Haulin' Toyz - '85 GMC Skoolie in NJ

ceccles3 · 08-20-2009, 10:16 PM

I guess I'll start with this post - it seems I can only add three total attachments to a post, so there will be more coming. Found my bus on eBay for $1025, caught a Greyhound to Ohio, drove it back to NJ. Now it's my front burner project - at least to get it camping capable. Ultimately, this will be an RV/toy hauler for myself, my wife, and our four boys. Floor plan is also attached, see the following: http://www.floorplanner.com/projects...t-project/edit. Not sure if that link will work, I'm figuring this out as I go along. Any inputs are appreciated, I've learned alot from you guys already!

Chad

ceccles3 · 08-20-2009, 10:32 PM

When my oldest son and I grinded the seat bolts out and ripped up the rubber floor, we found rusty areas - as one would expect from an '85. I removed the third heater in the rear and re-piped the radiator hoses. We cut off all screw heads, primed everything with rusty metal primer, then riveted sheet metal to cover holes. Polystyrene foam went down in two layers, then a vapor barrier, then 3/4" subfloor. I primed the subfloor to protect it from swelling/warping, and countersunk bolts through down the middle of the bus. Great stuff Gap Filler and GE's silicone II filled and sealed everything possible. Rear door widening coming soon, as well as skinning over all the rear windows. More to follow...

Sojakai · 08-20-2009, 10:58 PM

That link is the wrong one... But here ya go, your proper link:

http://www.floorplanner.com/projects...-first-project

ezbme · 08-21-2009, 02:17 PM

Welcome & congrats on the new bus! Good progress already! Feel free to ask around for any info you may need as this IS the site for skoolies!!

Jonathan

TygerCub · 08-21-2009, 05:08 PM

Nice looking floor plans!

One suggestion, though... You might consider swapping the positions of the sink and counter top so you have a place to set down food and other ingredients while cooking. At home, my stove sits right next to the fridge with a corner cabinet on the other side of it and I'm >always< cursing the lack of space!

Whatcha gonna haul in that loverly beast? Besides the kids, that is...

shortstuff · 08-21-2009, 06:02 PM

Congratulations on your bus ,it sure is big and roomy . We have a 1991 24' shorty we fixed up . Can't paste pictures with my webtv system .

When we put a bike rack on back we got maybe two blocks before it busted out a window on back door . So we took it back and went to glass shop to replace window . We now put bikes inside . Hubby can't ride much anyway so mostly we leave them home .

ceccles3 · 08-26-2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks all for the suggestions - I will take any and all advice/ideas. I just had someone come over to take a look at the back door to get his inputs on making the door wider, so a plan is in place. I haven't had much time to work on anything though - it's been raining A LOT. And then there's work... Last weekend I removed the last 7 windows on both sides and skinned over with 18 gauge sheet metal. I HIGHLY recommend these guys for any kind of metal products you need if you're in my area. http://www.josephfazzioinc.com/ Great prices, great service! Once the door is done, I will begin the paint process.

ezbme · 08-26-2009, 07:42 PM

Nice bikes! Man I a jealous... I miss riding!

Frank ZX · 08-27-2009, 10:05 AM

Looks like fun.We have a 02'XR100,07'CR85,95 Z50,and 05'YZ250(mine)How are you going to haul your bikes?I assume in the back of the bus?How are the beds going in?

ceccles3 · 08-27-2009, 08:47 PM

Yeah, bikes will be loaded from the wheel wells back. I plan on recycling the bus seat frames to make wheel chocks to keep the front wheels in place when tied down. The chocks need to be less than 10.5 inches tall to fit below the bunks that will be attached to the walls. Or, I will make a quick-release attachment point for them. Wall-mounted bunks will be fabricated from bedframes with hinges to fold up and out of the way for bikes to be loaded while traveling. If all goes well, there will be two levels of bunks on either side of the bus, from wheel wells all the way back (8 total). Me and the wife will sleep up front on a fold-out couchbed. I can stand up straight inside the bus, unless I am completely against the side walls - which I can't see ever happening, but I'm only 5'10" (still the tallest in the family, though the boys are catching up quick!). Thanks for the kudos on the floor! I agree with others on that being the most frustrating, but most important part of the conversion. A lot of thought went into that... The floor will have herculiner for the "garage," and probably vinyl flooring up front in the living area.

Nicky, Sojakai posted an additional floorplan link, maybe that one will load for you. Thanks for checking it out...

Sojakai · 08-28-2009, 08:10 PM

Yeah, I think that FloorPlanner changed the way they do their links... I'll re-post my link just in case...
http://www.floorplanner.com/projects/18409730-40-bus

shortstuff · 08-29-2009, 01:11 PM

Congrats on the bus, looks good so far . We've had ours for a couple years now and it's nice to be able to just hop in and go .

We have to clean out diesel tank soon as hubby gets to feeling better .

ceccles3 · 08-29-2009, 10:21 PM

Got some pics of the bus after skinning the windows and a couple coats of primer. Need to address the roof rust spots ASAP! I will try and get to that tomorrow...

KC10Chief · 08-31-2009, 10:10 PM

Nice! Looks like you're making some progress! It's good to see another flight engineer on here.

I actually kind of miss New Jersey sometimes too.

ceccles3 · 09-04-2009, 07:38 AM

Thanks Matt - unfortunately, the progress I am making is a little too slow for my tastes. I'm the kinda guy that wants to build a garage in a weekend, and I don't like to stop until its done. But, with the kids starting school this week and work, it's been hard to find the time... I did get to the rust spots on the roof with POR-15 (I know there's better products, but I got this for free), and yesterday I got the roof sanded, the high flashers off, and the kids finished taking the rub rails off. Today I will try and get a couple of coats of rustoleum gloss white on the roof. The weather is perfect today, too! I'm thinking - when I put the flashers back up, I will just put all the reds on the back, and wire them in with the brake lights. If anybody knows why this wouldn't work, I'd appreciate your ideas as always. I'll have more photos soon...

ceccles3 · 09-04-2009, 01:58 PM

I got two coats of white gloss on today, turned out really good! One thing at a time with this bus... Now it's time to move on to the back door, fill in holes from the rub rails, and get the sides prepped for paint. Stay tuned...

ezbme · 09-04-2009, 04:28 PM

In my opinion nothing looks better on a skoolie than getting rid of the rub rails! that is going to look sharp! Nice progress so far...

ceccles3 · 09-06-2009, 05:27 PM

Got the double door in the back done today, works great - can't wait to load these bikes on board! Lots to do though, first...

ezbme · 09-06-2009, 05:40 PM

Now thats cool!

ceccles3 · 09-07-2009, 07:21 PM

No more pictures today, but i did get the 8-way flashers rearranged. All the fronts are amber flashers, and all the rears are red. I ran new wires up from the brake lights from either side. I am going to look into changing at least two of the fronts into spotlights, but that's for much later!

You may also like: