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Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
 Posted - 07/22/2010 : 2:40:10 PM
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I'm a contractor and have to replace my bus for this new contract. Can any of you guys give me some insight on the 2000 Amtran has a 444 in it.
It has juice brakes insted of air so I wonder about that as well?
How well does the 444 stand up service wise?
Thanks |
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BJ Henderson
Advanced Member
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 4:35:50 PM
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| Depends on whether it came from a state that used chemicals on the roads in winter as to whether or not it is worth anything at this point. The engine may have a lot of life left in it and trans, too. The rust will eat up brake lines on that brake system, and everything else under the bus. Look good before you leap! |
CMTT,CMAT,CMBT |
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Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 6:21:00 PM
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I think it came out of South Dakota. One of the corporation mechanics said that the 444's are junk said they just replaced all of what they had left.? I'm in Indiana and he said you will go through brakes alot more then air brakes. Any more input greatly appreciated.
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BJ Henderson
Advanced Member
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 6:49:33 PM
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Yep, you will go through more brakes for sure. I assume that it has 4 wheel disc.
Still, I have no idea if SD uses chemicals to control snow and ice. Look under the bus very closely to see how much rust you do have.
That would be my real concern besides the engine and trans at this point. If it is running and no indication of major leaks, or problems I wouldn't be afraid to purchase it, IF it wasn't rusted out and if I wasn't trying to put 200k a year on it. Those engines have some weaknesses just as all of them do, but the ones I have been around did well compared to some of the other v-8 offerings that IC has. I, for one, really do not like diesel v-8 engines. I would not spec them, I would spec away from them in fact.
If the bus is in your price range, you know what you will expect as far as mileage, you have to consider the life cycle cost to you. |
CMTT,CMAT,CMBT |
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 05:08:11 AM
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We have seven 444s and they have been good to us.
Personally, if I had a choice between an International bus with V8 and air brakes or a 6 cylinder with hydraulic I would take the air brake bus.
For your 2000 bus, rust is the deciding factor, your dream powertrain and brake setup won't mean squat if the bus is a rust bucket. I would look very carefully, especially if the bus has been operated in a metro area such as Sioux Falls......... |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
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hardybusman
Advanced Member
United States
470 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 12:53:25 PM
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| Other than injectors or an occasional turbo issue a T444E gets better with age. Ours were junk until after 150k miles and we got all the electronic bugs out. With hydraulic brakes you will be fine unless you stop everyother driveway. Just make sure there is no rust on the steel lines. Most of ours are hydraulic but I think in the long run air would be the best way to go with outboard drums. Just my two cents |
Mr. Courtney Hardy
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hardybusman
Advanced Member
United States
470 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 12:56:49 PM
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| How many miles on the bus? Other than injectors or an occasional turbo issue a T444E gets better with age. Ours were junk until after 150k miles and we got all the electronic bugs out. With hydraulic brakes you will be fine unless you stop everyother driveway. Just make sure there is no rust on the steel lines. Most of ours are hydraulic but I think in the long run air would be the best way to go with outboard drums. Just my two cents |
Mr. Courtney Hardy
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Wolf0r
Top Member
USA
2181 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 2:45:33 PM
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| Whats the other choice? 444e is fine but Amtran? Ewwwwwwwwww. You should shop around man. Call my boss 812-874-2216 We will be selling off some of our route buses soon. |
“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson |
Edited by - Wolf0r on 07/23/2010 2:49:15 PM |
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Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 9:26:01 PM
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I think it has around 85 k miles on it. Yea not to fond of the Amtran as well.. Always been a BB or Thomas guy.. So far do not see alot of rust, Im going Monday to inspect it.
Thanks for the opinions and help. |
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 10:22:45 PM
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| Make sure you get an accurate mileage reading from a computer. You can't fully rely on those International dash clusters to be 100% accurate. |
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78fordwayne
Top Member
USA
2868 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 1:07:47 PM
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| For the love of god stay away from AmTran REs with T444Es and AT545s ! It has to be the most unreliable bus ever built. |
Robert B.
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Kodie
Top Member
United States
2028 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 3:49:08 PM
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| We run a large number of RE buses with the T444E and have had good luck. Every engine has it's quirks but we've been lucky up to this point with them. |
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78fordwayne
Top Member
USA
2868 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 6:31:25 PM
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| Its a great engine as long as its in the front of a bus :) |
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bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 7:30:17 PM
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| There's an AmTran RE with a 444/545 sitting in my driveway with Camper plates. It runs great, and it's the most powerful bus I've driven with that combo (even at a rated 190 hp). But from what I've seen, mine is in the minority... |
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2000 Amtran wit a T444e Questions
