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Old 04-10-2018, 12:49 PM   #121
Skoolie
 
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The old TV show fan in me would have wanted to paint it slightly differently though. Maybe something like this here?



Seriously. I hadn't considered a vintage bus, but now you have me thinking "where can I find one of those?"

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Old 04-10-2018, 05:06 PM   #122
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Originally Posted by dan-fox View Post

Although, I have no idea why you'd throw out that perfectly usable black water tank.
Me either.......and it looked like one of those rare self-draining models to boot.

Great job so far, Toyman. I REALLY like the exterior colors you picked out.....they are perfect for that bus.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:13 PM   #123
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Year: 1956
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This afternoon I finally finished up the clearance lights. It's officially lit up like a Christmas tree.



I also did a little work on the refrigerator. When I fired it up on propane, it kept going out and even when it did run it didn't cool much. So I pulled the exterior vent and checked the burner. It was pretty dirty so I pulled it and cleaned it. Then I adjusted the regulating valves to get a decent flame. After running for an hour, it's got ice crystals forming on the cooling plates. Problem solved.



When I cleaned the bus the other day, we just piled everything in my shop to be sorted. While digging through the pile I pulled a old 3/4 ratchet to toss on the scrap pile. It was pretty corroded and had a really short handle. Since I already have one and a breaker bar for lug nuts I was going to scrap it. On a whim I stuck it in the vice to see if I could get it freed up. While lubing it I noticed a gauge built into the handle. It was time for some research. The tool is called a Swench 750.



Google said it's a manual impact. 50 pounds of force on the handle translates to 800 lb-ft of torque! So I got it freed up and working. Time to try it out.

The following lug was tightened by me leaning on a 3' breaker bar. That's about 500 lb-ft of torque. I loosened it with the Swench with one hand, while filming with the other hand. This awesome tool that will be going back in the tool kit for dealing with those pesky lugs. I was amazed at how well it worked.

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Old 04-12-2018, 09:24 PM   #124
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Too much fun! What an exceptionally well thought out post and what great pics to back it up. I wish our play pens were closer together--sure would be fun to "problem solve" together! Jack
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Old 04-13-2018, 12:06 PM   #125
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TM,

THAT is an impressive wrench! I sure could use one!

M
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Old 04-19-2018, 07:35 PM   #126
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More progress.

The side AC finally got a cover.

When I installed it I ended up with a big nasty hole in the side. I finally got around to building a cover for it. This will be closed for travel and during the winter and open when the A/C is running. It's built out of sheet metal.

Before.



Built.



A little paint helps. I'll stripe this to match the bus so it should't be too obvious when it is shut.



Next up was the incoming power plug. I went ahead and installed a 30 amp twist lock plug. While I was wiring, I tied in the power for the front A/C.



I also built a mount for the gray water tank. I had originally planned for one tank for all waste. I'm ending up with more room under the bus than I thought so I'll be mounting two tanks. One for gray waste, one for black. It's only getting the gray tank installed before the first trip.



And installed it tonight.





I like this better than the original. It's hidden under the skirt.



My wife has been kind enough to work on the curtains. We started with red but it was just too much. These will look much better.

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Old 04-20-2018, 10:12 AM   #127
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Looking awesome. Love how you mounted the AC unit! Gives me ideas! (Heaven knows I need them!)
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Old 04-20-2018, 02:31 PM   #128
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Make em red for an awesome huge 3rd brake light
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:54 PM   #129
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The plumbing for the sink, vent and tank drain is done. That's all it's going to get before we leave town Thursday.

I put about 20 miles on it as well. Everything worked flawlessly.

The only thing I really need to do before the trip is install a lighter plug for my GPS. That will happen tomorrow.
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:57 PM   #130
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what a great classic bus!!! cant wait to see pics of you out snd about it in it on your trip!!
-Christopher
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Old 05-17-2018, 07:17 PM   #131
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Update time again.

It made the 220 mile round trip without a hitch and managed 7.8 mpg for the trip. Not too shabby for a 60 year old bus.

The shuttle bus even made the trip as tow beast for the race car.





All the systems worked perfectly except the refrigerator. It died on the second day and wouldn't cool on 120v or propane. I had my 12v refrigerator and a couple of coolers as well so it wasn't a problem.

All in it was a great trip.
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Old 05-17-2018, 07:27 PM   #132
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The issue of the refrigerator has been solved.

Getting the old one out was a tight squeeze.



For the new fridge, I went with a standard 120V compact refrigerator that fit the existing hole. It draws about 100 watts so I can run it off the inverter when necessary. A couple of 100ah batteries should run it for a couple of days and 300 watts of solar should help keep the batteries topped off.



I've also added a trailer hitch.



This will let me tow my Samurai as a toad. Once the diesel goes in, I can pull my Jeep or the double deck trailer that's being designed in the back of my head. I'd like to be able to the jet boat I built a couple of years ago on the top and my Jeep Cherokee on the bottom.

More to come. The next camping trip is in two weeks.
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Old 05-17-2018, 08:13 PM   #133
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good thread & good pictures.
Rock on !
ty 4 sharing
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Old 05-17-2018, 09:45 PM   #134
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Excellent! Always good to hear about successful Maiden Voyages!

Rock on!
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Old 05-17-2018, 10:36 PM   #135
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Great news, well done SanFord!
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Old 05-18-2018, 06:31 AM   #136
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Outstanding! Sorry to hear about the frig..., but sometimes it happens...

M
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Old 05-18-2018, 09:25 AM   #137
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That new fridge sounds great. Can you tell us the make and model?

Thanks
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Old 05-18-2018, 10:27 AM   #138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
That new fridge sounds great. Can you tell us the make and model?

Thanks
Frigidaire 4.5 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator
21-5/8" W x 23-3/4" D x 43" H
FFPS4533QM
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Old 05-18-2018, 11:19 AM   #139
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Thank you.
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Old 05-22-2018, 09:34 PM   #140
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Thanks for you going there first!

I just bought a 54 ford, wayne bodied, short bus. I saved the link you posted about window rubber and such. Thank you for posting that. Would you share the part number for the flat, rear side window rubber gaskets? Where did you go to for the new window glass? Would you share what you have learned about parts needed for the side windows. I don't know if my bus has the curved rear glass still, or not.Mine is shorter than yours. Right at 24'.

thank you,

william
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