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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
 Posted - 04/13/2010 : 04:28:50 AM
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Browsing the revamped IC Bus website and there is no longer any mention of an FE model.  Only BEs, REs and CEs listed.
Not so long ago, excitement was in the air about an FE forward advantage and the standard FE model, now it appears with IC getting leaner and Conway shutting down we won't have any FEs at all.
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Edited by - Fastback on 04/13/2010 04:36:01 AM
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NWCROWN
Advanced Member
USA
461 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 10:24:41 AM
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| Interesting. The FE does serve a purpose for districts who see the advantages of better visibility in a flat-nose style bus, but don't have the cash to spend on the RE models. |
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 11:16:36 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by NWCROWN
Interesting. The FE does serve a purpose for districts who see the advantages of better visibility in a flat-nose style bus, but don't have the cash to spend on the RE models.
The REs are not a practical choice on gravel roads because of the dust and dirt getting plastered all over the back. Also the FEs have a much shorter turning radius for a givin size compared to either the RE or the conventional.
The real loss is for us rural fleets who want to continue buying buses that do not use DEF but need a large capacity, manueverable bus, with good visibility and have it fit in a cramped maintenance facility. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
Edited by - Fastback on 04/13/2010 11:17:35 AM |
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Jake
Top Member
USA
3527 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 1:54:24 PM
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| That's crazy, I thought the new IC-FE was nice. |
Yellow & Black
A new forum community dedicated to school bus driving, operations, maintenance and enthusiasts!
Come join the discussion! |
Edited by - Jake on 04/13/2010 1:54:34 PM |
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Kodie
Top Member
United States
2028 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 2:31:18 PM
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| Nobody has officially said it's done. There's a possibility they're doing a photoshoot for the most recent model, and they're waiting on that before it's put up. |
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 5:57:57 PM
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http://www.icbus.com/ICBus/Buses/School+Route/
This page appears like they consider it the complete lineup. Also the RE information really stresses the advantage of engine accessibility, for those that read between the lines. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
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RichBusman
Advanced Member
453 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 6:18:53 PM
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Keep in mind that very few transit buses are sold by all three manufacturers. The IC FE was probably a very small seller, probably under 500 a year. I'd honestly guess closer to 300.
They just moved the transit bus production into the Tulsa plant which was previously all conventional. A lot easier to build one transit bus. Also, I'm sure the front engine would be an absolute horror show to try and cram in any more additional cooling for 2010 emissions.
Besides, the IC FE was the least driver friendly FE out there. And hideous. No big loss. |
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 7:17:59 PM
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| It would seem likely that the 2010 SCR emissions solution would be more easily adapted to the front engine transit buses as the additional "stuff" goes under the bus. And the 2010 EGR emissions solution would be the easier of the two solutions to fit in a rear engine bus as the engine compartment is large and there is no additional aftertreatment device to fit into the short exhaust system. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
Edited by - Fastback on 04/13/2010 7:21:55 PM |
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RichBusman
Advanced Member
453 Posts |
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2010 : 08:06:54 AM
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| If you look at the dual turbo setup on the 2010 MaxxForce DT and are familiar enough with the FE buses and clearances on the turbo side its not too hard to see where there might have been some issues. In addition the greater than 230 hp DTs are 4" taller. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2010 : 10:47:37 AM
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| I don't think they ever solved the heat issues around the drivers area from the doghouse. With the volume of comaplints it may have been cheaper to quit making it than to continue and deal with the issues. |
Joe
Land of the Free, because of the Brave! |
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JustinB
Advanced Member
United States
490 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2010 : 2:23:39 PM
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Emission change overs are a common trigger for model deletion, modification or changes. FS-65 in 07 is a pretty good example. Freightliner got rid of the FLD in 10/02 the same way.
The old, "It cost too much to integrate" defense. |
I may not know the answer but I can usually find who does. |
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MorrisV2
Senior Member
53 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2010 : 07:22:28 AM
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| There isn't an IC FE that I know of around here and come to think of it, I have not seen a forward engine since the last TC2000s. I have yet to see a new Blue Bird FE on the road here in Ontario. Has the new BBFE sold in the USA or is it mostly Visions for Blue Bird? |
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bluebirdvision
Top Member
USA
1081 Posts |
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NWCROWN
Advanced Member
USA
461 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2010 : 08:25:28 AM
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| FE's are still in wide use here in Southwest Washington, although Blue Bird and Thomas are far more common than IC. Although a lot of districts that used to buy FE's seem to be moving toward RE's these days, there are still some sticking with FE's. |
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78fordwayne
Top Member
USA
2868 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2010 : 10:58:00 AM
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| Was IC still not using a drop-frame on there FEs ? That's probably why the engine wouldn't fit. |
Robert B.
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Kodie
Top Member
United States
2028 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2010 : 12:58:38 PM
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Robert,
I thought the exact same thing while I was sitting around yesterday. I wonder if using the drop frame chassis would allow them to fit everything under the "doghouse". I find it hard to believe that a company would be willing to give up some of it's market share, even if it's only a little bit. |
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dem84skeeprollinup
Top Member
USA
888 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 11:54:42 AM
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| I'm sure if they kept it the doghouse would be rediculously huge. Anybody remember the Ward President? The top was basicly at windshield level and the shifter was built in on top of it. |
Do the world a favor and bring back GMC and Ford conventional chassis......
 
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 7:13:46 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by 78fordwayne
Was IC still not using a drop-frame on there FEs ? That's probably why the engine wouldn't fit.
No, IC is not using a drop frame on the FEs. What would it help? The presant doghouse already compromises access from the stepwell to the aisle and to the drivers seat. You can't really drop the DT engine any farther, the oil pan to ground clearance is already marginal. Manufacturers that use an engine that fits in a pickup truck have a packaging advantage in this application. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
Edited by - Fastback on 04/23/2010 7:20:28 PM |
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JustinB
Advanced Member
United States
490 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2010 : 05:43:44 AM
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Ya sure it wasn't the extra 6" doghouse clearence needed to accomodate the 2nd EGR Cooler?  |
I may not know the answer but I can usually find who does. |
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Topic |
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Has IC Canceled the FE?
