What to look for in a bus?

I'm looking at a lifted ex-army bus on the weekend and wondering what things I should look out for? ie, rust in "typical" places that is costly to fix, expensive engine or transaxle noises, etc. It's going quite cheap but even so I don't want to be left with a lemon.

Does anyone know this bus? It's still army green, with white roof, some serious (31") mud tyres on the rear and it plays on the dunes at Stockton beach.

[Edited on 27-3-2003 by PostModern]

the place for rust is in the rockers, underneath the sliding door and on the other side. The front seat footwell is another place.

As for the engine, grab the crankshaft pulley by the end and give it a good push and pull, if you can detect any kind of movement, the engine is pretty much stuffed and won't live very much longer.

To test the tranny, load it up in every gear and lift your foot off the accelerator suddenly. This loads and unloads the tranny, if it pops out of gear the syncro's are worn. If it grinds into any gear when you shift it properly that is also another sign that the syncros are on the way out. Don't worry too much about a tranny as they go forever, and it shouldn't be too expensive to source a good used one.

Indian automotive's web site has a good rundown on what to look for in a bus.
Try them out as they are specialist's in type 2's.
and good luck.:thumb🙂

[Edited on 28-3-2003 by wannabus]

wannabus wrote:Indian automotive's web site has a good rundown on what to look for in a bus.
Try them out as they are specialist's in type 2's.
and good luck.:thumb🙂

[Edited on 28-3-2003 by wannabus]

I'm a big fan of their site.

What are people's general opinions of ex-army buses? Is it sacrilege to repaint them and remove any army-only fittings? The one I'm interested in has been lifted and had a 1600 tranny fitted, also non-VW bucket seats in front... I believe the army fitted them with a 3-seater bench in front to make them 9-seaters. Are these seats still available anywhere? Mmm 9-seater.

I think that ours was Army Green.
The wife wanted a Lavender car so now it is Lavender.

This thread is going to turn into a rant.

I organised with the seller of the bus to meet him on Sunday as he said he was busy on Sat. (I was the first caller). I said I'd call him on Sunday morning to get his address and set a time. he seemed happy that he could go out on Sunday.

I phoned and phoned for hours, leaving messages, SMS's etc etc finally at 11am, I get thru. "oh sorry mate sold it yesterday". Apparently the second caller was smart enough to get his adress right away, then show up on Saturday morning without an appointment and just hand over the asking price in cash...

As I see it, they both were in the wrong. Firstly, the buyer for showing up without an arrangement. Secondly, but equally, the seller for taking the cash even tho the buyer was there without appointment knowing that I'd be coming the next day to see the bus.

Damn I'm pissed off.

What he should have done is tell the kid who bought it that there was someone else coming on Sunday and he'd call if i didn't want it. Shouldn't he have?

I hope the bus gets bogged for its new owner. I really do. I'm so pissed off.

Anyway, if any of you Sand Van owners are selling your bus, let me know. I'd consider any rust-free bus without a pop-top. I'd also prefer a 2 litre but will look at any 75 or later bay, reasonably priced.