A Ford E450 Shuttle Bus With a 7.3 Powerstroke, Ready for a Skoolie Build

Bus Conversions, Skoolies, Tiny Houses For Sale, Vehicles

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Most finished skoolies cost tens of thousands of dollars. The cheapest way in is to buy the bus and build it yourself, and this listing near Vancouver, Washington is about as low as that gets. It is a 2004 Ford E450 shuttle bus with an Eldorado body and the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel, retired from the Evergreen School District fleet, for $3,950. The tradeoff is mileage: the seller lists 459,000 miles.


A Shuttle Bus Is a Good Small Skoolie

A cutaway shuttle like this sits between a van and a full-size school bus. It is easier to drive and park than a 40-footer, and the box body gives you more standing room and wall space than a van. The seller notes high ceilings throughout, which matters if you plan to add insulation, a ceiling, and flooring.

Passenger side of the shuttle bus with folding entry doors and a row of windows
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing
Rear corner of the shuttle bus showing the long window line and rear emergency door
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing

The Interior You Would Strip

Inside it is still a working shuttle, with vinyl bus seats, grab bars, floor tie-down tracks, and a Ricon wheelchair lift at the rear. The lift is a nice bonus for anyone who needs accessibility, or for loading bikes, gear, or a motorcycle. Everything else would come out for a conversion.

Interior aisle with dark vinyl bus seats, yellow grab bars, and floor tie-down tracks
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing
Rows of bus seats and the wheelchair lift area at the back
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing
Rear of the shuttle bus with the wheelchair lift door
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing

The 7.3 Powerstroke and Fleet Maintenance

The 7.3L Powerstroke has a reputation for very long life, and fleet buses usually get regular service. The seller describes the body as rust-free, with fairly new brakes, usable tires, and a bus that starts, runs, and drives well. Still, 459,000 miles is a lot, so plan for some mechanical work.

Driver seat, steering wheel, and dashboard with the bus control panel
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing

What It Costs

  • Asking price: $3,950 (listing checked October 24, 2026). The seller can take a credit card for an extra fee.

Before You Buy

  • Have a diesel mechanic check the engine, transmission, and brakes, and ask for fleet service records from the school district.
  • Look under the body and floor for rust, despite the listing’s rust-free claim.
  • Contact the seller through the listing and inspect the bus in person before paying.

Design Details

  • Chassis: 2004 Ford E450 with Eldorado shuttle body
  • Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke turbo diesel, automatic transmission
  • Mileage: 459,000 (per seller)
  • Features: high ceilings, Ricon wheelchair lift, rear tie-downs, seating installed
  • History: Evergreen School District fleet bus
  • Location: near Vancouver, Washington
Front of the white Ford E450 shuttle bus in afternoon sun
Image via the seller’s Facebook Marketplace listing

Highlights

  • Shuttle-size bus that is easy to drive and park
  • 7.3L Powerstroke diesel from a school district fleet
  • High ceilings and a working wheelchair lift
  • Asking $3,950; high mileage disclosed

Learn More

See the listing on Facebook Marketplace, and get ideas from our bus conversions and skoolies.

Would you start a skoolie project with a high-mileage bus at this price?


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More Like This: Tiny Houses For Sale | Bus Conversions | Skoolies | Vehicles

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

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Alex

Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.

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