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03-19-2016, 03:39 AM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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Grandma's Rolling Home
I did it. I bought a bus on Wednesday from Don Brown's Bus Sales in Johnstown, New York. I've read that they were kind and trustworthy. My experience with them has been good so far. Everyone there has been incredibly nice and helpful. The bus I chose is a 2003 IC CE with a T444E 65/43 in solid shape with ~96,000 miles on it.
I'm still getting the paperwork sorted, but I took the leap. I'm becoming a full-timer. I'm simplifying my life and moving forward. And that's a very good thing.
The plan is to get the basic infrastructure installed, and load it with all of my worldly possessions. Then Stony (my little dog) and I will move to Oregon to be near my oldest son, incredible daughter-in-law, and my two adorable baby grand daughters
Buying a bus is exciting and scary. It's a big commitment, and a big change. I love to build things, and I'm very much looking forward to converting the interior. However, there's a lot I don't know about working with metal, killing rust spots, and maintaining a bus mechanically and legally. It's been a long time since I've driven a bus. There's going to be a learning curve...
Breathing deep; seeking peace; embarking upon my next great adventure.
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03-19-2016, 05:41 AM
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#2
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ft. Smith Arkansas
Posts: 141
Rated Cap: 2+1
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Well alright then, it sounds like you have a game plan, and to me it sounds like a good one.
Your journey of a few thousand miles starts with turning the key. You are a very lucky
Person to have a goal in mind.
You are at the right place in this part of your adventure, the people here are great.
Please let me be the first to say welcome.
__________________
Don and Ellen
Plus one fuzzy faced kid (Poopcee)
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03-19-2016, 09:59 AM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Spring Valley AZ
Posts: 1,343
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 2 elderly children, 1 cat
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Welcome and have fun.
__________________
Don, Mary and Spooky the cat.
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03-19-2016, 10:45 AM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
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Congrats. You know the rule, pics or it never happened.
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03-19-2016, 03:14 PM
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#5
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Posts: 89
Year: 1969
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford B-750
Engine: 390 BB
Rated Cap: 2 humans, 1 cat
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Congratulations!! And yes, I agree with CrazyCal - pics or it didn't happen!!!
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03-19-2016, 04:04 PM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 403
Year: 1999
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 84
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Welcome to the madness Bishop. Congrats on taking the leap. We're all here to help so don't hesitate to ask.
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03-19-2016, 05:26 PM
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#7
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Johnstown, PA
Posts: 248
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9
Rated Cap: 83
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YAY! Another one gets their bus. We know it is a little scary when you buy a bus but what a great feeling at the same time. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. I know you will have a lot of them. There are many here who will help you. It will be a lot of work but it is so enjoyable at the same time. The main thing is to enjoy the adventure.
__________________
Hopeless Busaholic!
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03-19-2016, 05:57 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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Thank you all so much! As soon as I figure out how to post the first pictures of my bus, I'll share.
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03-19-2016, 06:28 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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As long as it doesn't have any rust it sounds like you got a really nice bus.
With it being that new it most likely has 12" windows, an OD automatic transmission, and a turbo--all really nice things to have!
As you do your conversion I would suggest you paint it a different color. It will tend to reduce hassles as you travel across the country.
Good luck and happy trails to you!
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03-19-2016, 10:25 PM
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#10
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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Here's my new home!
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03-19-2016, 10:45 PM
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#11
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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Stony Approves
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03-19-2016, 11:33 PM
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#12
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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Tires & Rusty Bits
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03-20-2016, 12:04 AM
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#13
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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The interior is clean
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03-20-2016, 12:21 AM
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#14
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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There were a lot of buses to choose from!
This is only a small fraction of the buses available. There were hundreds. Really. Hundreds.
But Inspector Stony was on the job sniffing every inch. He was making very sure.
He deserves a cape, or maybe a sweater, with an emblem for doing such a good job.
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03-20-2016, 12:48 AM
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#15
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 21
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Our first picture together.
May this be the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship full of grand adventures.
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03-20-2016, 05:40 AM
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#16
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
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Congrats , you have started a most excellent adventure
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
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03-20-2016, 06:01 AM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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congrats on the bus.
Got any pics of the frame/undercarriage?
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03-20-2016, 08:13 AM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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For a New York bus the rust is very minimal.
You also got the deep skirts which will make adding skirt mounted storage compartments easier. It will also make hiding things like tanks much easier as well since the skirts hang low enough to hide just about anything under the bus.
I hope the undercarriage has minimal rust as well.
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03-20-2016, 10:00 AM
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#19
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Posts: 89
Year: 1969
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford B-750
Engine: 390 BB
Rated Cap: 2 humans, 1 cat
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May I suggest double checking the tires? Ours looked just like that - when we had the shop do a DOT inspection (we're on a short time-frame before moving on to our Skoolie and taking a 2,500 mile trip) - they found dry rot on the drive tires. If the bus has been sitting for any length of time, definitely get them checked.
She looks great and I'm definitely looking forward to hearing your tales!! Yay Inspector Stony!!
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03-20-2016, 10:29 AM
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#20
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Definitely check the DOT date stamp on those tires. Many look great but may be 10 years old and ready for the dumpster.
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