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Old 10-23-2018, 08:52 PM   #1
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Short Bus to shaved ice bus conversion.

I am in the process of converting a short bus to sell shaved ice out of.

The bus is a 2007 Chevy Express with a 6.0 gas motor. It was a para transit bus with only one bench seat and 4 wheelchair rails down each side and a wheelchair lift.

Removing all the wheelchair rails was a pain. I drilled out the majority of the bolts using 5/16" Cobalt drill bits. I had good luck using the Chinese made cobalt drill bits available on Ebay in packs of 5 for about $20. I went thru about 20 drill bits. The bolts that were above the wheel wells were put in from the bottom. I had to go to a tire shop to get them to remove the tires and grind the heads of the bolts off from the bottom.

Once the wheelchair rails were out, progress was a lot faster. I pulled up the rubber flooring and removed the 7643895 torx screws that held the plywood to the floor. These srews came out easily using my 18 volt Milwaukee drill. Once all the screws were removed, I started prying up the wood. This process was easy compared to removing the wheelchair rails.

I still need to get the wheelchair lift removed and the front cushioned half walls that are bolted thru the floor. Once these things are gone, I will be able to remove the rest of the floor.

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Old 11-27-2018, 03:20 PM   #2
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Finally got the wood floor completely removed. I grinded off the surface rust in a few areas and sprayed a rust primer.

Once the primer dries, I have some aluminum tape to cover all of the holes. Once that task is completed, it will be time to start installing the new sub floor.

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Old 11-29-2018, 04:58 PM   #3
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Made a little progress today.

Custom serving window still isn't ready...

Still looking for ideas to strip all the reflective decals off to prep for paint.Click image for larger version

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Old 12-11-2018, 11:54 AM   #4
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The floor is in!

I have to wait 24 hours for the adhesive to cure before I do anything else.

Sink package ordered.

I have all the pieces to install roof ac, I just need to get some help for that project. Click image for larger version

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Old 01-05-2019, 01:34 PM   #5
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Spent some money for some more parts for the bus. It's starting to take shape on the inside. Click image for larger version

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Old 01-28-2019, 02:23 PM   #6
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AC installed. Batteries and inverter are installed. All electrical wire are run to the breaker box. I will get someone to wire the breaker box, that is beyond my limited electrical knowledge. I have a Honda 3000 watt inverter generator that will sit in the middle of the cargo rack between the batteries.

Started to prep for paint. I found these abrasive wheels for a grinder that work great for removing the reflective decals that were all over the bus. I still have a lot of sanding to do before we start taping things off for painting.
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Old 01-28-2019, 02:49 PM   #7
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is that an armstrong thick vinyl sheet floor by chance?
-Christopher
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Old 01-29-2019, 11:05 AM   #8
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Nice work so far! I have a 2003 with the exact same body. I'm fighting with the floor rails now, and am trying to hit them with penetrating oil and will follow with an impact with a hex bit. Did you try this or simply found out they were seized beyond hope? I'm hoping I don't need to drill out the 200+ bolts holding them in...
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Old 01-29-2019, 03:32 PM   #9
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I have found that most rusty old nuts & bolts tend to want to stay where they are. So when the refuse to "loosen"...I just "tighten" them with a high torque driver till they snap off. My 18 volt Hammer Drill Driver will do most but my ancient, corded Milwaukee Hole Hog has sheared 1/2" bolts. Just hang on tight.



Course that often means needing someone to hold the other end in place to keep it from spinning.
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Old 01-29-2019, 07:19 PM   #10
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Look up striping eraser on Amazon for stripping the reflective striping and lettering.
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Old 03-19-2019, 12:58 PM   #11
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Looks like the pics from my last post did not loadClick image for larger version

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Old 03-19-2019, 01:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farok View Post
Nice work so far! I have a 2003 with the exact same body. I'm fighting with the floor rails now, and am trying to hit them with penetrating oil and will follow with an impact with a hex bit. Did you try this or simply found out they were seized beyond hope? I'm hoping I don't need to drill out the 200+ bolts holding them in...
Sorry for the delay in responding. I drilled out all of the bolts. I probably went thru 20 or more cobalt drill bits. There are some good ones on Amazon for a decent price.
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:01 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
is that an armstrong thick vinyl sheet floor by chance?
-Christopher
Www.checkeredfloor.com is where I got the flooring.
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:05 PM   #14
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Concession window has been installed! I ordered a custom size from www.challengerdoor.comClick image for larger version

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Old 03-19-2019, 01:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimburke77502 View Post
Look up striping eraser on Amazon for stripping the reflective striping and lettering.
This is what worked for me. The eraser was not harsh enough for the reflective decals. Click image for larger version

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Old 03-19-2019, 04:22 PM   #16
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those reflective decals were a PITA. heat gun and plastic razor blades did the job for me. build is coming along great!
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Old 03-19-2019, 05:28 PM   #17
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Interior shelf installed.

I'm going to put the cash register on a shelf just underneath the stainless steel shelf. I need to order a few cables.

The weather is getting nice, I see a paint job in the near future.Click image for larger version

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Old 03-24-2019, 03:35 PM   #18
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The painting has begun...Click image for larger version

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Old 03-24-2019, 04:13 PM   #19
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Looking good
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Old 05-19-2019, 06:34 AM   #20
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The bus is on the road making money!!!

There are still some minor details that I want to finish but the Tiger Bus is selling shaved ice. Click image for larger version

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