you are attempting to do 20+mph above your governed speed I would find another bus😂🫶🏻

[@Nissan300zxshowcar]

@@parishskoolie great advice! Now looking for a smartie with a computer for a cat!

[@Rouge1292]

Great video! Is 175,000 miles too much for a bus I thought that would be low? Most dealers on Facebook marketplace don’t have anything under 100,000 miles.

[@parishskoolie]

My opinion, I am not scared of mileage. My skoolie has 300k miles & counting. A diesel in service is better than a diesel that has sat most of its life. That’s mileage isn’t low, I would consider it average. It’s important to check the Hr meter as well and make sure the hours don’t outweigh the miles. Engine hours x 60 = Approximate mileage I will say, 175k miles for a VT365 or a Maxforce7 is a lot considering most don’t make it that far.

[@user-cp4jb5oz4c]

300 bus's??? WOW!! Id like a full size bus, DT466 mechanical, 5-6 speed manual transmission. What'cha got???

[@parishskoolie]

He’s got many! Probably the only person in the country with a collection of 20+ mechanical Cummins & DT’s

[@wesleymontes4047]

Hi I really want to buy and convert a skoolie but have 0.00 knowledge of where to begin. Can you give me advice

[@parishskoolie]

Pull da trigger🔫🫶🏻

[@SuperRedman76]

Lets be honest, when you buy something used or worn, you're going to have problems. And nothing can prepare you for when something does go wrong, this rule applies to just about everything in life. In life, there's risk either we take or we don't.

[@parishskoolie]

Gotta risk it for the biscuit 👽

[@adamdarby43]

How many miles is too many. Found a 7.3 shuttle bus with 196k and a t44e 5 window with handicap ramp with 188k.

[@parishskoolie]

Great question! The triple 4 E has a life expectancy of 200k miles, but considering you’re looking at small buses it’s safer to assume it’s had an easy life. Some sites claim 50% of t444e will see 300k+ miles. I would not choose a shuttle bus due to fiberglass VS steel of a traditional bus. Additionally a shuttle bus has so little room under the hood it makes it much more difficult to service & repair. We are very partial to a straight block 👍🏼

[@terryhawkins5585]

I WANT A FULL SIZE BUS 🚍 DOG NOSE 👃 SO I CAN LIVE IN AS A R.V.❤❤

[@parishskoolie]

He’ll yeah brothaa we love all the room with a dog nose!

[@Kewchu]

Not gonna lie its really hard to focus on what your saying with them tatties floppin around

[@parishskoolie]

Matthew 18:9

[@gadsdenviking4159]

Just subscribed. What would it cost to get a full size pusher in good condition from you guys?

[@parishskoolie]

Thanks for watching & subscribing! In the year or so since this video was released we’ve moved on from the bus yard. We’ve gained a new employer at a commercial dismantling facility in Houston who is much better to us to say the least🫶🏻 Interstate bus sales still has plenty of full size pushers available but he doesn’t sell anything under $10k. I am still selling buses, but for my new employer and they mostly see full size dog nose buses. I have 3-4 for sale but most likely not what you are searching for. Best of luck and reach out @ [e-mail] if you want additional information!

[@scooter1748]

i saw this one couple do no research or inspection and then go all in on ✌🤪 #SkoolieLife, they ended up in a clapped out bus with a hole in the oil pan that blew up on the way home. then the bus got bought back and they ended up with one in "perfect condition." rms puking oil, losing coolant, pump died, then they dumped money into parts and labor. then it slung a rod. then they got a crane tow to drag it out of their backyard, completely destroying all of their paving, their nice deck, almost fell on their house. their "entire life savings" they said. they learned nothing. it's really hard to spare some empathy. i'm just intending to pick up a pusher eventually and wrench on it when i'm resetting at home (will be driving otr come sometime next q) long term, end goal eventually being to park it at the company lot when it's finished. i'm no diesel technician but i roleplayed one at work long enough to learn a decent bit.

[@parishskoolie]

Hahaha. Sounds a lot like @jess&jake I’ve seen some of their videos, it’s unfortunate that those are the type of people & videos that go viral and make us skoolie folk look bad.😢 No sympathy spared, no go fund me supported. I made videos they should’ve watched😂 Can’t go wrong with a pusher! Wish you the best, CHECK YO OIL. I’m a fan of fake it till you make it haha.

[@rigger4695]

5.9 Cummins is not under powered at all. You have absolutely no clue what you are talking about.

[@parishskoolie]

It’s the smallest diesel motor found in school buses. It’s derated between 170-190hp in the medium duty application. The same generation 5.9 found in dodge pickup trucks come stock between 230-250hp. It’s safe to say it’s underpowered compared to other full-size school bus options. You offered no rebuttals other than insults, it’s safe to say YOU have no clue what you’re talking about. Go back to the facebook 5.9 Cummins group, but THANKS FOR WATCHING💜💛💚

[@terryhawkins5585]

DO YOU HAVE OLDER SCHOOL 🚸 BUS 🚍 FOR SALE AND WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AT?

[@parishskoolie]

We have moved on from this bus yard. We are in Houston now.

[@terryhawkins5585]

I WANT A INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 🚸 BUS 🚍 ❤❤

[@parishskoolie]

Get you one!!!