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Old 06-17-2016, 04:12 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Franklin, Va
Posts: 28
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: 444 International/545
Rated Cap: Handicap bus
2001 International/Bluebird conversion

Well we started our conversion two weeks ago. For now we are just doing AC and the basics inside. We are gonna go out to Colorado(1800 miles one way) for a friends wedding with my in-laws in two weeks. We took out all the seats (which were real easy cause handy bus seats bolt in tracks). Took out roof and wall interior panels then had it closed cell spray foam insulated. We are covering the roof and walls with 1/4 paneling. We decided on a "murphy" bed, which will fold up when not in use. For now at least, we are gonna leave the floor intact so we can use the handy tracks. My father and I went to Lowes and got some cheap reddi-made cabinets to house electrical parts. I picked out a Marinco 50 amp outlet, ran 10/4 wire into a house breaker box which feeds 3 outlets, a Proggressive Dynamics panel, and an AC. I choose a 15,000 btu Dometic Brisk Air 11. We will see how it cools. We bought a Generac 5000 watt diesel generator to run things when we aren't plugged into shore power. The AC supposedly uses 3300 starting watts and 2000 running, and we will be able to run other small things. The bus already has a white roof and tinted windows, so hopefully it stays cool. . . .





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Old 06-17-2016, 06:55 PM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Franklin, Va
Posts: 28
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: 444 International/545
Rated Cap: Handicap bus
Father-in-law just mostly finished"murphy" bed.
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Old 06-26-2016, 09:21 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Franklin, Va
Posts: 28
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: 444 International/545
Rated Cap: Handicap bus
Interior is coming together!

Some cabinets from Lowes, and a plywood countertop

Sleeper sofa from Ikea

Dometic AC
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Old 06-26-2016, 09:25 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Franklin, Va
Posts: 28
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: 444 International/545
Rated Cap: Handicap bus
Bus is now white!


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Old 06-28-2016, 05:05 PM   #5
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 1
Did you have the foam insulation installed?

If you don't mind saying, how much did you pay for the bus? I just looked at a 2000 model similar to yours and still trying to get an idea what they're going for.
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Old 06-29-2016, 12:49 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Mentor, OH
Posts: 38
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Mini Bird (8 window)
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 24 +1
Looks awesome, Lbickham, love the paint job!
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Old 06-29-2016, 06:48 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Franklin, Va
Posts: 28
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: 444 International/545
Rated Cap: Handicap bus
Thanks, everybody!

Yes, the foam was sprayed in after we partially stripped it. Apparently a lot of companies can do it. We payed like $600 and wife's brother payed like $1000.

We payed $3600 for the bus with 175,000 miles, but a new trans and brakes in the last 30,000 miles.
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Old 06-29-2016, 08:03 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,231
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
Looking good. After you have some experience with the diesel genny I'd sure like to know what you think of it--they look like a good bet to me.

Oh, and I hope you aren't paying that lazy lout sitting in the "dentist chair"! Jack
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