The Bear Den (Bug Out Bus) - Page 3

Papabear · 07-31-2009, 10:08 AM

[quote="swhite832"]Have you ever thought that she actually knows about "Bug out Bus" and is going to continue to purchase high dollar items knowing your guilt is killing you? Pysychological operations at their finest...I wouldn't put it past any wom...person

Personally my money is on this scenario. She knows and she is working you over for what she can get. quote]

SON OF A B**** You are absolutly right! Why didn't I think of that? I have got to tell her before this bus ends up costing me $50,000.00 (with only $8K in the bus) I'm going to tell her ......Next month

Smitty, I'll build her a bus trailer for her and her quilter.

hmcastle55 · 08-03-2009, 08:17 AM

You guys are killin' me! But it's the husband/wife thing always at work! ..i'll sit still and wait for the pics of her face when you bring it home. She might know.. I'm not sure I'd wouldn't be questioning the 110gal tank on the porch myself. But i'm a Tomgirl, and i'd be mad at Mark for not letting me get my hands dirty too!

Papabear · 08-03-2009, 09:30 PM

Ok enough about the wife. Let's talk busses. Made some progress over the last several weeks. 4 of the 8 windows are in, hot water heater installed, shower roughed in, and a lot of rivets removed in the rear to get ready to shorten. Posted a few new pictures in the gallery.
I'm not scared to work on my bus. I'm the man around here and I don't care what my wife........Eh hold on ...Yes dear, I'm coming..............aaaa - I gotta go now.

Papabear · 09-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Lets wack 8' off the back

Papabear · 09-03-2009, 12:48 AM

I did snap a pic of the trial fit before I went to lunch. This is the pre-lights broken pic.

mightybus · 09-03-2009, 01:32 AM

I like the way you notched he cap and sides so they would be integrated when reassembled and welded. Why are you doing this anyway?

Papabear · 09-03-2009, 10:10 AM

Mightybus.. The method to the madness is for ATV storage. I will (maybe) shorten the bumper and have a fold down (hyrdaulic) ramp on the back. Can either put my bike on the back or 2, 4-wheelers. When I bought it, the first thing I did was to find out how "off road" capable it was for the dirt two tracks. The only real problem was the large rear overhang, when it came to ditchs. Those tow hooks really make nice plows until you come to a rock that won't move. This might see more dirt than pavement.
3 thing I've learned so far on this stage of construction:
1. while grinding, your jenny runs out of gas. shut the tool off before starting jenny again.
2. Don't trust gravity to hold your parts in place. Brace em, wire em, whatever.
3. I hate rivets. Ground out hundreds, only to replace hundreds. Wait I already knew that.
The only thing that has not gone as planned was the roof. I could not get the rear piece under the forward piece. I'll have to make sure it's sealed well against the weather.

P.S. Told the wife about the bus. That's a whole different story. I'm on vavation now, so I'll continue that saga next week. Take care all........

ezbme · 09-03-2009, 10:18 AM

Wow! Nice progress! I really like the rear storage area & the way you placed the back wall. Curious to see what is next!

baadpuppy · 09-03-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papabear

P.S. Told the wife about the bus. That's a whole different story. I'm on vavation now, so I'll continue that saga next week. Take care all........

argh! you can't leave us hanging like that.

Seriously though, it is looking good. Keep up the good work. I'm jealous, as I'm not making good progress at all.

Nobody to blame except myself.

jim

Papabear · 09-03-2009, 06:12 PM

Ok, just a quickie about the wife. Yea, I told her and these were her reactions

timbuk · 09-04-2009, 10:56 AM

the only thing i did not see was the chicken coming out of the closet,or a shotgun. So you must be OK then!Another crisis diverted!Im thinkin now she will get to pick out some colors for the bus! Let the good times roll,papa fozzy Nice job on the rear deck things get exiting when the grinder comes on and noone is operating it,all right

Timbuk

Papabear · 09-23-2009, 11:10 AM

A little more progress on the Bear Den this week. Holes from the flashers covered up and most all the back end rivited and welded from the shortening. I will sheet the back end to cover all the windows and signal light holes. Will install a large (30x48 with "escape hatch") window in back, and new LED lights in back. Lights will be mounted in a new bumper along with a recessed licence plate holder.

Papabear · 10-04-2009, 10:44 AM

Go the Bus moved home. It's hidden inconspicously behind my small shop. Started cutting out for the back mods. Got the driver side rear hatch door in. Baby steps man, baby steps. As I look outside this mornng, snow flurries are happening. Guess I'll stoke the fireplace and work on inside the buss stuff.

Papabear · 10-04-2009, 10:45 AM

One more of the back cut out. Just about ready the start filling in the holes.

timbuk · 10-04-2009, 01:53 PM

well it must be nice to have the bus at home,great for extra storage in the winter.Snow,eh you are the first report i know of here.bus looks great,hows the misses liking it so far now its home?Good pictures,timbuk

Papabear · 10-04-2009, 10:47 PM

Timbuk, She's coming around slowly. One bad thng is my floor plans were set up, thinking like a man. Now that the little lady is somewhatinvolved, those plans have changed. Go figure.
Smitty, Had to have copper friends follow me home as I had no tail lights or licence. With a sheriff deputy following me, it kept the city off my butt. (Just a little perk)

browncrown · 01-12-2010, 03:59 PM

Wow, you are really doing some nice body work on that bus! It is looking good...and by the way, never laughed so hard in all my life reading the story of your acqusition

RazorCityDen · 01-12-2010, 07:17 PM

I like the bobtail look, any particular reason you went that route?

Take care,
Den

Papabear · 01-24-2010, 11:07 PM

Slowly, oh so slowly the progression moves ahead. Damn you snow! Damn you frost, Damn you, tools that I've lost!
A little bit every weekend, god willing AND THE PROPANE DON'T RUN OUT.More new pics in the album.

RazorCityDen · 01-25-2010, 07:30 AM

Look's good, your kicking @ss PB!

I get more done in the winter (interior at least) between work and other things I get easily distracted during the summer! It's been snowy, windy and cold as hell almost all winter Razor City way, this weekend was just plain raw! The wood stove keep's the bus nice and toasty though and is a good way to pass bad weather and keep me out of trouble!

I'm getting ready to start mechanicals myself (rest of my stuff will be here early this week), how bought some juicy details about what you used and how it went!

It's sure a scavenger hunt putting together all the parts and pieces, my neck of the woods has zilch for local RV suppliers and what they do have is expensive as hell!

I had to order nearly everything and since I was learning as I went, I was slow ordering until I was satisfied I had it figured out. A prudent bus builder, knowing he was going to have winter time would have ordered all his parts in the summer!

Give me hollar if you get up this way!

Take care,
Den

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