Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-09-2008, 08:29 PM   #61
Skoolie
 
reprobate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 226
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

We used to call that FRP board Marlite. Unfortunately I've put up what seems like miles of that stuff. 20 years ago it was still over $25 a sheet.

reprobate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2008, 08:54 PM   #62
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

And the others are right, that stuff is available in the paneling aisle at either HD or Lowes, I bought this particular sheet at Lowes for $29, I think HD gets around $32 for it. It's probably sold under different names, Sani-Lite is what they call it at the paneling wharehouse (Central Supply). It is fiberglass reinforced plastic sheeting. It is VERY tuff stuff. I'm pretty sure an 8' sheet would cover the entire ceiling from wire run to wire run. If I had done the whole ceiling with this instead of the drop ceiling, I wouldn't have lost an inch & half... however the stuff I'm using also add's to insulation value and noise blocking and the Sani-Lite would do niether...
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2008, 10:44 PM   #63
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

you can cut the stuff with a regular saw blade on a circular saw. It cuts much nicer with a router though. what do you guys use to cut the stuff with?
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2008, 07:37 AM   #64
Skoolie
 
reprobate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 226
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

To cut the stuff, I've done the same as you, Jason. Circular saw, router and table saw. We even used to use large sheet metal shears. I always hated cuting the stuff.
reprobate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2008, 07:45 PM   #65
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I used a circular saw, regular combo blade though a small tooth paneling blade would probably be better. I found that if you are cutting close to the edge, the saw had a tendancy to bust off chips, but if you run the saw backwards on it it would not chip and still cut just fine!
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2008, 10:37 PM   #66
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I added in a forward TV table, it's actually temporary as I intend to put in a wide screen flat panel that hangs down in front of the windshield area, and flips up to the ceiling when in transit. But for now, this table will work...



__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2008, 09:30 PM   #67
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I removed that when I replaced the bus door.
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2008, 10:03 PM   #68
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

The door swing handle was removed when I took the bus door off. I replaced it with this "Secure Elegance" door by Lawson, it has tempered safetey glass with center membrane (like car windshields), and has a 3 point secure locking mechanism... It also has a gas shock type closer, and fit in the opening perfectly (30 inch). Door cost around $300 at Lowes...

__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2008, 02:05 PM   #69
Bus Nut
 
captainkf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rossland BC, Canada
Posts: 433
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: 366 propane
Rated Cap: 56
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

So your door is only glass? Hmmm, great visibility though. What did you use to attach the panneling to the roof? Would it be possible to put a foil insulation under it for a ceiling covering? I like the look and washability, and need somthing as the ribs really transmit heat and cold.

-Richard
captainkf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2008, 09:34 PM   #70
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

My ceiling tile system I bought at Lowes, I started with starter strips that I attached directly to the metal ceiling with zip scres (TEK Screws), I recommend square drive instead of phillips head as they don't slip!



Once the strips are up there at 24" centers, I ran the tile and used T-strips that snap up into the stater strips. If you keep it tight fitting nothing will rattle loose or fall down while the bus is in motion...



Along straight edges I used simple 90ş angle strips like the ones in front of the cabinets...



And the finished product looks like this...




As for the door, yes it's 95ş glass, and tempered safety glass at that. The 3 point locking mechanism should meet DOT spec too (at least I hope it will)...
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2008, 09:40 PM   #71
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I just re-read your post, and if you are talking about sani-lite panels I put in the bath room, I don't actually have anything holding them in there, I cut them so close that when I went to test fit them they popped into place and just stayed there, I had so much trouble trying to dislodge them so that I could glue them in I decided to just leave them in place.

However, had I got them loose again, I was planning on using carpet glue, the stuff spreads easy and has a good "Grip" power to it...
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2008, 09:43 PM   #72
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

BTW... Last weekends efforts went into the towing system... I actually hooked the Jeep up and pulled it around the parking lot, working on tow light wiring this weekend...

__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2008, 10:07 PM   #73
Skoolie
 
reprobate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 226
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

Looks to me like it's about time to hit the road. All your stuff is really looking great. Lots of clever ideas.
reprobate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2008, 10:13 PM   #74
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

Got more to do before it hits the road....but it's getting real close!!

I moved the rooftop A/C (which was mounted near the back) to the front (I also have a window unit mounted in the very rear), so now I have A/C in the front of the coach. And I installed a rooftop vent into the old hole in the rear...



I also replaced the back-up camera that I had. The initial camera install included a cheapie $10 camera that worked when it wanted to, this time I have a $300 SafetyVision camera (only paid $120 for camera & monitor)... This thing works GREAT!!



The whole story and more pictures are located HERE
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 08:30 PM   #75
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I decided the interior A/C control section for my rooftop A/C hung down too low for use in my bus, largely because I have the low ceiling bus. Be that as it may, I made my own vent system which sits flat to the ceiling tiles (except the controls stick down about 3/8" of an inch)... The long narrow vent is the output, it has fins that blow the air fore & aft, the square vent is the intake...



In the rear hole where the A/C used to be I installed a roof vent...



The interior trim piece for this was too shallow for the depth of the ceiling as I have it, so I had to improvise a little, used another vent trim and painted it white to match and wrapped it around the main piece... worked good!



And now that it's installed all my ceiling tiles are completed, all I have left up there is some trim...

__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2008, 02:26 PM   #76
wtd
Bus Nut
 
wtd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California City, CA
Posts: 267
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Thomas TransitLiner
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

Quote:
I'm thinking about an air conditioner that goes inside and vents thru a window.
That's what I did. I use several units, so can control the power a bit more selectively. Turn 'em on one at a time to control the 'bang' on your generator or shore connection.
Also, I wasn't sure where I wanted turn actually put it, so these units can bolt up in front
of any window and can be moved around to any window with very little effort. Takes 20 minutes or
so to move the whole shebang to another window. To use it you just slide the side panels back, reach through and
lower the window. When you're done you can reverse that or just go outside and push the window up.

The individual units are cheap - I think they were about 70 bucks at Home Depot, if the conk out you can get an inexpensive replacement at any WalMart, Home Depot or Lowe's, slide out the old one, slide in the new one without much fuss and not have to deal with an RV place.
__________________
The Rolling Motel Room
Where DIY meets WTF
wtd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2008, 09:09 PM   #77
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I also have a small 6000 BTU window unit in the very rear, but it doesn't cool the whole bus like the roof top unit does. That roof unit I got for free, it's old but blows nice & cold. I will use the big roof job when in the hot day or rolling down the road (running off Genset) and use the small window unit at night since it's in the bedroom. I can use both if need be when hooked to shore power.
__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2008, 09:19 PM   #78
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

This week I cut a hole for the generator. It's going in toward the rear just ahead of the side radiator. It's the ONLY place I have open for this thing, other than in the middle of the frame behind the front bumper...and that would provide no outside access...





If push comes to shove, I can remove the generator and have GREAT access to the side of the transmission!!

I also decided to replace the old 4 burner range/oven combo for a smaller 3 burner stove top. This will free space below the range for the microwave, which then free's up some more counter space....besides, a counter microwave in a moving vehicle just doesn't make sense!! The new stove top will be recessed down into the counter, and a false counter top will be placed over the top of it, thus providing more counter space. You see, I rarely ever use propane for cooking, I either cook out on the grill, or use electric skillet and an electric single burner...

__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2008, 08:01 PM   #79
Bus Nut
 
GoneCamping's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

I trimmed out the recessed stove today....




Also, ever wonder what to do with those electrical runs? (this question is geared toward those like me that chose NOT to remove them)... This is what I did with them...



__________________
*Cliff*

You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
GoneCamping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2008, 09:56 PM   #80
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
Re: The "Behemoth" comes to life....

that bus is looking really nice!
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
"Short" bus or "Regular" bus? TygerCub Conversion General Discussions 11 03-03-2012 12:37 PM
1971 GMC Schoolbus "Patience" for sale Songdog007 Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 2 10-17-2011 01:11 PM
up for auction!! 1972 GMC "New Look" "Fishbowl" Coachbus35ft Stuff Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 0 01-18-2011 10:39 AM
"Tutorial" and "How To" internal error dunnwright Conversion General Discussions 6 11-16-2010 07:02 AM
FOR SALE: Search- "Aimless Pursuits" in the skooli JoeA Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 1 09-10-2006 08:44 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.