Transforming a 2001 32' Thomas RE into a Full-Time Home on Wheels for 6

[01ThomasMVP]

We are 2 people, 2 dogs and 2 cats. We have been planning on escaping the rat race for some time now, and are finally in the position to get this project started. We just purchased a 2001 Thomas RE that is 32' long and a 6'5'' ceiling headroom space. We plan on living, working, and playing full-time in this bus for at least the next 2 years. At that point we will hopefully be financially ready to buy a small piece of land somewhere, New Mexico or Colorado most likely, and start building our own house. Anyway, enough background. I will try to keep this post updated on our progress. Other than that, CHECK OUT OUR SKOOLIE!

[Robin97396]

Congrats on your recent acquisition.

Was there a link? I would like to check out your bus.

[david.dgeorge07]

Based on your description it sounds like you may have a bus similar to mine. It’s a 2001 Thomas saf t liner 36 feet long. What engine and transmission do you have? Let’s see some pictures!

[01ThomasMVP]

Hi everyone, I will get pictures up as soon as I figure out how to do it efficiently! Is there a way for me to upload pics through a third party website like photobucket for free? And you mentioned a link? I am not tech savvy and this is my first time using any sort of social media or forum or anything like this but I want to share my build process!

We are currently in the process of demolition. So far I have about 3 things going on.

1: I have removed 2 of the three passenger heaters and gutted all the heater hoses. I need to figure out and decide whether I want to re-install one or possibly both of the heaters near the drivers seat. The reason I am thinking of doing this is to be able to blast the heaters on hot days to help keep the engine cool. Any ideas or advice? I would also like any advice on how to flush and clean the heating system before putting in new coolant and filter.



2: Gutting the drivers area. We have pulled all the flooring out except for where the drivers seat is and the stairway. How did you guys go about gutting this area? We are running into the issue of having to remove the gas pedals, and on the dash, removing all of our gauges and switches. I am thinking about replacing all of the old plastic and metal in the front with wood. Any advice?

3: This isn't as big of an issue but still holding me back. How did you guys remove the metal wall panels below the windows? they seem to be bent underneath the window frame and held in place somehow. Should I just cut them out with a saw or is there a way for me to unscrew them? Are they screwed in from the outside?

I'm gonna try and figure out how to get pics up here before I do anything else.

[o1marc]

Screw Photobucket. They recently deleted everyones pics that were 3rd party shared and now want to charge like $100 for sharing.
I just copy the pic and send it to my downloads. From there it's easy to attach them using the attach files link below in the Additional Options.

[Robin97396]

It's up to you if you want a cloud photo service, but you can upload directly into an album on this site.

[david.dgeorge07]

Tapatalk FTW. Easy as pie to upload pictures from your phone directly using it.


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[01ThomasMVP]

Here's some pics of where we're at right now. We were able to pull up all our flooring without much trouble but are now at the point where all that's remaining is the panel that runs under the dash and pedals. Just trying to plan out the best way to tackle this project without overwhelming ourselves with the potential wiring craze that lays underneath.

[01ThomasMVP]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

Tapatalk FTW. Easy as pie to upload pictures from your phone directly using it.


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Thanks, I will definitely try this out tonight!

[01ThomasMVP]

Anyone know a good way to get rid of these? Is there somewhere that will buy it?

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[01ThomasMVP]

I've removed all of the a/c units from the bus. The tubes coming from RED CIRCLE was broken off anyway. Can I remove this unit from my engine since I no longer have a/c? If so then do I just remove the belt by loosening the GREEN CIRCLE Do I need to replace the belt after? Can the YELLOW circle just spin on it's own? This is a CAT 3126.

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[01ThomasMVP]

Just want to make sure this is all part of the air conditioning system correct? Even the fans underneath the chassis? I'm planning on gutting all of the a/c lines and units. If anyone knows a good place that will take these or if anyone here wants them, they're available.

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[o1marc]

Originally Posted by 01ThomasMVP

Anyone know a good way to get rid of these? Is there somewhere that will buy it?

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Does it work? Is everything there? I would consider it if you weren't on the other side of the country. I'll check out what it weighs and see what shipping would be. I just had a 101"x51"x48", 900b stand up crate shipped from L.I. ,N.Y. to Ga.for $297. That probably weighs less than half that.

The item in the red circle is the A/C compressor and can be removed if deleting the A/C system. The green pulley is just an idler and can also be deleted. The yellow alley is the drive pulley for the compressor, it has a secondary belt on the back to goes to something below it, what does it turn below it? If it's another idler, then it also can be deleted unless it turns something important below it.

[01ThomasMVP]

I believe the lift weighs somewhere around 300-400lbs. The second belt connected to the drive pulley in the yellow circle has the serpentine belt connected. I'm gonna be working on getting the compressor removed today and gutting all the a/c hoses.

[01ThomasMVP]

Okay so right now we are working on removing all of the interior lighting. We started from the lights, cut the wires and followed them to the control panel below. I just want to make sure that removing the interior light switches is not gonna mess anything else up with my exterior wiring and whatnot? The last two pics are the exterior lights that we left alone.

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[david.dgeorge07]

What’s the outside of this bus look like?


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[01ThomasMVP]

There ya go

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[david.dgeorge07]

Pretty bus! Since it is the same year as mine and also a Thomas I thought it might be similar, but it’s actually a pretty different design than mine. Got a love those wheels though! And it’s already painted something other than yellow!


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[01ThomasMVP]

It's got all the unnecessary lights and buzzers and seats and whatnot already out, gave us a great deal on the new tires too! I've been looking at your thread a bunch and have learned a lot. Mind if I ask you a few questions about your bus?

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[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by 01ThomasMVP

It's got all the unnecessary lights and buzzers and seats and whatnot already out, gave us a great deal on the new tires too! I've been looking at your thread a bunch and have learned a lot. Mind if I ask you a few questions about your bus?

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Of course! That’s why we’re here!


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