The Four Season Prime

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by sweetfarm

You Sir are Awesome! I love this bus! I wish we were were neighbors so I could join in the fun. Of course I moved to get away from snow and winter so that's not going to happen unless your coming stateside ;)

Thanks for the kind words. I would love to have help, and I would love to help others build their own. However, no one local shares the same interest.

Nat

[nat_ster]

A bit more trimming under the drivers seat. Now it will match the other side.





Trimming out the drivers window opening so the window will fit. The opening was a 1/4 inch to short, I had to cut a 1/4 inch off the rub rail at the bottom of the window.



I installed a piece of bungee cord as a door stop to keep the wind from tearing it off the hinges.



We got one last warm sunny day, so I got after bolting the new side panels.



I snapped chock lines to keep the bolts in line. I also used to much seam seal between the panels, causing bulging. With winter fast aproching, I rushed this step. Far from the best job I could have done, but it will have to do.



Top row of bolts not in yet.



All these bolts also hold the rib extensions together.



Bulging caused by too much seam seal.



Nat

[nat_ster]

I used por 15's metal ready as a etching agent for the galvanized metal.



You can see the color difference.





And I etched under the door.





Nat

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

However, no one local shares the same interest.

Nat

I hear you. Lots of folks interested in what one is building but mostly this can be a solitary craft other than one's immediate family. That's OK though, can't think of a better project for a couple than to build their home or dream. I have 2 friends who want to do this themselves but live in other parts of the country. Their projects might end up here at some point to build but probably after I'm mostly done with the structural work on mine.

[nat_ster]

A shot from the front through the future windshield opening. The center vertical bar shows how much bigger the new windshield will be.







I started finishing the strapping around a few of the windows to see how it would work out.



Nat

[EastCoastCB]

I love the piles of bus refuse. I have a few of those too.
EXCELLENT build thread.
And I'd definitely help you if you were here in the sunshine state!
I know the feeling though. Good, or ANY, help can be hard to come by. I can't even entice friends with beer these days!

[nat_ster]

I was feeling like wrecking something, so I turned to demolition.

Time to get rid of all this rusty exhaust pipe out from under the bus.



I cut the stainless steel band with my 4 pound hammer and chisel.



You can see all the dirt and rust stuck on the side of the fuel tank mount.





Smashing it out with the hammer and chisel.





Nat

[nat_ster]

Thx fellow skoolies.

More pics are uploading for tomorrow.

Nat

[family wagon]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

A shot from the front through the future windshield opening. The center vertical bar shows how much bigger the new windshield will be.

The anticipation is killing me! When I read your proposal to install a taller windshield rather than the traditional "tall forehead" or mid-roof rise, I thought it was a great idea and added it to my mind's picture of my own project.

Yesterday I was out and passed a Safelite location (they're an auto glass chain in the US, nationwide I think) so I went in to inquire. Let me just say the lady there was not one of those "help the customer even if I can't help him" types.. As soon as I'd said I wanted a windshield for a bus she said "we don't do buses." "Well then suppose it was a motorhome," I said, and she replied that they don't like doing motorhomes.

In any case all she could tell me is that she can order glass from the manufacturer by application, or by the "bug" code printed on the original glass, but certainly not anything custom. So I'm wondering how you propose to (or already did) close yours up. I'm praying you won't install a wide sliding patio door panel hung sideways!

[EastCoastCB]

I'm wondering what Nat is gonna do for a gasket for that. I'm really looking forward to seeing it done.