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 What option hides in this BB bulge?
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Elliot
Senior Member

USA
54 Posts

Posted - 01/09/2017 :  5:39:58 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm considering buying a second bus, and I see this one on an online auction.
1992 BB TC2000 Forward Control, listed as having a Cummins 5.9.
This one has a Telma retarder, which I very much want.

But what's with the extended front? I already have exactly a 1992 TC2000 FC with 5.9, and its front is flat.

I have seen others like this, and I believe this to be an option of some sort. Well... the option is... whatever that six inches or so "bubble" is covering.

There is no sign of air-conditioning in the driver's area, so probably not an a/c condenser.

Can a Telma be water cooled? But the same district has other similar buses with Telma, but no "bubble".

Sure appreciate your knowledge!

Elliot
Senior Member

USA
54 Posts

Posted - 01/09/2017 :  10:41:19 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Poking around on the interweb.... On Wikipedia, they say that this "bulge" was a running change in 1991. The large hinged panel was supposed to make access easier for drivers and mechanics.
But this was abandoned in 1992.

OK, so... feedback from districts was negative. So far, it makes sense.

But why extend forward six or eight inches? That cost money in new tooling.

Also... I believe the extension would put an 84 pax bus over 40 feet. My 84 pax 1992 is right at 40 feet.


Elliot
1992 Bluebird TC2000 FE, 5.9, MT643
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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2017 :  03:33:01 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It seems like Blue Bird likes to come up with new designs and then abandon them. How many new buses were supposed to be the best new thing, then disappeared quickly? I think this was the beginning of that trend.
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Elliot
Senior Member

USA
54 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2017 :  2:24:12 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yes, that's not unusual. In this case, maybe people were cutting their heads open on the edge of the raised panel (just as a theory). That would probably get back to BB after a while. (I should hope.)

I sure appreciate all thoughts on this, gentlemen!

Elliot
1992 Bluebird TC2000 FE, 5.9, MT643
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buster133
Top Member

USA
512 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2017 :  2:55:58 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Don't know much about Blue Birds but to me if that panel didn't bulge out like that it might not have been able to be lifted completely up and still clear the base of the wiper arms

[URL=http://s7.photobucket.com/user/buster133/media/6f2e0703-1970-4ac9-bb1f-b6b9d7c12297_zps1741e113.jpg.html][/URL]
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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2017 :  06:24:04 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Keen observation there about the wipers! That might explain it.
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baptistbusman1
Senior Member

USA
175 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2017 :  08:37:55 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
When you open it you have access to the wiper fluid, p/s fluid and overflow tank. It was pretty handy.

I was formally Baptistbusman. However, I lost my password, and had not updated my email address.

Here is a link to my old posts. http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum/search.asp?mode=DoIt&MEMBER_ID=1846
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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2017 :  09:17:02 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Did it have a prop rod of some sort? I hope?
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baptistbusman1
Senior Member

USA
175 Posts

Posted - 01/13/2017 :  6:26:32 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yep has a prop. Only thing I hated about it is you have to undo
the winter front to open it.

I was formally Baptistbusman. However, I lost my password, and had not updated my email address.

Here is a link to my old posts. http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum/search.asp?mode=DoIt&MEMBER_ID=1846
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