RocketLark Launches

katiearnold · 04-24-2018, 08:47 PM

We finally pulled the trigger and bought the bus after years of thinking about the possibilities. It was a long crazy journey getting her home. We found our bus in Chattanooga. We traveled 700 miles to pick her up. We flew out our friend who has his CDL to help us travel back. Everything seemed to be going well until our buddy took a right turn and ran over the curb and bumped a metal poll. Thank goodness that no one was hurt, but the bus got dinged and we had to cut off the tray where the luggage compartments are. Thinking about it now, that was the area with the most rust, and so rebuilding it will just be more practice in welding. Sending out a big thank you to Matt Maloy out of Woodstock VA. He was awesome and got us moving again quickly.
We are so excited about this adventure and we are staying the course. A little dent isn't going to stop this build. This coming weekend will be the demo/taking seats out and such. We are just so grateful to be a part of this community and are looking forward to hearing your advice and words of wisdom. Peace to you all.

Seriousracer · 04-24-2018, 09:01 PM

Rocketlark??

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o1marc · 04-24-2018, 09:19 PM

That's just a scratch, it'll buff out. Flat metal repair is easy.

katiearnold · 04-24-2018, 09:23 PM

It's the name of our bus..... RocketLark.

katiearnold · 04-24-2018, 09:24 PM

Yes! That's what I was hoping. We are teaching ourselves how to do it.

2martins · 04-25-2018, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

That's just a scratch, it'll buff out. Flat metal repair is easy.

That's what mine looks like. Now I know how it got that way. I angle ground the rivets off the top so I could get the door off. I laid it down so it curves up and I have been walking on it but I'm guessing that isn't the actual standard technique for flat metal repair..... I don't own panel beater hammers and dollies.

katiearnold · 04-30-2018, 10:35 AM

We got the seats out!

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...+last+bus+seat

katiearnold · 04-30-2018, 10:48 AM

We are trying to figure out several things....

1. How do we handle the heaters? Do we need to know certain things before we take them apart? Is there reason to keep them if we will have an alternative heating source?

2. Is this a cover for the wheel well? Do we take that part off or is it something that needs to stay?

3. There seems to be a patch in our floor where we think work may have been completed in the past. We lifted it up and it goes through to the underside of the bus. Not sure about what specific element is underneath. Maybe the gas tank? We want to close it up in the build. Is there any reason to keep it accessible?

Thank you for your insight! : )

Twigg · 04-30-2018, 11:00 AM

The "patch" on the floor is access to the top of the fuel tank.

I removed all the heaters except the front heater/defroster.

katiearnold · 04-30-2018, 11:02 AM

Things are rusty under there. My question is.... what do you do about a rusty underside? Do you grind it out and rustoleum the hell out of it?

katiearnold · 04-30-2018, 11:05 AM

Thank you, Twigg! Do we need to keep access to the top of the fuel tank?

Twigg · 04-30-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiearnold

Thank you, Twigg! Do we need to keep access to the top of the fuel tank?

Well the manufacturers thought it a good idea. They made an access panel

Tango · 04-30-2018, 11:56 AM

Murphy will make sure that if you cover it up...it will be the first thing you need to access after building your interior over it.

Ninjakitty · 04-30-2018, 02:37 PM

Underneath: wire wheel, ospho, undercarriage spray (rustoleum). That's my plan anyways.

dan-fox · 04-30-2018, 04:03 PM

That access panel is how you troubleshoot/replace the fuel level sensor. I would retain access to it if I were you. Close it up and Murphy will walk right through the hole.

katiearnold · 04-30-2018, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjakitty

Underneath: wire wheel, ospho, undercarriage spray (rustoleum). That's my plan anyways.

Thank you! I'm understanding more clearly. Do people raise their buses on a rack to get this work done?

katiearnold · 04-30-2018, 05:39 PM

I hear you. Definitely not going to close it up. Thank you!

TrailLifeBill · 04-30-2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiearnold

Thank you! I'm understanding more clearly. Do people raise their buses on a rack to get this work done?

Mine has pretty good clearance, so if I had to to it on mine - I'd get a mechanic's creeper, goggles, and if I needed a few inches extra I would drive up on 2x8's.

Twigg · 04-30-2018, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailLifeBill

Mine has pretty good clearance, so if I had to to it on mine - I'd get a mechanic's creeper, goggles, and if I needed a few inches extra I would drive up on 2x8's.

Google are a must when working underneath.

Do not ask me how I know

Ninjakitty · 05-01-2018, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiearnold

Thank you! I'm understanding more clearly. Do people raise their buses on a rack to get this work done?

I just crawl under the bus. I don't know the clearance you have though. I can sit up straight under parts of my bus. I'm also 5'5" tall so I may have an advantage.

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