First Conversion

[comtb]

Hey all, this is my first post here! Just acquiring a 1990 Thomas MVP with the 6bt 12 valve in it. I'm 19 and decided to take a break from college, so not a whole lot of funding is available for this project. so if it comes across a little redneck.... bear with me
Anyways, the conversion was already started by the person I'm purchasing it from, but I'm going to be improving and cleaning up on some of the stuff he started. The bus already has a solar and charge control system in it, with extra deep cycle batteries and a 1000w inverter. A bunch of framing for shelving and the bed is done, and a kitchen sink and propane RV oven are installed. I plan on putting carpet and laminate wood flooring in to start the conversion off. As of right now, there is no plumbing installed. Planning on putting a fresh water tank under the bed in the rear, and hanging black and gray water tanks under the skirting on the outside, dumping an RV toilet straight into the black tank. For a shower, I'll install a shower pan (actually a feed tub that's 24x36 inches I got for a steal at Tractor Supply...) and I'm looking at the ecotemp L5 propane tankless water heater/ shower combo. I have a friend who did a bus, and this heater is what he used, but he retrofitted it slightly so that he has another outlet to run hot water from the shower unit into other places in his rig. Attached are some current pictures, and a CAD drawing of the original/ current floor plan.

[EastCoastCB]

try uploading the pics again

[The Nebuchadnezzar]

Hi, welcome to the madness. I'm also in the process of converting, but at a stand still due to cold weather. I'm going with potable water and grey only and a nature's head composting toilet (toilets that separate 1 from 2 appear to work best). Sounds like you have a nice start to the conversion. I'm frustrated by the cold weather but I guess its been a blessing of sorts because I've been able to do a bunch of research and purchases. To check on the solar work that you've inherited, I would recommend going to Handybobs solar page, he really understands RV solar.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.

[somewhereinusa]

Pictures? We need pictures!!!!

[bapos]

That or the links you took them from or broken

[comtb]

Sorry, its been a few days. Been busy on the project. First off, here's the photos I tried to upload in that first post...
All "before"












Now, on to the last few days.... I've remodeled to include the sink next to the stove, and make the counter into an L shape to better divide the kitchen and living area. Fridge is now under the counter. Sheeted in the bathroom and cut out overhead shelving where headroom was needed. Got a Coleman furnace and wired it in to a simple thermostat, and gave it a nice little box home. Put a freshwater tank under the bed with a pump and piped in the sink and toilet with pex. Still waiting on the tankless heater. Also built a couch with storage space underneath and ran some rope lighting. Also put in a wardrobe cabinet and computer area. Next up is insulating the floor with 1" Dow foam board (tuff-r w/ foil backing) and 1/2" OSB on top. Then I'll varnish the OSB with 3 coats, and lay down carpet on top, excluding the bathroom and kitchen area. The big job will be hanging black and Gray water tanks here when it gets a bit warmer.
"After" pictures. Sorry about some of the mess!

[comtb]

So apparently my flickr links are still broken
.. Here's direct uploads.











After/ in progress

[nat_ster]

That worked.

Thx for the pics.

Nat

[EastCoastCB]

Cozy looking.

[comtb]

Sorry it's been so long. Since last update, floor insulation and sheeting has been finished, and it makes a huge difference! Carpet in the back bedroom and wood floor from the kitchen forward. Toilet is plumbed in and cushions have been found and resewed to fit the couch. Added a table and seats, as well as curtains are being sewed. I think I'm going to sew mylar emergency blankets to the back of the curtains to help with insulation. I also need to figure out which windows I'm going to be blocking out permanently. Also, does anyone have suggestions on tank hanging? The black water tank is hung via all thread and straps of steel... But it doesn't feel as beefy as I would like.

[comtb]

Painting the interior is started, blue with sage green trim that's kind of the color of the cushions. So far all we have up is the blue, but the couch turned out great.

[EastCoastCB]

Oh, wow. I like it!

[comtb]

Ceiling paint going up...

[dond]

I see 2A is alive and well in Gunnison!

[comtb]

Originally Posted by dond

I see 2A is alive and well in Gunnison!

Very much so!

[comtb]

"Insulated" curtains are almost done. My girlfriend's mom possesses a particular set of sewing skills I have yet to acquire.. So she helped out big time! Took regular curtains and sewed magnets on two edges, then she sewed a cut panel of mylar from emergency blankets in on the back. On first test here in CO, they seem to insulate very well. Great low cost window insulation+ light block!

[HolyBus]

Great idea for the windows.

[comtb]

Originally Posted by HolyBus

Great idea for the windows.

Thanks! What have some of you done for some of your window insulation?

[PDBreske]

Originally Posted by comtb

Thanks! What have some of you done for some of your window insulation?

My solution: I didn't install any.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by comtb

Thanks! What have some of you done for some of your window insulation?

Going with RV windows