Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-14-2018, 05:45 PM   #1
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
PNW_Steve's 2002 Bluebird A3RE

Well I have finally managed the time and energy, at the same time, to get started on the interior of my 2002 Bluebird A3RE.

The seats came out when I first bought it. I wanted to title it as a motorhome initially as opposed to registering it as a bus and changing it later so the seats had to go.

Over the past week I have managed to pull the ceiling panels and most of the wall panels.

Plans include a roof raise. I am hoping to find someone who has done a similar Bluebird raise to give me a hand. I would be quite happy to pay a fair fee for qualified help. Volunteers?

After the roof raise we will be spraying the interior with 2 part closed cell foam insulation. I found a (somewhat) local outfit that will do it for about $1200.

Additional plans include 1200-1500 watts of solar and mini-split A/C's.

I just moved the Bluebird to the house last week. No complaints from the neighbors yet....
Attached Thumbnails
005.jpg   006.jpg  

PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 05:49 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Here are some additional pics.

You can see the oops on the rear cap. I am still trying to settle on a plan for attacking that. I have a buddy that does body work. I am going to have him tale a look when he gets back from vacation and see if he has any suggestions.
Attached Thumbnails
Bus1.JPG   Bus2.JPG   Bus4.JPG   Bus5.JPG   Ouch.JPG  

PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 06:01 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
I suspect the body work may begin with a hydraulic jack, some 4x4's and big hammers....

Or maybe cut the damaged section out and make a (nearly) flat, slightly lower roof section to mount the outdoor portion of my mini splits.
Attached Thumbnails
Body mod.jpg  
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 08:07 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SE Florida
Posts: 1,108
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 65 pax
How exciting that you are getting started!! Bus looks good, except for the ding in the back... I have one too, but I just left it... not as involved as yours.
I had rust, but ECCB (Charlie) took care of that for me!
Maybe I can stop and see your bus on my trip through the PNW in June/July.
Sandi
WanderWoman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 08:13 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
Awesome man, glad to finally see your new toy!
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 08:52 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by WanderWoman View Post
How exciting that you are getting started!! Bus looks good, except for the ding in the back... I have one too, but I just left it... not as involved as yours.
I had rust, but ECCB (Charlie) took care of that for me!
Maybe I can stop and see your bus on my trip through the PNW in June/July.
Sandi
Thank you Sandi,

Give me a few days heads up and I will make room for you to park. We would love to have you visit.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 08:52 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown View Post
Awesome man, glad to finally see your new toy!
Thank you Josh.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 09:13 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,707
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
awesome that you are getting started!! cant wait to see the roof go up!!

I thought you had a bus with air-conditioning..
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 10:04 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
I suspect the body work may begin with a hydraulic jack, some 4x4's and big hammers....

Or maybe cut the damaged section out and make a (nearly) flat, slightly lower roof section to mount the outdoor portion of my mini splits.
I’d screw something to the rear cap that you can hook a come along or strap to and put tension on it pulling rearward while your beating/jacking. Should help the dent want to go back. Just don’t over do it just a nice firm pull.
RRRVBUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2018, 11:28 PM   #10
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
A hilift jack works well in those situations.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 07:05 AM   #11
Bus Crazy
 
JDOnTheGo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: The West
Posts: 1,210
Year: 1998
Coachwork: MCI
Chassis: 102 EL3
Engine: DD 60
Very nice Steve - happy for ya!

I'm not seeing the 'oops' in the rear cap. I do see a rear air diffuser that should significantly increase downforce and decrease drag - at speed, of course.
__________________
JD - Full timer out west
Missy - 1998 MCI 102-EL3 - 1.7kW Solar - 10kWh Lithium
My Adventures & Build
JDOnTheGo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 09:14 AM   #12
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
N
Quote:
Originally Posted by RRRVBUS View Post
I’d screw something to the rear cap that you can hook a come along or strap to and put tension on it pulling rearward while your beating/jacking. Should help the dent want to go back. Just don’t over do it just a nice firm pull.
I was going to try that. Unfortunately I have moved and don't have access to suitable trees any more. I have one tree in my new yard and I am concerned about it's health. It may be coming down this year.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 09:19 AM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
A hilift jack works well in those situations.
I have considered putting some cribbing on top of the engine cover, put a bottle Jack on top of the cribbing and then cut a length of 4x4 to go from the jack to the ceiling.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 09:20 AM   #14
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
It's hardly noticeable from the front!
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 09:23 AM   #15
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
awesome that you are getting started!! cant wait to see the roof go up!!

I thought you had a bus with air-conditioning..
-Christopher
No A/C unfortunately. I am looking at my budget to see if I can manage adding A/C.

Come on up and we can jump right on the roof raise
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 10:22 AM   #16
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
A hilift jack works well in those situations.
You never realize all the benefits a Hi-Lift jack can bring, until you own one
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 11:15 AM   #17
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg View Post
You never realize all the benefits a Hi-Lift jack can bring, until you own one
Not knowing what a "hilift" was I googled it. Those look like what we called farm jacks.

We used 4 of those for an Eagle roof raise.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 01:34 PM   #18
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,707
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
I used HiLift Jascks as Make shift "Winches" with my Jeep to get out of mud or such..

they are super cool... never thought of using them for a roof raise.. seems you want more precise movements rather than a couple inch "bite".. esp since the jack will be on the floor and can cause temporary deforming of the floor..
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 01:50 PM   #19
Bus Nut
 
sojourner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 702
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
Glad to see you're making progress. It's always exciting to see progress on a project one is passionate about. Yea, that rear cap looks "interesting". If you have a body man that can assist, by all means do so. From the looks of things, one, and maybe two, hat channels are moved out of place. They'll be more of a challenge than the actual sheet metal. The sheet metal is so thick on the roof it can take a good bit of beating to get it back in place.
Is aaronsb (The Broccoli Bus) anywhere near you? He seems pretty handy with the body work. You might reach out to him for some advice.
Keep up the progress!!
__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19

Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
sojourner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2018, 02:51 PM   #20
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
I remember when this bus was in the auction, specifically identified because of the compacted rear cap. I thought about bidding at the time but couldn't quite talk myself into it.

I'd have made that booboo into a back porch. I love the porches that look like the back of a caboose.

That shouldn't be that hard to straighten out if you get the ribs out of the way. I assume the interior panels are off?

The hilift jacks are said to be made for roof raises according to the old timers. Each click is an inch. And yeah, as Chris said they also pull very well. You can also use them as a large clamp or spreader. I always thought they were bus jacks when I was a kid.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.