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Old 04-15-2017, 11:13 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 52
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TCFE2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummings 12v
The 5972 Express

Well I finally bought it. It was exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

But I am happy with the start.

Let the planning stages begin...
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Old 04-15-2017, 11:41 PM   #2
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That's a nice one. So what have you got? Engine, trans, mileage, year. All the good info. I'm betting that bus came with way to many seats in it and there's about a bazillion rivets rivets waiting to come out?
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Old 04-16-2017, 07:32 AM   #3
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Awesome blank slate!

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Old 04-16-2017, 07:33 AM   #4
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Atlanta GA
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Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TCFE2000
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So the details:

1997 Blue Bird TCFE2000
5.9L 12v Cummings
Allison 545 Trans
160K

It currently has a new rebuilt transmission and the engine was overhauled about 6 months ago.

Also the Title has already been reclassified as a Blue Bird Motor Home and I have insurance on it already.
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Old 04-16-2017, 07:36 AM   #5
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Funny, it came with all of the seats removed and the floor prepped. I was happy about that.

Now I am working out the floor plan
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Old 04-16-2017, 09:58 AM   #6
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I'll bet the previous owner had that retitled as a MH. Good for you!!
Welcome and good luck!

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Old 04-16-2017, 10:00 AM   #7
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Posts: 52
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TCFE2000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tobeamiss View Post
I'll bet the previous owner had that retitled as a MH. Good for you!!
Welcome and good luck!

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Yep, he went through all of the paperwork and got the title re-done. And then he worked out the insurance with State Farm, and because I am with the same agent, they can transfer (so to speak) the policy to me. So I am all good to go.

I feel I really lucked out on this one for sure.
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Old 04-16-2017, 10:48 AM   #8
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I don't know of anyone who's been that lucky! There have been so many headaches concerning registration and insurance for most of us here. All states have different rules too. I don't know yet what I'll face when I move to FL but for now I'm good in NY.
Good for you! AND you didn't need to rip out the seats or the floor! Wow.
I have State Farm too and even though she ran the vin which showed up as bus, she insured me anyway I never mentioned it was a bus...but she asked how I would be using it and I said personal use...so I think I got lucky too. I had a mini heart attack when she said "bus".
Do you know if there was any rust on the floor, or did he just paint it with metal primer paint...
Will you be living in it full-time?
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Old 04-16-2017, 11:03 AM   #9
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I see your windows open all the way too. I really have to get to mine so they'll also open all the way.

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Old 04-16-2017, 12:11 PM   #10
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Nice lookin rig!!!! let the fun begin!! drive that thing around and get used to it and learn any quirks it may have... the more you drive it around the more you learn... (at least till you really start tearing it apart for conversion.
-Christopher
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Old 04-16-2017, 10:08 PM   #11
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Join Date: Mar 2017
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Posts: 52
Year: 1997
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Chassis: TCFE2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummings 12v
Quote:
Originally Posted by tobeamiss View Post
I don't know of anyone who's been that lucky! There have been so many headaches concerning registration and insurance for most of us here. All states have different rules too. I don't know yet what I'll face when I move to FL but for now I'm good in NY.
Good for you! AND you didn't need to rip out the seats or the floor! Wow.
I have State Farm too and even though she ran the vin which showed up as bus, she insured me anyway I never mentioned it was a bus...but she asked how I would be using it and I said personal use...so I think I got lucky too. I had a mini heart attack when she said "bus".
Do you know if there was any rust on the floor, or did he just paint it with metal primer paint...
Will you be living in it full-time?
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

He did a rust treatment for any spots where there was rust, which was 2 the size of a quarter. Then sealed the floor with a sealer, then painted it wil primer..

I looked over the whole underside and there was not a spot of rust anywhere. That made me happy.

And I did LUCK OUT on the whole deal for sure.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
Nice lookin rig!!!! let the fun begin!! drive that thing around and get used to it and learn any quirks it may have... the more you drive it around the more you learn... (at least till you really start tearing it apart for conversion.
-Christopher
Yeah I have been driving it all I can. Got a new battery for it today and put that in. Nice of it to start when I turn the key for sure. So far I havent really found any quirks that I can speak of.

The power is nice. It pulls great and isn't laggy on the throttle. The breaks work fantastic and there are no air issues either.

So far (fingers still crossed, Hahaha) I am really pleased with how this is turning out.
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Old 04-19-2017, 09:47 AM   #12
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Landed a pretty good deal on the flooring I wanted. $0.99 / sq. ft. at Home Depot.

Happy with the purchase for sure.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:02 AM   #13
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Also scored a huge deal on a Dometic 11,000 btu Penguin II Low Profile Air Conditioner.

The guy wanted $230 for it.






I waited a week on it after contacting him and he eventually emailed me and said if I came over that day and got it he would let me have it for $100.

I got it that day and then had a friend (HVAC Certified) check it out and it checked out perfectly.

Then we had to install it. Both of the videos can be found here.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyT...zp1p7O622e8EXg
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:27 AM   #14
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Nice A/C uinit... looks to be in excellent shape for a roof-topper.. nice and clean!
-Christopher
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:29 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
Nice A/C uinit... looks to be in excellent shape for a roof-topper.. nice and clean!
-Christopher
Yeah for sure. I looked at installing it over the first emergency exit hole but the hole is too big for it and it would take too much modification to make it work.

So i ended up putting it right behind the emergency exit and cutting a new hole for it.

It went in like a glove and got it turned on and in about a couple of minuted it cooled down the entire bus.
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Old 04-19-2017, 11:59 AM   #16
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Wow, super price on that Dometic.
Nice with all that storage under the bus,
Is the storage completely sealed and water proof?

Later J
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Old 04-19-2017, 12:16 PM   #17
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Wow, super price on that Dometic.
Nice with all that storage under the bus,
Is the storage completely sealed and water proof?

Later J
yeah it was a great find. The storage is sealed and waterproof as well. Great add there for sure...

now to strengthen it for my purposes.
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Old 05-05-2017, 09:56 PM   #18
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Posts: 52
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TCFE2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummings 12v
A couple things.

1. Changed the name of the bus to "Little Groundhog". It was an homage to my grandfather.

2. Got lots done on it since last post.

- AC installed
- Skylight installed (and sealed from weather)
- Scored a deal from Lowes on the first cabinet ($20.00)
- Got the 50A Inlet, Transfer Switch, and Panel with Charge Coverter installed
- and 1 receptacle for good measure.
- Some framing done.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0490.jpg   IMG_0491.jpg   IMG_0492.jpg   IMG_0493.jpg   layout3.jpg  

18157355_488400494825015_2289744383434105029_n.jpg   18301564_492059741125757_241658587782993039_n.jpg  
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Old 05-05-2017, 10:01 PM   #19
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Posts: 52
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Chassis: TCFE2000
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Here is the inlet on the outside.
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Old 05-05-2017, 10:26 PM   #20
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You're moving right along. The interior is taking shape nicely.
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