Hey everyone, I've been sitting in the background using the search and just stalking all of you for a while now. The discussion of a bus has been going on for a long time between me and my younger brother for 15 years.
We had no idea it was so popular!
After a weekend wedding trip with no hotel nearby we decided to pull the trigger (after a long search of motor homes that would not fit our needs)
We're both Diesel fans/"decent" mechanics and absolutely wanted nothing to do with a gasser.
So we stumble on this ad in Houston Craigslist that seems a little high for a used bus, but when you’re pricing buses everyone has an opinion about what it’s worth. Just remember, it’s worth whatever you find valuable.
Enter the 1996 International Amtran Genesis (As seen on the craigslist ad). Powered by the famous "mechanical" DT466 I6 diesel engine with only 77,000 miles, this "15 window" 40 footer built as a 90 passenger was a little steep at $5,000 and tires that looked like they were just put on in order to squeeze it off the lot. Here’s where the “worth” comes to play individually. This thing already had all but 4 seats removed, the motor was shiny, the electrical panels were shiny, oil was clear, and TONS of belly storage. the only thing I couldn’t tell was the type of transmission it had, either the MT545 or MT643. as soon as I drove it I knew it wasn’t the right transmission, but everything else was PERFECT.
we were able to get a temporary insurance policy and a temp tag to get it the 4 hours home
But first, a blurry selfie was in order:
We've owned the bus since the beginning of October 2015 and only had a few spare weekends to work on it, but with about 30 days of two men and a few friends, it's about 90% complete
before conversion:
A floor plan that fits our family was made up rather quickly:
Here it is as it is now on a recent trip to Kansas:
Here's a video walk through mid conversion:
https://www.facebook.com/TatumSkoolie/videos/1693987264218968/
I'll start making chronological posts but here's a list of things we've done:
1. Full 50 amp service, including a 3000 watt Aims inverter/Charger set up with 6 6volt Golf cart Lead Acid batteries.
2. two 100 watt solar panels and charge controller.
3. Ducted AC in the rear of the bus (sleeping areas)
4. 40 gallon Fresh water and 36 gallon waste tanks with dump
5. Two tv's wired together or separate with 12 speakers (4 on the back using the old safety light holes).
6. The old coolant heaters were left in the bus and built into the build and ducted to provide heat under way.
7. We swapped the Allison AT545 to a MT643 - yes we did.
https://tatumskoolie.wordpress.com/2...-allison-mt643
8. Advanced the timing on the motor from 12 to 17 degrees and adjusted the fuel pump for more fueling on boost which, ACCORDING TO PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, gives the motor between 240-250 Hp
9. Painted the bus with a satin Hot rod black at a body shop, painted the roof with elstomeric white.
10. tinted all remaining rear windows with 2.5% tint
11. Lighting is in three modes, (OFF)-PASSENGER SELECTABLE-(ALL ON) all controlled by the driver - it's a cool mod you should try.
12. Custom full size shower in the shape of home plate right in the middle of the bus for maximum height.
I'm tired, you'll see more. I love electrical stuff and have done some unique things with water pump switching and lighting.
http://www.facebook.com/TatumSkoolie
http://Skoolie.from-TX.com
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