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Old 03-18-2018, 09:18 PM   #1
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chesterfield, VA
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Year: 2002
Coachwork: American Transportation
Engine: T444E (7.3L)
Rated Cap: 78
Meet "Charlene"

Well after dreaming about it off and on for a year, I finally convinced my wife to allow me to buy a bus. We ended up selecting a 2002 AmTran 78 passenger bus with the T444E / MD3060 power train combo. I am super excited and can't wait for our first camping trip in her. My wife named it Charlene and we are planning to take a coast to coast road trip in it next year. I am hoping to sneak in a couple of long weekend trips this year if possible and am planning to freely steal, I mean "borrow" ideas from many of you. Also really looking forward to your collective help and advice along the way. Let the fun begin!
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Old 03-18-2018, 09:26 PM   #2
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chesterfield, VA
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Year: 2002
Coachwork: American Transportation
Engine: T444E (7.3L)
Rated Cap: 78
Taking the seats out and cleaning/treating the floors was the first item on my to-do list. Found the angle grinder to definitely be the way to go to get the bolts out. Had one significant rust hole that required patching and the rest was all surface rust. Cleaned up the floor with a sanding attachment for the grinder and used phosphoric acid to treat the rust and painted with oil-based paint. "Rust Dust" was EVERYWHERE after sanding the floor. Now I see why some are opting to use a pressure washer instead.
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Old 03-18-2018, 09:35 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Pastor_Rob View Post
Taking the seats out and cleaning/treating the floors was the first item on my to-do list. Found the angle grinder to definitely be the way to go to get the bolts out. Had one significant rust hole that required patching and the rest was all surface rust. Cleaned up the floor with a sanding attachment for the grinder and used phosphoric acid to treat the rust and painted with oil-based paint. "Rust Dust" was EVERYWHERE after sanding the floor. Now I see why some are opting to use a pressure washer instead.
Welcome to the adventure

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Old 03-18-2018, 09:58 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Pastor_Rob View Post
Well after dreaming about it off and on for a year, I finally convinced my wife to allow me to buy a bus. We ended up selecting a 2002 AmTran 78 passenger bus with the T444E / MD3060 power train combo. I am super excited and can't wait for our first camping trip in her. My wife named it Charlene and we are planning to take a coast to coast road trip in it next year. I am hoping to sneak in a couple of long weekend trips this year if possible and am planning to freely steal, I mean "borrow" ideas from many of you. Also really looking forward to your collective help and advice along the way. Let the fun begin!
Congratulations! Will be watching this thread.

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Old 03-19-2018, 06:35 AM   #5
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brunswick, GA
Posts: 150
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Welcome to the group, Pastor!! That's a mighty nice looking bus you have - I look forward to following your build.
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Old 03-19-2018, 09:30 AM   #6
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 102
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: Cummins ISC 8.3 Allison MD3060
Welcome aboard!

I am looking forward to your build!!

James
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Old 03-19-2018, 11:40 AM   #7
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Join Date: Feb 2018
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Year: 2010
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Moving right along. Keep up the work and keep us posted.
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Old 03-21-2018, 07:35 PM   #8
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Location: Chesterfield, VA
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Year: 2002
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Rated Cap: 78
Subfloor is in! Planning to install the ceiling next and then map out the rooms and walls. Ordered two of these and hope they will provide sufficient cooling. Have any of you used these models before? If so, do you like them in your Skoolie?



https://www.ebay.com/itm/SALE-Colema...72.m2749.l2649
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Old 03-21-2018, 07:52 PM   #9
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
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Year: 2002
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Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
I have purchased two Coleman roof AC's in the past to replace failed units from other manufacturers. They were a bit smaller. 12k or 13k Btu. They were simple, basic units that worked well.
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