TC2000 differences

This is a video that highlights some of the differences and improvements made on the TC2000 over the years. This also shows how to check the main fluids and shows views of the switches on my bus.

[@jjgillmen]

These things bring back lots of good memories--rode in TC2000s from 6th grade to my high school senior year.

[@appliancetraining]

Thanks! Just got a 97 TC2000 and know nothing. This helped a lot. One thing it has, that I’m not seeing is 2 A/C units inside.

[@TStudioX]

I love the TC 2000s. These buses are so cool.

[@matts4290]

@heyto The main difference is the injection pumps are different. In either 91' or 92' the 5.9 cummins went from using a VE pump to a P-pump(P7100). The whistle is the turbo, and again in 91' or 92' the cummins went from using a non-wastegated turbo to one that is smaller and wastegated. The video points out the difference between the pumps.

[@JeanFrancoisCossette1970]

Hi. This is a very good video about TC-2000 busses. It help me a lot to build my own 3D TC-2000. It will be for a video game but a little question about the 2004 one...You opened only the right door in front of the bus. Is there any differences in the center and left door with older ones? I saw that in the right door the difference is the transmission computer compared to older one. I'm a big fan of Blue Bird busses since the early seventies. Again very constructive video. Thank you so much.

[@matts4290]

@fishtankfreak- It will say on the data plate on the headerboard above the service door. Otherwise, you can narrow down years to what gauges are in it.

[@rmx77]

i remember that the school district i still live in was one of the first to get the first model year tc2000 in 1987 and 1988. All the ones that the district got were the rear engine model with the right side shifter and the right side push in air brakes. the other thing is that they didnt have the push in engine shut off. also a nice feature that the ones my old district got was the sander option they have retired most of them but some of them still remain

[@09ThomasEF]

Excellent video, Matt! The style gauge cluster in the 2004 TC was introduced in the 2001 model year. We have what must be an early '01 model year TC because it has the new gauge cluster, but the old control panel under the driver's window. We had a 1991 TC that also had the shifter to the left of the driver. However, it had the same grille as your 1990 TC, so maybe they have it wrong on the roster, or it was in an accident and had the grille replaced... I'll probably never know.

[@matts4290]

@knightrider1545, well I wasn't sure which ones you were talking about. The amber is a park brake indicator, and the red is a brake warning, and indicates loss of pressure in the system and/or low boost pressure.

[@rmx77]

the school district i live in still, they have a few 1987 tc2000 buses still running and the shifter is on the right. the other difference is that they had all rear engine buses and not any front engine tc2000 models. another difference is they never had the bus flasher thing on the inside of the bus.

[@matts4290]

@phonejoey- there is no red override. You would have to activate the lights and open the door, or at least unlatch it.

[@KodieS]

Absolutely fantastic video! Good job!

[@matts4290]

I've seen some 91's with the same grille. I'm assuming they changed it in 91' because I have seen some 91's with the big opening hood on the front.

[@derekobidowski7574]

From what i red about the Bluebird TC2000 the primary engine that was standard up to 1995 was a 7.0 litre 427 cubic inch big block Gm chevrolet engine the early models being carbureted and up to when the 427 engine was dropped it had throttle body fuel injection. as most of these busses were ordered with a 5.9litre Cummins diesel. the 427 equipped models for 1993 to 1994 still retained the tall hood to clear the air cleaner assembly of the big block 427 V8 engine. as the engine was dropped in 1995 due to low demand and the 6bt Cummins became standard equipment. As some TC2000 models were ordered with air brakes it and their floor plans were specified by the school district they served. so the 427 powered TC2000 models are pretty rare. with Blue Birds financial problems they dropped the TC2000 after 2003 as that design went on to the All American some call that the TC3000. Blue Bird also made a TC2000 in a rear engine variant with a faux front grille and had the dame headlights and optional marker lights as the front engine models. the engines for the Rear engine models were a 5.9 cummins while most had an 8.3 litre Cummins. a CAT 3116, or a John Deere engine and were made up to 1998 when it was replaced by the All American RE. Almost ALL of the FE models have an Allison AT545 transmission and the RE had an Allison MT643 As BlueBird made a TC1000 model as the front grille, Cummins 5.9 a GM or Bluebird guage cluster depending on the model year. the only difference in the TC1000 is the roof is completely different the wheels are smaller allowing for a flat floor. As here most school districts has retired all of its TC2000s already but its nice to have if the TC2000 would become a collector's item or a collector vehicle.

[@mkend3]

When I was growing up, I've always used to ride on different model Blue Bird TC2000s.

[@matts4290]

@dannyking98- No, it will drive, but won't have anything electrical and no gauges. Motor and trans are all mechanical.

[@matts4290]

@heyto I found out that the engines went to using the p-pump sometime in the 90' model year.

[@mkend3]

Can you do a differences on the All-Americans and the GM Blue Bird buses?

[@valvebread]

people say wisconsin still uses 4 way lights but i dont think they use it anymore that much

[@yellowbusguy]

The engine looks like the ones in our 96 fords. Would you know if that would be the case?

[@matts4290]

@yellowbusguy Yes, same cummins 5.9, but with bolt on ford parts, like the oil cap and other little things. That one would have the same motor as the 96' in the video.

[@vj3137]

9:24 Note that the 2004 TC also has the handbrake unlike the 96 TC.

[@mkend3]

The taller windshield and gear shift were actually changed in 1992. Not 1991.

[@Bluebirdvision91]

could you do a startup of a 2006 vision and a 2005 all american

[@matts4290]

@TheMorton54- That white TC is MY TC2000.

[@K1ll3rM4st3r]

@dieselpower4ever most buses from the 90's were hydraulic.

[@NWB1989]

How economical are those TC2000s compared to the All-American?

[@matts4290]

I've been told that mine would get around 7 on route, whereas larger all americans with the 8.3 litre would only get 5 mpg. I cannot verify that however.

[@knightrider1545]

It still dosen't tell what those two lights are in between the middle of the dashboard , the red and the yellow one.

[@cwieneke11]

And is that the bus that is on ur profile pic for youtube?

[@GASPUMPFILMS1995]

i have a question, i ride a 1992 all american fe. the dash has the gm gauges and has the gear shifter on the left side. what i did notice is that the fenders arnt lined up. the drivers side is about 3 inches further than the right. my bus isnt as long as a normal all american. is the fender thing standard on my type of bus?

[@asamojomaster]

i am surprised when you activated the warning lights, i thought the engine had to be running in order for them to flash

[@michaelschilling59]

on the 98 12v how do i increase the max speed?

[@matts4290]

The 99' in the fleet is currently being leased out, and I am a sub driver so I only get to drive whatever bus they give me. Sorry.

[@tubaman235]

does the engine shut-off close the air intake, or does it do something different to shut it off?

[@fishtankfreak]

Whats the easiest way to tell what year a TC2000 is?

[@mkend3]

If I ever own my own school bus one day, do I need to have insurance on a used school bus?

[@PatrickBaptist]

Only when you are pulled over or have an accident, otherwise nope. Works fine for me anyways, if you can't pay attention and aren't a skilled driver then I for sure would highly recommend insurance, the law prob requires it in your state.

[@RJxx0843]

Can you do a driving video af a 1998 TC2000 that whines? please :)

[@BigBlack135]

my company just got 25 tc/2000 from first student in mass. to replace the amtran internatinals

[@TheMorton54]

can you do a video on all of the controls on YOUR tc2000?

[@matts4290]

Yes

[@TheMorton54]

@sideswipefan1 no its not it has the front hood

[@rmx77]

our school district had all 1987 and 1988 tc2000 rear engine buses. most of those have been retired for the IC flat front rear engine buses and the newer all american rear engine buses. our school district wont buy any conventional or front engine buses unless they are the handycap type for students that are in special ed or are in a wheelchair.the school district however has a few old 1994 thomas safe-t liner buses around but not many. those are rear engine as well

[@aeastman16]

Hydraulic Brakes?

[@GLOATINGMAPLE01]

The only models blue bird makes now. Is vision all american and micro bird type A buses

[@matts4290]

It shuts off the fuel supply

[@6400az]

I was looking at an All American (shorty ) flat nose bus, but with only 6 cylinders. What is your opinion ? Thanks

[@TheDeltadodge]

They are only supposed to have six.

[@6400az]

Britton Heaps Thank you very much. I must have asked this question half a dozen times your the only one who responded. Starting to look at buses , not well versed on the subject. Thanks again.

[@anitasatterlee732]

The driver seat came out of a newer bus

[@matts4290]

Thank You. You guys all beat me to the punch. I just added a ton of annotations.

[@tbusman1]

What about ones with air brakes?

[@urielhernandezT150]

No air brakes on it

[@TheMorton54]

this has to be FE, right?

[@johnnyvaught6511]

don't you have another tc2000

[@TrafficControlFreak]

are all tc2000s flat front or are there long nose TC2000s out there?

[@vj3137]

All TCs are flatnose.

[@valvebread]

and theres RE tcs

[@stack4321]

i feel srry for the driver if there ever an engine fire

[@cwieneke11]

Are u a bus driver because u know alot about buses?

[@GLOATINGMAPLE01]

They stopped making tc 2000s in 2004 or 2005 now the only subnose buses that blue bird makes is the all american

[@matts4290]

All four are hydraulic.

[@mikey-fi4cw]

polish the seat legs

[@whelenvortexr4]

I like the 90s Blue Birds, the newer Blue Bird gets is the more they suck

[@jorgegomez715]

57

[@mariasimental6074]

55

[@PatrickBaptist]

I wouldn't have their platform, it's cheaply built and shows. International is the way to go, freightliner is prob the outright worst and cheapest made.

[@GLOATINGMAPLE01]

Newer c2s and hdx s have freightliner gauges because Thomas teamed up with freightliner in the late 90 s and early 2000 s