IC Bus FE Series
| IC Bus FE Series | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | IC Bus (Navistar) |
| Production | 1990–2010 |
| Assembly | United States: Conway, Arkansas |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Type D (transit-style) |
| Body style | Body-on-frame
|
| Chassis | International 3900 |
| Related | 3900 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Navistar DT 466 210–255 hp (1990–2007) Navistar MaxxForce DT 210–255 hp (2007–2010) |
| Capacity | 42–90? |
| Transmission | Allison PTS 2500 5-speed automatic (standard) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 26'3" – 37'6" |
| Width | 96 in (2,438 mm) |
| Curb weight | 29,500–37,000 lb (13,381–16,783 kg) (GVWR) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ward President (c. 1975–1990) |
The IC Bus FE Series, also known as the IC FE, is a school bus that is manufactured by IC Bus, a subsidiary of Navistar International.[1] Originally introduced in 1990 as the Ward Senator, it is primarily used in school bus applications, as well as some commercial applications.[2] IC Bus manufactures the FE in Conway, Arkansas; this facility is now closed. In April 2010, IC Bus removed the IC FE product literature from its website as dealers announced its discontinuation.
Design history
For the 1990 model year, AmTran introduced the Ward Senator, a successor to the President. In 1992, the model was renamed as the AmTran Genesis.[3] By the mid-1990s, AmTran became the sole user of the 3900.
In 1999, AmTran redesigned its forward control school bus, named the AmTran FE. Sharing a common body design with the RE, the all-new FE is designed with a careful eye on the details that exceed the expectations of today’s school bus drivers, owners and technicians.[4]
For the 2001 model year, the FE began to use the "International" branding like the IC.[5] In 2002, for the 2003 model year, the company was renamed "IC Corporation" and the model was renamed "IC FE".[6] Also, the warning light caps and the back were redesigned. It would later also be updated in 2008. In 2010, production of front-engine bus chassis was discontinued.
Unlike the RE, the FE was only sold with inline-6 engines (300-series designation), those being the DT466E and MaxxForce DT due to its chassis design.
References
- ^ "2003 IC FE brochure" (PDF). IC Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "2003 IC FE specifications" (PDF). IC Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Ward Body Works, Ward School Bus Mfg., IC Bus, Ward School Bus history, David H. Ward, Dave Ward, AmTran, Navistar, IC Corp., Conway, Arkansas - CoachBuilt.com". Coachbuilt.com. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "New AmTran School Bus Delivers On The Details". International Truck and Engine. April 19, 1999. Archived from the original on March 6, 2001. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "International Moves School Bus Customers Ahead with the New Integrated Conventional". International Truck and Engine. March 10, 2000. Archived from the original on December 9, 2001. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "IC Tip Sheet - 2002 2Q" (PDF). International Truck and Engine. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2004. Retrieved February 15, 2026.