RedNeck Camper

[kimberlink]

Ok I think its is time to start the Journal on the RedNeck Camper...

We purchased the bus for $3200 Lic/Tax/Title included from Midwest Transit in July 2012. A 98 international Crown/Carpenter It has approx 98,000 miles on it, DT466 and an AT545 auto, four wheel Disk Hyd Brakes, Cruise.



On the way home about a mile from the house lost all power but was still running turned the flashers on and limped home... I was thinking OMG what did I just get my self into? The dealer said it was an as-is condition just before we left but I called them anyway and told them the problem we had...Thinking he was going to remind me that it was an As-is purchase....But to my surprize he said i'll get a mechanic to your house in the morning. Mechanic showed up and traced out the problem, the Neutral Safety switch shorted out and fried some wires. I'm thinking again OMG this is gonna cost me big time. new harness and a switch Mechanic called the shop and they said they would have to order the parts... couple days go by and Midwest Transit called saying the parts were in and when can they have the mechanic come out to install? I asked how much was the bill so far? I was shocked when they said it was no charge its under warranty we want our customers to be happy with their new purchase... long story short we were very happy with the way Midwest transit treated us in this purchase, The bus runs great took it out after the fix to Wally World for some Road tests and it did great.

We are early in the conversion, Seats, old floor are out. I have moved the door from the front to the middle.


It is getting cold now so we are starting to work inside the bus. I wire wheeled the rust off the old floor, painted the rust with SEMs Rust converter paint, used aluminum tape on all the hole and put thin top coat of liquid roofing tar on he floor to seal up the seams just in case there are any pin holes. Tomorrow we are going to lay a piece of house wrap over the top of the tar and start on laying the 1/2 inch of pink foam board. I'll take pics or get the BFF to do a video and post.

You can also see some more pic on my photobucket via the link below

[ol trunt]

Great tale RNC. Your new door looks great. How did you install it, what are you doing for entry steps etc.? What will you use the original door opening for? Jack

[kimberlink]

the entry steps




We found a door off of ebay that would fit inbetween the posts for $125. took out a saw'all and a straight edge and started cutting after some careful measurements and many prayers.

The old door opening is now closed up sorry I thought I had a pic of it, I will tomorrow. We plan on putting the co-pilot chair there, we didn't like the idea of the co-pilot sitting behind the driver wanted it more like a big truck side by side custom captain buckets also form ebay $500 brand new leather reclining.

I do have a few more pics on photobucket via the link below.

[Diesel Dan]

Love the mid-ship door move! If I do another bus in the future and have the time and money to do everything exactly the way I want it, the door move will definitely be happening!

[Six Four]

Great story and customer service, the door and steps look nice. So I named my bus "redsneck dynasty" lol my nickname is red so it fit well lol

[kimberlink]

The old door removed and welding in the floor



Just another look of the patching the floor where the old door was



The old door opening skinned with a temporary plastic sheeting where the window will go



And a look from the inside

[kimberlink]

Check out my You Tube of the conversion

http://www.youtube.com/v/gjDjgXURXOI...3&hl=en_US

[dburt]

Klink, you really scored a good deal on that bus! And I really like your mid-ship door move, that is what is so great about this site- all the good ideas that folks share!

[GreyEagle]

I like your idea's on the floor...... Should be well insulated.... good job!!!

[PDBreske]

That's exactly where the right-side door is on my bookmobile—I think you'll like the layout. I love that my passenger will be able to see out the front window and we'll be able to talk as I drive.

[stonestatue]

This is an awesome project you have going. I've endeavored the same thing about the door for the same reason; the front passenger not being even with the driver. I've always wondered how Class A RVs manage to do that.

[100MPG]

With the mid door, keep an eye in parking lots and driveway aprons. It is a little lower, you don't want to bottom out!

[NilesSkoolie]

Doing the same thing to my bus now.... I am used to fabricating but it was nice to see it already 80% completed on another bus... Thanks for posting!

[Newfiedogs]

Nice work,
It will be the best mod you will have done so far. It will open up more possibilities in your ever changing layout. Now you too will be able to argue with the navigator(discuss) missed turns like me. The new space you gain where the steps were will be worth it. One thing I did was weld in a lot of extra tube to protect the passenger if we took a hit from that side before I put the sheet metal skins on. As far as steps from the outside for the new mid ship door, I built a two step set of steel that I throw on the ground. I would like to build some that are attached to the bus but ground clearance is an issue.
There are ones used by horse people that are made of plastic that are light weight as well.
Tracy

[inkblots84]

Great job! I love this and honestly wouldn't even thought about doing something like moving the door. We've been trying to figure out a solution for the passenger seat and haven't come across a solution, so we'll have to check this out. Thank you for posting

[superduty_59]

Nice job on the relocation of the door. Look great! You'll love that DT466.